This is the first letter Paul wrote to Timothy, a young pastor who had been a help to Paul in his work. Timothy was a Greek. His mother was a Jewess and his father was Greek. Paul was more than just a mentor and leader to Timothy, he was like a father to him, and Timothy was like a son to Paul (1st Timothy 1 : 2). Paul begins the letter by urging Timothy to be on guard for false teachers and false doctrine. However, much of the letter deals with pastoral conduct. Paul instructs Timothy in worship (chapter 2) and developing mature leaders for the church (chapter 3). Most of the letter deals with pastoral conduct, warnings about false teachers, and the church’s responsibility toward single members, widows, elders, and slaves. All throughout the letter, Paul encourages Timothy to stand firm, to persevere, and to remain true to his calling.
Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage him in his responsibility for overseeing the work of the Ephesian church and possibly the other churches in the province of Asia (1st Timothy 1 : 3). This letter lays the foundation for ordaining elders (1st Timothy 3 : 1 – 7), and provides guidance for ordaining people into offices of the church (1st Timothy 3 : 8 – 13). In essence, 1st Timothy is a leadership manual for church organization and administration.
Connections: An interesting link to the Old Testament in the book of 1st Timothy is Paul’s citation of the basis for considering church elders to be worthy of “double honor,” and deserving of respect when it comes to being accused of wrongdoing (1st Timothy 5 : 17 – 19). Deuteronomy 24 : 15; 25 : 4; and Leviticus 19 : 13 all speak of the necessity to pay a worker what he has earned and to do it in a timely manner. Part of the Mosaic Law demanded that two or three witnesses were necessary to bring an accusation against a man (Deuteronomy 19 : 15). The Jewish Christians in the churches Timothy pastored would have been well aware of these Old Testament connections.
Summary of the Book of 1st Timothy from GotQuestions.org — is a popular Christian website and "parachurch" ministry that provides answers to a vast array of questions about the Bible, theology, and spiritual life.
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