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Introduction to 1 Timothy

The Writer

Paul wrote this (1:1) and it is the first of three of Paul's Pastoral Epistles.

Paul wrote nine epistles to the Churches, but I & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon were personal letters. Paul wrote two letters to Timothy in Ephesus. Paul wrote this epistle about A.D. 62 following his first imprisonment in Rome.

The Purpose of Writing

The reason Paul wrote this letter was to instruct Timothy as a young evangelist ( II Tim. 4:5) and as an overseer over the pastors, bishops and deacons (1:2; 1:18; 6:20; Acts 16:1-3; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4).

The Theme

The theme is sound doctrine and proper order in the Church (I Tim. 1:10; 6:3). The Church is the central light the world sees and the instrument that is able to proclaim the truth about Jesus as Lord, His Word, and godliness confront the false teaching by sound, healthy teaching (6:3).

The key verses are 3:15 and 4:16.

The Outline of 1 Timothy

6 Chapters

  1. Sound Doctrine in the Church 1:1-20
  2. True Worship in the Church 2:1-3:16
  3. A Good Minister in the Church 4:1-16
  4. Proper Discipline in the Church 5:1-6:21

From The Amplified Bible

"First and second Timothy and Titus are commonly identified as the Pastoral Letters written by Paul. They were written after (perhaps sometime around A.D. 63-65) Paul's first Roman imprisonment noted in the last chapter of Acts (Acts 28).

Since the New Testament books do not offer a continuing account of the extension of Christianity after this date, the references in these Pastoral Letters offer some basis for tracing the movements of Paul. He was probably released about A.D. 60 or 61 and revisited the Asian churches. En route to Macedonia, Paul left Timothy at Ephesus (I Tim. 1:3). Paul went on to Crete, where he ministered a while, and then left the believers under the leadership of Titus (Tit. 1:5) while he continued on to Dalmatia.

The first letter to Timothy at Ephesus and the letter to Titus in Crete were written by Paul en route, possibly in Macedonia. Shortly after this he must have been arrested and taken back to Rome as a prisoner, where he wrote the second letter to Timothy.

Timothy was born at Lystra and had a Greek father and a Jewish mother (who taught him the Scriptures from childhood). When Paul came to Lystra on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-3), he enlisted Timothy, who was associated with Paul till the end of his ministry. Timothy himself was finally imprisoned but later released (Heb. 13:23).

The first letter to Timothy is in conversational style and very personal. Paul instructs Timothy concerning the qualifications and duties of various church officers. He also offers guidance to Timothy in his pastoral responsibilities, making him conscious of his duties and obligations as a "man of God" (6:1)."