NTS 5523 Pastoral Epistles Class I Introduction to

NTS 5523 Pastoral Epistles Class I: Introduction to Pastoral Epistles © Dr. Esa Autero

Intro to Pastoral Epistles 1. 1 Introduction • What is meant by “Pastoral Epistles” (PE)? • Why the name “Pastoral Epistles”? • What are some of the main themes in PE? • In your experience… • How often do you hear sermons from PE – what themes dominate? • What doctrines and practices are justified by PE? How? • What do you hope learn in the class of PE?

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Some controversial issues in Pastoral Epistles • Relationship to other Paul’s letters • Esp. authenticity (pseudonymity) • Church structure – more “rigid” than e. g. 1 Corinthian “charismatic” • Meaning of presbyteros/episkopos & diakonos • Relationship to Roman societal values – more accommodating? • Role of women in ministry and at home • Issue of apostasy • Other short phrases/issues – e. g. meaning of “husband of one wife”

Intro to Pastoral Epistles 2. 1 Introductory Issues in Pastoral Epistles • The title “Pastoral Epistles” • “Pastoral Epistles” (PE) – name coined in the 18 th century • 1 Tim, 2 Tim, and Tit grouped together due to… • Common themes & similar theology (leadership & pastoral life) • Similar audience – letters to leaders in Pauline congregation • 2 Tim more personal • Common literary style and similar argumentation Most critical scholars think PE not written by Paul Has resulted in marginalization of PE in many liberal churches

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Three ways to approach PE: 1) Canonical order (1 -2 Tim & Tit) – cf. G. Fee 1984 2) Each letter independently 3) “Narrative order” (Tit, 1 -2 Tim) – cf. Gloer & Stepp 2008 • Or 1 Tim – Tit – 2 Tim (historical reconstruction)

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • The class follows the “narrative order” approach because: • Tit 1: 1 -4 points “beyond” Titus to other PE • 1 Tim develops themes mentioned in Titus • Muratorian Fragment 60 -62 retains the order Tit – 1 Tim – 2 Tim • Canonical order “later” when “letters to individuals” were collected

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Pastoral Epistles and the importance of “Succession”* • Succession in PE not same as traditional “apostolic succession” • Apostolic succession = tracing a line (“genealogy”) back to Apostles to validate authority or office – esp. bishops • Assumes that office/authority fully transmitted through laying-on of hands • Succession in the ancient world included – passing on • Leadership roles – in academies, military, government • Responsibilities & tasks – religious service, important work, role of prophet or specific agenda of a ruler • Possession or inheritance

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Succession could be • Strong – full authority & replacement (Elijah-Elisha; 1 Kgs 19 -2 Kgs 2) • Weak – limited commission & authority (cf. delegation; Esth 10: 2 LXX) Continuum b/w the two poles • Specific succession terminology • Succession would embody objectives, such as • Making one a successor and legitimate heir (David & Solomon) • Empowering successor to achieve a goal (Moses & Joshua) • Enabling to complete a work/objectives (Diod Sic 17 -18) • Guarantee the health of an organization (Pliny, Nat. Hist. 30. 2. 4 -5)

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • “Succession” helps understand that • PE follow succession patterns and terminology • Paul to Titus – “weak” succession – limited time/authority (1: 5; 3: 12) • Paul to Timothy – “strong” succession (e. g. 2 Tim 2: 1 -2) • Succession in PE functions to • Legitimate the authority of Titus and Timothy • Empower them to a task • Continue Paul’s ministry and work after his death • Ensure the continuity & health of Paul’s congregations

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • The story of Pastoral Epistles – emphasis on narrative • Story of Paul’s departure – withdraws step by step • What will happen to Paul’s churches? To the gospel? (Acts 20: 29 -30) • Titus and Timothy as delegates & successors • Crete (Titus 1: 5) – “left you behind in Crete…put in order” • New churches need to be organized and empowered • Internal and external pressures • Titus to organize and establish leadership • Titus – an open letter to Titus to be “overheard” by congregations • Legitimate Titus’ authority for time and place (1: 5; 3: 12) • Artemis and Tychicus to “take over” • Titus to meet Paul in Nicopolis

