Author

The apostle Paul wrote First Timothy (1:1). it is one of four letters Paul wrote to individuals (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon) and one of three he wrote to younger preachers to instruct them in their work (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus). Thus, these three books constitute the fullest inspired teaching on the work of an evangelist.

To Whom Written

Paul wrote the letter to the evangelist Timothy, whom he calls “my true son in the faith.” (1:2,18; cf. 2 Timothy 4:5) Timothy was from Lystra and had a Greek father and Jewish mother (Acts 16:1). His name is Greek and means “honored of God.”

Apparently Paul had converted him on his first preaching trip to Asia Minor (Acts 14:6-23), for when Paul returned to Lystra on his second journey, Timothy was already “well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.” (Acts 16:2)

Thus, as a babe in Christ, Timothy had seen first hand the persecution he might be called upon to endure, as he must have been in Lystra when Paul was there stoned (Acts 16:19-22). Perhaps it was then and there he shed tears for his father in the faith (2 Timothy 1:4). Since Timothy was still a young man when Paul wrote First Timothy (4:12), he must have been a teenager or barely older the approximately seventeen years earlier when he was baptized and thirteen years before when he began traveling with the apostle. Young people can and should be active in the service of the Lord.

From that time on Timothy became Paul’s companion. Apparently prophets by inspiration pointed out Timothy for his work (1 Timothy 1:18). Since Timothy had a Jewish mother, Paul had him circumcised, so he could go with him into the synagogues to preach (Acts 16:3). As a child Timothy had been taught the Old Testament and nurtured in faith by his godly grandmother and mother (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-15). Paul had imparted to the young preacher a spiritual gift and the elders of the church had approved him in his work. (2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Timothy 4:14) Timothy journeyed with Paul, joining in the work of preaching, and was sent on important trips to help the apostle both on Paul’s second and third journeys (Acts 17:14; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10; 2 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:2,6). He even joined with Paul in greeting the church in Rome (Romans 16:21) and in addressing letters to other churches (2 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1). Timothy labored for the Lord despite recurring health problems (1 Timothy 5:23).

The young evangelist did not abandon his aged mentor when he was imprisoned but joined the beloved apostle in addressing letters while in Roman chains (Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1). Paul had no other companion who so completely partook of his spirit of humble, self-sacrificial service (Philippians 2:19-21). He shared with the great apostle the closeness and love of a son (Philippians 2:22; 2 Timothy 2:2). Paul prayed for him without ceasing and longed to see him (2 Timothy 1:3-4).

As Paul drew near death in his final Roman imprisonment, with most earthly companions gone or afraid to be seen with him, he sent for Timothy to come attend to his personal needs (2 Timothy 4:9-21). What a comfort it must have been to the old soldier of the cross, as he prepared to lay his armor down, to be able to hand the banner of truth to his “beloved son” Timothy. (2 Timothy 4:1-8)

Despite the name “Pastoral Epistles” given by denominational commentators to First and Second Timothy and Titus, neither Timothy nor Titus are ever called “pastors.” In his solemn charge to Timothy, Paul commanded him, “Preach the word!” (2 Timothy 4:3) and “do the work of an evangelist.”(verse 5) In the first letter to Timothy, the apostle called him a “minister of Jesus Christ.” (1 Timothy 4:6) Pastors (Ephesians 4:11), i.e., shepherds, are also called elders and bishops, i.e., overseers (Acts 20:17,28; 1 Peter 5:1-4). The evangelists Timothy and Titus were to appoint a plurality of qualified men to this work in each local church (Titus 1:5-9; cf. Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

When and Where Written

When Paul wrote to the Philippians and to Philemon, he expected to be released from Roman prison shortly (Philippians 1:24-26; 2:24; Philemon 22). He was jailed in Rome at least two years (Acts 28:30-31). The apostle apparently was released from prison and traveled back to the East, leaving Timothy to preach at Ephesus and writing to him from Macedonia (1 Timothy 1:3). This would date First Timothy after Paul’s release from his first Roman imprisonment and before a second arrest (2 Timothy 4:16), probably around AD 64 or 65.

Occasion and Purpose

About a decade earlier, as Paul bid the elders at Ephesus farewell, he warned them of coming apostasy (Acts 20:28-31). Apparently that apostasy had at this time begun in the Ephesian congregation. Some were turning from the faith to fables and binding the precepts of the law on Christians (1:3-7). Hymenaeus and Alexander had made shipwreck of the faith (1:19-20). The false doctrines of celibacy and asceticism were being taught (4:1-5). The heresy later known as Gnosticism, which introduced many doctrines and practices now central to Roman Catholicism, had begun (1:20; The word “knowledge” or “science” (KJV) is from the Greek word “gnosis,” hence, “Gnostics,” those who claimed to have a higher knowledge of mystical truth).

In the face of this paramount danger, Timothy needed to be edified and encouraged to do the work of an evangelist in a local church.

Theme

The theme of First Timothy is stated in 3:14-15:

These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.