The document provides an overview of the Pastoral Letters of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. It discusses when these letters were likely written based on Paul's travels and ministry outlined in Acts. It also summarizes the key themes and instructions in each letter, such as establishing orderly church structure and leadership to address the threats of false teaching. The document explores the origins and beliefs of early Gnosticism that was starting to influence some churches, which Paul counters in the Pastoral Letters. It outlines the biblical qualifications and roles of church leaders like elders, overseers, and deacons.

1. Foundations (Year Two)
“Encountering the New Testament”
Session #6. Encountering
1 & 2 TIMOTHY and TITUS.

2. Written earlier:
The NT Writings Letter of James (40’s/50’s)
Letters of Paul: Written later:
Galatians (48/49 CE) Letters of Peter (64-66)
1 & 2 Thessalonians (51-52) Mark (68-70 )
1 & 2 Corinthians (53-57) Matthew (70-80)
Romans (56-57) Luke-Acts (70-80)
Prison letters (61-62):
Hebrews (50’s/60’s?)
(Colossians, Ephesians,
Philemon & Philippians) Letter of Jude (50’s ?)
Pastoral letters (64-66): Writings of John:
(1, 2 Timothy & Titus)
Gospel, Letters &
Revelation (90-96)

3. The latter days of Paul:
The journey to Rome 58-60/61 CE

4. The end of Acts
“When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by
himself, with a soldier to guard him... For two
whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented
house and welcomed all who came to see him.
Boldly and without hindrance he preached the
kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus
Christ.” (28:16, 30-31)

5. But what happened next?
Imprisonment in Rome ends 62/63 CE
“Prison letters” written and sent out
cf. Phil. 1:19, 25-26; 2:24 & Philemon 22 62/63 CE
Off to Spain? (Romans 15:19-24, 28)
Back to Macedonia/ Greece? (1 Tim. 1:3)
A visit to Crete? (Titus 1:5)
Winter in Nicopolis (Titus 3:12) – by which time he
has written 1 Timothy & Titus.
Arrest & 2nd Roman imprisonment 65 CE
2 Tim. 4:6-8 (The end is near)
Death (beheaded) under Nero 66/67 CE

6. Pastoral Letters?
1 & 2 Timothy; Titus
Context: Roman imprisonment 60/61-62/63 CE
Subsequent release & period of ministry:
 1 Tim. c. 65-66 CE (From Macedonia?)
 Titus c.65-66 CE (From Macedonia?)
 2 Tim. c.67 CE (From prison in Rome)
“Together, they form an early manual for pastoral
theology and church discipline.”

7. Pastoral Letters - Distinctives
The final letters of Paul
Addressed to individuals (closest friends)
Many instructions & very personal
Charge to teach/ keep “the faith”
Instructions to “pass on” to the next generation
of leaders (2 Tim. 2:2)
Faithful sayings & rules of faith
Instructions on leadership structures

8. The Purpose
“I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am
delayed, you will know how people ought to
conduct themselves in God's household,
which is the church of the living God, the pillar and
foundation of the truth.” (1 Tim. 3:14-15)
“Watch your life and doctrine closely”
(1 Tim. 4:16)

9. Timothy & Titus
Stain glass window
of Titus (right) and
Timothy (left) at
Concordia Seminary
Chapel in St. Louis.

10. Timothy (Ephesus), Titus (Crete)

11. Who was Timothy?
A convert from Lystra (1st miss. journey)
Mother (Eunice) & Grandmother (Lois) Jewish/
believers, father a Greek. Taught the scriptures “from
infancy” (Acts 16:1; 2 Tim. 3:15)
“my true son in the faith” (1 Tim.1:2, 18; 2 Tim.1:2; 2:1)
Joins the mission team (2nd miss. journey – Acts 16:1)
Circumcised (by Paul)! – Acts 16:3
Received spiritual gifts for ministry (1 Tim.4:14/ 2 Tim.1:6)
Paul’s trusted co-worker (Phil.2:22; 1 Thess.3:2; 1 Cor.16:10)
Experiences in Ephesus (3rd miss. Journey Acts 18-19)
Commissioned to Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3)

12. Who was Titus?
A Greek convert (from Antioch?)
“my true son in our common faith” (Titus 1:4)
Accompanies Paul to Jerusalem Council (Gal. 2:1)
Though, not circumcised! – Gal. 2:3
Connections to Corinth: “my brother Titus”
(2 Cor. 2:2; 7:6, 13-15; 8:6, 16-24; 12:18)
“my partner and co-worker” (2 Cor. 8:23)
Mission to Crete (remains there) – Titus 1:5
Sent to Dalmatia (NE of Macedonia/ modern Croatia)
by Paul near end of life (2 Tim. 4:10)