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Ephesus (1 Timothy) “on my way to Macedonia…remain in Ephesus…command certain people not teach different doctrine” (1: 3) • Paul had to return to Macedonia – Timothy left to Ephesus • Timothy to confront “false teachers” and church leaders • Escalating and serious problem – Timothy is hesitant, unsure, afraid • Paul hopes to return to Ephesus (3: 14) – degree of uncertainty

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Paul from Roman prison to Ephesus (2 Timothy) • Did Paul ever make it back to Ephesus per 1 Tim 3: 14? Cf. 2 Tim 4: 13 • Paul’s coworkers & opponents (2 Tim 4: 9 -21; 1: 15 -17) • Concern: what happens to the gospel and church after his death? • Timothy to i) suffer ii) teach & preach iii) equip others Timothy becomes Paul’s successor – keeper of the Apostle’s gospel • Paul at the end of his life • Ministerial success – shackles awaiting martyrdom • Fame factor – “all deserted…Lord stood by my side” (4: 16) • “only Luke is with me” (4: 11) • Paul is triumphant – “The Lord will rescue…save me” (4: 18) • Asks Timothy to come to Rome (4: 9) – did he ever make it?

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Authorship of Pastoral Epistles • Who wrote the Pastoral Epistles? • All PE indicate that Paul is the author • Currently most critical scholars hold PE to be pseudonymous • i. e. written under “false name” – “epistolary fiction” • Most – not all – evangelical scholars hold Paul as the author • Theories of composition • Paul as the author • Paul +coworker and/or amanuensis with lesser degree of freedom • Free amanuensis (e. g. Luke) – latitude of style & some content • Allonymity – indirectly Pauline (no intention to deceive) • Pseudonymity – partial or full element of deception

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Challenges to Pauline authorship • First questioned by E. Evanson (1792); Schleiermacher (1807)* • PE story invented based on Acts narrative for the purpose of… • Addressing issues of later time • Use Paul’s authority in this. ** • Letters treated as false on three levels 1) Authorship – not Paul but somebody writing in his name 2) Recipients – not real Timothy/Titus and the congregations therein 3) Letters are not really three separate letters Do we have documents in NT that are falsely attributed to Paul? Would’ve pseudonymity been a problem for ancient audience?

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Main arguments that support pseudonymity 1) Language and style 2) Church structure 3) Theology 4) Historical setting The debate is ideologically charged Any theory must avoid “selective evidence”

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Main arguments used for and against pseudonymity 1) Language and style* • Uniform style and language of PE – different from other Paulines • E. g. “this is a trustworthy saying” (1 Tim 1: 15; 3: 1; 4: 9; 2 Tim 2: 11; Tit 3: 8) • Large amount of words not found elsewhere in NT • • • 176 hapax legomena [902 different words found in PE overall] 13 -16/page in PE contra 4 -6 in undisputed Pauline [per NA 27]** Hellenized vocabulary – epiphaneia, soter, eusebeia More Latinisms than in other Paulines (charin echo… = gratiam habeo) Typical particles and connecting words absent in PE (since, because etc. ) • Vocabulary similar to a number of 2 nd century authors*** • Different style from undisputed – non-argumentative • No interest with dialogue – or diatribe • PE more focused on monologue and exhortation & commands

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Language and style – response: • Specifics of occasion accounts for style & vocabulary • What letters to use as “control group” – what is “typical Pauline”? • Vocabulary & style function of content – not vice versa* • “typical Pauline” style/vocabulary is sporadic in many undisputed letters • “un-typical Pauline” vocabulary in subject matter that’s unique to PE • E. g. instructions concerning elders and widows • Latinisms found mostly in 2 Tim – written in Rome • Connecting words missing b/c PE less argumentative • PE more like Phil & 1 Thess than Rom & Gal • More extensive use of traditional/hymnic materials • Letters for individuals – not congregations • Mandata principis style and succession language for a specific purpose • PE do argue – not to persuade, but to instruct pastoral leaders

Intro to Pastoral Epistles 2) Church structure – Pauline or post-Pauline? • Three-partite structure only AD 2 nd century (bishop, elder, deacon) • Timothy as bishop governing over elders & deacons • Well-defined church structure – e. g. “council of elders” (1 Tim 4: 14) • Structure more like Ignatius of Antioch (AD 110 -115) or Didache (90 -130) • More restrictive on woman’s ministry (esp. 1 Tim 2: 11 -15 vs. Gal 3: 28)

