Difference between revisions of "First Epistle to Timothy" - New World Encyclopedia
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In the early days of Christianity, the author of 1 Timothy was considered to be [[Paul]]. Paul’s name, as the author, is cited in the text and for that reason—plus its theological orthodoxy—the early Church Fathers counted this letter along with the other 13 canonical Pauline Epistles as "undisputed"<ref>Eusebius, ''Ecclesiastical History'' 3.3.5</ref>. | In the early days of Christianity, the author of 1 Timothy was considered to be [[Paul]]. Paul’s name, as the author, is cited in the text and for that reason—plus its theological orthodoxy—the early Church Fathers counted this letter along with the other 13 canonical Pauline Epistles as "undisputed"<ref>Eusebius, ''Ecclesiastical History'' 3.3.5</ref>. | ||
| − | However, many modern scholars, beginning in the nineteenth century, have concluded that Paul could not have been the author. There are several reasons for this. More than one third of the letter's vocabulary does not appear in any of the other Pauline epistles, and more than one fifth of the vocabulary does not appear anywhere else in the [[New Testament]]. However, two thirds of this non-Pauline vocabulary was indeed used by other second century Christian writers<ref>Perrin, Norman. ''The New Testament, an Introduction: Proclamation and Parenesis, Myth and History''. 264-5. Harcourt College Pub: 1974. ISBN 0-15-565725-9.</ref>. Also, such terms as "elders," "deacons," and "overseer" (bishop) refer to a church structure not yet in place during the lifetime of Paul. | + | However, many modern scholars, beginning in the nineteenth century, have concluded that Paul could not have been the author. There are several reasons for this. More than one third of the letter's vocabulary does not appear in any of the other Pauline epistles, and more than one fifth of the vocabulary does not appear anywhere else in the [[New Testament]]. However, two thirds of this non-Pauline vocabulary was indeed used by other second century Christian writers<ref>Perrin, Norman. ''The New Testament, an Introduction: Proclamation and Parenesis, Myth and History''. 264-5. Harcourt College Pub: 1974. ISBN 0-15-565725-9.</ref>. Also, such terms as "elders," "deacons," and "overseer" (bishop) refer to a church structure not yet in place during the lifetime of Paul. Finally, the attitude expressed toward women in the epistle is strongly negative, a fact which might not argue against Pauline authorship so strongly were it not for the fact that "Paul" argues that women are to be "saved through childbearing" and other good works--the exact opposite of Paul's usual insistence that salvation comes not through good works but through faith in Jesus. |
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Scholar Robert Grant, meanwhile, notes parallels to the early Church Father [[Polycarp]] of Smyrna and suggests that he, rather than Paul, might be the author of 1 Timothy <ref>http://religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=1116&C=1234 Grant, Robert. ''A Historical Introduction to the New Testament'', chap. 14</ref>. I. Howard Marshall also believes that Polycarp wrote 1 Timothy, placing its composition some time in the first half of the second century CE.<ref>Marshall, I.H. and Towner, P.H. (1999), 'The Pastoral Epistles', T&T Clark, ISBN 0567086615, p.3</ref>. This would place the date for the epistle sometime around 140 C.E. | Scholar Robert Grant, meanwhile, notes parallels to the early Church Father [[Polycarp]] of Smyrna and suggests that he, rather than Paul, might be the author of 1 Timothy <ref>http://religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=1116&C=1234 Grant, Robert. ''A Historical Introduction to the New Testament'', chap. 14</ref>. I. Howard Marshall also believes that Polycarp wrote 1 Timothy, placing its composition some time in the first half of the second century CE.<ref>Marshall, I.H. and Towner, P.H. (1999), 'The Pastoral Epistles', T&T Clark, ISBN 0567086615, p.3</ref>. This would place the date for the epistle sometime around 140 C.E. | ||
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'''False Teachings''' | '''False Teachings''' | ||
| + | The author refers to "other teaching," (1:3) “godless myths and old-wives tales,” (4:7) "meaningless talk," (1:6) "blasphemous teaching," (6:3) and "myths and endless genealogies," (1 Timothy 1:4). The false teachings apparently relate to the theological basis of ascetic practices practiced at Ephesus, including abstinence from marriage and refraining from eating certain foods. The dietary restriction were apparently urged by Jewish Christians called “teachers of the Law” (1 Timothy 1:7), who advocated adoption of Jewish dietary laws. Paul gives to Timothy a warning not to let heresy and false doctrine take hold. "Myths and endless genealogies" may refer to gnostic beliefs, which often recited long lists of esoteric genealogies related to the origin of the universe and its various spiritual powers. | ||
| − | The | + | '''The Proper Role For Women''' |