13. Pastoral letters (setting)

14. Pastoral letters
Basic problems:
Increasing threat of false teaching (mix of
Jewish Legalism & Early Gnosticism)
Need to establish mature leadership &
orderly structure within the churches

15. What is Gnosticism?
‘Gnostic’ = from Gk. gnosis (knowledge)
A synthesis of religion, philosophy & myth
The second major heresy to confront Christianity
(2nd Century)
Yet it was already starting to emerge in the 1 st
Century (ie. Colossians, the Pastoral letters & the
Writings of John)
Because the gospel had penetrated pagan culture
(infiltration – transformation – contamination)

16. Origins of Gnosticism
Confusing, varied & debatable.
From an ancient Oriental religion?
 Persian (Zoroastrian/ Mesopotamian), Indian.
From pre-Christian Judaism?
 Apocalyptic, mystical (Yahweh, angels, salvation).
From non-orthodox Christianity?
 Jesus & “Christian” terminology.
From late Hellenistic (Greek) philosophy?
 Plato (d. 348 BCE) & Dualism.

17. Gnosticism Characterized
1. This world (inc. the body) is unredeemably bad.
2. God is completely transcendent (& unknowable).
3. Between God & the world are numerous
intermediate spirit-beings, called aeons,
one (or more) of whom made this world.
4. Somehow, some of the divine spark was trapped in
the world and remains in (some) humans.
5. The Redeemer (last aeon) came down to give
knowledge by which some humans may be saved.
6. Salvation = escaping from the world, by means of
self-knowledge & access to secret mysteries.

18. Gnosticism – a summary
Dualism
God is transcendent
Good (God) & Evil
& impersonal Spirit/ spiritual
Separation of
spiritual from
material Body/ material
Salvation through World (inc. humanity)
knowledge

19. Categories of humanity
Humans are divided into 3 classes:
 Hylic – earthly, material
 Incapable of salvation
 Psychic – animal, soulish, spiritual
 Capable of salvation
 Need to accept Gnostic teachings
 Usually orthodox Christians are put in this class
 Pneumatic – spiritual
 Already saved by nature of being “spiritual”
 Typically, the Gnostic leaders

20. Early “Christian” Gnostics
Gnostic “gurus”: Gnostic groups:
Simon Magus Acts 8:4-25 The Nicolaitans
Menander The Ebionites
Satorninus The Encratites
Basilides The Sethians
Carpocrates
The Cainites
Cerinthus
Marcion c.85-160 CE
Valentinus c.100-160 CE Key defender: IRENAEUS
(d. 202) “Against heresies”

21. Gnostic “Aeons”
in the system of Valentinus
THE OGDOAD: THE DECAD: THE DUODECAD:
Proarche Bythius  Paracletos
Ennoea Mixis  Pistis
Nous Ageratos
 Elpis
Aletheia Henosis
Logos Autophyes  Metricos
Zoe Hedone  Agape
Anthropos Acinetos  Ainos
Ecclesia Syncrasis
 Synesis
Monogenes
Macaria  Sophia

22. Gnostic “Aeons”
in the system of Valentinus
These various categories
make up the PLEROMA.
Lady Sophia, also called
Acamoth (Wisdom), consists
of spirit, animal, and matter.
Her child is the Demiurge
(or “craftsman”), the creator
of everything outside the
Pleroma, (the Creator-god in
Genesis).

23. Christ = the answer to our hunger
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness
(pleroma) dwell in him” Colossians 1:19
“For in Christ all the fullness of deity lives in
bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought
to fullness. He is the head over every power and
authority.” Col. 2:9
 see also John 1:1-18 (“from the fullness of his grace
we have received one blessing after another”)

24. 1 Timothy – an outline
Greetings
Explanation of Timothy’s task (1:3-20)
 Prevent the spread of heresy vv.3-11
 Preach the gospel/ keep the faith vv.12-20
Emphases to help accomplish task (2-3)
 Prayer (that pleases God) 2:1-7
 Holy living (men & women) 2:8-15
 Committed leadership 3:1-15
 Right doctrine (about Christ) 3:16
The Charge (4-6)
 Pastoral instructions (4:1-6:10)
 Practical actions (6:11-21)