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Church structure – a response: • Paul appointed elders to every church early on (Acts 14: 23) • Modelled by synagogue and Greco-Roman collegia* • PE focus on character/function, not elaborate office/“job description” • PE not like the later monarchial bishop in Ignatius • Tim & Titus not “pastors” but apostolic delegates w/ assignments** • Presbyteroi, episkopoi, diakonoi elsewhere in Paul’s epistles (see Phil 1: 1; Rom 16: 1; Acts 20: 17, 28; 2 -3 John ) • Restrictions to women most likely temporal (cf. 1 Cor 11: 3 -16) • Paul’s concern for more structure toward the end of his career

Intro to Pastoral Epistles 3) Theology of PE • Lack important Pauline themes • God as Father, life “in Christ”, spiritual gifts & work of the Spirit, urgent eschatological expectation • Unique use of theological vocabulary • “faith” – doctrine to accepted (not personal trust) • Righteousness (to be pursued, not given) • Good works, godliness, self-control • Epiphaneia vs. Parousia Overall more Hellenized religious terminology

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Theology of PE – a response • Virtuous behavior/good works in undisputed Paulines (Gal 5: 166: 10; Rom 12: 9 -13; 1 Cor 6: 9 -20; Phil 4: 8 -9; 1 Thess 4: 1 -12; 5: 14 -15) • Good works (Rom 2: 6 -7; 13: 2; 2 Cor 5: 10; Col 1: 10) • Eschatological urgency & false teachers (1 Tim 4: 1 -5) • Related to apostasy as eschatological woes (cf. 2 Tim 3: 1) • Key Pauline themes in PE that are similar to undisputed • Salvation is by grace through faith (Tit 2: 11; 3: 5; 2 Tim 1: 9) • Suffering leads to glory (1 Tim 2: 3 -6, 10; 4: 6 -8) • Importance of gentile mission (1 Tim 2: 7; 3: 16; 2 Tim 4: 17) • Paul as an example (1 Tim 1: 15 -16; 6: 12; 2 Tim 1: 8, 13; 3: 10 -17; 4: 7)

Intro to Pastoral Epistles 4) Historical setting of the Pastoral Epistles • Setting difficult to square with Acts and the rest of Paul’s letters • E. g. Paul in Crete or Timothy assigned to Ephesus • No evidence in Acts or undisputed Paulines • No evidence of Jewish-Christian controversy, like e. g. Galatians • False teachers 2 nd century Gnostics (e. g. gnosis, 1 Tim 6: 20) • Myths and genealogies sound gnostic (1 Tim 1: 4; Tit 3: 9) • Gnostic eschatology – “resurrection already happened” (2 Tim 3: 17 -18)

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Historical setting of the Pastoral Epistles – a response • Acts is “selective history” – Paul’s letters occasional • E. g. Acts doesn’t mention Paul’s trip to Illyricum (Rom 15: 19) • Multiple imprisonments or sufferings (2 Cor 11: 23 -7 vs. Acts 16: 22 -34) • PE indicate problems w/ Jewish-Christians (1 Tim 1: 4 -11; Tit 1: 10; 3: 9) • Circumcision, application of Law, genealogies etc. • Gnostic elements consistent w/ incipient Gnosticism (Gal 4: 3, 9 -11) • Confusion about resurrection in Corinth/Thess (1 Cor 15; 2 Th 2: 1 -12) • Two theories of historical setting: 1) “Second imprisonment” – Paul released after Acts 28 • Paul continued ministry to Crete/Asia Minor/Macedonia & Spain (1 Cl 5: 7) 2) “Gaps” in Acts narrative • 1 Tim & Tit fit b/w Acts 19: 20 & 21 and 2 Tim into Acts 28

Intro to Pastoral Epistles …having taught righteousness unto the whole world and having reached the farthest bounds of the West; and when he had borne his testimony before the rulers, so he departed from the world and went unto the holy place, having been found a notable pattern of patient endurance. (1 Clem 5. 7; AD 96 [80 -140]) At the time when Paul was sojourning in Rome and confirming many in the faith, it came also to pass that one by name Candida, the wife of Quartus that was over the prisons, heard Paul and paid heed to his words and believed. And when she had instructed her husband also and he believed, Quartus suffered Paul to go whither he would away from the city: to whom Paul said: If it be the will of God, he will reveal it unto me. And after Paul had fasted three days and asked of the Lord that which should be profitable for him, he saw a vision, even the Lord saying unto him: Arise, Paul, and become a physician in thy body (i. e. by going thither in person) to them that are in Spain. (Acts of Peter 1: 1 [I, III] – c. AD 200)

