Books of the Bible

The Book of 1 Timothy

New Testament · Pauline Epistles · Genre: Epistle · Author: Traditionally attributed to the apostle Paul · Chapters: 6

First Timothy is a letter of guidance to a young pastor, on sound teaching, healthy church life, and godly leadership. Warm and practical, it reminds Timothy and every reader why Christ came: to save sinners, of whom Paul counts himself the foremost.

Start reading: 1 Timothy chapter 1

A key verse

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.1 Timothy 1:15 (KJV)

The setting and background of 1 Timothy

First Timothy is the first of the three letters known as the Pastoral Epistles, written to guide leaders in the care of the church. It is addressed to Timothy, Paul's beloved younger coworker, whom Paul had left in Ephesus to guard the church against false teaching and to set its life in order. The Pastoral Epistles are traditionally attributed to Paul, though some scholars debate their authorship.

The letter charges Timothy to keep the gospel clear against false teachers, gives instruction on prayer and worship, sets out the character required of overseers and deacons, and addresses the care of widows, the honoring of elders, and the danger of the love of money. Near its beginning stands the trustworthy saying that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

First Timothy was written to help a young leader order the life of the church around sound teaching and godly character. In the sweep of Scripture, together with Second Timothy and Titus it has guided the ordering of church life for two thousand years, showing that leadership among God's people is first a matter of Christlike character and faithful stewardship of the gospel.

The story and structure of 1 Timothy

First Timothy is the first of the three letters known as the Pastoral Epistles, written to guide leaders in the care of the church. It is addressed to Timothy, Paul's beloved younger coworker, whom he had left in Ephesus to guard the church against false teaching and to set its life in order. The letters are traditionally attributed to Paul.

Paul's chief concern is that the gospel be kept clear and that the church oppose the speculations and myths of false teachers. Near the beginning he sets down the trustworthy saying that captures the heart of it all: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom Paul says he himself is the foremost, a living display of Christ's perfect patience.

Paul gives practical instruction for the life of the church: how to pray, with the assurance that God desires all people to be saved and that there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; and what character is required of overseers and deacons, who must be marked not by talent but by godliness, integrity, and a well-ordered life.

He addresses the care of widows, the honoring of elders, and the handling of money, warning that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, while godliness with contentment is great gain. Throughout, he sets sound doctrine and godly living side by side, for the two cannot be separated.

Paul repeatedly charges Timothy, despite his youth, to set the believers an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, to devote himself to Scripture and teaching, to guard the good deposit entrusted to him, and to fight the good fight of faith, taking hold of the eternal life to which he was called.

The great themes of 1 Timothy

Key passages in 1 Timothy

1 Timothy in the sweep of Scripture

First Timothy, with Second Timothy and Titus, forms the group of letters devoted to the care of churches and the training of their leaders, and it has guided the ordering of church life for two thousand years. Its emphasis on sound teaching joined to godly character, and its clear summary of the gospel, that Christ came to save sinners, keep the church anchored in the truth. It shows that leadership among God's people is a matter first of Christlike character and faithful stewardship of the gospel.

Where Christ is in 1 Timothy

First Timothy holds up the heart of the gospel in a single line: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, the trustworthy saying on which all pastoral life rests. He is the one mediator between God and humanity, who gave himself a ransom for all, so that the church's teaching, prayer, and leadership all flow from and point back to his saving work.

How to read 1 Timothy well

Read First Timothy for wisdom on faithful church life and leadership, letting its picture of godly character challenge how you think about influence and service. Treasure its reminder that Jesus came to save sinners, including you, and that even the foremost of sinners can become a display of his patience. And take to heart its call to godliness with contentment, guarding your heart against the love of money and fighting the good fight of faith.

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