The Pastoral Epistles: 1st and 2nd Timothy, and Titus
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These letters are called the “Pastoral Epistles” because they are written to two men (Timothy and Titus) who are laboring as pastors, and they deal with matters that are particularly pastoral in nature.
Situation
- Timothy was pastoring the church in Ephesus, Titus on Crete
- Some were teaching divisive and unprofitable doctrines
- Paul is nearing the end of his life, and desires to encourage and instruct the young pastors, as he nears his homegoing
Background - the island of Crete
- Home of Ancient Minoan civilization, c 3000-1500 B.C. - traders
- Highly advanced, known for architecture and art, and civil engineering
- worshipped the Mother Goddess, like the Babylonians (Ishtar) - sexuality
- Κρητίζω (Kretizō) - to act like a Cretan, i.e. be dishonest and cunning.
Author and Audience and Date
- Author: Paul
- Recipients: Timothy and Titus
Paul’s authorship was never questioned until the 19th century, by liberal scholars in who were tainted with unbelief. These same men called into question a many other things as well, e.g. the deity of Christ, the virgin birth, the historicity of Genesis 1-11, and more.
- 1 Timothy and Titus c. A.D. 63-64, during a 4th missionary journey
- 2 Timothy c. A.D. 65 (Paul’s last letter), from prison in Rome
- These are the last 3 letters of Paul in the New Testament
- 2nd Timothy being the last written just before Paul’s execution in Rome by Nero Caesar
What we know about Timothy
- Acts 16:1 NASB95 — His mother was a Jewish believer and his father was a Greek
- Acts 16:3 NASB95 — He had traveled with Paul during the second missionary journey and proven his worth.
- 1 Timothy 1:3 NASB95 — Timothy was left in Ephesus to carry on the work as Paulmoved on to other places
- 2 Timothy 1:5 NASB95 — Timothy was introduced to the faith by his mother Eunice and his grandmother, Lois.
This highlights the great blessing of having a praying mother!
What we know about Titus
- Galatians 2.1 - He was a Greek, and accompanied Paul on his visit to Jerusalem
- 2 Cor. 7.6 - he visited and comforted Paul while he was in Ephesus
- 2 Cor. 7.13 - he had visited the Corinthians and had been comforted by them
- Titus 1.5 - Paul left him in Crete to “put things in order”
Outline of 1st Timothy
- Greeting, Thanksgiving, and Warning against false teaching - 1 Tim. 1.1-20 NASB95
- More warnings, exhortation to perseverence, how to treat people - 1 Tim. 2.1-3.16 NASB95
- Exhortation to prayer, appropriate behavior for church members - 1 Tim. 4.1-6.2 NASB95
- More warnings, encouragement, and prayer for grace - 1 Tim.6.3-21 NASB95
Outline of Titus
- The Promise of Eternal Life - Titus 1.1-4 NASB95
- Setting things in order with a difficult people - Titus 1.5-16 NASB95
- How to treat those within the church, and those without - Titus 2.2-3.11 NASB95
- Instructions, greetings, and blessing Titus 3.12-15 NASB95
Outline of 2nd Timothy
- Greeting, thanksgiving, encouragement to be unashamed - 2 Tim. 1-18 NASB95
- Charge to be strong in grace and faithful against false teaching - 2 Tim. 2.1-26 NASB95
- Prophesy of trouble in the last days, encouragement to persevere - 2 Tim. 3.1-4.5 NASB95
- Personal notes, greetings, and blessing - 2 Tim. 4.6-22 NASB95
Themes
False Teaching
Refuting Legalistic Rabbit Trails
instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. (1 Tim. 1:3-4)
For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions. (1 Tim. 1:6-7)
But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; (1 Tim. 4:7)
he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. (1 Tim. 6:4-5)
Refuting Legalistic Rabbit Trails and keeping the “Main thing” the main thing.
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge” — which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. (1 Tim. 6:20-21)
The Great Apostasy
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. (1 Tim. 4:1-5)
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. (2 Tim. 3:1-5)
What are some false teachings that threaten the church today? What are some ways to guard against them?
Faithfulness to The Gospel
As set against the false teaching
For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. (1 Tim. 2:5-6)
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, (2 Tim. 2:8)
The Apostolic Word of God
from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:15-17)
Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. (1 Tim. 4:13)
This is Paul’s “last word” See also Peter’s last word in 2 Peter 1.19-21 NASB95
Highlights
Qualifications of Overseers and Deacons
- 1 Timothy 3.1-13 NASB95
- Titus 1.5-9 NASB95
Paul the Poet
1 Tim. 1:17
Now to the King eternal,
immortal, invisible, the only God,
be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Tim. 3:16
He who was revealed in the flesh,
Was vindicated in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Proclaimed among the nations,
Believed on in the world,
Taken up in glory.
1 Tim. 6:15-16
He who is the blessed and only Sovereign,
the King of kings and Lord of lords,
who alone possesses immortality
and dwells in unapproachable light,
whom no man has seen or can see.
To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
2 Tim. 2:11-13
For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
If we are faithless, He remains faithful,
for He cannot deny Himself.
Dealing with the Difficult Passage
But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authorityover a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived,but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint. (1 Tim. 2:12-15)
“Man” and “man”
ἄνθρωπος (anthropos) - human being, man (generic) not gender-specific(anthropology, anthropomorphic, etc.)
who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:4-5)
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men (Titus 2:11)
ἀνήρ (anēp), plural ἄνδρες (andres) - man, husband; γυνή (gunē), plural γυναῖκες (gunaikes) - married woman, wife
Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households (1 Tim. 3:12)
if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion (Titus 1:6)
But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. (1 Cor. 11:3)
The Best Teacher
Who is your favorite teacher?
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (Titus 2:11-13 NKJV)
To which all Scripture testifies
“It is written in the prophets, ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. (John 6:45 NASB95)
Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; (1 Th. 4:9 NASB95)
As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things (1 John 2:27 NASB95)
Assignment
Preparing
- Read 1st and 2nd Timothy, and Titus
- Read chapter 17 of Introducing the New Testament (1 and 2 Timothy, Titus)
- Watch The Bible Project 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus
Respond to the following:
Knowing
- Why are these 3 letters known as “the Pastoral Epistles” ?
- What does Paul’s last letter (2 Timothy) and Peter’s last letter (2 Peter) have in common?
Reflecting
- What are some false teachings that threaten the church today? What are some ways to guard against them?
- What is one thing that stands out to you in Paul’s instructions about how to treat different groups of people (older men, younger woman, widows, masters, etc.)?
Communicating
There is today, and always has been, a tendency for people to attach themselves to different prominent ministers in an unhealthy way (“I am of Paul! I am of Apollos…, etc.) If someone were to ask you who is your favorite teacher, what would you say?