Intro to Pastoral Epistles 1. Festus was sent by Nero to be Felix's successor. Under him Paul, having made his defense, was sent bound to Rome. Aristarchus was with him, whom he also somewhere in his epistles quite naturally calls his fellow-prisoner. And Luke, who wrote the Acts of the Apostles, brought history to a close at this point, after stating that Paul spent two whole years at Rome as a prisoner at large, and preached the word of God without restraint. 2. Thus after he had made his defense it is said that the apostle was sent again upon the ministry of preaching, and that upon coming to the same city a second time he suffered martyrdom. In this imprisonment he wrote his second epistle to Timothy, in which he mentions his first defense and his impending death… 7. But these things have been adduced by us to show that Paul's martyrdom did not take place at the time of that Roman sojourn which Luke records. (Eusebius, Eccl. Hist. 2. 22. 1 -2, 7; c. AD 313 -326)

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Authorship in the ancient world* • Copyright laws very different in the ancient world • Was there a concept of “acceptable plagiarism”? • What was “acceptable” and what considered forgery? • What counts as “authorship”? • What if the document is composite? Who is the author? • E. g. Gospels (Matt & Lk using Mark); 2 Pet using Jude • Paul known to use secretaries (Rom 16: 22; cf. 1 Pet 5: 12) • “This is the distinguishing mark in every letter” (2 Thess 3: 17; Col 4: 18) • Scope and flexibility of ancient authorship

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Possible multiple stages of authorship • Paul – a missionary on the move • Responded quickly to difficult situations in various places • Writing time-consuming and materials expensive (see next slide) • Could Paul have authorized a secretary to write on his behalf? • Paul had freedom to write (or had amanuensis) in Philm & Phil • Is the situation more difficult/urgent in PE? • Esp. house arrest vs. full imprisonment – but see 1 Tim & Tit • Similarity of vocabulary b/w PE and Luke-Acts (cf. Witherington)

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Cost of letter writing & sending* • Papyrus 4 denarii/roll • Scribes charged app. 25 denarii/10, 000 lines (P. Lond. Inv. 2110) • 400 lines/day w/ 1 denarius/day • All but poorest could send brief letters (few lines) • Cost app. ½ denarius Book No of % of standard Cost in lines scroll denarii Cost in $US App. ** time to write Rom. 979 136% 20. 68 $2, 275 2. 5 days Phil. 221 31% 4. 68 $515 ½ day 6% . 92 $101 1 -2 hrs. Philem 44 NT documents – expensive & time consuming to write

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Pseudepigraphal works in early Judaism & Christianity • 1 -2 Enoch (Jewish); Apocalypse of Peter etc. – apocalyptic writings • Jews commonly wrote in the name of an ancient authoritative figure • PE not apocalyptic writings – ad hoc letters w/ specific circumstances • Jewish and Christian pseudepigraphal letters • 4 Ezra (AD 90); Letter of Aristeas (c. 150 BC); Epistle to Laodiceans (AD 2 nd century) • Difference between anonymous and pseudonymous writings • E. g. Hebrews

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • How did the early Christians (& Jews) view pseudonymity? • “A text is pseudonymous when it is not by the person whose name it bears in the sense that it is written after his death by another person or during his by another person who was not in some way commissioned to do so. ” (Marshall 1985: 1 in Witherington KE: 8668) • Acceptable (in general) in Jewish apocalyptic works • Used esp. of ancient figures of distant past (Enoch, Abraham etc. )

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Early Christian views of pseudepigrapha • Could PE be written in the “spirit of Paul” and not be deceptive? • As part of legacy or “school” of Paul? • See e. g. disciples of Pythagoras wrote in his name (Vit. Pyht 158, 198) But Pythagoras’ disciples wrote a philosophical treatise, not a letter • PE full of personal & situation specific details (cloak, books etc. ) • No evidence of “schools” by Paul or other disciples • Many NT authors not “prominent apostles” – e. g. Mark, Luke