| + | The letter also clarifies the role of Christian women. Women are not to preoccupied with external beauty, such as braided hair, gold, pearls, or costly attire, but should be more concerned with internal qualities such as good deeds (2:8-10). Women must dress moderately, learn in quietness and submission, must not teach or have authority over men. The author justifies this policy on the basis that "Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner." Women's salvation not through faith in Jesus, "through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety."(2:14-15) | ||
| − | ''' | + | '''Church members''' |
| − | + | Timothy is instructed on the principles pertaining to his relationship with the older members of the community. Rules are given for aid to widows (5:3-8, 5:9-16), the relationship between slaves and masters (1 Tim 6:1-2), the obligations of the wealthier members of the community (1 Tim 6:17-19). The letter also reminds Timothy of the prophetic character of his office (1 Tim 1:12-20) and encourages him to exercise it correctly (1 Tim 4:6-16). The Church must take care of widows if they have no family and are over 60 years old, provided someone has attested to her good deeds (1 Timothy 5:9-10). Men are instructed to take care of their relatives, especially their own family members (1 Timothy 5:8). | |
| − | ''' | + | '''Church officers''' |
| − | + | He who would become a bishop (''episcopos'', also translated as "overseer) "must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money." He must also not be a recent convert and be able to manage his own family well. (3:2-4) Deacons must have similar characteristic to bishops. Elders (presbyters) are to be given "double honor" and are apparently paid for their preaching duties. The author quotes Old Testament scripture in support of this policy, saying "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." (5:18) | |
'''Money is the Root of All Evil''' | '''Money is the Root of All Evil''' | ||
| − | + | Yet, the "love of money as a root of all evil." (6:10) The author warns to guard against Christian leaders whose desire for money their "false doctrines", "who are conceited," "have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels," and "who think that godliness is a means to financial gain" (6:3-5). The writer boasts that he preaches "free of charge" (11:7) and is "not a burden to anyone" (11:9). | |
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| − | + | ==Key Phrases== | |
| + | Key phrases in this book include: | ||
| − | + | *“Fight the good fight” (1 Timothy 6:12) | |
| − | + | *"The love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 6:10) | |
| − | + | *Let no one despise your youth” (1 Timothy 4:12) | |
| − | + | *Trust not in worldly riches" (1 Timothy 6:17-11) | |
| − | + | *For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5) | |
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==Significance== | ==Significance== | ||
| + | Whether 1 Timothy was written by Paul or a later writer, letter lays a foundation for various doctrines and practices dealing with the ordaining of elders and other church leaders (1 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Cor. 3:8-13), the treatment of women, a warning against the teaching of false doctrines, and the doctrine not to let the desire for money corrupt church leaders. In essence, 1 Timothy has became a leadership manual for church organization and administration as well as a manual on Church doctrine, Church leadership, and Church administration. | ||
| − | + | Protestants especially take the view that the letter's emphasis on hierarchy and its strong negative attitude toward female leadership in the church prove it cannot be truly Pauline, or that —if it is—Paul's views on these matters are seriously out of date. | |
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| − | Paul's | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
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{{Credit|152509689}} | {{Credit|152509689}} | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 02:26, 15 September 2007
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The First Epistle to Timothy is one of the three Pastoral Epistles, originally attributed to Saint Paul and part of the New Testament. Timothy occupied a position of considerable influence and authority in Ephesus (modern day Turkey), and was reportedly much loved by Paul, who was his mentor.
In this letter, Timothy is carefully instructed by Paul on how to carry out his duties, such as conducting various forms of worship, the organization of the church, dealing with false teachings, the treatment of women in the church, the encouragement of members not to lose their faith, and the other responsibilities of bishops and deacons.
While biblical literalists hold to the traditional view that Paul is the author of 1 Timothy, a more modern view is that the letter was composed many years after Paul's death by a churchman who honored Paul's memory and invoked it to help the emerging church solidify its tradition and authority.
