Seen close beside an unglazed window at dawn, an older man’s weathered hand passes a rolled, sealed letter into a younger man’s two open hands, below a bare plaster wall in morning light.

The Book of

1 Timothy Intro

A young man left in a great city, and a letter on how God’s family should live.

Before chapter 1≈ 2 min6 chapters

Images are artistic interpretations.

In 30 seconds

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Who wrote it

Paul

Apostle, and a father in the faith

The letter opens with Paul’s name, and the early church read it as his. Some scholars doubt that, but no other author was ever named.1 Timothy 1:1
Written to Timothy, whom Paul calls “my true child in the faith”.1 Timothy 1:2
Traditionally dated after Paul’s release from house arrest in Rome, probably about AD 62–64.Church tradition
Paul had gone on to Macedonia and asked Timothy to stay at Ephesus.1 Timothy 1:3

How it’s built

Life in God’s household

Whiteboard

Five parts of practical instruction. Three times Paul stops to praise God, in 1:17, 3:16 and 6:15–16, as if he can’t help it.

Big themes

Four threads to follow

Where it happens

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

From Lystra to Ephesus

Timothy grew up in Lystra, in the hills of what is now Turkey. Now he serves in Ephesus, the great port city of the province of Asia, while Paul travels on to Macedonia.

Meet the cast

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Watch for

so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household

1 Timothy 3:14–15

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Question

Quick question

Paul calls himself the worst of sinners, and he means it. He remembers what he used to be.

What was Paul before Christ called him?

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