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Introduction
to 1 Timothy
This summary of the book of 1 Timothy provides information about
the title
author(s)
date of writing
chronology
theme
theology
outline
a
brief overview
and the chapters of the Book of 1 Timothy.
Both early tradition and the salutations of the Pastoral Letters
(1
2 Timothy; Titus) themselves claim Paul as their author (1:1; 2Ti 1:1; Tit
1:1). Some objections have been raised in recent years on the basis
of an alleged uncharacteristic vocabulary and style (see
e.g.
notes on 1:15; 2:2)
but other evidence still convincingly
supports Paul's authorship. See essay
p. 2481.
During his fourth missionary journey (see map
pp. 2486-2487)
Paul had instructed Timothy to care for the church at Ephesus (1:3) while he went on to Macedonia. When he
realized that he might not return to Ephesus in the near future (3:14-15)
he wrote this first letter to Timothy
to develop the charge he had given his young assistant (1:3
18)
to refute false teachings (1:3-7; 4:1-8; 6:3-5
20-21) and to supervise the affairs of the
growing Ephesian church (church worship
ch. 2; the appointment of qualified
church leaders
3:1-13; 5:17-25).
A major problem in the Ephesian church was a heresy that combined
Gnosticism (see Introduction to 1 John: Gnosticism)
decadent Judaism (1:3-7) and false asceticism (4:1-5).
1 Timothy was written sometime after the events of Ac
28 (c. 63-65)
at least eight years after Paul's three-year stay in
Ephesus (see Ac 19:10 and note).
Recipient
As the salutation indicates (1:2)
Paul is writing to Timothy
a native of
Lystra (in modern Turkey). Timothy's father was Greek
while his mother was a
Jewish Christian (Ac 16:1). From childhood he had been taught the
OT (2Ti 1:5; 3:15). Paul called him "my true son in the
faith" (1:2; see note there)
perhaps having led him to
faith in Christ during his first visit to Lystra. At the time of his second
visit Paul invited Timothy to join him on his missionary travels
circumcising
him so that his Greek ancestry would not be a liability in working with the
Jews (Ac 16:3). Timothy helped Paul evangelize
Macedonia and Achaia (Ac 17:14-15; 18:5)
and was with him during much of his long preaching ministry at Ephesus (Ac
19:22). He traveled with him from Ephesus to Macedonia
to Corinth
(see Ac 20:3 and note)
back to Macedonia
and to
Asia Minor (Ac 20:1-6). He may even have accompanied him all
the way to Jerusalem. He was with Paul during the apostle's first imprisonment
(Php 1:1; Col 1:1; Phm
1).
Following Paul's release (after Ac
28)
Timothy again traveled with him but eventually stayed at
Ephesus to deal with the problems there
while Paul went on to Macedonia.
Paul's closeness to and admiration of Timothy are seen in Paul's naming him as
the co-sender of six of his letters (2 Corinthians
Philippians
Colossians
1
2 Thessalonians and Philemon) and in his speaking highly of him to the
Philippians (Php 2:19-22). At the end of Paul's life he
requested Timothy to join him at Rome (2Ti 4:9
21). According to Heb 13:23
Timothy himself was imprisoned and
subsequently released -- whether at Rome or elsewhere
we do not know.
Timothy was not an apostle. It may be best to regard him as an
apostolic representative
delegated to carry out special work (cf. Tit
1:5).
I.
Greetings (1:1-2)
A.
The Nature of the Heresy (1:3-7)
III.
The Lord's Grace to Paul (1:12-17)
1.
Prayer in public worship (2:1-8)
VI.
Instructions concerning False Teaching (ch.
4)
VII.
Instructions concerning Different Groups in the Church (5:1;6:2)
VIII.
Miscellaneous Matters (6:3-19)
IX.
Concluding Appeal and Benediction (6:20-21)
──《New
International Version》
Introduction to 1 Timothy
The design of the epistle appears to be
that
Timothy having been left at Ephesus
St. Paul wrote to instruct him in the
choice of proper officers in the church
as well as in the exercise of a
regular ministry. Also
to caution against the influence of false teachers
who
by subtle distinctions and endless disputes
corrupted the purity and
simplicity of the gospel. He presses upon him constant regard to the greatest
diligence
faithfulness
and zeal. These subjects occupy the first four
chapters; the fifth chapter instructs respecting particular classes; in the
latter part
controversies and disputes are condemned
the love of money
blamed
and the rich exhorted to good works.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 1 Timothy》
1 Timothy General Review
AUTHOR: The apostle Paul as stated in the salutation (1:1). The
internal evidence certainly supports Paul as the author
especiallyreferences to his earlier life (1:13)
and the close relationshipbetween the author and Timothy (1:2; cf. Ph 2:22). Early sources inchurch history that attribute this letter to Paul include: Eusebius(300 A .D.)
Origen (250 A .D.)
Clement of Alexandria 200 A .D.)
Tertullian (200 A .D.)
Irenaeus (200 A .D.)
the Muratorian Fragment(180 A .D.). References to the epistle are also found in the writingsof Theophilus of Antioch 180 A .D.)
Justin Martyr (160 A .D.)
Polycarp(135 A .D.)
and Clement of Rome 90 A .D.). RECIPIENT: Timothy Paul's "true son in the faith" (1:2 18). We are
first introduced to Timothy in Ac 16:1-3
where we learn that hismother was Jewish (cf. also 2 Ti 1:5; 3:14-15) and his father Greek.Well spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Iconium
Paul desired thatthe young disciple travel with him and therefore had him circumcised toaccommodate Jews they would seek to evangelize. This began a longrelationship of service together in the work of the Lord
in whichTimothy served Paul as a son would his father (Ph 2:19-24). Suchservice included not only traveling with Paul
but remaining with newcongregations when Paul had to leave suddenly (Ac 17:13-14)
going backto encourage such congregations (1 Th 3:1-3)
and serving as Paul'spersonal emissary (1 Co 16:10-11; Ph 2:19-24). He had the honor ofjoining Paul in the salutation of several epistles written by Paul (2Co 1:1; Ph 1:1; Co 1:1; 1 Th 1:1; 2 Th 1:1) and from such epistles we
learn that Timothy had been with Paul during his imprisonment at Rome Such faithful service helps us to appreciate why Paul would leave himin Ephesus TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING: Some commentators (such as Barnes) believe
that Paul may have penned 1st Timothy after his extended stay at