Bible Dictionary
Timothy, First Epistle to
First Timothy is a letter from Paul to Timothy, whom he had left in Ephesus. It instructs him concerning church worship and organization, qualified leaders, Christian conduct, and the defense of sound teaching.
Definition
First Timothy is Paul’s letter to Timothy after leaving him in Ephesus. It gives counsel concerning church worship, organization, responsibilities, and the qualifications of those serving the church.
Biblical Usage
The letter exhorts Timothy to maintain the truth and to resist surrounding errors while guiding the church and its members in faithful conduct.
Historical Background
It was probably written from Macedonia, perhaps Philippi or a neighboring place, during the interval between Paul’s first and second imprisonments, about A.D. 66 or 67.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Paul in this epistle speaks of himself as having left Ephesus for Macedonia (1:3), and hence not Laodicea, as mentioned in the subscription; but probably Philippi, or some other city in that region, was the place where this epistle was written. During the interval between his first and second imprisonments he probably visited the scenes of his former labours in Greece and Asia, and then found his way into Macedonia, whence he wrote this letter to Timothy, whom he had left behind in Ephesus. It was probably written about A.D. 66 or 67. The epistle consists mainly, (1) of counsels to Timothy regarding the worship and organization of the Church, and the responsibilities resting on its several members; and (2) of exhortation to faithfulness in maintaining the truth amid surrounding errors.