I Timothy
Purpose
First Timothy is a personal pastoral letter from Paul to his trusted coworker Timothy, whom he has left in Ephesus to deal with false teachers who are upsetting households with "myths and endless genealogies" and turning from the truth to "irreverent babble." The letter blends personal charge with church order, urging Timothy to guard the "good deposit" of the gospel against error, to pray for all people, to structure the church with qualified overseers and deacons whose homes and reputations commend them, and to hold firm to the "mystery of godliness" confessed in the great Christ-hymn. Paul devotes special care to the life of the congregation — the conduct of men and women in worship, the care of widows, the honor due to elders who labor in preaching, and the warning against the love of money — and he charges Timothy, "man of God," to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness, and to "fight the good fight of the faith" and "take hold of the eternal life." The letter shapes a healthy church through sound doctrine and godly order.
Author
Paul the apostle
Time Period
Written c. 62-64 AD, after Paul's first Roman imprisonment
Key Themes
- Sound doctrine against error
- Church order and qualified leaders
- Godliness and the good deposit
- Prayer for all
- The love of money
Outline
Sound teaching and the goal of love (ch. 1): the charge to deal with false teachers, the lawful use of the law, and Paul's gratitude for mercy. Prayer and order in the church (ch. 2–3): prayers for all people, conduct in worship, and the qualifications of overseers and deacons. The mystery of godliness and warnings (ch. 4): the great confession, later-times deceit, and the discipline of godliness. Pastoral care of the congregation (ch. 5–6): widows, elders, slaves and masters, the love of money, and the charge to the rich and to Timothy.