THE PASTORAL EPISTLES An Introduction

I. Authorship  A. Pauline Authorship  For Pauline authorship  Claim of the epistles  Personal References of author  External evidence

II. Date and Place of Writing  A. If Paul  First option: during first Roman imprisonment

 Second option:  1 Timothy and Titus – during journey  2 Timothy – during second Roman imprisonment  This second option seems the best option

III. Destination  A. 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy  Ephesus  B. Titus  Crete

IV. Occasion and Purpose  A. 1 Timothy  Occasion  Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus  Timothy had grown tired, and perhaps discouraged  Purpose  To strengthen Timothy  To provide certain suggestions for church organization

 B. Titus  Occasion  Zenas and Apollos are journeying to Crete  Paul knew Titus was providing leadership for church.  Purpose  To sustain Christians in Crete  To prepare Titus for future work  To ask Titus to join Paul and come to meet Paul

 C. 2 Timothy  Occasion  Winter and chill of Roman imprisonment led Paul to understand the limits of his time  Had a strong desire to see Timothy one more time  Longs for books and cloak  Purpose  To bid farewell to Timothy in case...  To stress the true characteristics of church and leadership

V. Theme  God demands for his church to be orderly and he places demands upon his leaders.