The Pastoral Epistles

It is generally believed that First Timothy and Titus were written in Macedonia-to Timothy in Ephesus and to Titus in Crete. Later, near his execution, Paul penned his Second Epistle to Timothy. The first mention of Timothy is in Acts 16:1-3 which says: "Then came he (Paul) 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." While it is possible that he was converted at Lystra on Paul's first missionary journey (Acts 14:5-6), no mention is made of the fact, if such occurred. First Timothy was partly personal in encouraging him to keep firm and not give up in the face of persecution, and partly instructional for the organization of the various offices in the church. During Paul's third missionary journey, Titus became his personal emissary to the Church at Corinth to learn how they received his first letter to them. There is no mention of Titus by name in the book of Acts, but we can glean some things about him from the Epistles of Paul. We have learned from Galatians 2:3 that he was a Gentile by birth and that He accompanied Paul to Jerusalem during the controversy over circumcision (Acts 15:1-2; Galatians 2:1-5). We find in this Epistle that Titus was given instructions for the treatment of women, elders, bishops, young people, and more about the operation of church ministry. These three Epistles are a must-read for any person desiring to enter any facet of Christian ministry. Much is written about proper submission in Christian conduct toward one another. It is not, however, for ministry training only but a necessary study tool for all who call themselves believers in Jesus Christ.