Page 6 - Pastoral Epistles student textbook

Although it is difficult to be exact, most evangelical scholars would agree that
these three letters were written between AD 64-69; 1 Timothy AD 64; Titus AD 64; 2
Timothy AD 67-68.

These three letters seem to have been written not long before
Paul’s death, perhaps during the years between Paul’s first and
second Roman imprisonments – or while he was in prison the
second time.
Even though it is difficult to determine the exact timetable of all
that happened at the end of Paul’s life … it appears 2 Timothy was
written at a time when Paul’s death was imminent.
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2 Timothy 4:6-8. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time
for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have
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kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also
to all who have longed for his appearing. The Apostle Paul

The Recipients of the Pastoral Epistles: (1) Timothy.
Someone once said that “Timothy was the representation of the mystery of the church.”

What do we mean when we talk about the mystery of the church?
Ephesians 3:6. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together
with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in
Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:27. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the
glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
The mystery of the church simply means that Gentiles can be part of God’s family by faith alone. Being
a part of God’s family has nothing to do with race, creeds, sex, age, which Bible translation you prefer
or how much money you put in the offering. It has to do with faith in God’s Son, Jesus, as the long-
awaited Messiah. We either believe it or we don’t believe it.
1 John 4:15. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in
them and they in God.

 Timothy was the representation of the mystery of the church in that he was the son of a
Gentile father and a Jewish mother.

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