<P> Secular historians generally place its composition some time in the late 1st century or first half of the 2nd century AD , with a wide margin of uncertainty . The text seems to be contending against nascent Gnosticism ( 1 Tim 1 : 4 , 1 Tim 4 : 3 ) ( see Encratism ) , which would suggest a later date due to Gnosticism developing primarily in the latter 1st century . The term Gnosis ( `` knowledge '' ) itself occurs in 1 Timothy 6 : 20 . If the parallels between 1 Timothy and Polycarp 's epistle are understood as a literary dependence by the latter on the former , as is generally accepted , this would constitute a terminus ante quem of AD 130 -- 155 . However , Irenaeus ( writing c.AD 180 ) is the earliest author to clearly and unequivocally describe the Pastorals . </P>
<P> Secular historians generally place its composition some time in the late 1st century or first half of the 2nd century AD , with a wide margin of uncertainty . The text seems to be contending against nascent Gnosticism ( 1 Tim 1 : 4 , 1 Tim 4 : 3 ) ( see Encratism ) , which would suggest a later date due to Gnosticism developing primarily in the latter 1st century . The term Gnosis ( `` knowledge '' ) itself occurs in 1 Timothy 6 : 20 . If the parallels between 1 Timothy and Polycarp 's epistle are understood as a literary dependence by the latter on the former , as is generally accepted , this would constitute a terminus ante quem of AD 130 -- 155 . However , Irenaeus ( writing c.AD 180 ) is the earliest author to clearly and unequivocally describe the Pastorals . </P>
when was the book of 1 timothy written
when was the book of 1 timothy written
some time in the late 1st century or first half of the 2nd century AD , with a wide margin of uncertainty
some time in the late 1st century or first half of the 2nd century AD , with a wide margin of uncertainty