1 Timothy

What makes 1 Timothy special?

First and Second Timothy and Titus are often called the “Pastoral Letters,” since they deal with the responsibilities of those who were in charge of some of the first Christian churches. Although this letter is addressed to Timothy personally, it actually served as a leadership manual for the early churches, because it provided so many helpful standards and guidelines for organizing these new communities of faith.

Why was 1 Timothy written?

This letter was written to give warnings about false teaching and to offer advice for all God's people. The letter also tells the church how its leaders are to be chosen, what titles are to be given to them, and what responsibilities they are to take on.

What's the story behind the scene?

Timothy, the son of a Jewish Christian mother and a Gentile father from Lystra (Acts 16.1), was guided in his faith by Paul (1 Cor 4.17). He is named as Paul's co-worker in many of Paul's letters (2 Cor 1.1; 1 Thes 1.1; Phlm 1). Paul had great confidence in Timothy (1 Cor 16.10; 2 Cor 1.19), who served as his messenger and is often mentioned as a co-sender of many of Paul's letters (2 Corinthians, 1,2 Thessalonians, Philippians, Philemon). Timothy traveled and worked with Paul (Rom 16.21; Phil 2.19; Acts 16.1-3). Because of their shared faith, Timothy was like a son to Paul (1.2).

This letter may have been written toward the end of Paul's life, or, as some scholars believe, it may have been written in his name by one of his followers after Paul's death. The structure of the church and certain teachings that appear in this letter indicate that the letter may have been written as much as a generation or two after Paul died. It was not unusual in the ancient world for followers to honor their teacher by writing something in the teacher's name.

How is 1 Timothy constructed?

The letter can be outlined in the following way: