King James Version
1 Timothy
1 Timothy in the King James Version (1769), public domain in the United States.
Background and History
The chapters above are the King James text. This essay is the setting of 1 Timothy: who is said to have written it, when and where, what happens in it, and how the text has been copied.
At a Glance
| Author | Paul, in the letter’s own words and in early tradition. Many critical scholars regard the Pastoral Letters as written after Paul’s death in his name. |
|---|---|
| Date | About AD 62–64 in one survey, after a release from Roman imprisonment. The same survey gives AD 90–110 if the letter is pseudonymous. |
| Place written | Not named. The letter implies Paul has gone to Macedonia, the Roman province in northern Greece. |
| Genre | A pastoral letter of instruction to a church leader. |
| Chapters | 6 |
| Verses | 113 in the King James Version |
| Key verse | 1 Timothy 2:51 Timothy 2:5 · King James VersionFor there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;1 Timothy 2:5 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
Who Wrote It
1 Timothy 1:1–21 Timothy 1:1–2 · King James Version1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
1:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Timothy 1:1–2 · King James VersionOpen the Source (1) names Paul, an apostle by the commandment of God, writing to Timothy, my own son in the faith. Eusebius counts Paul’s letters undisputed. (2) The Muratorian fragment lists two letters to Timothy, written out of affection and held sacred for church order. (3) Athanasius lists two. (4)
1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are called the Pastoral Letters. Many critical scholars hold that they were written after Paul’s death, pointing to vocabulary not found in the other letters, a more developed church order of bishops and deacons, and difficulty fitting them into Acts. Defenders answer that Paul likely used a different secretary, perhaps Luke, that the church offices appear already in Philippians 1:1Philippians 1:1 · King James VersionPaul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Philippians 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source, and that the letters fit a release from Rome and a later ministry not covered by Acts. Bible Gateway’s survey gives both dates for that reason. (5)
Who It Is Not
Timothy is the recipient, not the author. The letter is not one of the later forged letters the Muratorian fragment rejects. (3)
When and Where
Bible Gateway gives AD 62–64, or AD 90–110 if pseudonymous. (5) 1 Timothy 1:31 Timothy 1:3 · King James VersionAs I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
1 Timothy 1:3 · King James VersionOpen the Source says Paul urged Timothy to stay in Ephesus when Paul went into Macedonia. That journey does not match a point in Acts, which is why the traditional view places it after Acts ends.
Audience and Setting
Timothy, left at Ephesus to correct false teachers. The purpose is to instruct him on doctrine, worship, the qualifications of elders and deacons, and the care of widows.
Rulers at the Time
1 Timothy 2:1–21 Timothy 2:1–2 · King James Version2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1 Timothy 2:1–2 · King James VersionOpen the Source asks for prayer for kings and all in authority without naming any. This page adds none.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Timothy joins Paul | Acts 16:1–3Acts 16:1–3 · King James Version16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:16:2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.16:3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.Acts 16:1–3 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| Left at Ephesus | Paul goes to Macedonia. 1 Timothy 1:31 Timothy 1:3 · King James VersionAs I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,1 Timothy 1:3 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| The letter | AD 62–64, or AD 90–110 if pseudonymous. (5) |
Places in This Book
| Ancient name | Modern-day location | References |
|---|---|---|
| Ephesus | Ruins near Selçuk, İzmir Province, Turkey. | 1 Timothy 1:31 Timothy 1:3 · King James VersionAs I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,1 Timothy 1:3 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| Macedonia | The Roman province in northern Greece. | 1 Timothy 1:31 Timothy 1:3 · King James VersionAs I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,1 Timothy 1:3 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
What Is Happening
1 Timothy 1 warns against false teachers and recalls Paul’s conversion. 1 Timothy 2 concerns prayer and worship. 1 Timothy 3 gives qualifications for bishops and deacons. 1 Timothy 4 warns of apostasy and urges Timothy to set an example. 1 Timothy 5–6 address widows, elders, slaves, false teachers, and the love of money.
Key Themes
Sound doctrine in 1 Timothy 1:101 Timothy 1:10 · King James VersionFor whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
1 Timothy 1:10 · King James VersionOpen the Source. One mediator in 1 Timothy 2:51 Timothy 2:5 · King James VersionFor there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1 Timothy 2:5 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Godliness with contentment in 1 Timothy 6:61 Timothy 6:6 · King James VersionBut godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6 · King James VersionOpen the Source.
