Pastoral and General Epistles
Pastoral and General Epistles
Pastoral and General Epistles
The purpose of this essay is to describe the differences between the Pauline general epistles and his pastoral epistles. It will distinguish between the two types of epistles, and address whether or not the distinction is justified. This essay will explain whether the distinction is due to the type of epistle or the content of the epistle. The general epistles were to the church at large and covered a myriad of issues. The pastoral epistles were addressed specifically to pastors, dealing with how a church should be run, doctrine, and personal matters.
According to Keathley(2004), the distinctive emphasis of Galatians is Christ the righteousness in us, the gospel mutilators, and our liberation. In Ephesians it is the riches of God in us, the gospel and its heavenlies and our exaltation in Christ. In Philippians it is the sufficiency of Christ in us, the gospel and its earthlies and our exultation in Christ. In Colossians it is the fullness of God in us, the gospel and its philosophies and out completion in Christ (p. 2).
The general epistles are not addressed to anyone in particular, but rather to Christians overall in the locality to which Paul wrote. Please note how the four Churches under discussion were addressed in the New International Version of the Bible. The hint of color only connotes that the Church is feminine "the Bride of Christ" (Ephesians 5:22-33).
Galations 1:2
Ephesians 1:1
Phillipians 1:1
Colosians: 1:2
"To the churches in Galatia."
"To the saints in Ephesus, a the faithful in Christ Jesus."
"To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons"
"To saints & faithful in Christ in Colossae"
According to Keathley(2004), the distinctive emphasis of Galatians is Christ the righteousness in us, the gospel mutilators, and our liberation. In Ephesians it is the riches of God in us, the gospel and its heavenlies and our exaltation in Christ. In Philippians it is the sufficiency of Christ in us, the gospel and its earthlies and our exultation in Christ. In Colossians it is the fullness of God in us, the gospel and its philosophies and out completion in Christ (p. 2).
In sharp contrast to his general address is Paul's addresses to Timothy and Titus:
1Timothy 1:2
2 Timothy 1:2
Titus 1:4
"To Timothy my true son in the faith."
"To Timothy, my dear son"
"To Titus, my true son in our common faith."
It can be easily discerned from Paul's greetings that these letters are different and distinct from the others. They were written to Paul's "spiritual sons" in the ministry who were personally converted, trained and taught by Paul. He had poured himself into them as they traveled and worked together. They were of "like mind and spirit:" "When man is fully taught, he will be like his teacher" (Luke 6:40).
Paul met Timothy in Lystra on his second missionary journey and there was an instant bond between them. (Acts16:1-3). His godly mother and grandmother trained him at an early age in the Jewish Law (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-15). Timothy had a miraculous gift imparted to him from the laying on of Paul's hands (2 Timothy 1-6). He travelled with Paul and was sent to minister at churches by Paul. He was mentioned in several of the Pauline epistles; 2 Colossians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, 1Thessalonians 1:1, and 2Thessalonians 1:1.
Titus was a young Greek man who accompanied Paul and Barnabas to the Jerusalem Council to discuss circumcision. He was a "test case" so to speak (Galatians 2:3-5). Titus is often mentioned and spoken of favorably by name in the Pauline Epistles: 2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:13-15, 8:16-17, 8:23. Galatians 2:1, 3.
Even though some of Paul's epistles dealt with some of the same issues, it was presented differently. According to Keathley(2004), the distinctive emphasis of Galatians is "Christ the righteousness in us," "the gospel mutilators," and our "liberation." In Ephesians it is "the riches of God in us," the gospel and its "heavenlies" and our "exaltation" in Christ. In Philippians it is "the sufficiency of Christ in us," the gospel and its "earthlies" and our "exultation" in Christ. In Colossians it is the "fullness of God in us," the gospel and its "philosophies" and out "completion" in Christ (p. 2).
This epistemological trio was written to young spiritual leaders who had oversight of Churches. One purpose was to teach Church government, organization and discipline. The young leaders had to be very selective in choosing men for leadership-----hierarchy and organization of obedience to spiritual superiors. Duties
Paul emphasized the importance of preserving sound doctrine, rather than clarification or elaboration. how to recognized and deal with false teachers. Since they both new, understood and taught sound doctrine it was not necessary
who were trained by, travelled with and labored with Paul. They held a special place in Paul's heart. Timothy was a young leader, an elder in the church at Ephesus. Paul's first letter to Timothy is a handbook of church administration and discipline. In his second letter, the apostle encourages Timothy to be bold in the face of opposition and persecution and to remain faithful in sound doctrine, loyalty, and endurance.
.
First and Second Timothy and Titus concern the duties of ministers and certain issues of Church doctrine.They are addressed to individuals with pastoral oversight of churches. Paul needed to teach them church government. Everything should be "done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40) so Paul taught how to organize the worship service. ------
It was imperative that they maintained authority yet remained respectful to the elderly.
The pastoral epistles provide practical precepts for preachers. Be ffaithful, and discuss issues of Christian living, doctrine and leadership. The epistle (letter) consists mainly of counsels to Timothy regarding the forms of worship and organization of the church, and the responsibilities resting on its several members.
Writer of the constitution
One further point here: the human element
of these epistles is very strong. Paul cares deeply for Timothy and Titus. This was not typical of fabrications of the time.
Bishop Handley Moule wrote: "The human heart is in it everywhere. NOTES FOR THEOLOGY STUDENTS
THE PASTORAL EPISTLES, Peter James Cousins
Bangor, September 2007
In 2 Tim. entreats Timothy to come to him before winter, and to bring Mark with him (cf. Phil. 2:22). He was anticipating that "the time of his departure was at hand" (4:6), and he exhorts his "son Timothy" to all diligence and steadfastness in the face of false teachings, with advice about combating them with reference to the teachings of the past, and to patience under persecution (1:6-15), and to a faithful discharge of all the duties of his office (4:1-5), with all the solemnity of one who was about to appear before the Judge of the quick and the dead.
The Pastoral Epistles are brief
Titus This short letter is addressed to Titus, a Christian worker in Crete, and is traditionally divided into three chapters. It includes advice on the character required of Church leaders (chapter 1), a structure and hierarchy for Christian teaching within the church (chapter 2), and the kind of godly life and moral action required of Christians in response to God's grace and gift of the Holy Spirit (chapter 3). It includes the line quoted by the author from a Cretan source: "Cretans are always liars, wicked beasts, and lazy gluttons"
Paul was an old man, imprisoned and doomed to death. He needed to "set his house in order," "pass on the mantel" and pour himself into the younger men.
Conclusion
A man's last words, a dying declaration
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that dayand not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
It was very important that his work continued.
Last words will define a man, the thief on the cross, Jesus on the cross
Last words are profound
References
Cousins, P. J. (2007). Notes for Theology Students, the Pastoral Epistles. Retrieved on
November 28, 2010 from www.notesfortheologystudents.com/.../Pastoral_Epistles.pdf
Keathley III, J. H. (2004). The Pauline Epistles. Retrieved on November 29, 2010 from
http://bible.org/seriespage/pauline-epistles
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