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This made 1 Corinthians more widely acceptable to church leaders in later times. If verses before or after 1 Corinthians Similarly, biblical scholars since Schleiermacher in have noted that the pastoral epistles seem to argue against a more developed Gnosticism than would be compatible with Paul's time. Scholars refer to the anonymous author as "the Pastor". It is "highly probable that 1 and 2 Timothy were known and used by Polycarp ". Proposals by scholars for the date of their composition have ranged from the 1st century to well into the second.

The later dates are usually based on the hypothesis that the Pastorals are responding to specific 2nd-century developments Marcionism , gnosticism. According to Raymond E. Brown An Introduction to the New Testament , , the majority of scholars who accept a post-Pauline date of composition for the Pastorals favour the period 80— Scholars supporting a date in this mid range can draw on the description in 2 Timothy 1: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. I Corinthians II Corinthians. I Thessalonians II Thessalonians.

Lost epistles Apocalypse of Paul. Coptic Apocalypse of Paul. Corinthians to Paul Acts of Paul. Paul and Thecla Peter and Paul. Apostle Christian Pauline Christianity. Writing in the Name of God" J, and Roland E. Ephesians along with Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon are sometimes referred to as the prison epistles because they were each written while Paul was confined or in chains.

Each of these letters contain references to this situation Eph. Whether he was imprisoned once or twice in Rome is debated, though two imprisonments seem to fit the facts better. During the first, Paul was kept in or near the barracks of the Praetorian Guard or in rental quarters at his own expense for two years Acts He anticipated being released Philem. These, then, are the first Roman imprisonment letters, whereas 2 Timothy is the second Roman imprisonment letter.

The fact these great epistles were written while Paul was imprisoned, either in Roman barracks or chained daily to a Roman soldier in his own rented house Acts It shows how we may be chained and hindered, but that the Word of God is not imprisoned see also 2 Tim. As clearly stated in the opening verse of each of the prison epistles, Paul is declared to be the author. That the apostle is the author of Ephesians is strongly supported by both internal and external evidence. Twice, the writer calls himself Paul 1: As to external evidence, several church fathers Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Polycarp, Clement of Alexander, and others either quote from or use language closely resembling that found in Ephesians.

In recent years, however, critics have turned to internal grounds to challenge this unanimous ancient tradition. There is some debate as to the title and destination of this epistle. Several things indicate that Ephesians was a circular letter, a doctrinal treatise in the form of a letter, to the churches in Asia Minor. Some good Greek mss. There is an absence of controversy in this epistle, and it does not deal with problems of particular churches. Since Paul had worked at Ephesus for about three years and since he normally mentioned many friends in the churches to whom he wrote, the absence of personal names in this letter strongly supports the idea of its encyclical character.

It was likely sent first to Ephesus by Tychicus Eph. As previously mentioned, the apostle was a prisoner when he wrote this epistle Eph. Though scholars differ on whether Paul wrote Ephesians while he was imprisoned at Caesarea Acts As also mentioned, it is believed that Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon were also written during the same time period cf.

After he was released he wrote 1 Timothy and Titus, was arrested again, wrote 2 Timothy, and was martyred in Rome. No specific purpose is stated and no particular problem or heresy is addressed. Out of this, two great purposes emerge in the epistle. The first is to set forth something of the wealth of blessings that believers have in Christ, and how, through them, the eternal purposes of God are summed up in the person of Christ, the things in heaven and on earth 1: While not written to be remedial or to correct any specific errors, Paul designed this epistle as a prevention against those problems that so often occur because of a lack of maturity or a failure in grasping and applying what believers have in Christ.

While we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ 1: These are common Pauline expressions, but they appear in this epistle more than in any other. By this, we see much of what believers have through their position in the Savior. They are in Christ 1: Both the internal and external evidence again points to Paul as the author. Internally the letter reveals the stamp of genuineness.

The many personal references of the author fit what we know of Paul from other NT books. As with Ephesians, this epistle was written while Paul was imprisoned. His reference to the Praetorian guard Phil. Though death was possible, Paul also seemed confident of his release. This suggests Philippians was written after Ephesians later in A. Philippians guards against the failure to practice Christ-provided unity and against the failure of believers to rejoice in their blessings and position in Christ Phil.

Paul had several obvious purposes in writing this letter to the Philippians: Chapter 2 is certainly a key chapter in the way it sets forth Christ as our example in putting others before ourselves by having the mind of Christ. In the process of this, Paul then launches into a grand revelation regarding the humility and exaltation of Christ in 2: No passage is clearer and more declarative regarding the nature, fact, and purpose of the incarnation of Christ as is found in this book, the great kenosis passage 2: Because of the greetings in 1: But the authorship of this epistle has been doubted by some on the grounds of the vocabulary and the nature of the heresy refuted in this epistle.

That Colossians is a genuine letter of Paul is not usually disputed. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of authorship ascribe it to Paul. In the 19th century, however, some thought that the heresy refuted in ch. But a careful analysis of ch. Also, the seeds of what later became the full-blown Gnosticism of the second century were present in the first century and already making inroads into the churches. Consequently, it is not necessary to date Colossians in the second century at a time too late for Paul to have written the letter. Paul wrote all four prison epistles during his first Roman imprisonment.

This means he wrote it in A. The theme is the fruitful and effective power of the gospel message which heralds the supremacy, headship, and the utter sufficiency of Christ to the church which is His body. It is a cosmic book, presenting the cosmic Christ: Chapters 2 is key in that it demonstrates why and how the believer is complete in Christ and needs nothing added to the saving person and work of Christ.

Chapter 3 then builds on this as root to fruit or cause and effect. Because believers are complete in Christ 2: As declared in 1: Those things that characterize Paul are evident throughout cf. The first epistle was written during the earlier part of that period just after Timothy had returned from Thessalonica with news of the progress of the church.

The second letter was dispatched just a few weeks or at the most a few months later. Any date assigned will have to be approximate, though probably A. The purpose and burden of the apostle in writing to the Thessalonians can be summarized as follows: Two key words and concepts stand out in this short epistle: The coming of the Lord should not only comfort our hearts, but stir us to godly living. Chapters 4 and 5 undoubtedly stand out as key chapters because of their teaching on both the coming of the Lord for the church, the rapture 4: When He comes, He will deliver us from wrath undoubtedly a reference to the Tribulation 1: As with 1 Thessalonians, this letter was also written by Paul cf.

There is no evidence among the writings of the early church fathers that his authorship was ever doubted. In fact several fathers mentioned Paul as the author of this epistle in their writings. It was not until the 19th century that certain questions were raised about the authorship of this epistle. Regardless, external and internal evidence support Paul as the author.

Objections are based on internal factors rather than on the adequacy of the statements of the church fathers. However, such arguments have not convinced current scholars. Because the historical circumstances are very similar to those of 1 Thessalonians, most believe it was written not long after the first letter—perhaps about six months. While conditions in the church were similar, the persecution seems to have grown 1: Second Thessalonians was evidently prompted by three main developments that Paul heard about: This belief was still being used as a basis for shirking their vocational responsibilities.

So the apostle wrote to deal with the condition of idleness or disorderliness which had increased 3: To meet the needs that occasioned this epistle, Paul wrote this epistle to comfort and correct. In doing so he pursued three broad purposes. In fact, in this epistle, 18 out of 47 verses 38 percent deal with this subject. In 1 Thessalonians, the focus was on Christ coming for His Church 4: Chapter 2 is key in that it corrects a serious error that had crept into the Thessalonian church which taught that the day of the Lord had already come.

