Lesson 5 of 6
In Progress

Theological Themes in 1 Timothy

Revised by Mary Hinkle Shore, 10/23

Christ

Four major christological titles appear in the Pastoral Epistles: “Christ,” “Lord,” “Savior,” and “Mediator.” The title “Son of God,” used often in the seven undisputed letters of Paul, does not appear. Among the Pastoral Epistles, the term “mediator” appears as a christological title only in 1 Timothy 2:5. It refers not so much to Christ’s nature as to his function in giving himself as a “ransom” for the salvation of humanity. There is an implicit affirmation of Christ’s preexistence and incarnation (1 Timothy 3:16; see also 2 Timothy 1:9-10; Titus 2:11), his true humanity is maintained (1 Timothy 2:5; 6:13; see also 2 Timothy 2:8), and his death is acknowledged (1 Timothy 2:6; see also 2 Timothy 2:11; Titus 2:14). He has been exalted to heaven and reigns in the present era (1 Timothy 3:16; see also 2 Timothy 1:10; 2:12). Finally, he will appear at the end of time (1 Timothy 6:14; see also 2 Timothy 4:8), when he will judge both the living and the dead (see 2 Timothy 1:18; 4:1, 8).

Ethics

While there are special expectations for office holders in the church, there are general ethical teachings that apply to all believers. These include good works in general (1 Timothy 2:10; see also 2 Timothy 2:21; 3:17; Titus 3:1), moderation (1 Timothy 6:8), generosity (6:17-18), and care of the elderly (5:4). The love of wealth is to be avoided (6:9-10; see also 2 Timothy 3:2).

God and creation

The author affirms that God the Father is one, and that God has not only created all things but has created them good (1:2; 2:5; 4:3-4; see also 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4-5), that God “gives life to all things” (1 Timothy 6:13) and “richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (6:17). Stress is placed on the goodness of marriage and having children (1 Timothy 3:2-5; 5:10, 14; see also Titus 2:4) and the legitimacy of secular authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2; see also Titus 3:1-2).

“The Faith” distinguished from “Faith”

Of all New Testament letters, 1 Timothy includes the most references to “the faith,” meaning a body of doctrine. In Paul’s early letters, the Greek word for faith (pistis) refers to something active. Possible translations in English would be faithfulness or trust or believing. The word “faith” is used for the faithfulness Christ showed to the Father, as well as the trust that believers have in Christ, and the trust in Christ that they share with one another.  

In 1 Timothy, however, the same Greek word is used most often for “the faith,” that is, a body of beliefs. “The faith” refers to teachings rather than the posture of trust in God and Christ. This way of using pistis marks a shift in Paul’s thought that begins with the letters of Colossians (see Colossians 1:23; 2:7) and Ephesians (see Ephesians 4:5, 4:13) and continues in 1 Timothy and Titus (see Titus 1:13).

References to “the faith” appear in 1 Timothy 1:2, 19b; 3:9; 4:1, 6; 5:8; 6:10, 21 and account for about half of the occurrences of pistis in 1 Timothy. This shift in the use of such a central Pauline term is one of the features of 1 Timothy that leads readers to question whether the letter was authored by Paul himself or by a second-generation writer using his name.