Analysis Of The Pastoral Epistles

INTRODUCTION

The three books from the canonical New Testament, namely 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus form a distinct group known as the Pastoral Epistles. They are among the group of letters of Apostle Paul’s parting counsel addressed to his protégé, Timothy and Titus whom he has left in charge of the churches. Timothy was left to have oversight of the church in Ephesus while Titus was entrusted the care of the churches in the island of Crete.

The Pastoral Epistles contain Paul’s pastoral theology as well as his principles of church governance. It served as a guide to them in the discharging of their duties as overseers. It provides directions pertaining to the founding, training and governing of churches as well as the proper treatment of individual members, both young and old, widows and virgins, backsliders and heretics. It addressed issues related to Christian faith, doctrine and leadership. The Epistles abounds in practical wisdom and abundance of encouragement.

THE AUTHORSHIP OF THE PASTORAL EPISTLES

The key concern in determining the authenticity of the Pastoral Epistles therein lies in one’s view of its authorship. In a thorough study of the Pastoral Epistles, its authorship is fundamental and cannot be disregarded. Both the opponents and proponents of

It appears that some of the terminology used in the Pastoral Epistles has been used by other New Testament writers but not in any other of Paul’s writings. The Pastoral Epistles also notes the inverted rather than usual ‘ethic-follows-doctrine’ pattern of argumentation. Further comparison also reveals that the use of the Greek grammar found in the Pastoral Epistles were different from that of Paul’s earlier writings. The ‘typical Pauline’ usage of particles, prepositions and pronouns was found to be absent from the Pastoral