Lesson 11

Question 1

1. What is the meaning of Pastoral letters? Which are they?

Answer 1

The two letters written to Timothy, letter to Titus by St. Paul are known as Pastoral Epistles. These letters started getting referred as Pastoral letters since 18th century. These letters are called so because it contains advices about how to do priesthood service in a church.

Question 2

2. Write a short note on Timothy.

Answer 2

Timothy is the son of a Greek and Jewish lady from Lucre in Asia Minor. Timothy’s family got converted to Christianity due to the missionary work of St. Paul in Lucre during his first missionary journey. St. Paul himself declares that the mother Eunice and grandmother Lois of Timothy are true faithful Christians (2 Timothy 1:15). St. Paul calls Timothy as “true son in faith”, “God’s man” (1 Timothy 6:11), “son” (2 Timothy 1:1), “dear son and faithful Christian” (1 Corinth 4:17) etc. Timothy and St. Luke were the nearest friends of St. Paul. Timothy served St. Paul in his good and bad times equally. Our tradition teaches that he became a martyr after being the bishop of Ephesus for a long time.

Question 3

3. What are the concepts described in the first letter to Timothy.

Answer 3

There are two important concepts discussed in the first letter.
1. Condemns the wrong teachers and wrong teachings.
2. Teach how to conduct and rule a church and explain the requirements in a priest.

Question 4

4. What are the requirements or abilities expected in the priests?

Answer 4

St. Paul explains about how to conduct public prayers and the rules to be followed while the church meets in the second chapter. He explains about the capabilities required in priests in the third chapter

Question 5

5. Why did St. Paul write the first letter to Timothy?

Answer 5

St. Paul explains about how to conduct public prayers and the rules to be followed while the church meets in the second chapter. He explains about the capabilities required in priests in the third chapter (3:1-14). In the fourth chapter he guides Timothy with vision. Fifth chapter explains about the punishments and responsibilities in the church. In the sixth chapter St. Paul concludes with personal teaching to Timothy and alerting him about wrong teachers.

Question 6

6. What are the bold words said by St. Paul when he realized that his end is near?

Answer 6

While writing this letter, St. Paul knew that his end was near. Listen to the words he writes with lot of boldness and faith.
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

Question 7

7. What is the main concept mentioned in the letter to Titus?

Answer 7

The behavior expected from the leaders of the church, the need to lead a pure and loving Christian life without any differences are the aim of this letter. The letter concludes with reminding that following the laws and humbly submitting to the rulers are the responsibilities of Christians