Here is a short summary of 1 Timothy: First Timothy is a personal letter from the apostle Paul to his friend and colleague in ministry, Timothy. Paul had traveled to Macedonia and left Timothy in Ephesus to set things in order in the church there. Some sort of false teaching had infiltrated the church, forbidding marriage and telling people to not eat certain foods. The false teachers were marked by greed. Timothy must confront and correct these things, providing sound teaching for the church. He needs to set the elders and deacons in order, and he himself must pursue faith, love, and godliness, showing himself an example to the church. Paul’s letter intends to guide him in this work, in order to demonstrate “how one should act in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth” (3:15).
Backstory to 1 Timothy
First Timothy is part of a collection of three letters commonly referred to as the Pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy, Titus, 2 Timothy), and it’s hard to know exactly where they fit into Paul’s life and ministry.[1]
The traditional view for 1 Timothy is that it was written in the mid-60’s after the time of the book of Acts. By contrast, I do think it’s possible to see 1 Timothy as written on Paul’s third missionary journey during the 6 months to a year that he traveled through Macedonia and Illyricum after he left Ephesus and before wintering in Corinth (see Acts 20:1-3). But while that may be possible, the evidence from the early church (and for the traditional view) is that Paul was released from his first Roman incarceration (the one in Acts 28), continued ministry for several more years, and wrote all three of the Pastoral Epistles, including 1 Timothy, during this time.
“The traditional view for 1 Timothy is that it was written in the mid-60’s after the time of the book of Acts.”
So, the traditional backstory to 1 Timothy appears to be something like this:
After spending two years detained in Caesarea and another two years under house arrest in Rome, Paul was released from Roman custody (circa A.D. 62) and continued ministry for several more years.
Prior to his arrest, Paul had been planning on visiting Rome on his way to Spain, and it’s possible that after his release, he traveled west to Spain. (Some early church fathers mentioned he did that, though they could simply be basing that on what Paul intended before being arrested.) Whether he made that trip or not, it appears that at some point Paul returned to minister to the churches he had started in the Aegean region—churches such as those in Ephesus, Philippi, and Thessalonica.
During this time, he and Timothy ministered together in Ephesus. Paul then decided to travel into Macedonia, so he left Timothy in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). He hoped to return to Ephesus before too long (3:14) but was uncertain of his exact itinerary, so thought it best to send a letter in case he was delayed. This is the letter we call 1 Timothy, and it was probably written around A.D. 64-65.
“Paul then decided to travel into Macedonia, so he left Timothy in Ephesus.”
So, Paul writes from Macedonia to Timothy who is working with the church in Ephesus. Ephesus was a port city and one of the largest cities of the Roman Empire. It was dominated by the temple and worship of Artemis, and Ephesian Artemis had her own distinct flavor. She was a virgin goddess known as the protector during childbirth. The temple of Artemis was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The city believed that her image fell from the sky just outside the city, and they were entrusted with being her guardians. They held regular festivals and parades in her honor.
The city also was a center for ancient magic. Spiritual powers, amulets, incantations, and magical formulas were a huge part of the culture of the city (see Acts 19).
Naturally, all of this affected the particular struggles of the church in Ephesus and is reflected in some of the issues addressed in 1 Timothy.
Paul states his purpose for the letter. He tells Timothy that he is writing to him “so that you will know how one should act in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth” (3:15). In other words, Timothy is being charged with setting things in proper order in the church at Ephesus.
Summary of 1 Timothy: “Timothy is being charged with setting things in proper order in the church at Ephesus.”
The reason for this is some people have stirred up all sorts of difficulties in the church by their false teaching. There are differing opinions and arguments. Women are being discouraged from marrying. The Old Testament Law is being mishandled and misapplied. It appears that some of the more well-to-do women are flaunting their status and even acting in overbearing ways. And part of this may stem from some of the church leaders.
