Dynamic Studies in Timothy & Titus

Introduction to Paul’s Letters to Timothy

The letters that the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy have come to be called Pastoral Epistles. While we understand what is meant by this, the moniker seems almost too tame. To the uninitiated it sometimes communicates that these are nice letters to some seminary graduate who has decided to go into the field of religion. Nothing could be further from the truth.

These letters are written by Paul. He was perhaps the most intelligent, well-educated, and accomplished man of his day. (See Philippians 3:3-8.) He became a believer after applying his great intelligence to the physical extermination of those who had decided to follow the Jewish Messiah who we know as Jesus Christ. (1 Timothy 1:12-13)

They were written to Timothy, a Jew steeped in the Old Testament Scriptures, which the Jews call the Tanakh. His mother was Jewish and his father was Greek. (Acts 16:1) As a result of the influence of his godly believing mother and grandmother as well as Timothy’s familiarity with the Old Testament prophecies about the Jewish Messiah, he became a believer. He became a protégé, friend, fellow warrior and frequent companion of Paul.

The letters themselves were written in turbulent and violent times. Believers were being hunted down, imprisoned, tortured, and murdered with official approval and often sanction. Becoming a follower of Jesus was not an easy, popular or peaceful choice for one to make. It was, however, the only logical and correct one given an understanding of truth and eternity.

As we examine these letters several things become apparent. On the surface we first see their direct instruction and encouragement to Timothy. Second, we find that what God communicated to Timothy through these letters also applies to us.

Research into the Scriptures tells us that Timothy shared many characteristics that people today also have. These commonalities of the human condition make what we learn in this wonderful book even more helpful today to those individuals who have made a decision to trust Jesus Christ.

As we study this book there is nothing really new or inconsistent with the Old Testament Scriptures. Indeed, Paul’s famous reference to the whole of God’s Word (2 Timothy 3: 16-17) referred to the Old Testament at the time the letters to Timothy were penned. Now we understand the inherent double entendre’ in that statement applies to both the New and Old Testament documents. God has used the books we call First Timothy and Second Timothy to communicate His objective truth to us in a fresh way that, taken in concert with the rest of the Bible, serves to empower believers to live full and meaningful lives.

The Occasion of Paul’s First Letter to Timothy
Paul, having been released from prison, wrote his first letter to Timothy from Macedonia when Timothy was in Ephesus. It appears to have been sent to encourage his friend and protégé as well as to give him some advice from the depths of Scripture itself. The early group of believers was facing some difficult issues caused by some people engaging in what is sometimes called heterodoxy. These trouble makers were straying from the truth of God’s Word and attempting to insert the stumbling blocks of misdirection associated with:
1. Legalism.

2. Speculative theology based upon giving credence to myths, legends, meaningless cognition, genealogies, and the like.

In more simple terms, believers throughout history, including today, are faced with these same issues dealing with their daily lives and conduct as well as a correct reading and understanding of God’s Word. (See How to Avoid Error in the appendices of this book.)

Introduction to Titus

At the close of his last letter to Timothy, Paul recognized a number of the good and faithful soldiers in the faith. Among them was Tychicus with whom he entrusted the personal delivery of his letters through “enemy territory.”
In the letter to Titus we find him addressing yet another of the faithful followers of the Jewish Messiah. In the case of Titus we would do well to recognize his resume’ from Scripture itself. Here we find:
1. He was traveling with Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem.
• See Galatians 2:1

2. He assisted Paul in reviewing his work and message with the Jewish believers considered to be the leaders in the early church. It was Paul’s goal to be sure that the message he was preaching was in concert with the then existent Scriptures (which we call the Old Testament or the Tanakh) and the message about them emanating from those in Jerusalem.
• See Galatians 2:2

3. He was a Gentile from Greece who the Jewish believers accepted on the basis of his commitment to Jesus and not on the external ceremony of circumcision.
• See Galatians 2:3

4. He originally became a follower if Jesus Christ as a result of personal interaction with Paul.
• See Titus 1:4

5. Paul sent him on special assignments to Corinth to straighten things out when they were having problems and experiencing unruliness in the fellowship.
• See:
2 Corinthians 7:13-14
2 Corinthians 8:6
2 Corinthians 8:16

6. Paul actually considered Titus to be a faithful, intelligent partner who understood the faith and God’s Word who correctly and effectively communicated it just as well as Paul did.
• See:
• 2 Corinthians 8:23
• 2 Corinthians 12:18

7. The way Paul spoke of Titus as a partner or fellow fiduciary of God’s Word went far beyond that of a fellow worker or companion.

8. When Paul arrived in Troas he had no peace of mind about the situation in Corinth so he left and went to find Titus in Macedonia before continuing with his work.
• See 2 Corinthians 2:12-13

9. Titus achieved a great deal in Corinth as Paul had hoped.
• See 2 Corinthians 7:5-16

10. Paul traveled to Crete with Titus and left him there to complete the same type of difficult work he had handled in Corinth.
• See Titus 1:5