Who Wrote 1 Timothy?
Quick Summary
The First Letter to Timothy presents itself as written by the apostle Paul to his close coworker Timothy. While the letter was accepted as Pauline throughout the early church, modern scholarship has debated its authorship due to differences in style, vocabulary, and church organization when compared to Paul’s undisputed letters. A careful evaluation of internal evidence, early church testimony, and contemporary scholarship shows why many scholars continue to affirm Pauline authorship, while others propose composition by a later Pauline associate.
Introduction
First Timothy belongs to a group of New Testament writings commonly called the Pastoral Epistles (1–2 Timothy and Titus). These letters focus on church leadership, sound teaching, and faithful living within established Christian communities. Because of their practical tone and developed ecclesial structure, they have generated significant discussion regarding authorship.
The question of who wrote 1 Timothy is therefore both historical and theological. It requires attention to what the letter claims for itself, how the early church received it, and how modern scholars interpret its language and context.
(Collins, Introduction to the New Testament, pp. 349–352)
Internal Evidence from the Letter
First Timothy explicitly identifies Paul as its author: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope” (1 Timothy 1:1). The letter is addressed personally to Timothy, whom Paul describes as his “true child in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2), a relationship also affirmed in Paul’s undisputed letters.
(Moo, The Pastoral Epistles, pp. 39–41)
The letter reflects knowledge of Paul’s missionary movements after the events recorded in Acts. Paul refers to having left Timothy in Ephesus while traveling onward (1 Timothy 1:3), a situation that does not fit neatly within Acts but may reflect later stages of Paul’s ministry. The letter also presumes Paul’s authority to delegate leadership responsibilities, consistent with his role as an apostle.
(Towner, The Letters to Timothy and Titus, pp. 87–90)
The theological content of 1 Timothy aligns with core Pauline themes, including salvation by grace, the centrality of Christ Jesus, and the importance of faithful teaching (1 Timothy 1:12–17; 2:3–6). At the same time, the letter emphasizes church order and leadership qualifications, reflecting the needs of maturing Christian communities.
(Moo, Pastoral Epistles, pp. 52–56)
Early Church Testimony
Early Christian writers consistently attributed 1 Timothy to Paul. The letter appears in the Muratorian Fragment, an early list of authoritative Christian writings, as part of the Pauline corpus.
(Muratorian Fragment, lines 59–63)
Irenaeus cites 1 Timothy as written by Paul when discussing sound doctrine and the proper transmission of teaching, treating the letter as apostolic authority (Against Heresies 3.3.4).
(Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.3.4)
Tertullian likewise refers to 1 Timothy as Pauline in his discussions of church leadership and discipline (On Prescription Against Heretics 25).
(Tertullian, De Praescriptione Haereticorum 25)
Eusebius includes 1 Timothy among Paul’s universally acknowledged letters, indicating its widespread acceptance in the early church.
(Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 3.3.5)
Modern Scholarly Discussion
Modern debate over the authorship of 1 Timothy centers on vocabulary, literary style, and ecclesial structure. Critics note that the letter contains a higher proportion of words not found elsewhere in Paul’s undisputed letters and reflects a more developed church organization.
(Collins, Introduction to the New Testament, pp. 352–356)
In response, many scholars argue that differences in style can be explained by changes in subject matter, audience, and the possible use of a secretary or collaborator. Douglas Moo contends that the theological continuity and strong early church reception support Pauline authorship as the most historically responsible conclusion.
(Moo, Pastoral Epistles, pp. 61–65)
Philip Towner offers a nuanced position, suggesting that while the letter reflects Pauline tradition and authority, it may have been composed with significant assistance from a close associate after Paul’s lifetime. Even so, Towner emphasizes that the letter faithfully preserves Paul’s teaching and pastoral concerns.
(Towner, Timothy and Titus, pp. 104–108)
Inspiration and Authorship
First Timothy raises important questions about how inspiration functions within the life of the church. Whether written directly by Paul or shaped by a close coworker drawing on his authority, the letter reflects apostolic teaching applied to concrete pastoral situations.
The church historically recognized the letter as Scripture not because of simplistic authorship claims, but because it bore faithful witness to the apostolic gospel and guided communities toward sound teaching and faithful leadership.
(Wright, Paul and the Faithfulness of God, pp. 514–518)
Conclusion
First Timothy identifies Paul as its author and was received as Pauline by the early church without dispute. While modern scholarship has raised thoughtful questions based on style and church structure, many scholars continue to affirm Pauline authorship, while others propose composition by a trusted associate working within Paul’s authority.
In either case, the letter stands firmly within the Pauline tradition and continues to shape Christian understanding of leadership, teaching, and faithful living.
FAQ
Who wrote 1 Timothy?
1 Timothy presents itself as written by the apostle Paul and was accepted as Pauline by the early church.
Why is the authorship of 1 Timothy debated?
Debate focuses on differences in vocabulary, style, and church organization compared to Paul’s undisputed letters.
