Background of the Pastoral Epistles
Based on the content of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus, these three letters were named the "pastoral epistles." They spend much time on the different roles people serve in the local church. Paul stated in 1 Timothy that, "...I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth" (1 Tim. 3:14-15, NIV). Throughout these three letters, the correct character and conduct of the people of God is highlighted. Specific lists of qualifications are given for the pastor and deacons in the church. (1 Tim. 2:11-12,3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9) These three books together create a wonderful handbook for the Christian minister in virtually any capacity. While they do not tell us how to "do" church, they do provide guidelines for the people and their practice. One might say they help us understand how to operate IN the church and AS the church. I & II Timothy, Titus
As such, these epistles are appropriate for any Christian to study. They will help the believer understand his or her place in the church as well as how to interact with the church leaders. They are even more appropriate for the church leaders -- pastors, elders, teachers, deacons -- for they clarify the qualifications to serve. They also define the role of the pastor and deacon in the church, exhorting elders to teach and preach sound doctrine as the weapon against division and controversy in the church. (1 Tim. 1:3-4,4:6,11-15,6:13-21; 2 Tim. 1:8,2:14-15,4:1-2; Titus 2:1-15, 3:1-14) In these epistles, the Christian worker will find encouragement, exhortation, and great blessing.
1) Pauline authorship is certain.1
- Near universal acceptance of Paul's authorship up to the 19th century.
- Five primary objections to Pauline authorship center on vocabulary, Gnostic heresy, level of church organization, conflicting circumstances, and theology.
- The objections are generally weak or ambiguous in Biblical support.
- Internal evidence from the Bible clearly supports Pauline authorship --Paul claimed to be the author of these epistles.
- External evidence from early church fathers clearly supports Pauline authorship.
- Caution: If an authorship dispute questions the authority of Scripture itself, it ceases to be a profitable exercise. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
2) Dating the Pastoral Epistles depends on one's position of Paul's imprisonment in Rome.
- Date of writing is imprecise primarily due to the question of whether Paul was imprisoned by Rome more than once.
- The book of Acts ends with Paul under Roman house-arrest. Without subsequent imprisonment, Paul himself would have had no occasion to write these epistles.
- Early church fathers assumed more than one Roman imprisonment.
- Option 1 - Only one Roman imprisonment and certain non-Pauline authorship. This creates a contradiction in Scripture where Paul claims to be writing these epistles.
- Option 2 - Subsequent Roman imprisonment, one or more, which gave occasion to the travels mentioned in the epistles and the need for these to be written by Paul.
- Assuming Pauline authorship from section A.1 above, option 2 is the only viable conclusion.
- It is fairly certain Paul was first imprisoned in 59 A.D. or 61 A.D. and executed during Nero's reign (54-68 A.D.) This dates 2 Timothy in the 66-68 A.D. timeframe and 1 Timothy, Titus in the 61-66 A.D. timeframe.
- This certainly provides a church organization more highly advanced than liberal scholars are willing to admit.
3) Purpose of the Pastoral Epistles
- 1 Timothy -- The importance of sound doctrine for the church. (1 Tim. 1:3,18; 3:15 4:6,11)
- 2 Timothy -- The importance of faithfully proclaiming God's word. (2 Tim. 1:6; 2:1-2,15; 3:16-17; 4:2
- Titus -- The importance of revealing God's truth through good works. (Titus 1:1,4-5; 2:1,7; 3:8)
4) Summary of the Pastoral Epistles
