Introduction to Paul’s Letters to Timothy & Titus
Paul's First Letter to Timothy followers this Introduction.
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Paul's First Letter to Timothy followers this Introduction. 〰️
The “Pastoral Epistles” (1–2 Timothy and Titus) were written following Paul’s release from the imprisonment described in Acts 28. They are the only letters from Paul that survive from this last period of his life. In 1 Timothy and Titus, Paul works through two of his associates to stabilize churches in Ephesus and Crete. In 2 Timothy, Paul is again in a Roman prison. Aware that his life is nearing its end, he is concerned that the mission he began should continue after he is gone.SETTING
Having been released from prison in Rome (Acts 28, AD 60–62), Paul resumed his apostolic mission, continuing his earlier activities in Dalmatia, Greece, and east to Asia and Galatia. Paul was conscious that his apostolic career was closing, and he sought to set the churches in order before his departure (1 Tim 3:15).AUTHORSHIP
A widespread view is that these letters were not written by Paul. There are several good reasons, however, to believe that Paul is the author.(1) Until the 1800s, there was no hesitation in ascribing these letters to Paul. This includes early church fathers whose native language was Greek and who were very familiar with Paul’s other letters.(2) The early church would never have accepted these letters had they suspected the letters of being falsely signed in Paul’s name.(3) Paul’s style in these letters is different from elsewhere, but it might be a result of the distinctive situations Paul was addressing. It also might result from the use of a different amanuensis (scribe) for these letters.These letters, from a distinctive period of Paul’s life and career, are still true to Paul and complement his other writings. It is reasonable to affirm Paul’s authorship and overreaching to exclude it.DATE OF WRITING
In 2 Timothy, Paul is jailed in Rome at the end of his life. This would seem to place the letters of 1 Timothy and Titus—written while Paul was still moving freely—in the time leading up to his arrest. How do these details fit with Acts?One possibility is that 2 Timothy was written during the Roman imprisonment of Acts 28. In this case, all three letters would fit into Luke’s historical account in the book of Acts, and Paul would have been executed at the end of that imprisonment (Acts 28:30; AD 62).There are early reports, however, that Paul was released from the Roman imprisonment (e.g., 1 Clement 5:6–7, AD 95~97; see also Eusebius, Church History 2.22, AD 325). He engaged in further work, possibly went to Spain, and was then rearrested and executed in Rome during Nero’s persecution of Christians (about AD 64~65). The letters to Timothy and Titus were then written during this later period.In support of this approach, there is no reason that these letters must be fitted into the history recorded in Acts. Also, the activities of Paul and his delegates in 1 Timothy and Titus do not correspond to the details in Acts, nor does the imprisonment of 2 Timothy sound like the imprisonment of Acts 28. Finally, the distinctive style and content of these letters is less puzzling if they were written at a different time from Paul’s other letters.THE FALSE TEACHERS
It is very difficult to draw a clear picture of the false teachers, but there are clues. Their teaching had ascetic elements (see 1 Tim 4:3; Titus 1:15) and a Jewish focus (see 1 Tim 1:7; Titus 1:10, 14; 3:9). It claimed special knowledge (1 Tim 6:20; Titus 1:16), asserted that the resurrection of the believers had already taken place (2 Tim 2:18), disrupted relationships (2 Tim 3:6–7; Titus 1:11), and might have emphasized salvation by works (2 Tim 1:9; Titus 3:5). Paul’s strong response suggests a need to make corrections regarding the doctrine of Christ (see 1 Tim 2:5–6; 3:16; 2 Tim 2:8) and the last days (see 1 Tim 4:1–5; 2 Tim 2:18; 3:1–9; Titus 2:11–14). The false teachers opposed Paul’s message, promoted immorality, and undercut the church’s mission. Thus, good leaders were needed (see Titus 1:10–13; 2:6–8, 15).MEANING & MESSAGE
The letters to Timothy and Titus are not handbooks of church government, but they do provide insight into the organization of the earliest churches. They are rare snapshots of church leadership making adaptations in response to needs.These letters incorporate summaries of essential apostolic doctrines (e.g., 1 Tim 3:16; Titus 3:4–7), which Paul wanted his readers to preserve faithfully and make central to their lives.In these letters, Paul makes a strong appeal to live the new life in Christ. He challenges the whole church to carry the Good News forward faithfully, proclaiming the message and living out God’s presence in the world.Paul's First Letter To Timothy
PAUL’S FIRST LETTER TO TIMOTHY
During the final phase of Paul’s apostolic career, a serious disruption was troubling a long-established Christian church: Some church leaders had become false teachers. Paul had warned that this would happen (Acts 20:29–31), and now their impact was threatening the life and well-being of the community. A skillful person was needed to restore order to God’s household. Paul gave this task to Timothy, his trusted delegate.SETTING
