Paul the Apostle was the author. It is a Pastoral Epistle. It was written between 62-64 A.D. The theme is Christian service and ministry. 1 Timothy is the first of the three Pastoral Epistles. Paul wrote, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. He wrote them to young pastors, instructing them on how to lead the local church. Paul wrote 1 Timothy from Macedonia while Timothy travelled with Paul to assist him during his second and third missionary journeys. Paul called Timothy “my son”. This seems to reveal Timothy came to faith in the Lord under Paul’s discipleship in Troas, where Timothy grew up. Timothy had a Greek father, but his mother and grandmother were godly Jewish women who raised him in the ways of the Lord.

When he wrote this letter, Paul already established the church in Ephesus and left Timothy to oversee it. Now, Timothy was put in the leadership position, after years of traveling, working, and serving alongside Paul, and being personally discipled by Paul. Obviously, Timothy was nervous being in this new role. Paul wrote 1 and 2 Timothy to encourage and counsel him.

Specific heresies crept into Ephesus which needed to be addressed, including leadership problems within the church. The church was increasing. It was important that it must be established in sound doctrine, and for the leaders to know how to conduct themselves.

One of the responsibilities of Timothy in the church was to identify and train other men for the ministry. Much of this epistle focuses on the Biblical qualifications and characteristics of men who would lead the church. This was for both Timothy’s personal benefit in his own spiritual growth, and to guide him to develop other leaders in the church.

This letter has plenty to say to any young person who desires to be used by God in Christian ministry and service. It’s also priceless to those currently leading within a local church. Paul’s practical counsel can help a church or pastor stay on course, fulfill the calling of God on their lives, or it can assist a church or pastor who has drifted off course to return to the roots and foundations of what a New Testament church should be.