The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to
TIMOTHY
Author: Paul
Date: About A.D. 64
Theme: Removal of False Doctrine, Preservation of Public Worship, and Proper Leadership in the Church
Key Words: Carefulness, Watchfulness, Strength, Commitment
Background. On their first missionary journey Paul and Barnabas preached in Lystra, a city of Lycaonia, and experienced success amid persecution. It is likely that a Jewess named Lois, and her daughter Eunice, were converted to Christ during that ministry. Eunice was married to a Gentile, by whom she had Timothy, probably an only child. Timothy evidently had been instructed in the Jewish religion, but his father refused to allow his son to be circumcised. From the beginning a close relationship developed between Paul and Timothy.
When Paul returned to Lystra on his second journey, he found Timothy to be a member of the local church and highly recommended by its leaders there and at Iconium. Under the prompting of the Holy Spirit Paul added Timothy to his apostolic party. Since they were going to be ministering among the Jews, Paul admonished Timothy to be circumcised, not for righteousness’ sake, but to avoid offending the Jews since his mother was Jewish.
Author. All the Pastoral Epistles (1 Tim., 2 Tim., Titus) name the apostle Paul as their author. In addition, early tradition unanimously insists that Paul wrote them. However, many scholars question this claim on the basis of several difficulties. The Pastoral Epistles include words that do not appear in Paul’s uncontested letters. Moreover, the Pastorals record certain events that are difficult to harmonize with the account of Paul’s journeys in Acts. For example, Paul has conducted a mission in Crete (Titus 1:5), plans to spend the winter in Nicopolis (Titus 3:12), and has made visits to Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3), to Miletus (2 Tim. 4:20), and to Troas (2 Tim. 4:13). Furthermore, some scholars feel that these letters describe a church organization too far advanced for Paul’s time.
So far as vocabulary is concerned, we may conclude that the subject matter of the Pastorals is so different from that of Paul’s other letters that he would necessarily use some words he had not previously employed. It would be foolish to restrict an educated man like Paul to a limited vocabulary. The fact that he was writing to close associates is also a consideration.
The obvious answer to the problem of harmonizing the accounts of Paul’s journeys in the Pastorals with those in Acts is that Paul was released from the Roman imprisonment described in Acts and continued his ministry for several more years. There is solid evidence from the writings of early Christian leaders that this was the case. During this period of continued activity, Paul wrote 1 Timothy and Titus. Later he was arrested again and wrote 2 Timothy during his second Roman imprisonment.
The mention of elders, bishops, and deacons in the Pastorals does not imply a monarchical episcopacy that demands a date later than Paul’s time. Paul appointed elders in the churches on his first missionary journey (Acts 14:23) and greeted bishops and deacons in his Philippian letter. Furthermore, Paul used the terms “bishop” and “elder” interchangeably (see Titus 1:5–7).
The preponderance of evidence supports Paul as the author of the Pastoral Epistles.
Date. Paul visited Ephesus in about A.D. 63, following his release from his first Roman imprisonment. Soon thereafter, he left, placing Timothy in charge of the church there. He probably wrote the letter in about A.D. 64.
Purpose. The primary purpose of the epistle was to encourage Timothy in his difficult task of dealing with doctrinal errors and practical problems in the church at Ephesus, and to give him instructions concerning pastoral responsibilities and the qualifications and duties of church leadership.
Content. The work to which Paul assigned Timothy involved serious difficulties, and he felt it necessary to write a letter of instruction to his young associate as he faced the problems. In the letter he told Timothy how to combat false teachers, how to order the church’s worship, how to choose church leaders, and how to deal prudently with different classes in the church. All the while Timothy was to teach the apostolic faith and lead an exemplary life.
Personal Application. This letter not only guided Timothy in fulfilling his responsibilities as a church leader, but it has been a handbook for pastors throughout the whole church age. A clear lesson gleaned from Paul’s instructions is that the church must have a well-trained, deeply devoted, and highly consecrated ministry. Furthermore, ministers must stay in constant touch with God through prayer and study of the Bible (see 2:1, 8; 4:6, 12–16). The pastor must first nourish his own soul in the words of faith and good doctrine (4:6) and then teach the people the essentials of the faith (4:11). Practicing godliness in his own conduct, he must bring his congregation to do the same (4:16).
Christ Revealed. The deity of Jesus is apparent, because Paul equates Him with God the Father (1:1, 2; 3:16) and proclaims His universal sovereignty and eternal nature (6:15, 16). Jesus is the source of grace, mercy, and peace (1:2, 14) who commanded Paul’s apostleship (1:1) and enabled him for service (1:12). Christ is both Lord (1:2, 12, 14; 5:21; 6:3, 14, 15) and Savior (1:1, 15) “who gave Himself a ransom for all” (2:6). By virtue of His redemptive work He is the “one Mediator between God and men” (2:5), the way of access to God. He who became incarnate has ascended (3:16). Meanwhile, He is our hope (1:1), and the promise of His return is an incentive to fidelity in service and to purity in life (6:14).
The Holy Spirit at Work. Direct references to the Holy Spirit in 1 Timothy are rare, but He was at work from the inception of the church at Ephesus (see Acts 19:1–7). The “intercessions” (2:1) are prayers that involve the Holy Spirit’s assistance (Rom. 8:26, 27). The statement that “the Spirit expressly says” (4:1) underscores the continuing activity of the Holy Spirit and Paul’s sensitivity to His promptings. In 4:14 Paul reminds Timothy of “the gift” that was given to him “by prophecy,” a special ability for ministry given as a charisma of the Spirit when hands were laid on him. Further, “a good testimony” (3:7) would also include a leader’s being “full of the Holy Spirit” as with the first appointment of leaders (Acts 6:3).