A major theme of this book, especially chapters , is the return of Christ in judgment when He will put down all rebellion and bring retribution. Second Thessalonians anticipates Christ, the coming Judge. Apart from the salutation and benediction, the book easily divides up into five sections:. Paul addressed them to Timothy and Titus to guide them in matters concerning the pastoral care of the church, which is the household of God cf. These epistles deal with church polity , policies , and practice , all of which are concerns vital to the pastoral health of the church.

However, the term pastoral is inaccurate in the sense that Timothy and Titus were not pastors in the present-day sense of the term. So what were they? First, they were official representatives of the apostle Paul whom he dispatched to various churches like Ephesus and Crete. Once there, they functioned in an official capacity to deal with special situations and meet special needs.

During the interim from the time of the apostles to the more complete transition to elders and deacons, these men were sent by Paul as his apostolic representatives to repel and deal with certain conditions and people who were threatening to hurt the work and ministries of these churches. Second, Timothy and Titus undoubtedly possessed the gifts needed for pastoral ministry and while there was an element of pastoral care in what they did, they were not elders or pastors who are given by the Lord to various churches for more long-term ministries 1 Pet.

Rather, as official delegates of Paul, they were sent to assist churches in establishing their ministries pastorally speaking cf. All in all, in their content, these books are pastoral in nature and give directions for the care, conduct, order, ministry, and administration of churches or assemblies of believers. This is true whether they deal with personal matters or the corporate ministry of the church. In summary, then, these books were designed by God to aid us in our pastoral responsibilities and in organic development and guidance for the life of local churches.

In this regard there is an important observation that might be made.

What is so significant about that? Since these books deal with church order, ministry, and organization, why were they not first? If you or I were doing this especially today we would probably first try to get the administrative organization in order, the structure, and then worry about the doctrine. So here are some suggestions to think about:. Of course, organization and order is important.

The church is a spiritual body, an organism, and each believer is a member with special functions and tasks to carry out, but the primary need so essential to functioning as God has designed the church is right theology teaching and understanding of the Word, along with its personal application for Christ-like living.

This provides us with the spiritual and moral foundation on which we base our methods, strategy, and administration. So, while our methods will often vary, they must never contradict the moral or spiritual principles of the Word of God. Giving, for instance, is a corporate and individual responsibility, but our giving and the collection of money must be so done that it does not violate certain biblical principles such as giving voluntarily rather than by methods that employ coercion or manipulation. Organization, or better, the organic and unified growth of a church, must be based on right teaching, which is based on rightly handling the Word, i.

When we try to run an organization based on tradition or background, we end up with an organization that is not only not biblical, but which will lack the spiritual fervor and capacity to function as God intends. These books, then, deal with matters of church order or ecclesiology not hitherto addressed, but before God gave the church directions for church organization or order as specific as those we find in the pastorals He gave us Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.

Is this because organization is unimportant? It is because organization and administration are not primary. Closely related to this is another concept. Some areas of ecclesiology are more difficult to determine than others.


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As a result, students of the Word have debated certain issues for years like the exact form of government or how we select and appoint men to leadership. Is this selection to be carried out by the board of elders, by the congregation, or by both working together? Since there is such a divergence of opinion does this mean we should give up on matters of church government? We should carefully study these issues and seek biblical answers so we might come to conclusions based on our study of the facts of Scripture. But the point is simply this: Because of their close relationship in thought and focus, the attestation and authorship of all three pastoral epistles will be dealt with here.

It has also been pointed out that because all three are so closely connected in thought and style that they usually are either all accepted or all rejected as being written by Paul. Some early church fathers as Polycarp and Clement of Rome, allude to these epistles as Pauline.

