Best Commentaries on 1 Timothy

CT Pastors December 1, 2025

Note: Our list of recommendations is just getting started. We’ll be adding more in the coming months.

From Scott Wenig

Scott Wenig is associate professor of applied theology at Denver Seminary in Denver, Colorado, and author of Straightening the Altars.

• John R.W. Stott, Guard the Truth: the Message of I Timothy and Titus (Downers Grove: IVP, 1996).
  • Over the course of his long and fruitful ministry, Stott became a master commentator on the Pastoral Epistles. This volume is exceptionally valuable because of its exegesis on the numerous difficult texts in both 1 Timothy and Titus. Readers may not always agree with his conclusions or applications but, in my opinion, this commentary is essential when researching and preaching these books.

• Walter Liefeld, The NIV Application Commentary on 1 & 2 Timothy/Titus (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999).
  • Liefeld’s commentary is tremendous for its organization, interaction with the text, and clarity of thought. Following the format of the NIV Application Series, each section of Scripture under discussion is divided into: a) the Original Meaning, b) Bridging Contexts, c) Contemporary Significance. Once again, while pastors and teachers may not always agree with his conclusions, they can gain some solid insights and useful suggestions on how to preach the text of 1 Timothy in a relevant way.

• Philip H. Towner, 1 & 2 Timothy & Titus (Downers Grove: IVP, 1994).
  • Towner’s academic forte is his work on the Pastoral Epistles. This book is very clear, easy to access, and provides a clear outline of Paul’s thought in 1 Timothy. Moreover, he grasps the strong missional intent of the letter and brings that out wherever he legitimately can.

• Gordon D. Fee, 1and 2 Timothy, Titus (Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1988).
  • Fee has been one of Evangelicalism’s finest New Testament scholars over the last generation and this commentary illustrates exactly why. His stress on the utter importance of true and godly teaching in 1 Timothy reflects the apostle’s concerns as well or better than any other commentary. Moreover, Fee is exceptionally good at highlighting why Timothy’s pastoral ministry in Ephesus was so important both temporally and eternally.