Paul’s first contact with Ephesus, during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:19–21), gave no opportunity for significant work. During his third journey, he returned to the city and served a couple of years (Acts 19, around AD 53~56). Later, when Paul was on his way to Jerusalem, he had opportunity to stop at Miletus and speak to the elders from Ephesus, who met him there (Acts 20:17–38). Paul traveled to Jerusalem, was arrested, was later transferred to Caesarea, and was then sent to Rome, where he stayed under house arrest for approximately two years (Acts 21–28; AD 60–62). When he was released from prison, he reembarked on his missionary journeys, possibly directed toward Spain (see Rom 15:24, 28), although it is just as possible that the imprisonment changed Paul’s orientation back eastward.Paul was still involved with the Ephesian church during this period. Timothy had accompanied Paul for much of his original ministry there (Acts 19:22) and had now been delegated the task of dealing with new and troubling developments in Ephesus (1:3). False teachers were upsetting households (cp. 2:15; 3:4–5; 5:11–15; Titus 1:11). Repercussions in the surrounding society (see 2:2) were bringing the church and the gospel into disrepute. Paul wrote Timothy to guide him in correcting errant behavior and in preventing false teachers from gaining another foothold.The Setting of 1 Timothy, about AD 63. Timothy had accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:1–3; 17:14–15; 18:5) and was with Paul in EPHESUS during his third journey (Acts 19:22). After Paul’s imprisonment in Rome (AD 60–62), he evidently sent Timothy back to EPHESUS while Paul himself went to visit the churches in MACEDONIA (see 1:3). Paul then wrote to Timothy to help him make corrections in the Ephesian church (3:14–15).
SUMMARY
After directing Timothy to deal with the would-be teachers of the law (1:3–20), Paul gives guidance on conduct in God’s household with respect to prayer, women’s teaching, and leadership (2:1–3:13). These three areas had been harmed by the false teachers. Paul makes clear what he is trying to accomplish and explains why and how it must be done (3:14–4:16). Then he resumes his instructions on godly conduct concerning old and young people, widows, elders, and masters (5:1–6:2). These areas, too, had been distorted by false teaching. Finally, Paul returns to the need to deal with the false teachers themselves, this time centering on issues of wealth and profit (6:2–21).DATE OF WRITING
Most likely, 1 Timothy was written after Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome (Acts 28). If, however, 1 Timothy is dated within the time frame of Acts, then Acts 20:1–3 provides a possible window. Another option is during a possible time gap between Acts 19:20, 21. On balance, however, these earlier periods are less plausible for 1 Timothy than a time period after Acts 28(see Introduction to Paul’s Letters to Timothy and Titus, “Date of Writing,”).
LITERARY GENRE
This letter has characteristics similar to a Greco-Roman mandatum principis (“commandment of a ruler”), in which “a superior writes to a representative or delegate with instructions concerning the delegate’s mission.” Though addressed to the delegate, such mandates were intended to be public rather than private. This literary form was commonly used in situations such as Timothy’s. It authorized the delegate and established a public norm of conduct to which he could be held accountable by those in his charge. Though Paul and Timothy had a close personal relationship, the content and formal tone of 1 Timothy are in keeping with its literary genre.“The need for wise dealing with questions of church arrangements and Christian discipline is ever present, and [the Pastoral] Epistles have constantly supplied Christian leaders with sober practical advice in these matters.” (DONALD GUTHRIE—The Pastoral Epistles, p. 62).
MEANING AND MESSAGE
First Timothy is not primarily an essay on church government and gender policies. It is a passionate and masterful advocacy for the Good News of Jesus Christ, its ongoing progress in the world, and the new life which it creates and promotes (see 3:14–16).God’s household was Paul’s immediate concern. Just as the surrounding society expected orderly conduct in the family household—with roles and decorum and notions of honor and shame—so it was with the household of God. God’s household adapts to the social and economic structures of society, reflecting widely accepted standards of honor and propriety as well as the social structures themselves. At the same time, where proper and necessary, God’s household runs counter to society, reflecting very different and even countercultural values and practices. The formation of God’s household is dynamic, not mathematical. Salvation is begun but is not complete. God’s household is in the world, but not of it. That world remains God’s good creation (4:3–4; 6:17), but the world is transient and is in its last, difficult, evil-ridden days (4:1; 2 Tim 3:1). God’s household exists in the world and reflects the new creation.Paul’s primary concern was with the mission of the church to advance the Good News in the world and promote the will of God (see 2:4–7). God’s people should do what supports that mission (2:1–3:13; 5:1–6:2; see 1 Cor 9:19–23). The false teachers were, by contrast, talking foolishness and damaging the integrity of the church, so Paul directed most of his words toward right conduct. The condensed summaries of the Good News (1:15; 2:5–6; 3:16; 6:13–16) indicate what was actually under assault—the right understanding of salvation in the present age. This “deposit” (see note on 6:20) is what must be preserved, skillfully taught, and passed along with godly life as its outcome.