PASTORAL EPISTLES
Paul wrote three pastoral epistles:
---1. First Timothy
---2. Second Timothy
---3. Titus
1 TIMOTHY
Paul was a mentor to the young pastors Timothy and Titus. More than a decade prior to writing this letter, Paul had first met Timothy in the city of Lystra where Timothy was known and respected by the Christians (Acts 16:1–4). Upon recognizing Timothy’s impressive qualities, Paul recruited the young man to travel with him as he continued his second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-3). Timothy's friendship was important to Paul because he had just spit with his close s friend and partner in missions, Barnabas (Acts 15:36–41).
Who was Timothy?
Timothy was the son of a Gentile father and a Jewish mother. His mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, both believed in the gospel of Christ (2 Timothy 1:5). Paul took Timothy to many places with him on his journeys, so he circumcised him because the Jews who lived in those areas, knew that Timothy's father was a Greek and not a Jew.
All the Christians in Lystra and in the church in the town called Iconium spoke well about Timothy.
Timothy became a close friend and helper for Paul. Paul mentored Timothy and spoke about him as his own son in the faith.
After Paul leaves young Timothy as the leader of the church in Ephesus, he writes this letter and a second letter to him to encourage him about leading that church. He gives Timothy a lot of advice both for the Christians in the church and for himself.
There were some problems in Ephesus.
--- 1. Some people were teaching wrong things. Paul told Timothy to sort out that problem (1 Timothy 1:3). He must stop these people from doing it.
---2. Paul gives Timothy instructions for church leadership and organization.
---3. He teaches Timothy appropriate conduct in worship gatherings.
---4. He taught Timothy the proper order of church discipline.
---5. Paul tells Timothy how to select the elders and deacons.
---6. He writes about the roles of men and women.
---7. He speaks about the care of widows.
---8. He tells Timothy how slaves ought to serve.
---9. He warns rich people about the dangers that come with wealth.
--10. He tells Timothy how he should take care of himself.
--11. He tells him how to be a good leader.
--12. Older people thought Timothy was too young to lead them. Therefore, Paul taught Timothy how to deal with them.
On two occasions Paul encouraged Timothy to “fight the good fight” (1:18; 6:12).
Paul continued his teaching in 2 Timothy. We will study that after we explain the six chapters of 1 Timothy.
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