Who Wrote This Book:   Internal evidence is Paul the Apostle (1:1; II Tim. 1:1; Titus 1:1).  External evidence confirms that Paul was the author. The witness of the early church to Pauline authorship is early, clear and unhesitating.  It was not until the nineteenth century that the authenticity was doubted or even questioned.  It was probably written from Macedonia.

First and Second Timothy and Titus are called the "Pastoral Epistles."  They were given this designation in the eighteenth century because they give advice on matters of church organization and pastoral responsibilities.  First Timothy is a short minister’s manual which treats the office, qualifications, and duties of the Christian pastor.

Date of Writing:    Facts seem to indicate that the Pastoral Epistles reflect the historical situation in which they were written as belonging to the period after 62 A.D., and before the Apostle’s martyrdom in 66 or 67 A.D.  Robertson suggests A.D. 65, C. C. Ryrie and F. F. Bruce suggest 63. 

Written To:  Paul is writing to Timothy, a native of Lystra

THEME:   Guard that which has been entrusted to you in the ministry.  "Fight the good fight" (1:18).  The key words in this scripture are to teach, serve, command.

As the salutation indicates (1:2), Paul is writing to Timothy, a native of Lystra (in modern Turkey).  Timothy’s father was Greek, while his mother was a Jewish Christian (Acts 16:1).  From childhood he had been taught the OT (2Timothy 1:5; 3:15).  Paul called him “my true son in the faith” (1:2; see note there), perhaps having led him to faith in Christ during his first visit to Lystra.  At the time of his second visit Paul invited Timothy to join him on his missionary travels, circumcising him so that his Greek ancestry would not be a liability in working with the Jews (Acts 16:3).  Timothy helped Paul evangelize Macedonia and Achaia (Acts 17:14–15; 18:5) and was with him during much of his long preaching ministry at Ephesus (Acts 19:22).  He traveled with him from Ephesus to Macedonia, to Corinth (see Acts 20:3 and note), back to Macedonia, and to Asia Minor (Acts 20:1–6).  He may even have accompanied him all the way to Jerusalem. He was with Paul during the apostle’s first imprisonment (Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1).

Following Paul’s release (after Acts 28), Timothy again traveled with him but eventually stayed at Ephesus to deal with the problems there, while Paul went on to Macedonia.  Paul’s closeness to and admiration of Timothy are seen in Paul’s naming him as the co-sender of six of his letters (2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Philemon) and in his speaking highly of him to the Philippians (Philippians 2:19–22).  At the end of Paul’s life he requested Timothy to join him at Rome (2 Timothy 4:9, 21).  According to Hebrews 13:23, Timothy also was imprisoned and subsequently released; whether at Rome or elsewhere, we do not know.

Timothy was not an apostle. It may be best to regard him as an apostolic representative, delegated to carry out special work (cf. Titus 1:5).

Key Verses:

1 Timothy 3:16: 

The mystery that gives us our reverence for God is acknowledged to be great:   He^[a]appeared in his human nature, was approved by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was announced throughout the nations, was believed in the world, and was taken to heaven in glory.

1 Timothy 4:  A Prophecy about the Last Times

 ¹The Spirit says clearly that in later times some believers will desert the Christian faith.  They will follow spirits that deceive, and they will believe the teachings of demons.  ²These people will speak lies disguised as truth.  Their consciences have been scarred as if branded by a red-hot iron.  ³They will try to stop others from getting married and from eating certain foods.  God created food to be received with prayers of thanks by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴Everything God created is good.  Nothing should be rejected if it is received with prayers of thanks.  ⁵The word of God and prayer set it apart as holy.