Moreover, the books declare Paul as the author 1 Tim. In addition, the doctrinal teaching and autobiographical details fit with the life of an aged Paul at the close of his ministry see 1: Those who hold to the Pauline authorship reply: Since his death is not recorded in Acts, he was apparently released from his first imprisonment in Rome, traveled over the empire for several years perhaps even to Spain , was rearrested, imprisoned a second time in Rome, and martyred under Nero; 2 nothing in the church organization reflected in the pastorals requires a later date see Acts Vocabulary used to describe church organization, for instance, would be expected to be different from that used to teach the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

There is no argument against Pauline authorship that does not have a reasonable answer. And, of course, the letters themselves claim to have been written by Paul. Because of this, 1 Timothy must be dated after his first release, around the spring of A. First Timothy was probably written in A. Titus was written around A. Paul died in A. As a Roman citizen, he died by the sword beheaded rather than by crucifixion as did Peter. From Paul was slowly making his way through the Roman courts, arriving ultimately at Rome.

For two years, , Paul was held under house arrest in Rome, at the end of which time, it can be surmised, he was released. From Paul traveled more or less freely, leaving Timothy in Ephesus and Titus in Crete, and then subsequently writing each of them a letter. Thus the approximate dates for 1 Timothy and Titus are perhaps After being recaptured and once again imprisoned, Paul wrote Timothy a second letter, 2 Timothy.

Thus 2 Timothy, dated approximately A.

At least five clear purposes can be seen in 1 Timothy. This would include such things as: Finally, 5 he wrote to warn against the evils of materialism chap. The theme of 1 Timothy, as with Titus and 2 Timothy, is twofold, one involving the individual and the other the church.

This is, of course, fitting, for sound doctrine should lead to godly conduct. Instead, Paul enumerates character qualities demonstrating that true leadership emanates from our walk with God rather than from achievements or vocational success. Several passages stand out in pointing us to the person and ministry of the Savior. He is the source of our calling, strength, faith, and love so needed for ministry 1: When we turn to 2 Timothy we find a very different atmosphere.

In 1 Timothy and Titus, Paul was free and able to travel, but here he is a prisoner in a cold dungeon and facing death. In this letter Paul had two major purposes in mind. He wrote 1 to urge Timothy to come to Rome as soon as possible in view of his impending death cf. As with 1 Timothy, there is a personal and a corporate aspect in the themes of the book:. I am convinced that Wilkinson and Boa are on target when they write: Paul lists the keys to an enduring successful ministry: A reproducing ministry ; an enduring ministry ; a studying ministry ; and a holy ministry Since, in reality, all believers are called to full-time ministry in one way or another, this chapter would be more than beneficial for all Christians.

At the heart of all ministry and our ability to endure in ministry is the doctrine of the person and work of Christ. It is not surprising, therefore, that even in a book stressing endurance in ministry, the doctrine of Christ is prominent. Since the Pastoral Letters have been treated previously on the matter of authorship, see 1 Timothy. When Paul left Antioch for Jerusalem to discuss the gospel of grace Acts It also appears Titus worked with Paul at Ephesus during the third missionary journey.

From there the apostle sent him to Corinth where he helped that church with its work see 2 Cor. A recap of the events pertinent to this epistle will help give some idea of a probable date for Titus, though the exact time is unknown. First, Paul was released from his house arrest in Rome where we find him at the end of Acts. Perhaps because Paul was a Roman citizen and they could not prove the charges, his accusers did not choose to press charges against him before Caesar see Acts ; In essence, then, their case was lost by default, and Paul was freed.

The apostle then visited Ephesus, where he left Timothy to supervise the church, and went on to Macedonia. From Macedonia northern Greece , he wrote 1 Timothy 1 Tim. He then visited Crete, leaving Titus there to put in order the remaining matters in the churches of Crete. Then, either from Macedonia or Nicopolis, Paul wrote the epistle to Titus to encourage and instruct him. Afterwards, he visited Troas 2 Tim. As mentioned previously, it was from Rome, during this second imprisonment in the dungeon that he wrote 2 Timothy.

These events took place from about A. To instruct Titus about what he should do to correct the matters that were lacking in order to properly establish the churches in Crete. To give Titus personal authorization in view of the opposition and dissenters Titus was facing see 2: To give instruction on how to meet this opposition and special instructions concerning faith and conduct, and to warn about false teachers 1: To express his plans to join Titus again in Nicopolis for the winter 3: Whether this meeting ever occurred, we do not know.

