Introduction to the Pastoral Epistles The two letters to Timothy and the one to
Titus are often called the Pastoral Epistles, because in them, the Apostle
Paul gives instructions to Timothy and Titus concerning pastoral care for
churches and the qualifications for church leaders.
Introduction to the First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy It appears that
after being released from his Roman imprisonment recorded in the last chapter
of Acts, the Apostle Paul returned to Ephesus.
He then left his young associate Timothy to care for the church there while he went
on to Macedonia.
When Paul realized he might not return to Ephesus in the near future, he composed
the letter we call First Timothy.
Around AD 64, Paul sent Timothy this letter as something of a leadership and
administrative manual.
From the days of his childhood, Timothy had been instructed in the sacred
writings of Old Testament by his godly mother and grandmother.
Timothy was from the city of Lystra, which was located in present-day Turkey.
He became a Christian as a result of Paul's visit there during his first
missionary journey.
When Paul returned to Lystra during his second missionary journey, he was so
impressed with Timothy that he took him along on his travels, even though Timothy
was almost certainly only in his teens at the time.
Now, some fifteen years later, as Paul's young representative in Ephesus,
Timothy faced all sorts of pressures, conflicts, and challenges from the church
and his surrounding culture.
So Paul sent him this motivating and encouraging letter.
As you listen, consider the importance of encouraging others, especially those who
are facing difficult and challenging situations as Christian leaders.