“1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon,” Scripture Helps: New Testament (2024)
Scripture Helps
1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon
In the letters known as 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus, Paul wrote instructions to Church leaders. He described the qualifications of bishops and deacons. He warned Church leaders of difficult times ahead and advised on how to protect the Saints. Paul taught Timothy that the scriptures are the source of true doctrine and instruction. Feeling his life was coming to an end, Paul wrote of his efforts to faithfully endure to the end. He was confident he would receive eternal life. Paul also wrote to Philemon, urging him to receive his slave Onesimus as a brother in the gospel.
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Background and Context
Who was Timothy?
Timothy was one of Paul’s most trusted friends. He was the son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother. The scriptures teach that his mother, Eunice, believed Paul’s testimony about Jesus Christ. Timothy’s mother and his grandmother Lois helped him grow in his faith and his love of the scriptures. Timothy served as a missionary companion to Paul during his second mission. Afterward, Timothy continued to be a faithful missionary and Church leader.
Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus are often called pastoral Epistles because they contain Paul’s counsel to pastors or leaders in the Church. Pastor comes from the Latin word for shepherd.
To whom was 1 Timothy written and why?
Paul wrote this letter while Timothy was serving as a Church leader in Ephesus. Some members seem to have doubted Timothy’s abilities because he was young. Paul wrote to help him understand his duties and to provide encouragement. This letter was likely written sometime between AD 62 and 66, while Paul was in Macedonia.
Paul suggested guidelines to help Timothy identify worthy candidates to serve as bishops or deacons. These guidelines helped highlight the responsibility of Church leaders to provide for members’ temporal and spiritual needs. Paul also addressed the false teaching of asceticism—the belief that greater spirituality could be attained through strict self-denial. To counteract this and other heretical influences, Paul counseled Timothy to teach sound doctrine.
What did Paul have to say about false teachers?
Here, and in his letter to Titus, Paul warned about false teachers who would promote myths (“fables”) and endless genealogies. One Bible scholar wrote: “When Latter-day Saints hear the word genealogy, they think of family history work, but this was not what Paul had in mind. Toward the end of this letter, Paul instructed Timothy to avoid ‘oppositions of science falsely so called’ (1 Timothy 6:20). The word translated as ‘science’ is the Greek word gnosis, which means ‘knowledge.’ Thus, Paul was concerned that some Christians were claiming and teaching special knowledge, which led to ‘oppositions’ or in other words, disputations. The warning against myths and genealogies may be a reference to speculative stories and genealogies in Jewish apocryphal literature (Titus 1:14; 3:9).”
How do we make sense of what Paul said about women and Eve?
We do not know what prompted Paul to direct women to “learn in silence” and not “usurp authority over the man.” This may have been an effort to correct a specific problem or dispute in Ephesus, where Timothy lived. Thus, it would be unwise to take this specific instruction and give it general application.
To support his directive regarding women, Paul pointed out that in the garden, Eve transgressed when she partook of the forbidden fruit. In verse 14, the Greek word translated as “transgression” (parabasis) has been interpreted in various ways, including “to overstep.” It is possible Paul was saying that just as Eve “overstepped” her bounds when she partook of the fruit, some women in Ephesus may have been overstepping their bounds.
Regardless of Paul’s underlying intent, his words have contributed to a negative view of Eve’s role in the Fall. Such a view is not justified by the scriptures of the Restoration. For example, Lehi taught that the Fall of Adam and Eve brought about increased agency, families, and the opportunity for eternal joy. In the book of Moses, Adam and Eve testified of the importance of the Fall in the plan of salvation. And in his vision of the spirit world, President Joseph F. Smith saw “our glorious Mother Eve” among the righteous in the spirit world.
The importance of Eve’s role in the Fall is further verified by modern prophets and apostles. President Dallin H. Oaks taught, “It was Eve who first transgressed the limits of Eden in order to initiate the conditions of mortality. Her act, whatever its nature, was formally a transgression but eternally a glorious necessity to open the doorway toward eternal life.” President Russell M. Nelson observed, “It was our glorious Mother Eve—with her far-reaching vision of our Heavenly Father’s plan—who initiated what we call ‘the Fall.’ Her wise and courageous choice and Adam’s supporting decision moved God’s plan of happiness forward.”
