The book of first Timothy is the first of two letters that the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy, his son in the faith. Paul is instructing Timothy as a young pastor on how to lead his congregation and he is charging him to deal with false teachers that were arising in the fellowship.

In chapter one Paul charges Timothy to teach sound doctrine, the doctrine that he received from Paul and which Paul received from Christ. In chapters two and three, Paul gives direction concerning public worship.

In chapter four, he warns of false teachers and then challenges Timothy to not let his youth be a hindrance, but instead to be an example for others to follow. Chapters five and six discuss how different groups in the church should be dealt with and how they should behave; and ends with the charge to remain faithful to the end.