Apologetics Questions
Pseudonymity is the central question. Ancient churches rejected letters they judged forged, as the Muratorian fragment shows. (3) Defenders argue that the early church would not have received a known forgery. Critics answer that the church may not have known. 1 Timothy 2:11–151 Timothy 2:11–15 · King James Version2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
1 Timothy 2:11–15 · King James VersionOpen the Source on women teaching is disputed among churches that confess the Trinity, and this page does not choose a side.
How the Book Points to Christ
1 Timothy 3:161 Timothy 3:16 · King James VersionAnd without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
1 Timothy 3:16 · King James VersionOpen the Source in the King James reads God was manifest in the flesh. Many Greek copies read he who instead of God, and this site’s verse page states that difference. 1 Timothy 1:151 Timothy 1:15 · King James VersionThis is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
1 Timothy 1:15 · King James VersionOpen the Source says Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, which assumes he existed before coming. Jesus is God.
Text and Manuscripts
Codex Sinaiticus contains the letter. (6) The reading of 1 Timothy 3:161 Timothy 3:16 · King James VersionAnd without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
1 Timothy 3:16 · King James VersionOpen the Source is the best-known variant and is shown on the verse page.
Canon Reception
Received in the early lists. (2) (3) (4) Marcion’s collection did not include the Pastorals, and scholars debate whether he rejected them or did not know them.
Further Reading
References
- First Letter to Timothy, 1:1–3; 4:121 Timothy 1:1–3 · King James Version1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
1:2Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
1:3As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
1 Timothy 1:1–3 · King James VersionOpen the Source. King James Version - Church History, Book 3, 3.3.5; 3.25Papias, in Eusebius, Church History 3.39.15 · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, New Advent
Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately, though not in order, whatsoever he remembered of the things said or done by Christ. For he neither heard the Lord nor followed him, but afterward, as I said, he followed Peter, who adapted his teaching to the needs of his hearers, but with no intention of giving a connected account of the Lord's discourses, so that Mark committed no error while he thus wrote some things as he remembered them. For he was careful of one thing, not to omit any of the things which he had heard, and not to state any of them falsely.
Papias, in Eusebius, Church History 3.39.15 · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, New AdventOpen the Source (Eusebius, Church History 3.3, 3.24–25, and 3.39, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series, vol. 1, on New Advent. Chapter 25 sorts books into acknowledged, disputed, and rejected. Chapter 39 reports Papias on Mark and Matthew.) - Muratorian fragment, 1 TimothyMuratorian fragment, on Acts · Roberts-Donaldson, Ante-Nicene Fathers 5
Moreover, the Acts of all the Apostles are comprised by Luke in one book, and addressed to the most excellent Theophilus, because these different events took place when he was present himself; and he shows this clearly-i.e., that the principle on which he wrote was, to give only what fell under his own notice-by the omission of the passion of Peter, and also of the journey of Paul, when he went from the city-Rome-to Spain.
Muratorian fragment, on Acts · Roberts-Donaldson, Ante-Nicene Fathers 5Open the Source (Roberts-Donaldson translation, Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 5. The Latin is damaged and the English follows restorations. The fragment lists the books read in the church and those rejected.) - Festal Letter 39, 39.4–5 (Athanasius of Alexandria, AD 367, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series, vol. 4, on New Advent. The letter lists twenty-two Old Testament books and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, and places Esther among books to be read rather than in the canon.)
- When Was Each Book of the Bible Written?, 1 Timothy (Jacob Edson, Bible Gateway, 16 September 2024. The survey gives 1 Timothy as AD 62–64 (or AD 90–110 if pseudonymous). It is one editor’s approximation, not a manuscript date.)
- Codex Sinaiticus, About the manuscriptCodex Sinaiticus: content · Codex Sinaiticus Project
Codex Sinaiticus, a manuscript of the Christian Bible written in the middle of the fourth century, contains the earliest complete copy of the Christian New Testament.
Codex Sinaiticus: content · Codex Sinaiticus ProjectOpen the Source (The Codex Sinaiticus project’s description of the manuscript, a fourth-century Greek Bible with the earliest complete copy of the New Testament.)
The King James Version (1769) is in the public domain in the United States.