Bible commentators refer to the books of 1Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus as the New Testament’s “pastoral letters.” The apostle Paul addressed these letters to his “spiritual sons” Timothy and Titus, who pastored churches he had established. The books are called “pastoral” because they were written to men entrusted with the spiritual leadership of two churches. With compassion and wisdom, Paul advised these young leaders on how to ensure good order, sound teaching, appropriate worship, and God-pleasing living in their congregations.
First Timothy and Titus were probably penned during Paul’s travels, around AD 62 to 67, after his release from prison in Rome and before his recapture, second imprisonment, and execution under Nero, around AD 67. The second letter to Timothy was written from Paul’s dungeon during this second imprisonment, making it Paul’s final epistle. Paul urged Timothy to stay at Ephesus to lead the church there, and he commissioned Titus to remain on the Greek island of Crete to further establish that church. Out of his pastor’s heart, Paul wrote letters of instruction to both of his spiritual sons to encourage them in their crucial leadership roles. The theme of Christian leadership—its character, lifestyle, organization, and function—infuses these epistles. Included in these instructions about leadership are practical advice and encouragement for the variety of relationships these pastors would encounter: with young, old, widows, servants, masters, backsliders, the wealthy, and more.
Another major theme runs through these epistles: warnings about deceptive teachers and false doctrines subtly invading the church community, turning people from God’s truth. Paul defined the fundamental truths of the gospel, reminding Timothy and Titus of the essentials they should build their ministry around, often repeating the assurance: “This saying is trustworthy.”