1 Timothy Part 1

It seems funny, calling this part one when we just finished part three in church yesterday. But, that's the way things go.

Paul's first letter to Timothy was written after his first Roman imprisonment. Scholars have pointed out that the story presented in 1 Timothy (or all the Pastoral Epistles for that matter) does not fit the story presented in the book of Acts. This is true, but is does not mean that these letters were not written by Paul. Acts never says that Paul's imprisonment which ends the book led to his death. In fact, Paul was very confident that he would be released to further ministry. Clement of Rome speaks of Paul reaching the extreme limits of the West. This would point to Spain, which Paul endeavored to reach. Eusebius wrote that Paul entered Rome a second time where he wrote 2 Timothy and was eventually martyred. So far, the case looks good that Paul is not eliminated as the author of the book.

There are further objections to Paul's authorship of the Pastorals. Some interpreters see a church polity which is far too advanced for Paul's time. They think this points to a second century author. Paul is not near as organized as the second century churches were. He used the terms pastor, bishop, and elder, but he used them interchangeably in Titus 1:5-9. In Philippians 1:1 Paul addressed both deacons and bishops. His use of the terms in the Pastoral Epistles does not show a second century author, but show the concerns of the church planter for the churches to be properly governed. In fact, a letter from Ignatius in the second century shows much more organization in church government then is evident in the letters of Paul.

Third, some look at the problems of Gnosticism which was not fully developed until the second century. While Gnosticism came into its own in the second century, there were hints of it early on. Paul seems to be combating some form of this heresy in the book of Colossians.

Finally, some look to the many instances of unique vocabulary evident in the Pastoral Epistles. They say that since it is so different from the letters of Paul that there must be a different author. Critics of this study point out that one would need a much larger sample in order to do a thorough study of authorship based upon vocabulary. Further, one would expect to find different vocabulary when a person is addressing different audiences. Paul's earlier letters were addressed to churches, mostly, while these letters were written to individuals which Paul knew very well.

When was this book written? Well, that would depend upon your interpretation of the challenges to authorship presented above. If you take Paul as the author, then it had to be written sometime before 67 AD. History tells us that Paul was put to death by Nero. Nero killed himself in June of 68. When Paul wrote to Timothy the second time, he asked for his cloak which would put him in prison at the latest in the Fall of 67. Paul must have written this letter, then, earlier when he was free, probably 62-66 AD.  

We are not sure where Paul wrote this letter from, but most think it was probably Macedonia, since Paul mentioned going there in the beginning of the letter. Timothy was in Ephesus at the time. Paul encouraged Timothy to make sure that right doctrine was being taught in the church as Timothy 1:3 shows. While there are some great theological themes struck in this book and the other Pastorals, Paul's main focus was practical. Paul had already mentored these men in the faith. He was now encouraging them to act upon this in their administration of the church.

These letters were accepted by the early church as canonical. The Muratorian Fragment, which came from approximately 170-200 AD, mentions these books.

Now we come to the actual text of the letter. Paul proclaimed himself to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ. It may seem strange that Paul would put out his credentials in a personal letter. Paul was writing to strengthen Timothy's hand against the false teachers. They needed to be reminded that Paul was an Apostle because Jesus Christ Himself appointed him as such. Paul puts this command in two members of the Godhead. He names God the Father as the Savior, and Jesus Christ as our hope. It may seem strange that God the Father is mentioned as Savior, but this would be a very Old Testament expression, and it is true that God the Father is active in salvation, as are God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. And of course, Jesus Christ is the only hope for mankind.

Timothy is addressed as Paul's true child in the faith. Paul had taken Timothy under his wing and taught him about ministry. Paul prayed for Timothy to have grace, mercy, and peace which only come from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Grace and peace was Paul's customary greeting. He added mercy here for Timothy who was in a trying time as a leader in a church which had false teachers trying rising to prominence.

A big "thank you" is in order for the Expositor's Bible Commentary for most of the introductory material.

Until next time.