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Early Christians opposed pseudepigrapha • Many pseudonymous works existed in the 2 nd century AD • Rejected if spurious and led to a bishop’s removal from office • Muratorian canon (c. AD 170) As for the Epistles of (40 -1) Paul, they themselves make clear to those desiring to understand, which ones [they are], from what place, or for what reason they were sent. …[Paul also wrote] out of affection and love one to Philemon, one to Titus, and two to Timothy; and these are held sacred (62 -3) in the esteem of the Church catholic for the regulation of ecclesiastical discipline. There is current also [an epistle] to (64) the Laodiceans, [6 b] [and] another to the Alexandrians, [6 c] [both] forged in Paul's (65) name to [further] the heresy of Marcion, and several others (66) which cannot be received into the catholic Church (67)— for it is not fitting that gall be mixed with honey.

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • 3 Corinthians as a forgery (Tertullian, On Bapt. 17) in Asia, the presbyter who composed that writing, as if he were augmenting Paul’s fame from his own store, after being convicted, and confessing that he had done it from love of Paul, was removed from his office. (Tert. On Bapt. 17) • Bishop Serapion of Antioch (c. AD 200; Eccl. Hist. 6. 12, 3 -6) • Approved Gospel of Peter – then rejected b/c supports docetism • Paul’s concern regarding his letters that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come (2 Thess 2: 2; 3: 17; 1 Cor 16: 21) There was a concern forgeries from the very beginning

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Ancient world did have a “copyright” law – not like ours though • Unethical to damage others by using another person’s name/work • E. g. Galen On His Own Books distinguishes forgeries & his own • See also Quintilian, Inst. 7. 2. 24; Herodotus, Hist. 2. 116 -117 • Ancient works could be protected by • • • Invoking a curse for those who changed them (cf. Rev 22: 18 -19) Using seal/acrostic to bind authorial attribution Making known the document’s size (e. g. number of lines; cf. Ant. 20. 12. 267) Informing others of what the work contained Using trusted friends to circulate it Using a personal signature (e. g. 2 Thess 3: 17) • Full pseudonymity was not a typical and accepted practice • Paul and Early Christian concern for truth and theology

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Could PE have been written by some other than Paul? • If yes – what are the implications, if any, for • Interpretation of PE • Development of early Christian thought and theology • Canon of the New Testament • Theology and practice for us

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Greatest obstacles to viewing PE pseudonymous • Specific nature and circumstances of PE • 14 x distinct names in specific circumstances • Odd details: “bring my cloak, books, and parchments” (2 Tim 4: 13) • Why 3 x pseudonymous letters w/ such varying circumstances? * • Early Christian practice & pseudonymous epistles • Early attestation of PE in the 2 nd century • Polycarp (Phil. 4: 1// 1 Tim 6: 7, 10); 1 Cl knows Tit[? ]; Ignatius knows PE** • Tertullian first to quote directly in Marc. 5. 21 • Ethical and theological problems w/ pseudonymity • Depends on exact theory that one adopts

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Date and provenance of PE • Hypothesis for this course – author is Paul • Language and style differences due to… • Specific circumstances and occasion of PE • Freedom of amanuensis – possible final editing • Reflects faithfully and authoritatively Paul’s thought and heart • 2 Tim – the last of PE • Written from Roman imprisonment c. AD 64 -68

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Possible timeframe for 1 Tim and Tit • Mid 50 s if placed into the framework of Acts (L. T. Johnson) • If after Paul’s first Roman imprisonment, c. AD 63 -65 (B. Witherington) • Titus written from Nicopolis (or on the way there) • 1 Tim written from Macedonia – possibly Philippi few months after Titus • If pseudonymous – unknown provenance, written AD 80 s-120

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • Genre and style of PE • 1 Tim and Titus similar in style • Mandata principis style • Orders from superior to a delegate within a public/private setting • To carry out a task within certain framework of authority • For an individual – but “overheard” by others (here church) • To legitimate Timothy’s and Titus’ authority and give instructions

Intro to Pastoral Epistles • 2 Tim – more personal character • Paul’s testament – testament literature common in ancient world • Instructions, moral lessons, predictions • 2 Tim only loosely resembles other ancient testaments – it is a letter w/ specific circumstances • More like personal exhortation letter to Timothy to continue Paul’s legacy