I. Salutation 1:1-2
II. Timothy's mission in Ephesus 1:3-20
A. The task Timothy faced 1:3-11
B. Exhortations to be faithful 1:12-20
1. A positive encouragement 1:12-17
2. A negative warning 1:18-20
III. Instructions concerning the life of the local church 2:1-4:5
A. The priority of prayer in church life 2:1-7
B. The primary responsibilities of the men and the women in church meetings 2:8-15
C. The qualifications for church leaders 3:1-13
1. Qualifications for elders 3:1-7
2. Qualifications for deacons 3:8-13
D. The nature of the local church 3:14-16
E. The problem of apostasy in the church 4:1-5
IV. Instructions concerning leadership of the local church 4:6-5:25
A. The leader's personal life and public ministry 4:6-16
B. Basic principles of effective interpersonal relationships 5:1-2
C. How to deal with widows and elders 5:3-25
1. Provisions for widows 5:3-16
2. The discipline and selection of elders 5:17-25
V. Instructions for groups within the church 6:1-19
A. Slaves 6:1-2
B. False teachers 6:3-10
C. Those committed to Christ 6:11-16
D. The wealthy 6:17-19
VI. Concluding charge and benediction 6:20-21
