Overview of the New Testament
The Pastoral Letters – 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus
The Letter to Philemon
· Written by Paul, exhibiting a serious and affectionate concern for the churches, their leaders, and their ministries. This is supported by the text itself (I Timothy 1:1, 2 Timothy 2:1, Titus 1:1. Also see hand out on canon)
· Literary style and vocabulary of these letters have led some scholars to conclude that they were not actually written by Paul, but written in the name of Paul, by students of Paul, who were responding to specific conditions in the churches. Philemon, however, is not in question.
· The first reference to the existence of these letters is about 200 CE in the Muratorian Canon. They are not found however in the earliest copy of the collection of Paul's writings (papyrus 46). It is possible that this collection was not complete, or partially destroyed.
· Shared language and possibility of shared oral tradition between these letters and the Martrydom of Polycarp, written in about 155/156
· Quotations from these Pastorals in the writing of Irenaeus, Against the Heresies about 185 CE.
· The order of these letters is on the basis of length. Several attempts were made to reconstruct them along various thematic lines
· Some thinking that 2 Timothy was actually developed first.
· The church was threatened from "within":
- Interest in Jewish myths (Titus 1:14)
- Quarrels about the Law (Titus 3:9)
- Idle talkers, trouble makers (Titus 1:10)
- Those who forbid marriage and demanded abstinence from foods (I Timothy 4:3)
- Claims that the resurrection had already taken place (2 Timothy 2:18)
- Gnosticism (I Timothy 6:20)
- Questions of how to care for members (I Timothy 5)
- The role of the rich (I Timothy 6:17-19)
- Discouragement in ministry (I Timothy 4:12)
· The church was threatened from "without"
- Leaders need to be "well thought of by outsiders" (I Timothy 3:7)
- The need for the emerging church to have leadership and structure (Titus 1:5)
- The godlessness in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1-9)
Overview of the New Testament
The Pastoral Letters – 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus
The Letter to Philemon
III. Key Events Shaping the Message of the Epistles: How to behave in the Family of God (I Timothy 3:14-15)
· Understanding of the "household codes" and "family conduct"
- wives subject to husbands,
- children subject to parents,
- slaves subject to masters
· Practical application of Christianity within the parameters of the household code. Wording in the letters of Paul and Peter reflects this understanding:
- Colossians 3:18-4:1
- Ephesians 5:22-6:9
- I Peter 2:13-3:7
- Also see Didache (or Teaching of Twelve Apostles 4:9-11)
· Understanding of the household codes within the church:
- How to behave in the family of God (I Timothy 3:14-15, 2 Timothy 2:20)
- How to treat those who are older (I Timothy 5:1-2)
- Widows and relatives in need (I Timothy 5:3-21)
- Teaching about the relationship between older people and younger people (Titus 2:1-8)
- Teaching about slaves and masters (Titus 2:9-10)
- Teaching about leaders in relationship to governing households (I timothy 3:4,12, Titus 2:4-5)
· Understanding about the conduct and administration of church affairs
- Care for the less fortunate (I Timothy 5:3-21)
- The responsibility of the wealthy (I Timothy 6:17-19)
- Compensation for those who work in the church (I Timothy 5:17-18)
- The organization should be well ordered (I Timothy 3, Titus 1)
- Working out of qualifications of those serving in leadership. Slightly different emphasis in Timothy and in Titus. See the Didache for how this progressed into the next century.
· 2 Timothy 2:11-13 – faithfulness of God
· I Timothy 2:1-6 – God's involvement in world events
· I Timothy 3:16 – Resurrection and glorification of Christ
· I Timothy 1:15 – Christ came to save sinners