Tradition has it that Titus later returned to Crete and there served out the rest of his life. The theme is to show how the grace of God that has appeared to us in the saving life and death of Christ instructs us to deny ungodliness and to live righteously and soberly as a people full of good works that are in keeping with the doctrine of God 2: Important issues discussed in the letter include qualifications for elders 1: Undoubtedly, chapter 2 is key because of its emphasis on relationships in the church 2: Again, as is so consistent with the teaching of Paul, we see how good works or the conduct of the Christian is so connected with the person and work of Christ, past, present, and future.

In this book we see the deity 2: According to this rule, in the article-noun- kaiv -noun construction the second noun refers to the same person described by the first noun when 1 neither is impersonal; 2 neither is plural; 3 neither is a proper name. For more discussion see Wallace, Exegetical Syntax , , esp.

As with the other prison epistles Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians , Philemon was written by Paul during his first confinement in Rome. That Paul is the author is supported by both the external and internal evidence. It was also included in the canon of Marcion and in the Muratorian fragment. The letter is written to Philemon, the owner of Onesimus, one of the millions of slaves in the Roman Empire, who had stolen from his master and run away.

Onesimus had made his way to Rome, where, in the providence of God, he came in contact with the apostle Paul, who led him to trust in Christ v. So now both Onesimus and Philemon were faced with doing their Christian duty toward one another. Onesimus was to return to his master and Philemon was to receive him with forgiveness as a Christian brother.

Death was the normal punishment for a runaway slave, but Paul intercedes on behalf of Onesimus. In the process of this, Paul asks Philemon to charge this to his own account.

EPISTLE IV.

As such, this epistle is a fitting illustration of Christ who took our place as our substitute see v. In the other prison epistles, Paul spoke of this new relationship Eph. In this letter we have a wonderful example. The theme, then, is the life-changing power of the gospel to reach into the varied social conditions of society and change our relationships from bondage to brotherhood.

Philemon was not the only slave holder in the Colossian church see Col. Paul did not deny the rights of Philemon over his slave, but he asked Philemon to relate the principle of Christian brotherhood to the situation with Onesimus v. At the same time, Paul offered to pay personally whatever Onesimus owed. This letter is not an attack against slavery as such, but a suggestion as to how Christian masters and slaves could live their faith within that evil system. It is possible that Philemon did free Onesimus and send him back to Paul v. It has also been suggested that Onesimus became a minister and later bishop of the church at Ephesus Ignatius, To the Ephesians , 1.

The forgiveness that the believer finds in Christ is beautifully portrayed by analogy in Philemon. Onesimus, guilty of a great offense vv. Paul lays aside his rights v. In this analogy, we are as Onesimus. Onesimus was condemned by law but saved by grace.

Sidlow Baxter's Explore the Book , pp. For more detailed discussion, see note 2 on this at this verse in the NET Bible. Robertson, Paul and the Intellectuals , rev. Broadman, , p.

Pastoral epistles - Wikipedia

Handing Off the Baton 2 Timothy 4: Walking the Romans Road. Facing Winter Seasons 2 Timothy 4: Background of Paul Paul was known for many years as Saul of Tarsus. Conversion of Paul Having energetically and consistently persecuted the church of Jesus Christ, while on the road to Damascus, Paul had an encounter with the glorified resurrected Christ, which had revolutionary effects on his life. Christ the power of God to us. Christ the wisdom of God to us. Christ the comfort of God to us.

Christ the righteousness of God to us.

Pastoral epistles

Christ the riches of God to us. Christ the sufficiency of God to us. That summons you to all the Pride of Pray'r. But he who could take Meanness for Magnificence, might easily mistake Humility for Meanness. Where sprawl the Saints of Verrio, or Laguerre. Who never mentions Hell to ears polite. The rich Buffet well-co lour'd Serpents grace, ] The circumstance of being well-colour'd shews this ornament not only to be very absurd, but very odi ous too; and has a peculiar beauty, as, in one instance of false Taste, viz.

