1 Timothy

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The following is found also in the "Author" section of 2 Timothy and Titus.

The three Pastoral Epistles (1 & 2 Timothy and Titus) have often been viewed as distinct from other letters in the Pauline Corpus. Marcion, the second Century heretic did not include the Pastorals in his accepted Canon, and there is very limited evidence that the pastorals may not have been included in the Codex of the Pauline Epistles (P⁴⁶), dated around the middle of the 3rd Century. However, Marcion's list was by no means an indication of the Church's view (he was, after all, a heretic and did not accept Matthew, Mark, John or any of the Jewish writings of the NT in his list), and P⁴⁶ may have contained the Pastorals, but we do not know as the last pages are missing!

From the pages of history then, we can only see that in general the Pastorals were not questioned as to their Pauline authorship until the 19th Century. At this time, questions were raised over several issues: Historical problems, doctrinal problems, problems with content in general and linguistic issues.

The historical problems centered around a seeming inability for Paul to have written these letters, containing the information that they do about the authors' past journeys (for he left Titus in Crete [Titus 1:5]), which seem not to fit with the information recorded in Acts. There are several theories to explain this, and as such it seems that time is better spent exploring other issues of contention.

As was a point of objection concerning the letter to the Ephesians, opponents of Pauline authorship point to a lack of Pauline themes in the Pastoral epistles, and also to a large number of words used in the Pastorals but not used anywhere else in the Pauline writings, to evidence their claims. As with the reasoning in the authorship section of the letter to the Ephesians, I will point out that the letters of Paul were written sometimes to individuals (as is the case with the Pastorals), sometimes to a whole church (as is the case with most of his other letters), or possibly even to a group of churches (as may be the case with Ephesians). The letters were also written with different purposes, covering different themes, with different emphases. There is no reason for Paul to include 'classic Pauline themes' in every letter he writes, what would be the point? We must expect that the different letters, written to the different audiences, with different purposes should use different vocabulary.

The Pastorals are a good example of this: because the difference in content of these letters (focussing on pastoral issues such as church leadership) as opposed to other Paulines was noticed, the three were collectively called the Pastoral Epistles. So the content of these epistles set them aside as distinct in themselves from the other Paulines. The fact that there are a relatively high number of words used in these but not used elswhere would be expected!

Finally, opponents of Pauline authorship may suggest that, based on other Pauline writings, he had no real interest in Church structure, especially not the extent as found in the Pastorals. However, firstly, it is clear that Paul and Barnabas had appointed elders earlier (Acts 14:23), and secondly, it is very unlikely that the apostle, led by the Spirit of God, had no thought of preserving sound teaching in an organised way.

It seems then, that though the Pastorals are clearly different in many ways from other Pauline writings, there is no substantial reason to doubt the claims of each letter, that they were written by Paul the Apostle.

     Date:  (top)

This epistle was probably written during the mid-sixties.

     Content:  (top)

• 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
• 1:3-7 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work - which is by faith.
• 1:8-11 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels.
• 1:12-20 I thank and praise Christ Jesus our Lord who chose me even though I was a blasphemer, persecutor and a violent man. Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst - but in me Christ displayed his unlimited patience. I tell you this so that you may fight the good fight of the faith.
• 2:1-7 I urge that requests, prayer and intercession be made for everyone in order that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This pleases God who wants all men to be saved, for there is one God, and one mediator between man and God, the man Christ Jesus. And I was appointed as a herald and as an apostle, and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.
• 2:8-15 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer and I want women to dress modestly and live in a godly way. And women should learn in full submission, having no authority over men.
• 3:1-7 If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer (bishop), he desires a noble task. But he must be a godly man, respected and above reproach, able to manage his own family as a sign of his capabilities to manage God's.
• 3:8-13 Deacons likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, godly, with but one wife who is herself worthy of respect, and he too must manage his house well.
• 3:14-15 I hope to come to you soon, but write these things in case I am delayed. For the Church is God's household, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
• 3:16 The mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
• 4:1-5 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. They forbid people to marry or make them abstain from certain foods. For everything God created is good and nothing is to rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.
• 4:6-10 Have nothing to do with godless myths, but train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things. We have put our hope in the living God, who is the saviour of all men, and especially of those who believe.
• 4:11-16 Command and teach these things. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Be diligent in these matters, always conscious of the impact of your witness.
• 5:1-2 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
• 5:3-16 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
• 5:17-20 The elders who direct the affairs of the church are worthy of double honour, especially those who preach and teach - the worker deserves his wages.
• 5:21-25 Timothy, be impartial and keep yourself pure. Stop drinking only water and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
• 6:1-2 Slaves are to treat their masters with respect.
• 6:3-10 The teacher of false doctrine is conceited and causes strife, and thinks that godliness is a means to financial gain. We brought nothing into this world and can bring nothing out - learn to be content, for the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
• 6:11-16 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love and endurance. Fight the good fight of the faith. God is indeed the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
• 6:17-19 Command those who are rich in this world to put their hope in God, and so lay up treasure for themselves in the coming age so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
• 6:20-21 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care, and turn away from godless chatter. Grace be with you.