So, Timothy is to “instruct certain people not to teach strange doctrines” (1:3). A lot of these teachings seem to have revolved around the OT Law and genealogies, myths, and speculations. Timothy must address this and contend for the true faith. He is supposed to point out the errors and teach the truth (sound/healthy teaching) of the matter to the brothers and sisters (4:6).
Paul also gives Timothy a number of instructions regarding church order and practice, including elders and deacons, and perhaps some of this is necessitated by the influence of the false teachers (some scholars suppose that some of the elders were responsible for the false teaching).
“Paul also gives Timothy a number of instructions regarding church order and practice, including elders and deacons.”
So, the whole letter is aimed at equipping Timothy to address the false teaching and correct the false teachers so that he can shore things up in the church in order to make sure the church in Ephesus is truly acting like the household of the God of truth.
Overview of 1 Timothy
1 Timothy 1
Following typical Greco-Roman letter writing style, 1 Timothy opens with an introduction and greeting in 1:1-2. Paul highlights his authority as an apostle, probably for Timothy’s benefit in correcting the false teachers. And he describes Timothy as his “true son in the faith.” This affection stems from the fact that Timothy had worked closely with Paul for nearly 15 years.
After the introduction and greeting, Paul begins the body of the letter in 1:3-20. He does so by specifying the task he’s expecting Timothy to take care of in Ephesus, namely commanding certain people to quit teaching false doctrine. Here we learn that much of the false teaching entails misusing the Old Testament Law in a way contrary to the gospel of grace that Paul himself experienced and was entrusted with proclaiming. Paul even calls out two specific individuals by name at the end of this section.
“Here we learn that much of the false teaching entails misusing the Old Testament Law in a way contrary to the gospel of grace.”
The charge to Timothy has two sides: to correct the false teachers and to establish sound teaching. So, in chapter 2 Paul begins to give specific instructions about things he wants Timothy to do as part of setting things in order in the church in Ephesus.
1 Timothy 2
In 2:1-8, Paul urges Timothy to make sure the church is praying for all people, especially the ruling authorities. Paul notes two motivations for such prayers: that believers may live a quiet, tranquil life and that unbelievers might be saved. In v. 8, Paul specifies that he wants the men in the church to pray and to do so without anger and arguing.
After specifying the men in v. 8, Paul turns to address the women in 2:9-15 (a notoriously debated passage). Notice that this section begins with “likewise.” That is, it’s paralleling Paul’s instructions to the men in v. 8.[2] First, Paul instructs women about their adornment. It should be modest not with flashy displays of wealth and status, and they ought to focus more on good deeds. Then, he explains that he expects them to learn with a peaceable disposition (it’s the same idea for all believers as quiet and tranquil in 2:2) and submitted to the authority of the leaders.
“Paul urges Timothy to make sure the church is praying for all people, especially the ruling authorities.”
1 Timothy 3
In chapter 3, Paul moves on to instructions for the church leaders in particular. In 3:1-7 he discusses men who want to be “overseers” (another word for elders) and focuses on their character. In a nutshell, they must be above reproach. Then he lists off a handful of traits entailed in being above reproach. The point of all of this is not to provide a checklist per se, but to show that a Christian leader must be one who models discipleship to Jesus in very tangible, down-to-earth ways.
In 3:8-13, Paul gives instructions to ministers or servants, traditionally referred to as deacons. He includes instructions to both men and women, and once again it focuses on their character. He also notes that they should be evaluated before commissioning them to service to make sure they too are above reproach.
He wraps up this section by stating his purpose for writing in 3:14-16, saying that he writes “so that you will know how one should act in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth” (3:15).
“He writes ‘so that you will know how one should act in the household of God.'”
1 Timothy 4
Paul continues in 4:1-10 by highlighting some of the false ideas that are spreading among believers in Ephesus and calling Timothy to point out the error of these ideas and teach the truth. Paul describes these ideas as “doctrines of demons” (4:1) and points out teachings that forbid marriage and eating certain foods. He calls Timothy to train (the idea is the same as when you work out at the gym) for the sake of godliness because godliness is valuable for the present life and the life to come.
