Author: The Book of 1 Timothy was written by the apostle Paul  (1 Timothy  1:1).

Date of Writing: The Book of 1 Timothy was  written in A.D. 62-66.

Purpose of Writing: 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 (1 Timothy 1:3). This  letter lays the foundation for ordaining elders (1 Timothy  3:1-7), and provides guidance for ordaining people into offices of the  church (1 Timothy  3:8-13). In essence, 1 Timothy is a leadership manual for church  organization and administration.

Key Verses: 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there  is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ  Jesus.”

1 Timothy  2:12, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she  must be silent.”

1 Timothy  3:1-2, “Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an  overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the  husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,  able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not  quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”

1 Timothy  4:9-10, “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for  this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is  the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.”

1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight  the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were  called when you made your good confession in the presence of many  witnesses.”

Brief Summary: 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 (1 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.

Connections: An interesting link to the Old  Testament in the book of 1 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 (1 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.

Practical Application: Jesus  Christ is presented by Paul as the mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), the Savior  to all who believe in Him. He is Lord of the church, and Timothy serves Him by  pastoring His church. Thus, we find the main application of Paul’s first letter  to his “son in the faith.” Paul instructs Timothy on matters of church doctrine,  church leadership, and church administration. We can use those same instructions  in governing our local assembly today. Likewise, the work and ministry of a  pastor, the qualifications for an elder, and the qualifications of a deacon are  just as important and pertinent today as they were in Timothy’s day. Paul’s  first letter to Timothy amounts to an instruction book on leading,  administrating, and pastoring the local church. The instructions in this letter  apply to any leader or prospective leader of Christ’s church and are equally  relevant today as they were in Paul’s day. For those not called into leadership  roles in their church, the book is still practical. Every follower must contend  for the faith and avoid false teaching. Every follower must stand firm and  persevere.