In this series we offer brief introductions to the books of the Bible, including background, authorship, content, and application to the lives of today’s Christians.
Author: The Apostle Paul
Time of writing: Sometime between A.D. 62-64
Place: Probably written from Macedonia, to Timothy in Ephesus
Purpose: “I am writing these things to you so that . . . you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.” (3:14-15 ESV)
Principle theme: A faithful pastor must proclaim sound doctrine, refute error, fight the good fight of faith, and lead by his example of personal sanctification.
One of the courses taught in the CLC seminary at Immanuel Lutheran College is called “Pastoral Theology.” That course gives practical instruction in the proper day-to-day administration of the office of the public ministry—stressing the necessity of sound doctrine, appropriate conduct of worship services, qualifications of deacons and elders, suitable dealings with various categories of church members, and orderliness in matters of church discipline. Pastoral Theology is a required course for all pastoral candidates in the CLC.
There was, of course, no seminary to provide such valuable instruction in the first century, but the Apostle Paul wrote three epistles (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus) with that same general purpose. Although we refer to those three as the “Pastoral Epistles,” the information in them is intended for and useful to all Christians—not just those who will become pastors. Indeed, that information shows us God’s will for the conduct and content of the pastoral ministry in our own congregations. We need to know that information lest we have unrealistic and improper expectations for what our pastor does and how he does it, and also so that we can be of help to him in carrying out his ministry among us.
The relationship between Paul and Timothy was close. Although Timothy’s mother and grandmother had taught him the Scriptures from his youngest days (2 Timothy 1:5), he was converted to Christianity by Paul’s preaching of the Gospel during Paul’s first missionary journey, probably around A.D. 45-47. Paul therefore refers to him as “my own son in the faith” and “my dearly beloved son.” Timothy had also accompanied Paul on Paul’s second missionary journey, and Paul had placed Timothy in ministry in the church at Ephesus as he continued on to Macedonia, where he later heard reports of Timothy’s work at Ephesus.
The historical context is a factor here. This letter was written some three decades after the Ascension of Christ. By that time there were a number of “older” believers who had been Christians longer than Timothy had been. Paul realized that due to Timothy’s relative youth, some of those “older” believers might not give his ministry among them the respect due the office. Paul therefore, for the sake of the gravitas of the office, instructed Timothy to “let no one despise your youth.” (4:12) The “other side of that coin” is a reminder to some of us. We older Christians need to remember that even our most recent seminary graduates serve us by a divine call, and that though relatively inexperienced, they have nonetheless been thoroughly prepared for the pastoral ministry.
Among the unchanging facets of the public ministry that Paul emphasized to Timothy are the necessity for repudiation of false doctrine and unswerving opposition to those who teach it (1:3), the teaching of the truth about Jesus from His birth to ascension (3:16), the necessity of fighting for the faith (6:12), and the requirement of being an example of godly sanctification for all to see (3:1-6 and 6:11).
The Epistle of 1 Timothy gives us a model for the pastoral office. That office—at least when faithfully carried out—is very difficult and often underappreciated. Bernard of Clairvaux, whom Luther once called “The most pious monk that ever lived,” said of the office of the Public Ministry that “Sacerdotium non est otium, sed negotiorum negotium.” Fortunately for me, the source where I came across that quote also contained the translation. The first part of it means “The office of the ministry is not leisure,” and the second part can be translated either as “but work above all work” or as “but difficulty on top of difficulty.” As we prayerfully consider the “Pastoral Theology” course found in 1 Timothy, we beseech God the Holy Spirit to keep our pastors faithful to their calling, and we ask that He will lead us to understand and support them in that office.
is a retired teacher and serves as assistant editor of the Lutheran Spokesman. He lives in Cape Coral, Florida.