1 Timothy 1:18-20

2. A negative warning 1:18-20

Paul next balanced his positive encouragement based on God’s dealings with himself (1 Timothy 1:12-17) with a negative warning based on God’s dealings with two unfaithful ministers. He did this to challenge Timothy further to remain faithful to God as he discharged his duties. His thought returned to what he had written in 1 Timothy 1:3-7. Towner saw this whole section (1 Timothy 1:3-20) as loosely chiastic. [Note: Towner, The Letters . . ., pp. 104-5.]