Preface to the letters to Timothy and Titus
“Whenever Paul writes to a church, he wishes ‘grace and peace’. But to a minister he wishes, ‘grace, mercy and peace.’ Ah, we need mercy more than the average Christian. We have greater responsibilities and consequently, might more readily fall into greater sin. So, to a minister Paul’s salutation is, Grace, mercy, and peace.” -Charles Spurgeon
Resources for Study
- Insights on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus (Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary)
- Intro to the New Testament by D.A. Carson & Douglas J. Moo
- Free eBook – How to Study the Bible – 1 hour intro for beginners
- Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series)
- Reformation Study Bible ESV
Who wrote Timothy and Titus?
The tradition of the early church and most scholars today believe that Paul is the author of all 3 of these letters. Some claim differences in vocabulary, style, and theology as well as inconsistencies between Paul’s travels in the Epistles and his travels recorded in the book of Acts. Acts ends with Paul imprisoned in Rome Acts 28:16, 30,31 and some believe that is where he is killed and could not have written these 3 letters. The fourth century church father Eusebius preserves a tradition that Paul was released from that imprisonment and continued his missionary work and was killed by Nero on his second visit to Rome. This tradition is also supported in Philippians and Philemon, which if they were written during the Roman imprisonment recorded in Acts why was he expecting to be released. Phil 1:25, 26 and Philemon 22. There was a fourth missionary journey (1 Timothy, Titus) and second imprisonment (2 Timothy) that took place after Acts 28.
When was it written?
Paul composed 1 Timothy while he was still in his fourth missionary journey between A.D. 62-64. Paul wrote the 2nd letter to Timothy again during his second Roman imprisonment between A.D. 64-68. Also, 2nd Timothy was the last letter Paul ever wrote before he was put to death by Nero (Intro to 1st and 2nd Timothy Reformation Study Bible ESV)
Titus like 1 Timothy was composed while Paul was on his fourth missionary journey and dated around A.D. 62-64.
Why was it written?
Timothy was a native of Lystra. His father was Gentile, but his mother and grandmother were Jewish 2 Timothy 1:5. Why was Timothy circumcised? “Now, for St. Paul to travel among the synagogues with a companion in this condition, and to attempt to convince the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah, when his associate and assistant in the work was an uncircumcised heathen, would evidently have been to encumber his progress and embarrass his work. We see in the first aspect of the case a complete explanation of what to many has seemed inconsistent, and what some have ventured to pronounce as culpable, in the conduct of St. Paul. He took and circumcised Timothy.” How could he do otherwise, if he acted with his usual”, farsighted caution and deliberation? Had Timothy not been circumcised, a storm would have gathered round the Apostle in his further progress.” – The Life and Epistles of St. Paul by W. J. Conybeare and J.S. Howe pg. 147. Paul would not have been able to go into the Synagogue and speak to the Jews without Timothy being circumcised. Paul needed him to be. Especially since Timothy had grown up in Hebrew religion and traditions. Paul had taken Timothy in and with him on his journeys. Paul watched him grow in the Lord and eventually left Timothy to lead the church in Ephesus. Timothy began facing difficulties that required a letter of support and eventually a personal visit. 1 Timothy 3:14-15; 4:13. These letters were not just to be read by Timothy, but Paul wanted them shared with the church he was leading. 1 Timothy 3:15 is the purpose of the letter; “I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, the pillar and support of the truth.” Paul wrote to equip Timothy for the task of leading and stabilizing the church in Ephesus. To fight hard for the gospel.
Titus was a Gentile and probably became a Christian under Paul. He accompanied Paul on his 2nd and 3rd missionary journeys. Paul left Titus in Crete to set things in order in the church and urged him to appoint elders in every town. The errors in the churches there seemed to mirror those in 1 Timothy, mainly some Jewish issues as well as asceticism and denying a future resurrection. Second century writers quoted Titus, including Tertullian and Irenaeus Intro to the New Testament by D.A. Carson & Douglas J. Moo pg.555.
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