25. Paul’s charge (Chs. 4-6)
Pastoral instructions for a good shepherd:
• Learn to discern false teaching (4:1-5)
• Train yourself to be godly (vv.6-8)
• Remember your hope is in God (vv.9-10)
• Don’t neglect your gift (vv.11-14)
• Watch your life & doctrine closely (vv.15-16)
 Be gentle with the elderly (5:1-2)
 Take care of widows (vv.3-16)
 Respect your (church) elders & employers (5:17-6:2)
 Watch out for the love of money (6:3-10)

26. Paul’s charge (6:11-21)
Practical actions, for a good shepherd:
1. Flee…(v.11)
2. Pursue…(v.11)
3. Fight…(v.12)
4. Take hold of…(v.12)
5. Keep…(v.14)
6. Command…(vv.17,18)
7. Guard…(v.20)
8. Turn away from…(v.20)

27. 2 Timothy – an outline
Key message: “Be faithful”
To the Church & it’s message (ch.1)
“guard the gospel”
To the Church & it’s members (chs.2-3)
“be a good soldier, athlete & farmer”
discipline training patience
To the Church & it’s ministry (ch.4)
“know the faith” “preach the word”

28. Titus – an outline
Greetings (1:1-4)
 “Finish what was started” (1:5-16)
 “Teach what is good” (2:1-15)
 “Do what is right” (3:1-11)
Closing remarks (3:12-15)
Christian living: “the truth that leads to godliness” (1:1)
 Theological basis (“The grace of God”)
 Ethical outworking (“Be ready to do whatever is good”)

29. How to spot a heresy and what to do about it.
Heresy = (GK. haeresis “ a choice, course of
action…leads to a school of thought”)
Orthodoxy = (ortho – straight; doxa – belief)
Therefore a heresy = a deliberate choice to
deviate from an accepted belief, and continue to
pursue that choice until it leads to an
entrenched unorthodox position.

30. How the early church dealt with heresy
The place of scripture - 2 Tim. 3:16-17
The rule of faith - 1 Tim. 3:16
The role of the bishop (episcopos) & pastor/priests
(presbyter) - 1 Tim. 3/ Titus 1

31. The early Christians
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in
heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore
having gone, make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them
to obey everything I have commanded you.’”
“They devoted themselves to the apostles'
teaching/doctrine.” (Acts 2:42)

32. Emergence of right theology
The rule of faith The faithful sayings
Short summary of Short statements of
doctrine to shape or truth to shape our
knowledge and attitudes and values.
beliefs.

33. The “Rule of faith”
Keep the pattern of sound teaching/
doctrine (2 Tim. 1:13)
The time will come when people will not put
up with sound doctrine. (2 Tim. 4:3)
Watch your life and doctrine closely. (1
Tim. 4:16)
You must teach what is in accord with
sound doctrine. (Titus 2:1)

34. Sound doctrine/ teaching
What we believe about God, the trinity
 Father Jesus the Christ Holy Spirit
What we believe about salvation
 Past Present Future
What we believe about the people of God
 One people (Israel-Church)
 One, holy, catholic & apostolic body of Christ

35. The mystery of godliness
The heart of good theology:
“He appeared in a body,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.” (3:16)

36. Church leaders & good theology
They (overseers) must hold firmly to the trust-
worthy message as it has been taught, so that
they can encourage others by sound doctrine
and refute those who oppose it. (Titus 1:9)
Deacons, likewise...must keep hold of the deep
truths of the faith with a clear conscience.
(1 Tim.3:9)

37. CHURCH
LEADERSHIP

38. LEADERSHIP
Biblical terms for leaders:
ELDER (presbuteros)
OVERSEER/ BISHOP (episkopos)
SHEPHERD/PASTOR (poimen)
SERVANT/ DEACON (diakonos – not doulos)

39. Qualifications for leaders
Character cf. Acts 14:23
Acts 20:27, 28
Competence 1 Tim. 3:1-7
1 Tim. 5:17-20
Commitment Titus 1:4-9
1 Peter 2:25
Chemistry 1 Peter 5:1-4
James 5:14-16

40. “Overseers”
1. “If anyone sets their heart on  They must manage their own family well
being an overseer, they desires a and see that their children obey
noble task” them with proper respect.
(If anyone does not know how to manage
2. above reproach
their own family, how can they
3. the husband of but one wife take care of God's church?)
4. temperate
5. self-controlled  They must not be a recent convert,
6. respectable or they may become conceited
and fall under the same judgment
7. hospitable as the devil.
8. able to teach
9. not given to drunkenness  They must also have a good reputation
10.not violent but gentle with outsiders,
so that he will not fall into
11.not quarrelsome
disgrace and into the devil's trap.
12.not a lover of money

41. They must keep hold of the deep
“Deacons” truths of the faith
with a clear conscience
Deacons, likewise, are to be: They must first be tested;
and then if there is nothing against
1. worthy of respect
them, let them serve as deacons.
2. sincere In the same way, their wives are to be
3. not indulging in much wine women worthy of respect,
not malicious talkers
4. not pursuing dishonest gain
but temperate and trustworthy in
everything.
Summary:
A deacon must be the husband of but
I am writing you these instructions so
one wife
…you will know how people ought
to conduct themselves in God's and must manage his children and
his household well
household, which is the church of
the living God, the pillar and Those who have served well gain
foundation of the truth. (vv.14-15) an excellent standing and
great assurance in their faith in
Christ Jesus.

42. Women in leadership?
“A woman should learn in quietness and full
submission. I do not permit a woman to teach
or to have authority over a man; she must be
silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the
woman who was deceived and became a sinner.
But women will be saved through childbearing
—if they continue in faith, love and holiness
with propriety.” (1 Tim. 2:11-15)

43. Women in leadership?
Principles:
1. Get the big picture first.
2. Start at the beginning (Genesis 1-2).
3. Remember we are fallen (Gen. 3:16).
4. Look for the norm (& exceptions) in the OT.
5. How did Jesus treat/ teach women.
6. The Spirit has come/ the church is formed (Acts 2).
7. “In Christ there is no male or female” (Gal. 3:28).
8. The list of Paul’s “co-workers” (Romans 16).
9. Interpret the unclear in light of the clear.
10.Where is scripture heading?

44. Women in leadership?
A woman should learn with a quiet disposition and
complete submission (to those gifted to teach). I am
not permitting a woman to teach or to assume (for
herself) authority over a man; such a woman must
be quiet.
For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was
not the one deceived; it was the woman who was
deceived and became a sinner.
But they (women) will be saved through the childbirth
—if she continues in faith, love and holiness with
propriety. (1 Tim. 2:11-15)

45. Women in leadership?
“As in all the congregations of the saints, women
should remain silent in the churches. They are
not allowed to speak, but must be in submission,
as the Law says. If they want to inquire about
something, they should ask their own husbands
at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak
in the church.” (1 Cor. 14:33b-35)
“Every women who prays or prophesies…”
(1 Cor. 11:5)

46. “
What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, everyone
has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.
All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27If anyone speaks in
a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone
must interpret. 28If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the
church and speak to himself and God. 29Two or three prophets should speak, and
the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30And if a revelation comes to
someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31For you can all
prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32The spirits
of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33For God is not a God of
disorder but of peace, as in all the congregations of the saints.
34
Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but
must be in submission, as the Law says. 35If they want to inquire about something,
they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to
speak in the church. 36Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the
only people it has reached? 37If anyone thinks they are a prophet or spiritually
gifted, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's
command. 38If they ignore this, they themselves will be ignored.
39
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid
speaking in tongues. 40But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
(1 Cor. 14:26-40)

47. THE FAITHFUL
SAYINGS

48. The “Faithful Sayings”
1. 1 Tim. 1:15
Having a right understanding of Christ
2. 1 Tim. 3:1
Having a right understanding of church leadership
3. 1 Tim. 4:8-9
Having a right understanding of spiritual disciplines
4. Titus 3:4-8
Having a right understanding of our salvation
5. 2 Tim. 2:11-13
Having a right understanding of discipleship

49. #1. 1 Tim.1:15
“Here is a trustworthy saying that
deserves full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners - of whom I am the worst.”

50. Faithful saying #1.
A crucial statement
Trustworthy…
Deserving full acceptance
A condescending saviour
Christ…came into the world,
Jesus…to save sinners
A chief sinner
(of whom) I am the first/ worst/ chief.

51. #2. 1 Tim. 3:1
“Here is a trustworthy saying:
Whoever aspires to be an overseer
desires a noble task.”
This is a true saying, if a man desire the
office of a bishop, he desireth a good
work. (KJV)

52. #3. 1 Tim. 4:8-9
Bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is
profitable unto all things…(KJV)
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has
value for all things, holding promise for both the
present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy
saying that deserves full acceptance (NIV)
Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please!
Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a
disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit
both today and forever. You can count on this. Take
it to heart. (The Message)

53. #4. Titus 3:4-8
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior
appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous
things we had done, but because of his mercy. He
saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal
by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us
generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that,
having been justified by his grace, we might become
heirs having the hope of eternal life.
This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress
these things, so that those who have trusted in God
may be careful to devote themselves to doing what
is good. These things are excellent and profitable
for everyone.

54. #5. 2 Tim. 2:11-13
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.