Pauline Epistles · New Testament
1 Timothy
c. AD 63
- Section
- Pauline Epistles · New Testament
- Events span
- c. AD 63
- Written
- c. AD 63 critical view: Disputed; possibly c. AD 90–100
- Author
- Paul the Apostle critical view: Anonymous (pseudonymous), c. late 1st century
Paul writes to his protégé Timothy, pastoring at Ephesus, with instructions for ordering the church: sound doctrine against false teachers, qualifications for elders and deacons, guidance for worship and various groups, and a charge to guard the faith and pursue godliness.
Key themes
- Sound doctrine
- Church leadership
- Godliness
- Guarding the faith
- The love of money
The letter's charge
- Paul charges Timothy to oppose false teachers and hold to sound doctrine
- Instructions for prayer and conduct in public worship
- Qualifications for overseers (elders) and deacons
- Guard against coming apostasy; "be thou an example" in godliness
- Guidance for widows, elders, and various groups in the church
- Flee the love of money; "fight the good fight of faith"
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”