Where it fits

First Timothy is the fifteenth book of the New Testament, with six chapters. It is one of three pastoral letters, along with 2 Timothy and Titus, written to church leaders rather than whole congregations. Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus to deal with problems there (1:3). Traditionally the letter is dated to the early 60s AD. Some scholars think a later follower of Paul wrote it in his name, and others defend Paul's authorship. Read straight through, it takes about twelve minutes.

Who, to whom, and why

Ephesus was one of the great cities of the Roman world, home to the temple of Artemis. The church there had grown, and so had its problems. Some teachers were spinning myths and endless genealogies and arguing about the law without understanding it (1:3–7). Paul writes to steady Timothy and to show the church how God's household should live (3:14–15).

The letter moves through four themes. First, guarding the teaching: Paul begins and ends by warning against false teaching and calling Timothy to hold to the gospel he received (1:3–20; 6:20–21). Second, worship: Paul asks first for prayer for everyone, including rulers (2:1–7), and gives instructions about men and women in worship (2:8–15). Third, leadership: he lists the qualities of overseers and deacons, with character at the top rather than skill (chapter 3). Fourth, life in the church: Timothy is told to be an example despite his youth (4:12), to care for widows and honor faithful elders (chapter 5), and to watch out for the love of money. Paul closes with a charge to fight the good fight of the faith (chapter 6).

Three ideas to hold on to

1. Sound teaching and loving lives go together. Paul says the aim of his instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith (1:5). Teaching that doesn't lead to love has gone wrong.
2. Character matters more than talent in leaders. The list for overseers focuses on being faithful, self-controlled, hospitable, respected, and not a lover of money (3:1–7).
3. Christ is the center, and the gospel is for everyone. God wants all people to be saved, and there is “one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (2:4–5).

Passages people ask about

• 1 Timothy 2:8–15. Instructions about men and women in worship, including a restriction on women teaching or having authority over men (2:12). Churches have reached different conclusions about how this applies today, from a lasting rule to guidance aimed at a particular problem in Ephesus. It helps to read it alongside what we know of that city.
• 1 Timothy 3:1–13. Qualifications for overseers and deacons. Most of the list is about character.
• 1 Timothy 4:12–16. Advice for a young leader: set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, and devote yourself to reading Scripture aloud, encouragement, and teaching (4:13).
• 1 Timothy 6:6–10, 17–19. Contentment, the dangers of loving money, and a charge to the rich to be generous.

How it points to Jesus

Paul quotes what may be an early hymn about Jesus: he appeared in the flesh, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in around the world, and was taken up in glory (3:16). Paul also says Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1:15), gave himself as a ransom for all (2:6), and testified before Pontius Pilate (6:13). He looks ahead to the day Jesus appears (6:14).

A common misunderstanding

First Timothy 6:10 is often quoted as “money is the root of all evil.” Paul actually says the love of money is “a root of all kinds of evil,” and he adds that some who craved it wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. Money itself isn't the problem. Paul tells the rich to be generous and to put their hope in God, not in wealth (6:17–19).