Timothy was a Ephesus when he received 1 Timothy (1 Timothy 1:3), but his exact location upon receipt of 2 Timothy is unknown. Titus was at Crete when he received the letter bearing his name (Titus 1:5). In the case of 1 Timothy and Titus, Paul had been in each of these locations and had left Timothy or Titus behind to continue to lead these churches. In the case of 2 Timothy, Paul was imprisoned shortly before his execution in Rome (2 Timothy 2:9, 4:6).
These letters do not typically discuss the conversions of those to whom
Timothy and Titus ministered, but these pastoral epistles do discuss proclamation
and conversion in general terms and thus have something to contribute to
this study.
| Text | Observations |
| 1 TI 1:15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. [16] And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. | Jesus' purpose as a Savior of sinners is clear, as is the primary element of receiving that salvation: belief in him. |
| 1 TI 2:3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, [4] who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time. [7] And for this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. | Salvation and a knowledge of the truth are used together, showing a close linkage between knowing the truth (i.e. gospel) and salvation. Though not all men will be saved, God wants all men saved and Jesus died as a ransom for all men. |
| 1 TI 3:16 And by common confession great is the mystery
of godliness:
He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Beheld by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory. |
This was an early Christian psalm or summary statement of belief known in Ephesus is not elsewhere. It indicates that Jesus was "proclaimed among the nations" and "believed on" in the world. |
| 1 TI 4:10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. | God stands as the Savior of all mankind, especially for those who believe. This is a generic reference to Christians as "believers;" this text says nothing about the proclamation or response. |
| 1 TI 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. | Here we see a short reference to the "good confession" that Timothy made (aorist tense, indicating point type of action in past time), presumably at the time of his conversion. |
| 2 TI 1:5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. | Sincere faith is said to "dwell in" Timothy as it had in his mother and grandmother. |
| 2 TI 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, [9] who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, [10] but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, [11] for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. [12] For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. [13] Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. | Salvation is seen as a something originating in the mind
of God for his purposes. The call to salvation also includes a call to
holy living.
Jesus is said to have abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. This is a clear reference to the death and resurrection of Jesus as "the gospel." Paul reflects on the cause for his own lifestyle: it is his belief (Greek perfect tense, specific action in past whose effect continues to this present time) in Jesus. |
| 2 TI 2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead,
descendant of David, according to my gospel, [9] for which I suffer
hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not
imprisoned. [10] For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those
who are chosen, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ
Jesus and with it eternal glory. [11] It is a trustworthy statement:
For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him; [12] If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; [13] If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself. |
The death and resurrection of Jesus, according to the
Scriptures, are cited as the core of Paul's gospel.
The trustworthy statement points to to conversion: if we died with him (aorist tense), we shall live with him. This points to the time of conversion and thus baptism, where one shares in Christ's death (Romans 6:3-4). |
| 2 TI 2:23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. [24] And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, [25] with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, [26] and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. | The phrase "knowledge of the truth" appears again, this time as a result of God's granting of repentance in light of gentle instruction. |
| 2 TI 3:14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; [15] and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. | Paul considers the "sacred writings" (that is, our Old Testament) as the source of wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ. |
| TIT 1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, [2] in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, [3] but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior; | Paul's proclamation represents the fulfillment of God's ancient promises and is intended to lead to faith, knowledge of the truth and eternal life. |
| TIT 1:5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, [6] namely, if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. | Though discussing the child of a candidate for the eldership,
this may help shed light upon the question of when a child becomes a "spiritual
adult."
One of the criteria for an elder is that his children must believe and not be accused of particular sins. The sin of rebellion suggests an age of making his or her own value judgments, while the sin of dissipation is of a sexual nature and requires the child to be at least past the age of puberty. |
| TIT 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, [12] instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, [13] looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus; [14] who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. | God's grace has appeared and brought salvation to all men. Part of its call it away from worldliness and towards holiness. Those who heed its instructions are redeemed and belong to God. |
| TIT 3:3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. [4] But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, [5] He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, [6] whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. | God's salvation comes at the appearance of God's kindness
and love. This "saving" is spoken of as a part event (aorist tense verb).
God's work of salvation is not based upon man's deeds but by God's mercy and grace through the "washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit." This helps explain the place of baptism in conversion. |
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Comments Copyright © 2002 John Engler. All rights
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