Timothy in history and tradition
Whoever the real author of the letter is, Paul and Timothy were historical people in the relationship of mentor and student. Timothy is first mentioned in Acts 16:1. His mother Eunice and his grandmother, Lois, are mentioned in 2 Tim. 1:5. His mother was a Jewish Christian and his father was Greek. Timothy first met Paul during Paul's second visit to Lystra (2 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 16:2), where it seems he was converted during Paul's first visit there. Paul, having been impressed by his "own son in the faith," made Timothy his companion (Acts 16:3) and mentored him in Christian leadership. Paul and Timothy did missionary journeys together, in Phrygia, Galatia, Mysia, Troa, Philippi, Berea (Acts 17:14) Athens, Thessalonica (Acts 17:15; 1 Thessalonians 3:2) as well as Corinth, Macedonia, Ephesus and greater Asia. Timothy was also noted for coming to Paul’s aid when Paul was put into prison (Philippians 1:1, 2 Timothy 4:13).
It is noteworthy that Paul reportedly decided that Timothy should be circumcised, according to Acts 16:3. Since Timothy had a Jewish mother, he was Jewish under Jewish law (halakha). Paul's motivation may be expressed in 1 Cor 9:20 where he writes: "To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews; to those under the law I became as one under the law—though not being myself under the law—that I might win those under the law." However, others believe that Paul's well-known animosity to the circumcision of Gentile Christians did not apply to Jewish Christians of whom Timothy was one.
Timothy is praised by Paul for his knowledge of the scriptures. According to a later tradition, Paul ordained Timothy as Bishop of Ephesus in the year 65, where he served for 15 years. Timothy died trying to halt a pagan procession of idols as angry pagans beat and dragged him through the streets and then stoned him to death.
In Eastern Christianity, Timothy (Τιμόθεος; Timótheos which means "he who honors God") is known as a 1st century Christian bishop who died about AD 80. Saint Timotheos, as he is called, is venerated as a saint and martyr by the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Authorship and date
In the early days of Christianity, the author of 1 Timothy was considered to be Paul. Paul’s name, as the author, is cited in the text and for that reason—plus its theological orthodoxy—the early Church Fathers counted this letter along with the other 13 canonical Pauline Epistles as "undisputed"[1].
However, many modern scholars, beginning in the nineteenth century, have concluded that Paul could not have been the author. There are several reasons for this. More than one third of the letter's vocabulary does not appear in any of the other Pauline epistles, and more than one fifth of the vocabulary does not appear anywhere else in the New Testament. However, two thirds of this non-Pauline vocabulary was indeed used by other second century Christian writers[2]. Also, such terms as "elders," "deacons," and "overseer" (bishop) refer to a church structure not yet in place during the lifetime of Paul. Finally, the attitude expressed toward women in the epistle is strongly negative, a fact which might not argue against Pauline authorship so strongly were it not for the fact that "Paul" argues that women are to be "saved through childbearing" and other good works—the exact opposite of Paul's usual insistence that salvation comes not through good works but through faith in Jesus.
Scholar Robert Grant, meanwhile, notes parallels to the early Church Father Polycarp of Smyrna and suggests that he, rather than Paul, might be the author of 1 Timothy [3]. I. Howard Marshall also believes that Polycarp wrote 1 Timothy, placing its composition some time in the first half of the second century CE.[4]. This would place the date for the epistle sometime around 140 C.E.
Scholars who accept the epistle's Pauline authenticity admit that the language and style differ significantly from other of Paul's letters, but explain this on the basis that it was most likely written toward the end of Paul's ministry, c. 62-67 C.E.
Purpose
The traditional view is that that Paul wrote this letter to encourage Timothy to take on his own ministry at Ephesus, a church which Paul himself founded. Now that Timothy is pastoring the Ephesus church, Paul wants to encourage him to continue his good works. (Acts 19:10; 20:31). It is apparent that Paul is pleased that Timothy, his former student and travel companion, who has risen up in the ranks of church leadership.
Critical scholars have argued that the real purpose of 1 Timothy was to help the emerging Catholic church deal with many challenges to its authority and core beliefs, including the authority of bishops within the church.
Key themes
There a several key themes in I Timothy:
False Teachings The author refers to "other teaching," (1:3) “godless myths and old-wives tales,” (4:7) "meaningless talk," (1:6) "blasphemous teaching," (6:3) and "myths and endless genealogies," (1 Timothy 1:4). The false teachings apparently relate to the theological basis of ascetic practices practiced at Ephesus, including abstinence from marriage and refraining from eating certain foods. The dietary restriction were apparently urged by Jewish Christians called “teachers of the Law” (1 Timothy 1:7), who advocated adoption of Jewish dietary laws. Paul gives to Timothy a warning not to let heresy and false doctrine take hold. "Myths and endless genealogies" may refer to gnostic beliefs, which often recited long lists of esoteric genealogies related to the origin of the universe and its various spiritual powers.
The Proper Role For Women The letter also clarifies the role of Christian women. Women are not to preoccupied with external beauty, such as braided hair, gold, pearls, or costly attire, but should be more concerned with internal qualities such as good deeds (2:8-10). Women must dress moderately, learn in quietness and submission, must not teach or have authority over men. The author justifies this policy on the basis that "Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner." Women's salvation not through faith in Jesus, "through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety."(2:14-15)
Church members
Timothy is instructed on the principles pertaining to his relationship with the older members of the community. Rules are given for aid to widows (5:3-8, 5:9-16), the relationship between slaves and masters (1 Tim 6:1-2), the obligations of the wealthier members of the community (1 Tim 6:17-19). The letter also reminds Timothy of the prophetic character of his office (1 Tim 1:12-20) and encourages him to exercise it correctly (1 Tim 4:6-16). The Church must take care of widows if they have no family and are over 60 years old, provided someone has attested to her good deeds (1 Timothy 5:9-10). Men are instructed to take care of their relatives, especially their own family members (1 Timothy 5:8).
Church officers
He who would become a bishop (episcopos, also translated as "overseer) "must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money." He must also not be a recent convert and be able to manage his own family well. (3:2-4) Deacons must have similar characteristic to bishops. Elders (presbyters) are to be given "double honor" and are apparently paid for their preaching duties. The author quotes Old Testament scripture in support of this policy, saying "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." (5:18)
Money is the Root of All Evil
Yet, the "love of money as a root of all evil." (6:10) The author warns to guard against Christian leaders whose desire for money their "false doctrines", "who are conceited," "have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels," and "who think that godliness is a means to financial gain" (6:3-5). The writer boasts that he preaches "free of charge" (11:7) and is "not a burden to anyone" (11:9).
Key Phrases
Key phrases in this book include:
- “Fight the good fight” (1 Timothy 6:12)
- "The love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 6:10)
- Let no one despise your youth” (1 Timothy 4:12)
- Trust not in worldly riches" (1 Timothy 6:17-11)
- For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5)
Significance
Whether 1 Timothy was written by Paul or a later writer, letter lays a foundation for various doctrines and practices dealing with the ordaining of elders and other church leaders (1 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Cor. 3:8-13), the treatment of women, a warning against the teaching of false doctrines, and the doctrine not to let the desire for money corrupt church leaders. In essence, 1 Timothy has became a leadership manual for church organization and administration as well as a manual on Church doctrine, Church leadership, and Church administration.
Protestants especially take the view that the letter's emphasis on hierarchy and its strong negative attitude toward female leadership in the church prove it cannot be truly Pauline, or that —if it is—Paul's views on these matters are seriously out of date.
Notes
- ↑ Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 3.3.5
- ↑ Perrin, Norman. The New Testament, an Introduction: Proclamation and Parenesis, Myth and History. 264-5. Harcourt College Pub: 1974. ISBN 0-15-565725-9.
- ↑ http://religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=1116&C=1234 Grant, Robert. A Historical Introduction to the New Testament, chap. 14
- ↑ Marshall, I.H. and Towner, P.H. (1999), 'The Pastoral Epistles', T&T Clark, ISBN 0567086615, p.3
External links
| Preceded by: 2 Thessalonians |
Books of the Bible |
Succeeded by: 2 Timothy |
Credits
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External links
- Apostle Timothy at Orthodoxwiki
- [http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/1timothy/intro.htm/Timothy
- [http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/index.htm
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:
The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:
Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.
- [http://www.jesuswalk.com/ephesians/0_intro.htm Introduction to Paul's Letter to the Ephesians
- http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/1timothy.html