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
TIMOTHY
Author: Paul
Date: About A.D. 64
Theme: Removal of False Doctrine, Preservation of Public Worship, and Proper Leadership in the Church
Key Words: Carefulness, Watchfulness, Strength, Commitment
Background. On their first missionary journey Paul and Barnabas preached in Lystra, a city of Lycaonia, and experienced success amid persecution. It is likely that a Jewess named Lois, and her daughter Eunice, were converted to Christ during that ministry. Eunice was married to a Gentile, by whom she had Timothy, probably an only child. Timothy evidently had been instructed in the Jewish religion, but his father refused to allow his son to be circumcised. From the beginning a close relationship developed between Paul and Timothy.
When Paul returned to Lystra on his second journey, he found Timothy to be a member of the local church and highly recommended by its leaders there and at Iconium. Under the prompting of the Holy Spirit Paul added Timothy to his apostolic party. Since they were going to be ministering among the Jews, Paul admonished Timothy to be circumcised, not for righteousness’ sake, but to avoid offending the Jews since his mother was Jewish.
Author. All the Pastoral Epistles (1 Tim., 2 Tim., Titus) name the apostle Paul as their author. In addition, early tradition unanimously insists that Paul wrote them. However, many scholars question this claim on the basis of several difficulties. The Pastoral Epistles include words that do not appear in Paul’s uncontested letters. Moreover, the Pastorals record certain events that are difficult to harmonize with the account of Paul’s journeys in Acts. For example, Paul has conducted a mission in Crete (Titus 1:5), plans to spend the winter in Nicopolis (Titus 3:12), and has made visits to Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3), to Miletus (2 Tim. 4:20), and to Troas (2 Tim. 4:13). Furthermore, some scholars feel that these letters describe a church organization too far advanced for Paul’s time.
So far as vocabulary is concerned, we may conclude that the subject matter of the Pastorals is so different from that of Paul’s other letters that he would necessarily use some words he had not previously employed. It would be foolish to restrict an educated man like Paul to a limited vocabulary. The fact that he was writing to close associates is also a consideration.
The obvious answer to the problem of harmonizing the accounts of Paul’s journeys in the Pastorals with those in Acts is that Paul was released from the Roman imprisonment described in Acts and continued his ministry for several more years. There is solid evidence from the writings of early Christian leaders that this was the case. During this period of continued activity, Paul wrote 1 Timothy and Titus. Later he was arrested again and wrote 2 Timothy during his second Roman imprisonment.
The mention of elders, bishops, and deacons in the Pastorals does not imply a monarchical episcopacy that demands a date later than Paul’s time. Paul appointed elders in the churches on his first missionary journey (Acts 14:23) and greeted bishops and deacons in his Philippian letter. Furthermore, Paul used the terms “bishop” and “elder” interchangeably (see Titus 1:5–7).
The preponderance of evidence supports Paul as the author of the Pastoral Epistles.
Date. Paul visited Ephesus in about A.D. 63, following his release from his first Roman imprisonment. Soon thereafter, he left, placing Timothy in charge of the church there. He probably wrote the letter in about A.D. 64.
Purpose. The primary purpose of the epistle was to encourage Timothy in his difficult task of dealing with doctrinal errors and practical problems in the church at Ephesus, and to give him instructions concerning pastoral responsibilities and the qualifications and duties of church leadership.
Content. The work to which Paul assigned Timothy involved serious difficulties, and he felt it necessary to write a letter of instruction to his young associate as he faced the problems. In the letter he told Timothy how to combat false teachers, how to order the church’s worship, how to choose church leaders, and how to deal prudently with different classes in the church. All the while Timothy was to teach the apostolic faith and lead an exemplary life.
Personal Application. This letter not only guided Timothy in fulfilling his responsibilities as a church leader, but it has been a handbook for pastors throughout the whole church age. A clear lesson gleaned from Paul’s instructions is that the church must have a well-trained, deeply devoted, and highly consecrated ministry. Furthermore, ministers must stay in constant touch with God through prayer and study of the Bible (see 2:1, 8; 4:6, 12–16). The pastor must first nourish his own soul in the words of faith and good doctrine (4:6) and then teach the people the essentials of the faith (4:11). Practicing godliness in his own conduct, he must bring his congregation to do the same (4:16).
Christ Revealed. The deity of Jesus is apparent, because Paul equates Him with God the Father (1:1, 2; 3:16) and proclaims His universal sovereignty and eternal nature (6:15, 16). Jesus is the source of grace, mercy, and peace (1:2, 14) who commanded Paul’s apostleship (1:1) and enabled him for service (1:12). Christ is both Lord (1:2, 12, 14; 5:21; 6:3, 14, 15) and Savior (1:1, 15) “who gave Himself a ransom for all” (2:6). By virtue of His redemptive work He is the “one Mediator between God and men” (2:5), the way of access to God. He who became incarnate has ascended (3:16). Meanwhile, He is our hope (1:1), and the promise of His return is an incentive to fidelity in service and to purity in life (6:14).
The Holy Spirit at Work. Direct references to the Holy Spirit in 1 Timothy are rare, but He was at work from the inception of the church at Ephesus (see Acts 19:1–7). The “intercessions” (2:1) are prayers that involve the Holy Spirit’s assistance (Rom. 8:26, 27). The statement that “the Spirit expressly says” (4:1) underscores the continuing activity of the Holy Spirit and Paul’s sensitivity to His promptings. In 4:14 Paul reminds Timothy of “the gift” that was given to him “by prophecy,” a special ability for ministry given as a charisma of the Spirit when hands were laid on him. Further, “a good testimony” (3:7) would also include a leader’s being “full of the Holy Spirit” as with the first appointment of leaders (Acts 6:3).
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