In 4:11-16, Paul directly addresses Timothy, pointing out the things he needs in order to carry out his ministry well in Ephesus. He enunciates the character (love, faith, purity) and actions (public reading of Scripture, exhortation, teaching) necessary for his ongoing ministry in dealing with the situation there. Timothy must pay attention to these things for his sake and the church’s sake.
1 Timothy 5
In chapter 5, Paul continues his instructions to Timothy about how to put things in order in the church, but now he addresses how to deal with specific groups that make up the church.
In 5:1-2 he instructs him to relate to different age groups in the church with the dignity and purity of family.
Next, 5:3-16 offers guidance concerning the care of widows. The church had an official system for providing for widows, and apparently there were some problems with this system. So, Paul gives guidelines for what kind of widows qualified for the program (focusing again on their character and their service to God’s people). He says younger widows ought to remarry and raise a family (this instruction seems to be corrective to some problems being caused in the church by younger widows).
“Paul gives guidelines for what kind of widows qualified for the program.”
Then, in 5:17-25, Paul gives two specific instructions for those serving as elders. First, they are worthy of “double honor,” by which Paul means the church should give to support the needs of the elders, especially those who preach and teach. He grounds this in Scripture and the teaching of Jesus. Second, Paul gives instructions for how accusations of sin against elders should be handled.
1 Timothy 6
The theme of instructions for specific groups within the church continues in 6:1-2 with instructions for slaves. They must show proper honor toward their masters “so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against” (6:1). This is even more the case if their masters are fellow believers.
In 6:3-10, Paul returns to calling out the false teachers, whom he describes as loving controversial questions, full of envy and strife, creating constant friction, and thinking that godliness is means of gain. Paul says that godliness is actually a means of great gain when it’s accompanied by contentment. It’s in this context that Paul makes the well-known statement that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (6:10).
Paul then gives a few final exhortations to Timothy in 6:11-14 to be full of Christian virtue and to be faithful to his calling. This leads to a doxology praising God as the sovereign and immortal King (6:15-16).
“This leads to a doxology praising God as the sovereign and immortal King.”
He wraps up the body of the letter in 6:17-19 with one last thing he wants Timothy to teach the wealthy members of the church, namely, not to fix their hope on riches but on God. This is where true life is found.
In 6:20-21, Paul signs off the letter with a final appeal for Timothy to protect the faith.
1 Timothy in 10 Passages
1. “Just as I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, to remain on at Ephesus so that you would instruct certain people not to teach strange doctrines.”
—1 Timothy 1:3[3]
2. “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost sinner Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.”
—1 Timothy 1:15-16
Summary of 1 Timothy: “Instruct certain people not to teach strange doctrines.”
3. “First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
—1 Timothy 2:1-2
4. “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.”
—1 Timothy 3:1
5. “I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one should act in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”
—1 Timothy 3:14-15
Summary of 1 Timothy: “I write so that you will know how one should act in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”
6. “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.”
—1 Timothy 4:1
7. “In pointing out these things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have been following.”
—1 Timothy 4:6
8. “Prescribe and teach these things. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”
—1 Timothy 4:11-12
Summary of 1 Timothy: “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”
9. “Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, and to the younger men as brothers, to the older women as mothers, and to the younger women as sisters, in all purity.”
—1 Timothy 5:1-2
10. “But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
—1 Timothy 6:9-10
[1] There is a lot of debate among scholars about the authorship and backstory to the Pastoral Epistles. What follows here for 1 Timothy is the most likely scenario, based on the weight of church history.
[2] The call to the men to pray without anger and arguing combined with the call to the women to learn with a peaceable disposition and under authority suggests there was some disorder and contention brewing in the church at Ephesus. Other comments throughout the letter also suggest this (e.g., 6:4-5).
[3] All Scriptures are taken from the New American Standard.
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