For those disagreeable objects which, when painted , give pleasure; if colour ed after nature, in relief , become shock ing, as a toad, or dead carcase in wax work: How ever, the Ornament itself pretends to science, and would justify its use by antiquity, tho' it betrays the most miser able ignorance of it. The Serpent , a mongst the ancients, was sacred, and full of venerable mysteries. Hence, and more especially because the Serpent was the peculiar Sym bol of health , it became an extreme pro per ornament to the genial rooms of the ancients: While we, who are strangers to all this superstition, yet make ourselves liable to one much more absurd, which is, idolizing the very fashions that arose from it.

But if these pretenders to Taste can so widely mistake, it is no wonder that those who pretend to none, I mean the verbal Critics, should a little hallucinate in this matter. I remember, when the short Latin inscription on Shakespear's monument was first set up, and in the very style of elegant and simple anti quity, the News-papers were full of these small Critics; in which, the only obser vation that looked like learning, was founded in this ignorance of Taste and Antiquity.

One of these Critics objected to the word Mors in the inscription because the Roman writers of the pu rest times scrupled to employ it; but, in its stead, used an improper, that is, a figurative word, or otherwise a circumlo cution. But had he consider'd that it was their Superstition of lucky and unlucky words which occasion'd this delicacy, he must have seen that a Christian writer, in a Chri stian inscription, acted with great judgment in avoiding so senseless an affectation of, what he miscalls, classical expression.

A bad Taste employs more hands, and dif fuses Expence more than a good one. This recurs to what is laid down in Book I. And laughing Ceres reas sume the land. The art of this can never be sufficiently admired. But the Expression is equal to the Thought. This sanctifying of expence gives us the idea of something consecrated and set apart for sacred uses; and indeed, it is the idea under which it may be pro perly considered: This Poem was published in the year , when some of the new-built Churches, by the Act of Queen Anne, were ready to fall, being sounded in boggy land which is satyrically alluded to in our author's imitation of Horace lib.

Dagenham-breach had done very great mischiefs; many of the High ways throughout England were hardly passable, and most of those which were repaired by Turnpikes were made jobs for private lucre, and infamously execu ted, even to the entrances of London it self: The proposal of building a Bridge at Westminster had been petition'd against and rejected; but in two years after the publication of this poem, an Act for building a Bridge past thro' both houses. After many debates in the committee, the execution was left to the carpenter above mentioned, who would have made it a wooden one; to which our author alludes in these lines, Who builds a Bridge that never drove a pile?

Should Ripley venture, all the world would smile. See the notes on that place. Epistles to several persons: And Books for Mead, and Butterflies for Sloane. What brought Sir Visto's ill got wealth to waste? Bids Bubo build, and sends him such a Guide: Where all cry out, "What sums are thrown away! The whole, a labour'd Quarry above ground.

Sancho's dread Doctor and his Wand were there. And Splendor borrows all her rays from Sense. First shade a Country, and then raise a Town. What brought Sir Visto's ill-got wealth to waste —. Oft have you hinted to your brother Peer,. Good Sense , which only is the gift of Heav'n,.

Now breaks, and now directs th' intending lines,. Tir'd of the scene Parterres and Fountains yield,. One boundless green , or flourish'd carpet views,. With all the mournful family of yews. Heav'n visits with a Taste the wealthy Fool,. The lab'rer bears; what his hard heart denies. His charitable vanity supplies. Another age shall see the golden Ear.

Whose ample Lawns are not asham'd to feed. Bid Harbours open, public ways extend;. Rare monkish Manuscripts for Hearne alone, ]. Heav'n visits with a Taste the wealthy fool, ]. And of one beauty many blunders make; ]. Load some vain Church with old Theatric state, ].