The Book of 1 Timothy

1 & 2 Timothy and Titus are commonly referred to as "The Pastoral Letters". They are letters from Paul to Timothy and Titus concerning pastoral care and leadership of the churches.

Paul wrote 1 Timothy after the events recorded at the end of the book of Acts. Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy, and a short time later he wrote to Titus. Afterwards, Paul again became a prisoner in Rome, during which time he wrote a second letter to Timothy. This second letter was written shortly before Paul's execution in AD 67/68.

Paul had a three-part purpose in writing 1 Timothy: to encourage and instruct Timothy about his ministry and personal life; to urge Timothy to defend the truth, purity and standards of the message of Christ from corruption by false teachers; and to give Timothy instructions on supervising various areas of church ministry and to address specific issues and problems at Ephesus.

One of the main challenges Paul assigned to Timothy was to strongly defend the Christian faith against twisted versions or false teachings that were diluting the message of Christ and its saving power. Paul also instructs Timothy about the spiritual and character qualifications for church leadership. In doing so, he provides a total picture of those who are permitted to become spiritual leaders of the churches.

Paul also instructs Timothy how to relate to various groups within the church, such as women, widows, older and younger men, elders, slaves, false teachers and the rich. The apostle gives Timothy five clear instructions to fulfill so that he will model what he teaches others in the church.

Four main features characterize this letter: It was addressed directly to Timothy as Paul's representative, the letter is very personal and written with deep feeling. Along with 2 Timothy, it stresses more than any other New Testament letter the pastoral responsibility to keep Christ's message and His church pure and free from false teachings that would weaken the power of the message. It stresses the supreme value of Christ's message and exposes the evil influence that motivates those who try to present some altered version. It also stresses the church's holy calling and the high qualifications God requires for its leaders.