That the way they live will be perhaps the best witness to others and make the things they do teach have substance. Under this scenario, 1 timothy, composed while paul was still in the midst of his fourth missionary journey, was probably written during the earlier part of this period, between a. According to john macarthur 1 timothy was written by peter after his first release from roman imprisonment ca. They are often times referred to as the pastoral epistles by our denominational friends. The letters of 1 and 2 timothy are written to timothy while he served as pauls appointed leader of the church of ephesus, probably in the mid60s ad. The author is paul who wrote it approximately 62 a.
They were not included in marcions canon of ten epistles assembled c. Imprisoned in rome yet again, the apostle paul felt lonely and abandoned. Grace, mercy and peace from god the father and christ jesus our lord. It is important so we may live godly lives that genuinely represent god. He begins this letter by encouraging his beloved son timothy to keep strong in the faith, and not to succumb to a spirit of timidity. The recording is dramatized, from the king james bible. The book of 1 st timothy is a pastoral epistle letter from paul to a church leader.
It seems that 1 timothy was written by the apostle paul to timothy sometime after his release from roman imprisonment as described at the end of the book of acts and was written from macedonia 1 timothy 1. The book of 1 timothy, one of the apostle pauls three pastoral epistles, provides a unique yardstick for churches to measure their conduct. I and ii timothy and titus are letters written by paul to individuals rather than churches. The first and second letter to timothy 1 and 2 timothy are letters written by paul not to a particular church, but to his apprentice, timothy. Since in 1timothy peter called timothy a youth, and in jewish culture a. Why does greg gutfeld wear a ring on the middle finger on his left hand. This imprisonment was after the one recorded in acts 28. The nt does not contain specific instructions concerning the organization or polity of the church. Most scholars believe they were written between pauls first and second imprisonments, sometime between 64 and 67 ad. Ad 180 is the earliest author to clearly and unequivocally describe the pastorals. The three epistles are called pastoral because they relate to the conduct of church leaders, thought of as pastors literally shepherds. Jesus christ is the only mediator between god and mankind.
Upon recognizing timothys impressive qualities, paul recruited the young man to travel with him as he continued his second missionary journey. Commentary on the book of 1 timothy relevant bible teaching. Books marked with an asterisk are apocryphaldeuterocanonical. Biography of paul several key words and phrases found in 1st timothy are the same as what are found in pauls epistle to the galatians. Paul wrote to timothy to encourage him in his responsibility for overseeing the work of the ephesian church and possibly the other churches in the province of asia 1 timothy 1. In contrast, most of pauls epistles were written to entire congregations. The letter identifies the traits of committed christians and also offers practical and spiritual guidance to pastors and church leaders. Well look at pauls circumstances as he wrote the letters below, but first lets consider the historical situation of the church in ephesus. Watch our overview video on 1 timothy, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Below are approximate dates of when each book of the bible was written, listed in chronological order with links to each book on bible gateway.
More than a decade prior to writing this letter, paul had first met timothy in the city of lystrain asia minorwhere timothy was known and respected by the christians acts 16. Introduction to 1 and 2 timothy jesuswalk bible study series. Timothy was a native of lystra, and he was with paul when he was imprisoned rome. This is the first of two inspired letters paul wrote to his beloved son in the faith. In these epistles paul described the qualifications of bishops, who are to be examples of practical gospel living. Main lessons to remember from 1 timothy 2, pray for leaders. Timothy his name meaning honouring god was yet a young man 1 timothy 4. Key verses in 1 timothy now to the king eternal, immortal, invisible, to god who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Against wallace, there is no certain quotation of these epistles before irenaeus c.
Ephesus was a wealthy and highly influential port city in the roman province of asia, renowned for its temple of artemis diana. The pastoral letters 1 timothy, 2 timothy, and titus are as close as it comes to nt guidelines. Paul wrote this second letter to timothy during his second imprisonment in rome, shortly before his death. Writing from an unknown location, paul wrote to timothy at ephesus to instruct him on how to lead the church there. The key personalities are the apostle paul and timothy. He was the son of a greek father but had a jewish mother named eunice. It was written to instruct and encourage timothy and the church in sound doctrine and conduct. Pauls first letter to timothy contains fourteen daily bible lessons consisting of a brief commentary, the daily bible reading scripture, several questions for discussion and contemplation, and a prayer of the day. This is the holy book of 1 timothy, known as the first epistle of paul the apostle to timothy.
This is a great study for personal or group bible studies. Epistles new testament letters to the early churches. According to the first three verses of 1 timothy, it was written by paul. Titus also received a pastoral epistle from paul, but timothy got two timothy has a special relationship with paul, and it shows. Book summary this is the first of the pastoral epistles written to young leaders in churches.
Devout jews who became believers in the lord jesus christ 2 tim. Timothy received his name, which means one who honors god, from his mother eunice, and grandmother lois. He urges these young pastors the importance of godliness and holiness in life. As the salutation indicates, paul is writing to timothy, a native of lystra in modern turkey. The book of 1 timothy prescription for a healthy church. Paul recognized that his earthly life was likely coming to an end soon. First and second timothy were written to the man whose name. First timothy is the first of pauls pastoral epistlesletters written to church leaders he knew. The over all theme of the book of i timothy is found in i timothy 1. Commentary on the book of 1 timothy 1 timothy 1 1paul, an apostle of christ jesus according to the commandment of god our savior, and of christ jesus, who is our hope, 2to timothy, my true child in the faith. Were they written from within the time frame covered by the book of acts, and if so, where in that timeframe.
Apparently, after his release hoped for in philemon 22 and philippians 1. Also, look for the free chronological bible reading schedule on our bible reading plans page. Timothy may have been in macedonia at the time that this book was written. Outline of i timothy floral heights church of christ.
Most scholars who hold to pauline authorship of 1 and 2 timothy date them close together near the end of pauls life. This book was written to instruct timothy on how to effectively relate to and deal with the various groups of people in his church including himself, church officers, false teachers, etc. Book of first timothy overview insight for living ministries. Timothy became a new convert of paul the apostle on his first missionary journey 1 timothy 1. More likely, however, this letter was written in pauls name by an anonymous writer making it a pseudonymous work after the death of paul. Introduction and timeline for 1 timothy, 2 timothy, titus, and philemon. The book of 2 timothy was written in approximately a. The apostle paul writes to instruct and encourage his faithful comrades timothy and titus, who are in.