Day 1 - Why Paul Wrote I Timothy

Devotional Commentary on I Timothy

I originally sent out this daily, devotional commentary on I Timothy under the name of "Daily Bread." That was several years ago, and I am now sending it out again, edited and updated, for the benefit of an entirely new audience. Read these postings carefully and prayerfully and I am convinced you will never be the same.

Why Paul Wrote I Timothy 

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aul was released from his first Roman imprisonment, during which time he had written Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon. These are known as the Prison Epistles. After his release, he enjoyed a time of freedom and ministry, traveling to new areas, such as Spain and Crete, and revisiting places such as Ephesus where he was the first to preach the gospel as recorded in Acts 19.

Paul Encounters False Teaching in Ephesus

While he and Timothy were in Ephesus, Paul found that a false teaching was spreading amongst the believers in that city. So serious was the situation that, when it came time for them to leave, Paul urged Timothy to remain behind (1:3). The word “urge” indicates that Timothy was not happy about staying, but he did so at Paul insistence. Later, probably from Macedonia, Paul wrote 1 Timothy as a follow-up letter to instruct and encourage Timothy in his difficult task of confronting the false teaching. II Timothy was written later from prison in Rome after Paul was arrested a second time in that city.

The Key to Understanding 1st Timothy

The key, therefore, to understanding and interpreting this letter correctly is found in 1:3 where Paul says, “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine.” The words “no other doctrine” in this verse are a translation of the Greek word heterosdidaskelein, which is didaskelein, meaning “teaching,” with the prefix heteros, meaning “other” or “different.” In other words, Timothy’s purpose for being in Ephesus is to confront the “other” or “different” teaching that is spreading amongst the believers in Ephesus.

1st Timothy is a Personal Letter

This means that 1st Timothy is not a manual for church order written by Paul in his leisure moments. It is a personal letter, drawn out by a crisis, and written to instruct and encourage a close friend who is dealing with the difficult task of confronting false teaching. As we keep Paul’s purpose for writing this letter before us, it will shine much light upon some of the more difficult passages in this letter.

Prayer & Reflection

Lord God, I pray that you will pour out Your Holy Spirit on every person reading this post. Touch them in every corner and crevice of their being with Your presence. Cause them to know that you are there and that you deeply care for them and their situation. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen!