Opening 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon

The two epistles to Timothy and the one to Titus are commonly known as Pastoral Epistles because they were written to pastors Timothy and Titus about A.D. 62 and 2 Timothy in A.D. 67-68 during the Apostle Paul’s first and second imprisonment in Rome. Both men were trained by the Apostle Paul, called of God, for the work of the ministry.

The Apostle Paul recorded in 2 Timothy 1:5 as a tribute to faithful mothers. The genuine and sincere faith, literally means without hypocrisy, according to the scriptures, was taught by grandmother Lois and mother Eunice to Timothy. They were members of the church in Lystra where Lois and Eunice were saved was founded by the Apostle Paul during his first missionary journey.  

It is recorded by the Apostle Paul of Timothy’s childhood in 2 Timothy 3:15 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 

The life of both Lois and Eunice was based on the Word of God and they passed the faith to their children and grandchildren. There is no better guide for the training of a child than holy scriptures itself. It is testified in this verse that it made Timothy wise unto salvation. 

Truly the teaching in Proverbs 22:6 “Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it,” holds true for Timothy who was to be used mightily by the apostle Paul to pastor the church at Ephesus.  It was during the Apostle Paul’s Second Missionary Journey, Timothy became a part of the mission team together with Silas and Luke. Timothy was circumcised before they began the journey (Acts 16:1-3). 

It was during the Apostle Paul’s Second Missionary Journey, Timothy became a part of the mission team together with Silas and Luke. Timothy was circumcised before they began the journey – Acts 16:1-3 (KJV) Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

Timothy was sent by the Apostle Paul to various churches when he could not be there personally to establish the believers in the church (1 Cor. 14:17, 16:10, Phil. 2:19-23, 1 Thess. 3:2,6). 

This was at the close of 2 Timothy: The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.

The two letters to Timothy and the one to Titus were to provide counsel to the pastors Timothy in Ephesus and Titus in Crete to establish these church in the faith.

In 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, the Apostle Paul  exhorted Timothy concerning the admonition of false teachers that has disturbed the peace in the church (1 Tim. 1, 6), conduct of the church (1 Tim. 2, 5) without (toward civil authorities) and within (deportment of women folk, widows), honouring of pastors. The spiritual qualities for bishops and deacons forming the spiritual leadership of the church (1 Tim. 3). Personal conduct and spiritual progress of Timothy (1 Tim. 4, 2 Tim. 1). Establishing present generation of pastors and passing the torch in to the next generation of pastors (2 Tim. 2). Evil in the world and church growing worse and worse prior to Christ’s return and to be steadfast in the faith giving himself as the example (2 Tim. 3:11). Final charge in work of the ministry (2 Timothy 4).

In the epistle to Titus, the Apostle Paul exhorted Titus on the organising the church in spiritual leadership (Titus 1), conduct of members both aged and young preparing for the blessed hope of Christ return (Titus 2), conduct toward those within (errant members) and without the church  to obey civil authorities (Titus 3).

The book of Philemon was written by the Apostle Paul during his first imprisonment to Philemon who was master to the runaway slave Onesimus. Onesimus came to meet the Apostle Paul in the place of his house arrest in Rome and was soundly converted. He urged Philemon to receive Onesimus with brotherly love, not as a servant and promised to repay all the Onesimus owed to Philemon as his guarantor. This is so that this converted brother in Christ will be well received into fellowship in the church that was in the house of Philemon (Philem. 2).

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee