|
Paul Charging the Timid Timothy
1 Timothy (A Youthful Minister)
The author of this letter is Paul, as stated in the salutation (1:1). This is a personal "Charge to the Timid Timothy"
There is good evidence in the writing, itself, that supports Paul being the author; especially the way he greets the receiver in his letters, and the close relationship between Paul and Timothy. One supporting source is from Theophilus of Antioch, a document dating back to 180 A.D. confirming Paul as the author [much more evidence exists]. Paul's letter was written to Timothy, Paul's "true son in faith" (1:2,18). We first learn about Timothy in (Act 16:1-3), where we discover that his mother was Jewish and his father a Greek. In 1 Timothy Paul desired that the disciple travel with him and therefore Paul circumcised his new companion to fit in with the Jews they were going to preach among.
This began a long relationship, working for the Lord, and Timothy treating Paul as he would his father (Ph 2:19-24). This meant traveling with Paul, yet, often remaining with new congregations when Paul had to leave suddenly (Ac 17:13-14). Like Paul, Timothy would also return to encourage the congregations (1 Th 3:1-3).
Timothy had the honor to sit with Paul as he wrote several epistles, and from these epistles we learn that Timothy had been with Paul during his imprisonment in Rome. Timothy's faithfulness in his service gives us an idea why Paul would leave him in Ephesus (1:3).
Many people believe that Paul may have written 1 Timothy after his long stay at Ephesus and departure for Macedonia on his third missionary journey (Ac 19:1-41). This would make 1 Timothy written around AD 53-67 (The NIV Study Bible, 1835). Others believe that Paul wrote this epistle from Macedonia, following his first imprisonment in Rome (Ac 28:16). Paul was released and allowed to travel for several years before being arrested again and finally put to death by Nero. If 1st Timothy were indeed written during this period, the date would be around 63-64 AD
The purpose of this epistle was because Timothy stayed behind in Ephesus with a great responsibility: he was there to protect the community from false teachers and spread the correct word to the town. It was hard to keep this responsibility because of his youth and he was naturally shy and timid (4:11-12). This letter is addressed to Timothy, it is full of the responsibility of working with a congregation and guiding them in the right way. Everything that was written was to help to direct the congregation in doctrine and in conduct.
In the first chapter Paul begins by urging his "true son in the faith" to remain in Ephesus and tell the people not to teach false doctrines, or to believe in them, because they ruin your belief in the faith. The goal of this chapter is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith, from which some of the people of Ephesus had strayed, because of the false teachers of the law. While the law is good when used properly, it is not designed for the righteous person, but for those whose actions are against the Law, according to the doctrine, which is according to the gospel, committed to Paul's trust (1:1-11). Paul speaks of thanksgiving and praise to Christ for counting him faithful and allowing him to be part of spreading the word of God. He is even more thankful when he remembers that he used to (Continued on page 10)
|
|