The Pastoral EpistlesThe Pastoral Epistles

© John Stevenson, 2010

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Week Five

Early years

Paul the Bishop

Church planter & overseer

Paul’s Gospel

Paul the Theologian

Birth to Greece Corinth

Epistle to the

Romans

The Prison Epistles

The Pastoral Epistles

Session ObjectivesSession Objectives

• Use basic hermeneutical principles for interpreting and applying epistles.

• See the Big Idea of the Pastoral Epistles.

• Continue developing skills to assess aspects of current worldview, ethical practice, and church life in light of theological principles taught in the epistles.

1 Timothy2 Timothy

Titus

1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians

EphesiansPhilippiansColossiansPhilemon

Romans1 Corinthians2 Corinthians

Galatians

Pastoral Epistles

Prophetic Epistles

Prison EpistlesFoundational

Epistles

Christ & the congregation

Christ & second coming

Christ & the church

Christ & the cross

EcclesiologicalEschatologicalChristologicalSoteriological

Authorship of the Pastoral Authorship of the Pastoral EpistlesEpistles

• Not questioned until early 1800’s.

• Absent from Marcion’s canon.

• Absent from P46, one of earliest Pauline manuscripts.

• Vocabulary and style notably different from Paul’s other epistles.

Role-PlayRole-Play

A member of your church has been taking a college class in

which he has been told that the Pastoral Epistles are not authored

by Paul. What would you say?

The First Epistle to Timothy

From Father to Son

GREECEASIA MINOR

Ephesus

Macedonia

In the face of false

teachings

• Timothy’s mission in Ephesus (1:2-5).• The Problem: Teachers of the Law

(1:6-11).• Thanksgiving for God’s mercy (1:12-

17).• Timothy’s commission (1:18-20)

Chapter 1

Instructions…

Chapter 2 Chapters 3-4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6

In the face of false

teachings

• A call for men to pray (2:1-8).

• A call for women to adorn themselves modestly and with good works (2:9-15)

Chapter 1

Instructions…

Chapter 2

About men and women

Chapters 3-4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6

In the face of false

teachings• Qualifications for

leaders (3:1-16)• False teachers (4:1-11)• Personal instructions to

Timothy (4:12-16)

Chapter 1

Instructions…

Chapter 2

About men and women

For leaders

Chapters 3-4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6

In the face of false

teachings• Honor to the

elderly (5:1-2)• Care for widows

(5:3-16)• Honor for elders &

leaders (5:17-25)

Chapter 1

Instructions…

Chapter 2

About men and women

For leaders

Chapters 3-4

About the

elderly

Chapter 5 Chapter 6

In the face of false

teachings• Slaves & Masters (6:1-2)• Those who seek financial profit (6:3-10)• A charge to personal faithfulness (6:11-

16)• Instructions to the rich (6:17-19)• Conclusion (6:20-21)

Chapter 1

Instructions…

Chapter 2

About men and women

For leaders

Chapters 3-4

About the

elderly

Chapter 5

In the face of false

teachings

Chapter 6

The Epistle to Titus

Adorning the Gospel of

God

Crete

Nicopolis

True Leaders

• Opening Salutation (1:1-4).

1:1-9

Leaders

1:10-16 2:1-10 2:11-15 3:1-15

Laity

TITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of GodTITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of God

Paul, a bond-servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, (Titus 1:1).

True Leaders

• Opening Salutation (1:1-4).

1:1-9

Leaders

1:10-16 2:1-10 2:11-15 3:1-15

Laity

TITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of GodTITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of God

…in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, 3 but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior;

avyeudhj qeoj

True Leaders

• Opening Salutation (1:1-4).• Titus’ Job Description: To

appoint elders in every city (1:5).

• Qualifications for elders/overseers (1:6-9)

1:1-9

Leaders

1:10-16 2:1-10 2:11-15 3:1-15

Laity

TITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of GodTITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of God

True Leaders

• The Problem of Rebellious Men (1:10-11)

• The Testimony of Rebellious Men (1:12-13).

• The Solution for Rebellious Men (1:13-16)

1:1-9

Leaders

1:10-16 2:1-10 2:11-15 3:1-15

Laity

False Teachers

TITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of GodTITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of God

True Leaders

• Old men• Old Women• Young Women• Young Men• Titus as an example• Slaves

1:1-9

Leaders

1:10-16 2:1-10 2:11-15 3:1-15

Laity

False Teachers

Instructions to Various

Groups

TITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of GodTITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of God

True Leaders

• The Grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation…

• Instructing us…– To deny ungodliness– To live…

• Looking for the appearing of Jesus

1:1-9

Leaders

1:10-16 2:1-10 2:11-15 3:1-15

Laity

False Teachers

Instructions to Various

Groups

Living for the

appearing of Jesus

TITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of GodTITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of God

True Leaders

• Reminder to do good works• Reason for good works• A Call to good works• Rejection of those who cause

divisions• A practical exercise in good works

1:1-9

Leaders

1:10-16 2:1-10 2:11-15 3:1-15

Laity

False Teachers

Instructions to Various

Groups

Living for the

appearing of Jesus

Living in the light of Jesus

TITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of GodTITUS – Adorning the Doctrine of God