These letters have both a personal and an ecclesiastical significance - a benefit to the church as a whole. The Pastoral Letters to Timothy Bit by bit they came to acquire the name by which they are still known - The Pastoral Epistles. In 1274, Thomas Aquinas said of I Timothy: “This letter is as it were a pastoral rule which the Apostle delivered to Timothy.” In his introduction to 2 Timothy he writes, “In the first letter he gives Timothy instructions concerning ecclesiastical order; in this second letter he deals with a pastoral care which should be so great that it will even accept martyrdom for the sake of the care of the flock.” The title, “The Pastoral Epistles” really became attached to these letters in 1726 when the great scholar, Paul Anton, gave a series of famous lectures on them using that title. Faith = confidence in Faithful = worthy of having confidence in Minister = a servant caring out an assignment; a representative of Ministry = meeting a need; fullfiling an assigned task Patience = being continually consistent Endurance = hanging on; never giving up, finishing the task; long suffering Divinely Authorized 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration G2315 of God, θεόπνευστος gk:God-breathed and is profitable — in four ways • for doctrine, — what’s right • for reproof — what’s not right • for correction, — how to get right • for instruction — how to stay right in righteousness.
It is not that Paul loved Timothy less when he wrote that first letter, but that Paul was now expressing it more. As Paul’s life drew to a close, he realized in a deeper way how dear Timothy was to him. Paul had “the promise of life” in Jesus Christ, and Christ had defeated death (2 Tim. 1:10). Paul was able to extend to Timothy “grace, mercy, and peace.” It is interesting that Paul added “mercy” to his greeting when he wrote to pastors (1 Tim 1:2; 2 Tim 1:2; Titus 1:4). Paul knew that pastors earned the need for mercy! God’s Love is expressed in His continual Mercy and Grace which result in our experiencing Peace with God Love to be committed to Sacrificial commitment to and for another. Seeking the best for another, even if at our own expense. Love cannot wait to give for the betterment of its object. Indifference / Apathy is the opposite of love; Hate is negative love – both love and hate care deeply Mercy Punishment reprieved [Mercy and Grace always work together - never one without the other. They always result in Peace with God] NOT receiving the real justice that we actually deserve but rather receiving Grace that we do not deserve – punishment set aside Grace Undeserved favor To receive good we don't deserve One who stoops down low to offer kindness to someone beneath him. God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense [Grace and Mercy always work together - never one without the other. They always result in Peace with God] Peace Being right in God's eyes Possessing confidence and contentment without fear Whenever Paul speaks to or of Timothy there is a warmth of loving affection in Paul's voice. "My beloved child," he calls him. Timothy was his child in the faith.
Timothy's parents had given him physical life; but it was Paul who gave him eternal life. Paul's object in writing is to inspire and strengthen Timothy for his task in Ephesus. Timothy was young and he had a hard task in battling against the heresies and the infections that were bound to threaten the Church. In order to keep his courage high and his effort strenuous, Paul reminds Timothy of certain things. He reminds him of his own confidence in him. There is no greater inspiration than to feel that someone believes in us. The fear of letting down those who love us is a cleansing thing. He reminds him of his family tradition. Timothy was walking in a fine heritage, and if he failed, not only would he smirch his own name, but he would lessen the honor of his family name as well. A fine parentage is one of the greatest gifts a man can have. Let him thank God for it and never bring dishonor to it. He reminds him of his setting apart to office and of the gift which was conferred upon him. Once a man enters upon the service of any association with a tradition, anything that he does affects not only himself nor has it to be done only in his own strength. There is the strength of a tradition to draw upon and the honor of a tradition to preserve. That is specially true of the Church. He who serves it has its honor in his hands; he who serves it is strengthened by the consciousness of the communion of all the saints. He reminds him of the qualities which should characterize the Christian teacher. There was courage.
9] But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. The defeat of error depends not on skill in controversy but in the demonstration in life of the more excellent way. Jannes and Jambres were finally exposed and made fools of by the judgments of God. This will also happen to the leaders of false religions in the last days. When God’s judgments fall, the true character of these counterfeits will be revealed to everyone. The Christian leader will never lack his opponents. There will always be those who have their own twisted ideas of the Christian faith, and who wish to win others to their mistaken beliefs. Paul was sure--the days of the deceivers were numbered. Their falsity would be demonstrated and they would receive their appropriate reward. It may flourish for a time, but when it is exposed to the light of truth it is bound to shrivel and die. There is only one test for falsity--"You will know them by their fruits." Mat_7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Mat_7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 2 Timothy 3:10-13 "But you have been my disciple in my teaching, my training, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance, my persecutions, my sufferings, in what happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, in the persecutions which I underwent; and the Lord rescued me from them all. And those who wish to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted; while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceived themselves and deceiving others."