Paul wrote First Timothy, as traditionally attributed in biblical scholarship, though some modern scholars debate Pauline authorship for the Pastoral Epistles. The book itself identifies its author as Paul (1:1), addressed to Timothy in Ephesus, and places the composition in a close-to-Pauline circle of letters written during Paul’s later ministry. The broader scholarly landscape splits into two main positions:
- Traditional/conservative view: Paul wrote 1 Timothy, along with 2 Timothy and Titus, as a letter from Paul to his protégé Timothy, likely in the early 60s CE, with later pastoral letters circulating in his name. This view remains common in many Christian denominations and in many study Bibles and commentaries.
- Critical view: While the letter names Paul as author, many modern scholars doubt that Paul himself actually wrote it, suggesting a later authorwriting in a Pauline tradition (often dated to the late first or early second century). Those positions typically argue stylistic, theological, and historical differences from Paul’s undisputed letters.
If you’d like, I can tailor the overview to a specific tradition (classic Christian doctrine, academic scholarly consensus, or a particular denomination) and provide key passages and their roles in Timothy’s ministry.
