3. The so-called Pastoral Epistles are
three short letters in the New
Testament addressed to two young
pastors. Traditionally, these letters
were attributed to the Apostle Paul.
Two are written to Timothy, a young
man whose parents became Christians
prior to the time when Paul visited
them in Lystra a town in Asia Minor.
The third letter is addressed to Titus, a
young man born of Gentile parents who
became Christians.
4. These letters were written near the end
of Paul’s life. They provide valuable
information about the apostle’s thoughts
as he prepared to pass on his tasks to
others. Two things distinguish these
three epistles from Paul’s other letters:
1) They are among the last things Paul
wrote, reflecting his concerns which
burdened the apostle near the end
of his ministry.
2) They are addressed to individual
pastors and not to a congregation.
5. The occasion for writing the epistles
was the need to:
• Maintain or keep the faith
• To insure the continuity of the
Church of Jesus Christ.
The Pastoral Epistles were viewed as a
solemn charge. The outworking of this
charge is not only the maintaining of
the faith through good works and right
conduct in the house of God, but also
the resisting of that which is false.
6. Both Timothy and Titus were mentees
of the Apostle Paul. They traveled with
him on separate missionary journeys.
Paul life’s mission was to evangelize all
of Asia Minor and Europe. So staying in
one region for a long period of time
was not an option. He left Timothy in
Ephesus on one journey and Titus in
Crete on another. However, Paul
continued to mentor his young sons in
the ministry, corresponding with them
through letters.
7. The Pastoral Epistles are probably not
the only letters Paul wrote to Timothy
and Titus. But these three carried a
sense of urgency. Pastoral work was
very difficult for both of these young
men who probably felt overwhelmed
and would have quit, had it not been
for Paul’s admonishment. He told them:
• Keep the charge
• Stay on the battle field and fight
• Train other faithful men
• Confront false teaching
8. Paul letters to these two young pastors
gave directions for founding, training,
and governing churches. It was also
addressed proper treatment of all
members; old, young, widows, virgins,
backsliders and heretics. The letters
are rich in practical wisdom and full of
encouragement every pastor needs.
The issue addressed in these special
letters are very much applicable and
need in today’s churches. The are God’s
letters to us.
