The Pastoral Epistles| April 28, 2019
▪ Founded in 316 BC by Cassander, one of Alexander’s generals. Named after his wife, Alexander’s half sister – Thessalonikeia ▪ Absorbed around 35 pre-existing towns ▪ In 146 BC it became a Roman Province and was made the capital and thus the center for Roman administration ▪ Extensive coinage shows that it was a prosperous city – it was a “free city” like Philippi and it was located on the Egnatian Way Background: Acts 17
Connect with: 1 Th. 3:3-2:6 ▪ One of Paul’s first letters (50-51AD), probably second behind Galatians. ▪ Written very soon after his first visit to the church. It was a group of very recent Gentile converts. ▪ Put yourself in Paul’s shoes → Paul’s quick exit from Thessalonica was like giving birth and then having to leave your baby with someone else. ▪ Sent shortly after the first letter from Corinth as well ▪ The tone is less warm than the first letter. 360 ▪ One may wonder what miles would cause the need for a second letter so soon after the first??? 1. Persecution 2. False Teaching 3. Lazy People!!! ▪ This is a new church with no OT background. ▪ They are encountering persecution and opposition. ▪ How would they deal with that? ▪ Their founder was run out of town violently. ▪ There is no email, texting, phones etc.
▪ Consist of 3 epistles: 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus ▪ First got this designation in the 18th century ▪ Called “pastoral” because they are addressed to individuals ▪ BUT were they intended for these two individuals or were they directed at the other Christians in their respective communities??? ▪ Introduced in Acts, mentioned in 1 and 2 Cor. Romans, Heb., Philippians, 1&2 Thess., and Philemon ▪ Son of a mixed marriage – his mother Eunice instructed him in the Scriptures as a Jew and his father was a Greek ▪ Faith was passed down through Eunice and his grandmother, Lois (2 Tim 1:5) ▪ Native of Lystra ▪ Well-respected by the church there and in Iconium ▪ Was a convert on Paul’s first missionary journey?? ▪ Was added to Paul’s traveling band mission team on his second journey; was circumcised in preparation so as not to anger the Jewish mission field ▪ Not only a travel companion, but a trusted ambassador and representative of Paul. ▪ Philippians 2:19-20: “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.” ▪ Not mentioned in Acts ▪ A Gentile convert who was not compelled to be circumcised (Galatians 2:1-3) ▪ Was representing Paul in Corinth before their church crisis when Paul wrote 2 Corinthians. ▪ Must have been a stronger personality than Timothy and had great tact and charisma to carry out the tasks assigned him ▪ Accompanies Paul to Crete
▪ Acts is helpful with all the other Pauline epistles, but not with these!! ▪ Paul has recently been to Ephesus and left Timothy (1:3) to lead/organize/manage the church there, which is probably 10-12 years old at this point ▪ Paul is not in prison at the time of 1 Timothy but he is in 2 Timothy and on trial (facing a death sentence? 4:6-8) ▪ Paul has also visited Crete where Titus is and invites him to join him for the winter in Nicopolis (West coast of Greece) ▪ 2 Tim. 1:16 Paul refers to Onesiphorus who has sought him out in Rome, which suggests he’s a prisoner again in Rome ▪ In 4:13 Paul mentions that he forgot his cloak at Carpus’s house in Troas and left Trophimus sick in Miletus (both are near Ephesus in Asia Minor) 60-62 AD Colossae. and Philemonin church inPhilippi wantsto visit thathe Writes (Acts 28:30) arrest inRome. Paulunder house
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Jerusalem ▪ 49AD Galatians ▪ 61/62AD Philippians ▪ 51AD 1st Thessalonians Colossians ▪ 52AD 2nd Thessalonians Philemon ▪ 55AD 1st Corinthians ▪ 62/63AD 1st Timothy ▪ 56AD 2nd Corinthians Titus ▪ 57AD Romans ▪ 64-68AD 2nd Timothy ▪ 60AD Ephesians ▪ Purpose? Timothy is in charge of a volatile situation in Ephesus with elders who have become false teachers. (1:3- 7; 6:3-16) ▪ This letter lacks common thanksgiving and prayer reports and cuts to the chase! ▪ These are INSIDERS!!! See Acts 20:17-35 ▪ What would have happened if Paul had addressed a letter to the church(es) in Ephesus? ▪ The false teaching was a mixture of both Greek and Jewish involving the Law, genealogies, false asceticism, and false knowledge ▪ Their behavior – loved controversies and were greedy ▪ Notice the emphasis on the qualifications of elders, not the responsibilities. ▪ Paul is arrested in Rome again and wants Timothy to visit him and bring some items he left behind. ▪ Has a last will and testament feel to it. Unlike other letters written from prison, he is not anticipating more visits (4:6-9, 16-18) Loyalty theme: ▪ 1:6-2:13 – loyalty/defection/loyalty ▪ 2:14-3:9 – opposition/loyalty/opposition ▪ 3:10-4:8 – loyalty/appeal/loyalty (Paul’s) ▪ Paul left Titus in Crete to finish setting the churches in order while he and Timothy continued on to Ephesus. ▪ Like First Timothy, Titus is written against a back drop of false teachers. However, these are new churches, not established like Ephesus. ▪ Like First Timothy, The false teachers are into Jewish myths and genealogies, love controversies, are deceivers and lovers of money, and us ethe law to promote ascetic practices. ▪ Paul emphasizes “doing good” as an antidote (1:8,16; 2:7, 14; 3:1,8,14) ▪ A true experience of grace = people who are eager to do good (2:11-14) ▪ Christ Alone! - 1 Timothy 1:12-17 “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” ▪ A Noble Task - 1 Timothy 3:1-7 “Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.” ▪ The Value of Godliness - 1 Timothy 4:8-10 “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.” ▪ Christ is Faithful - 2 Timothy 2:11-13 “Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” ▪ Saved by Grace - Titus 3:1-8 “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.” This is the point of the class! Monday: Read 1 Timothy Tuesday: Read 2 Timothy Wednesday: Titus Thursday: Read all three Friday: Read all three