Interpretation of the 1st Epistle to Timothy by St. Paul the Apostle

Blessed Theophylact of Bulgaria gained experience in explaining the Holy Scriptures when, as a rhetorician of the Great Church, he instructed the people. Most of his written interpretations arose at the request of the Greek Empress Maria, whom he calls his pious patron. These works became an outstanding synthesis and transposition of the established patristic traditions, primarily the heritage of the Antiochian theological school and St. John Chrysostom. As a rule, the author presents abbreviated versions of extensive interpretations of the ancient Church Fathers, borrowing only what is necessary for understanding the text. The commentary also includes his own explanations, which often concern disputes with heretics, especially later ones, and issues of dialogue with the Latins. Thanks to his clear, concise presentation and clear semantic emphasis, his commentaries were accessible to a wide range of readers, became widespread and had a significant influence on both Byzantine and Western European theology. In his “Commentary on the 1st Epistle to Timothy of the Holy Apostle Paul” (6 chapters), Blessed Theophylact explains that this epistle serves as a written guide and warning for pastoral work. The main topics raised in the interpretation: advice on organizing church life, managing the flock and conducting divine services, as well as the need to protect believers from false teachings and maintaining the purity of faith based on the words and deeds of Christ. Timothy was one of Paul’s disciples, and as a result was respected, and was so devoted to Paul himself that for the sake of housebuilding, for the success of his preaching, he agreed to accept circumcision from him, and this was when Paul forbade circumcision to others and when, on this occasion, he even rebelled against Peter himself. Moreover, Paul himself testifies in many places to the great virtue of this man. He now writes to him about many necessary things 1 . If someone asks why the apostle does not write to Silas, Clement, Luke, or another of the many who were with him, but only to Timothy and Titus, then it can be said that they were still accompanying him, and he had already entrusted this to the church. Therefore it was necessary to warn them through the scriptures and explain what they had to do. And if you ask: why didn’t he previously perfect them in all divine wisdom and then would have put them to the work of teaching, but he writes to them and brings them to perfection after he entrusted them with teaching? Know first of all that no one is perfect, even if he was a teacher; on the contrary, such a person also needs a lot of guidance from more perfect ones; It was especially difficult for the bishop himself to arrange everything with his word in the newly emerging church. Then pay attention to the fact that throughout the epistle Timothy is given not the same instruction as the disciples, but what is appropriate for a teacher. Another reading adds: he sends this message from Laodicea. You might be interested in: