Was 1 Timothy really written by Paul?

Question

According to my study bible, it says that the vocabulary and style of the other letters of paul differ in many ways from those of 1 timothy. Also, key concepts such as faith, law, and righteousness are different as well as historical situations described by Pastorals aren't accommodated by what we know of Paul;s career based on Acts and other Letters. Even if a secretary wrote 1 Timothy from sketchy notes or a later author crafted them around fragments of authentic letters, it is said they are best acknowledged to be written by an unknown author who used Paul's name to give authority to his attempt to address problems in some post-Pauline churches.

I'm having some trouble understanding how some of the verses here fit into God's over all plan since they seem to contradict other parts of the bible (example: women shouldn't teach men) Please help me understand.

Please- only educated answers from people with a background in this information.

It is The Harper Collins Study Bible New Revised Standard Version with the apocryphal/deuterocanonical books by the Society of Biblical Literature. It is the one we had to use in my "study of Christianity" class in college. (I also have my regular New International Version of the Holy Bible that I use every day.)

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses, and your concern over the name of the study bible- I hadn't realized the study bibles could be so different. Also, I learned a lot about Paul's views towards women- especially after studying about "Aquilla and Priscilla" and the fact that they both ministered under his lead.

What about historical perspective? I mean, are we not to wear braids and keep silent as women? Is this just something for the time, or is this to be taken literally?

Answer 1

It's written by Paul listen to the bible scholars....
It's a letter from Paul to timothy...

Answer 2

Many contemporary interpreters feel that the name “Paul” in all three Epistles is a pseudonym. Most who advocate pseudonymity feel that an admirer of Paul penned the letters at a time after Paul’s death and used the name of Paul in order to secure acceptance of his ideas.

Some maintain that the writings contain genuine Pauline fragments. A Pauline admirer, it is often alleged, added some comments to provide coherence and unity for the letters. Among the passages that have been represented as fragments are 1 Tim 1:13–15; 2 Tim 1:16–18; 3:10–11; 4:6–22; and Titus 3:13–15. The passages viewed as fragments contain short biographical extracts about Paul or personal information about Timothy. The chief advocate of this theory was P. N. Harrison, whose views on the subject underwent modification over a period of several decades. Interpreters today show less interest in a fragmentary hypothesis than was true in the past.

The five arguments usually advanced in support of pseudonymity are the same as those of Holtzmann. These are (1) differences in vocabulary and style between the Pastorals and other Pauline writings; (2) the nature of the false teaching that Paul opposed; (3) the ecclesiastical structure apparent in the letters; (4) conflicting circumstances; and (5) theology.
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The arguments against Pauline authorship of the Pastorals are unconvincing. The internal evidence from the Epistles indicates that Paul was the author of the writings. The external evidence from the orthodox church indicates a uniform tradition ascribing the Pastorals to Paul. The Pastorals appear by name in the earliest lists of New Testament writings. During the period A.D. 90–180 there is clear evidence that the Pastorals were in existence, held in high esteem, and were frequently quoted. Many of these early witnesses do not mention the author by name, but such a method of referring to these books is not unusual. The fact that the Pastorals had many witnesses to their existence indicates that they must have had a wide circulation and that their date of origin must go back to the period of earlier years. The best evidence suggests that Paul wrote these Epistles in the closing years of his ministry. —New American Commentary

fyi -

Because the HarperCollins Study Bible does not approach the biblical text from a conservative or orthodox perspective, it cannot be recommended to journal readers as a primary study Bible.
http://www.god4me.com/HowToSelectStudyBible.htm

Answer 3

Where did you get your information that Timothy 1 & 2 was written 100-150 AD? That is not true. These books were written in 64 AD. These were Paul's last letters and were written while in prison held by Nero. Just read the text of these books. Very typical of Paul's writings Timothy died a martyr's death in Ephesus a few years later. At the beginning of the book Paul states that he is writing these letters to Timothy. Both Timothy and Paul both died before 68 AD. Nero died in 68 AD. The only true debate about who wrote any of the New Testament books is Hebrews. Most biblical scholars believe that it was probably Paul that wrote that also but it we don't know for sure. Paul wrote about many well known followers of Christianity during this same period. These letters addressed the circumstances and events around the 64 AD time period and before. Same people for instance Aquila & Priscilla mentioned in Acts (written by Luke 60 AD), Romans (written by Paul 57-58 AD), and 1 Corinthians (written by Paul 56 AD). All very consistent time line.

Answer 4

I haven't read all the answers because I am short on time.

I have learned that when Paul said that women should stay quiet in the church it was because of this;

In those days women weren't allowed to sit with the men. So, the wives of the men would stop the message by yelling accross the room to ask their husband a question about the doctrine. This caused confusion and interupted the flow of the meetings which was not right. Paul simply adressed this issue with the comment that women should ask thier questions later when she was at home. As for the other points you brought up, through your own 'additions' I think you found your answers. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

This is a very controversial question. Many different beliefs and facts do come into play here.

I am curious as to what Bible you have? E-mail me if you don't mind. I would like to read the preface to the book as to what your Bible says.

In the defense of Paul writing 1 Tim. :
1] Many believe this was wrote after Paul but if you think about it the Early Church didn't approve of such actions.
2] Why would someone forge 3 letters with similar material (1Tim, 2Tim, and Titus) and no abnormal doctrine?
3] If it was a fake author why wouldn't they make the text flow with Acts so they wouldn't be discovered? (esp. if it was a devoted follower of Paul)
4] Why would warnings against deceivers be include in the text (2Tim. 3:12; Titus 1:10) if the author was one?

However, there are still many doubts as to who wrote this book bc of the the reasons you listed above.

Answer 6

It was written by Paul, but I want to bring clarity to what you said about Paul not allowing women to teach. You will have to go back and study some of the words in the greek. Paul's statement was not addressed to women teaching in the church, but it was aimed at women usurping authority over their husbands in the household. Paul was addressing how some wives were bringing the husbands into subjection and bringing disorder to God's ordained order of marriage. The husband is the head of his household. He is not above the woman, but they are equal. However, God has placed the husband as the head and initiator in the family in regards to the things of God with the wife's support. Paul also states this in 1 Cor 11. So, Paul does not have a problem with women teaching.

Answer 7

I believe it is written by St. Paul the Apostle,but most theologians believe the book of Hebrews is not written by Paul,anyway what does it matter,are you growing in CHRIST,my advice is Don't major on the minor and minor on the major.
Women shouldn't teach men -don't be alarmed or perplexed with Paul's writ ting in this area,because in those days these women's was doing this in the church meeting and Paul have to correct these women.GOD gave some Apostles,some prophets ect.In the Greek text-no gender mention,GOD is no respect or of person and some of Paul's writ ting not easy to understand(2 Peter 3:14-18)I hope I have cleared your doubt,you can get in touch with me ([e-mail])

Answer 8

The first verse of each letter identifies Paul as the author. (1st and 2nd Timothy) Some scholars dispute this claim, but there is strong external and internal evidence undergirding the authenticity of these letters.

Answer 9

As you know 1Timothy starts: "... Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope ... to Timothy my true son in the faith... " A classic start to letters of that time. Either you accept that Paul wrote it or remain tied in knots with this letter and others.

Answer 10

1Timothy and 2 Timothy were both written by Paul.