Considering Restoration scripture and the words of modern prophets and apostles, we have reason to rejoice in Eve’s role in moving Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation forward.
Latter-day prophets have taught that the voice and leadership of women are vital to the Lord’s work of salvation. Speaking to the women of the Church, President Russell M. Nelson taught: “We … need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices. The kingdom of God is not and cannot be complete without women who make sacred covenants and then keep them, women who can speak with the power and authority of God!”
What role did a bishop play in the early Church?
In 1 Timothy 3:1 Paul referred to the office, or position, of a bishop. In this passage, “bishop” refers to a person who oversees a congregation. Paul provides qualifications and counsel for those serving as bishops. Through Restoration scripture, we learn that a bishop is an ordained office in the Aaronic Priesthood.
What role did deacons play in the early Church?
The word deacon comes from a Greek word meaning “servant” or “minister.” The office of deacon seems to have been a preparatory one, because Paul did not prohibit “a novice” (a recent convert) from being called as a deacon but did prohibit a novice from being called as a bishop. Other requirements for deacons were similar to those for bishops, including the requirement that “deacons be the husbands of one wife.” Through Restoration scripture, we learn that a deacon is an ordained office in the Aaronic Priesthood.
What did Paul teach about physical exercise?
Paul taught that in comparison to developing godly attributes, physical exercise and training has only short-term value. In other words, while physical training is of some value, spiritual training blesses us now and in eternity.
This contrast would have been especially relevant to Church members in Ephesus. Athletics and sports were highly valued in Roman culture. Much like today, physical fitness could be overvalued and taken to the extreme. Paul taught that gospel study, meditation, and developing spiritual gifts should take higher priority.
To whom was 2 Timothy written and why?
Paul wrote this epistle during his second imprisonment in Rome. He wrote this letter to strengthen and encourage Timothy. Paul believed his life was coming to an end, and he desired to see Timothy, whom he called “my dearly beloved son.” At the conclusion of his letter, Paul requested that Timothy and Mark visit him and bring him a few items that he had left behind in Troas. Chronologically, 2 Timothy appears to be Paul’s final letter in the New Testament.
What did Paul teach using the metaphors of soldier, athlete, and farmer?
Paul used the imagery of a good soldier, a victorious athlete, and a hardworking farmer to illustrate the need for endurance to receive eternal glory. He closed his letter by comparing himself to a victorious athlete and soldier. He had “fought a good fight.” The Greek word translated as “fought” means “to struggle.” The word can refer to competing in an athletic contest or engaging in military conflict. Because he had been faithful to the end, Paul expected to receive a “crown of righteousness.” The crown may have reference to a victor’s wreath given to the victors in ancient Greek athletic contests.
What did Paul teach about the perils of the last days?
In these verses, Paul prophesied of wickedness of the last days. He described the conditions as “perilous.” The chart below provides help with words or phrases that may be less understood by modern readers:
|
Difficult word or phrase |
Meaning of Greek word(s) |
|---|---|
Difficult word or phrase Lovers of their own selves | Meaning of Greek word(s) |
Difficult word or phrase Blasphemers | Meaning of Greek word(s) |
Difficult word or phrase Without natural affection | Meaning of Greek word(s) |
Difficult word or phrase Trucebreakers | Meaning of Greek word(s) |
Difficult word or phrase Incontinent | Meaning of Greek word(s) |
Difficult word or phrase Fierce | Meaning of Greek word(s) |
Difficult word or phrase Despisers of those that are good | Meaning of Greek word(s) |
Difficult word or phrase Heady | Meaning of Greek word(s) |
Difficult word or phrase Highminded | Meaning of Greek word(s) |
Difficult word or phrase Silly women | Meaning of Greek word(s) |
What did Paul mean by “silly women”?
