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Introduction to 1 Timothy
Part 1: General Introduction
Outline of the Book of 1 Timothy
- Greetings (1:1,2)
- Paul and Timothy
- Warning about false teachers (1:3-11)
- Paul thankful for what Christ has done in his ministry (1:12-17)
- He calls Timothy to fight in this spiritual battle (1:18-20)
- Prayer for all (2:1-8)
- Roles and responsibilities in the church (2:9-6:2)
- Warnings
- Second warning about false teachers (6:3-5)
- Money (6:6-10)
- Description of a man of God (6:11-16)
- Note to the wealthy people (6:17-19)
- Closing words to Timothy (6:20,21)
Who wrote the Book of 1 Timothy?
Paul wrote 1 Timothy. Paul was from the city of Tarsus. He had been known as Saul in his early life. Before becoming a Christian, Paul was a Pharisee. He persecuted Christians. After he became a Christian, he traveled several times throughout the Roman Empire telling people about Jesus.
This book is the first letter Paul wrote to Timothy. Timothy was his disciple and close friend. Paul probably wrote it near the end of his life.
What is the Book of 1 Timothy about?
Paul had left Timothy in the city of Ephesus to help the believers there. Paul wrote this letter to instruct Timothy about various matters. The topics he addressed included church worship, qualifications for church leaders, and warnings against false teachers. This letter shows how Paul was training Timothy to be a leader among the churches.
How should the title of this book be translated?
Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, "1 Timothy" or "First Timothy." Or they may choose a clearer title, such as "Paul's First Letter to Timothy." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts
What is discipleship?
Discipleship is the process of encouraging people to live the way Jesus wants them to live, to be more like Christ. This letter gives many instructions about how a leader should train a less mature Christian. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/disciple)
Part 3: Important Translation Issues
Singular and plural "you"
In this book, the word "I" refers to Paul. Also, the word "you" is almost always singular and refers to Timothy. The exception to this is 6:21. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you)
What did Paul mean by the expressions "in Christ," "in the Lord," and others like them?
Paul used these phrases to express the idea of a very close union between Jesus Christ and believers--that believers belong to Christ. Belonging to Christ means the believer is saved and is made a friend with God.
These phrases also have specific meanings that depend on how Paul used them in a particular passage. Depending on the the context, the word “in” can mean “because of,” “by means of,” “that agrees with,” “in submission to,” “in the manner of,” or “in regard to.” The translator may represent those more immediate senses. But, if possible, it would be good for the translator to choose a word or phrase that represents both the immediate sense and the sense of “in union with.” (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/inchrist)
What are the major textual issues in the text of the Book of 1 Timothy?
For the following verse, modern versions of the Bible differ from older versions. The ULB text has the modern reading and puts the older reading in a footnote. If a translation of the Bible exists in the general region, translators should consider using the reading found in those versions. If not, translators are advised to follow the modern reading.
- "godliness is a way to get more money." Some older versions of the Bible read this way, "godliness is a way to get more money: withdraw from such things." (6:5)