Introduction to 1 Timothy
1st Timothy is one of the three so-called ‘pastoral epistles’ (along with 2nd Timothy and Titus). Timothy was a beloved younger associate of the Apostle Paul whom the latter had deployed to Ephesus as his pastoral legate to oversee the (house) churches in that city. He tells us explicitly why he was writing this first letter: “I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in the God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” (3:15) Therein lays it abiding relevance for us in the conduct of modern church life.
Clearly, in a great many cases our churches and pastors compare unfavorably to the patterns and principles set forth in this epistle, which some have called an early pastoral manual. For any who have ears to hear, there is plenty here to challenge our complacency and to call us up to higher and more rigorous godly standards of ordering our body life, but our personal lives as well.
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