As part of his warning concerning the last days, Paul highlighted a group that he called “silly” or “gullible” women. The Greek term means “weak, or trifling” Apparently, these women were influenced by false teachers at Ephesus. This may be a social reference from Paul’s day that has lost its cultural context in our day and is therefore difficult to understand.
To whom was Titus written and why?
Titus was born to Greek parents and had been converted to the gospel by Paul. After his conversion, Titus went with Paul during his third missionary journey. He helped gather donations for the poor in Jerusalem and was personally entrusted to bring greater unity to the branches in Corinth. Paul wrote to Titus to strengthen him in his assignment to lead the Church on the Greek island of Crete. Titus faced opposition from dissenters and false teachers. Paul likely wrote the Epistle to Titus after writing 1 Timothy, between AD 63 and 65.
What was implied by calling someone a Cretan?
Paul pointed out that the people of Crete had a poor reputation. They were known for obtaining money dishonestly. Ancient writers similarly reported that the people of Crete were greedy. The word Cretan came to mean a dishonest person.
How are we renewed by the Holy Ghost?
Paul used the Greek word meaning “rebirth” or “renewal” when talking about the gift of the Holy Ghost. At baptism, a person enters a covenant relationship with Christ, becoming a new being. Just as a newborn is given a name, those who are baptized take upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ and are renewed by the Spirit as they strive to live like Him.
To whom was Philemon written and why?
Philemon was a Greek convert who may have lived in Colossae. Since he allowed members to meet in his home, he may have been a leader in the Colossian branch. Philemon owned an enslaved man named Onesimus, who had traveled to Paul’s location—possibly as a runaway—and been converted by Paul to Jesus Christ. Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon and entreated him to not punish Onesimus, but rather to receive him back as “not now as a servant” but as “a brother beloved.” Paul wrote to Philemon while in prison, though he does not specify where. He may have written the letter sometime between about AD 55 and 59.
Mosaic showing Roman slaves
What do we know about slavery in New Testament times?
The congregations Paul taught and wrote to were often made up of both masters and slaves. Slavery was an accepted part of the society in which ancient Jews and Christians lived. Some slaves were freed by their masters or could accumulate wealth to purchase their own freedom. Some slaves enjoyed educational opportunities and became trusted advisors and business partners to their masters. However, for most, slavery was degrading and abusive. Some of Paul’s co-laborers had been slaves.
Paul neither approved of nor opposed the institution of slavery in his letters. He encouraged Christian slaves to obey their masters and urged Christian masters to treat their slaves kindly. Paul believed all could come together in Jesus Christ, where there is “neither bond nor free.”
In modern revelation, the Lord has declared that “it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another.”
How was Paul’s request to Philemon against Roman custom?
Onesimus may have been a runaway slave. Under Roman law, runaway slaves were at the mercy of their owners. Captured slaves could be branded on the forehead, beaten, sent to do hard labor, and forced to wear iron collars.
If Onesimus was a runaway, then Paul’s request of Philemon was to not inflict Onesimus with the customary punishment of a runaway slave. Instead, Paul encouraged Philemon to embrace him as a beloved brother and fellow servant of Jesus Christ. Onesimus’s name means “useful” or “profitable.” Paul explained to Philemon that Onesimus was once unprofitable. However, now as a disciple of Christ, Onesimus could profit both Philemon and Paul in helping with the work of salvation.
Learn More
The Roles of Women in the Church
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Topics and Questions, “Women in the Church,” Gospel Library
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M. Russell Ballard, “The Essential Role of Women,” Liahona, Mar. 2021, 9–11
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Jean B. Bingham, “United in Accomplishing God’s Work,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 60–63
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Ulisses Soares, “In Partnership with the Lord,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 42–45
The Bishop
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Quentin L. Cook, “Bishops—Shepherds over the Lord’s Flock,” Liahona, May 2021, 56–60
Media
Video
“I Have Kept the Faith” (1:53)
“The Last Days” (2:21)
“The Office of Bishop” (1:20)
Images
Illustration of Paul in prison writing an epistle, by Paul Mann