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About this book: 1 Timothy

First Timothy is a personal letter from the apostle Paul to his younger co-worker Timothy, who had been left to guide the church in Ephesus. Paul writes to help him protect sound teaching against false teachers, and to set out how life in God's household should look. He gives instructions about prayer for all people, about the character of those who oversee and serve the church, and about caring for widows and honoring those who labor in teaching. Paul also encourages Timothy personally, telling him not to be discouraged by his youth but to be an example in speech, love and faith. Alongside this he warns that love of money causes great harm and urges the wealthy to be generous. Christians differ on how some of the instructions about roles in worship apply today, but the letter's steady concern is a church that is faithful, orderly and full of good works. It ends with a charge to guard what has been entrusted and to hold fast to the faith.

Author
The apostle Paul; some scholars propose a later follower writing in his name, but the church has traditionally received it as Paul's.
Date
Probably the early to mid AD 60s, after Paul's first imprisonment in Rome.
Audience
Timothy, Paul's younger colleague, serving the church in Ephesus, and through him the congregation there.

Themes

Sound teachingPrayer and worshipLeadership and characterMoney and contentmentGodliness in daily life

Outline

  1. 1:1–1:20Greeting and warning against false teaching
  2. 2:1–2:15Prayer and order in worship
  3. 3:1–3:16Overseers, deacons and the household of God
  4. 4:1–4:16A good servant of Christ Jesus
  5. 5:1–5:25Caring for widows, elders and others
  6. 6:1–6:21Contentment, riches and a final charge

Key verses

1 Timothy 2:5 →1 Timothy 4:12 →1 Timothy 6:6-10 →
About this chapterPaul writes to Timothy, his young co-worker in Ephesus, urging him to stay there and confront those teaching different doctrine and getting lost in myths and endless genealogies. The goal of the instruction, Paul says, is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. He explains that the law is good when used properly, and then gives thanks for the mercy shown to him, once a blasphemer and persecutor, as an example of Christ's patience. Paul charges Timothy to fight the good fight, holding faith and a good conscience, and names two men who have shipwrecked their faith.

Paul writes to Timothy, his young co-worker in Ephesus, urging him to stay there and confront those teaching different doctrine and getting lost in myths and endless genealogies. The goal of the instruction, Paul says, is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. He explains that the law is good when used properly, and then gives thanks for the mercy shown to him, once a blasphemer and persecutor, as an example of Christ's patience. Paul charges Timothy to fight the good fight, holding faith and a good conscience, and names two men who have shipwrecked their faith.

Themes

  • Sound teaching
  • Mercy for the worst of sinners
  • Fighting the good fight

Key verses

Audio Bible · 1 Timothy 1

Listen while you go about your day.

1 Timothy 1

Berean Standard Bible20 verses · 2 min read

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines 4or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith. 5The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith. 6Some have strayed from these ways and turned aside to empty talk. 7They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert. 8Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately. 9We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, 10for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching 11that agrees with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted. 12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service. 13I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy. 14And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. 16But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 18Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight, 19holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith. 20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
Verses in 1 Timothy 1
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