Timothy Bible Study

Introduction: 

Author:

See I Timothy 1:1, 2 Timothy 1:2, Titus 1:1.  Paul begins these three letters in a way typical of the age and of his 10 other biblical letters.  But it’s a bit surprising since this is a personal letter, written between Paul and his beloved assistant and close personal friend, Timothy; we’d expect something less formal, yet this “standard form” was not at all unusual even in very personal letter. 

Canonicity.  

While not as strong as the other 10 books, the 13 books of Paul are all very strong.

Audience:  

See 1 Timothy 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:2, Titus 1:4

Timothy See Acts 16:1-8.   Timothy is a younger man, very dear to Paul and an assistant to Paul.  He was born in the Asiatic district of Lycaonia. His father was a Greek but his mother was a Jew. From his infancy he was instructed by his mother and grandmother in the Hebrew scriptures, but had remained, probably at the demand of his father, uncircumcised. Converted by Paul, showing great gifts for ministry, Paul determined to make him an assistant, and as it would aid much in enabling him to reach Jews, he had him circumcised. Indeed a Mamzer, a "bastard," as a child of a Jewish mother and heathen father was called by the Jews, would have had no access to the synagogue without circumcision.  In the two letters written to him, it is clear that Paul loved and respected Timothy very much.  

Titus.  See Galatians 2:1 and 3.  This is all we know about Titus, outside what we might gather from the epistle written to him. 

Date:

It seems likely that the epistles of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon were all written during Paul’s “imprisonment” in Rome, likely from 61-63 AD.  Acts ends with Paul still in Rome, but very ancient tradition teaches that Paul won his appeal and was released.  Tradition argues that Paul then made several missionary journeys.  The following is one attempt to “merge” these traditions:

AD 63   Paul wins his appeal, leaves Rome.  Paul retraces his steps to his churches and eventually reaches Jerusalem.

AD 64   Paul makes his journey to Spain (Romans 15:28) and perhaps to England.

AD 65  Paul goes to Crete were Titus is placed (Titus 1:5); then to Ephesus where Timothy is placed (I Timothy 1:3).  Paul then travels to Macedonia (probably Philippi) where First Timothy is written.  He then travels to Nicopolis on the Adrianic Sea; in route he writes Titus, who later joined Paul there.  Paul Then travels to Philippi where 1 Timothy is written.   Paul then travels to Corinth, Miletus and Troas but is arrested (2 Timothy 4:13).  He likely again appeals the matter to Rome. 

AD 66.  Paul again is imprisoned in Rome.  Here he writes Second Timothy. 

AD 67 or 68.  Paul is beheaded.  

Most of the above is based on tradition – of varying dependability, and the years can only be an educated guess. 

Nature:

Four of the epistles of Paul are addressed to persons.  Philemon is a very short book regarding a  personal matter; the other three (the ones we will be studying) are written to evangelists who worked with Paul.  It seems that Timothy and Titus were each pastoring churches (some would say they were bishops), and Paul’s letters concern his advice to them.  They are thus known as “Pastoral Letters.”  They deal with church issues in very practical ways, not only sharing that wisdom with us but giving us a very valuable look at VERY early Christianity.   They are less theological than Paul’s other 10 letters, but they all place great importance on the soundness of doctrine and the necessity to teach such.  

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