The First Letter of Paul to Timothy

A NT letter and one of the three “Pastoral Letters” purported to have been written by the apostle Paul to his associates in Christian mission. Many scholars think the letter was written by Paul’s followers after his death to express what they were confident he would say to ministers facing new circumstances. The letter seeks to combat the spread of false doctrines through the institution of capable and responsible leaders.

Outline of Contents

1 Timothy

I. Introduction (1Tim 1:1-20)

A. Prescript (1Tim 1:1–2)

B. Purpose of Timothy’s present ministry in Ephesus: to combat heretical teaching (1Tim 1:3-11)

C. Thanksgiving for God’s mercy to Paul; an example (1Tim 1:12-17)

D. Timothy to maintain a good conscience, something rejected by others (1Tim 1:18-20)

II. Charge to Timothy (1Tim 2:1-6:19)

A. Prayers for all, especially rulers (1Tim 2:1-7)

B. Man’s worship and woman’s (relating to her praiseworthy public image) (1Tim 2:8-15)

C. Qualifications for office of bishop (1Tim 3:1-7)

D. Qualifications for deacons (and deaconesses?) (1Tim 3:8-13)

E. Word to Timothy concerning church (1Tim 3:14-16)

F. Asceticism of heretics to be counteracted by Timothy’s instruction, example, and care of special persons (1Tim 4:1-5:2)

G. Procedures for enrolling widows; how to deal with too many (1Tim 5:3-16)

H. Maintaining integrity of office of elder (1Tim 5:17-25)

I. Behavior of Christian slaves (1Tim 6:1-2)

J. Deplorable conduct of heretics; special warning against avarice (1Tim 6:3-10)

K. Exhortations to Timothy (1Tim 6:11-16 see also 1Tim 5:21-25)

L. Word to the wealthy (1Tim 6:17-19)

III. Conclusion: final warning against teachers of “false knowledge” (1Tim 6:20-21)