As a pastoral letter is one written by one person to help another, there are therefore six pastoral letters in the New Testament. They form a pattern with three of them concerning the church of God and three of them concerning the man/woman of God as follows:
1. 1 Timothy (and the Ephesian church/assembly): The Church of God in an error filled world.
2. 2 Timothy: The Man of God in a self-centred and truth rejecting world.
3. Titus (and the Crete island’s churches/assemblies): The Church of God’s responsibilities: preserving the church in a corrupt and sin enslaved world.
4. Philemon: The Man of God’s responsibilities concerning the full restoration of a runaway slave.
5. 2 John: The Woman of God concerning walking in truth, loving one another and combating error about Christ and appropriate fellowship.
6. 3 John (the church/assembly is not named): The Church of God concerning walking in the truth, loving the brethren and strangers and handling erroneous church leadership and fellowship.
However when comparing 1 and 2 Timothy we find that there are a number of things repeated which show their importance to the mind of the Holy Spirit who inspired them to be written. These comparisons have been brought together in subject order as God was seeking to emphasize certain things to Timothy, and the subsequent churches/assemblies, through Paul’s writings.
COMPARISON IN SUBJECT ORDER
1. Introduction And Divine Authority
1.1 1Tim 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;”
2Tim 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,”
2. To Whom The Letter Is Written And Wanting Them To Know God’s Grace, Mercy And Peace
2.1 1Tim 1:2 “Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”
2Tim 1:2 “To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
3. God And Jesus Christ
3.1 1Tim 2:5-6 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; v6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
2Tim 2:8 “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:”
4. Honour And Glory To The Godhead Especially As King
4.1 1Tim 1:17 “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
1Tim 6:15-16 “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; v16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.”
2Tim 4:18 “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
5. The Gospel And Living For Others’ Salvation
5.1 1Tim 1:11 “According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”
2Tim 1:10 “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:”
5.2 Living for Other’s Salvation: 1Tim 2:4 “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
2Tim 2:3-6 “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. v4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. v 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. v6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.”
5.3 1Tim 6:6-8 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. v7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. v8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
2Tim 4:9-10, 13 “Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: v10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; … v13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.”
6. The Foundation/House/Church Of God
6.1 1Tim 3:14-16 “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: v15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. v16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
2Tim 2:19 “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
7. The Power/Grace Of God/Christ Jesus In Life
7.1 1Tim 2:1 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; v2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. v3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;”
2Tim 2:1 “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
7.2 Faithful Praying: 1Tim 2:8 “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”
2Tim 2:11-13 “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: v12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: v13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”
7.3 1Tim 6:21 “Grace be with thee. Amen.”
2Tim 4:22 “The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.”
8. Faithfulness/Unfaithfulness To God
8.1 1Tim 1:19 “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:”
2Tim 1:14 “That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.”
8.2 1Tim 2:9 “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; v10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”
2Tim 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
8.3 Right Attitudes To God’s Word: 1Tim 2:11-12 “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. v12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”
Wrong Attitudes To God’s Word: 2Tim 2:16 “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”
8.4 1Tim 2:13-14 Who concerning the truth have erred: “For Adam was first formed, then Eve. v14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.”
2Tim 2:18 “Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.”
8.5 1Tim 4:7 “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.”
2Tim 4:4 “And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
8.6 1Tim 4:8-9 “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. v9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
2Tim 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,”
8.7 1Tim 4:11-13 “These things command and teach. v12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. v13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”
2Tim 3:14-15 “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; v15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
8.8 1Tim 4:14 “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.”
2Tim 1:6 “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.”
8.9 1Tim 4:15-16 “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. v16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
2Tim 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: v17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
8.10 1Tim 5:21 “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.”
2Tim 4:1 “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;”
8.11 1Tim 5:24-25 “Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. v25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.”
2Tim 4:8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
8.12 1Tim 6:2-3 “These things teach and exhort. v3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;”
2Tim 4:1-2 “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; v2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
8.13 1Tim 6:11 “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”
2Tim 2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
8.14 1Tim 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
2Tim 4:6-7 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. v7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”
8.15 1Tim 6:14 “That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:”
2Tim 1:14 “That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.”
8.16 1Tim 6:20 “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:”
2Tim 2:16 “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”
9. God’s Service
9.1 1Tim 1:12 “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;”
2Tim 1:11 “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.”
9.2 1Tim 1:18 “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;”
2Tim 1:13-14 “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. v14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.”
9.3 1Tim 2:7 “Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
2Tim 2:9-10 “Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. v10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
9.4 1Tim 3:1-5 “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. v2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; v3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; v4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; v5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)”
2Tim 2:24 “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.”
10. Longsuffering And Suffering
10.1 1Tim 1:16 “Howbeit for this cause (see v15) I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”
2Tim 1:12 “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
10.2 1Tim 4:10 “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”
2Tim 3:11-12 “Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. v12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
11. People Away From God And The Apostle
11.1 Away from God: 1Tim 1:20 “Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
2Tim 1:15 “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.”
11.2 1Tim 6:3-5 “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; v4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, v5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”
2Tim 4:3-4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; v4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
11.3 1Tim 6:21 “Which some professing have erred concerning the faith.”
2Tim 2:18 “Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.”
12. The Error And Snare Of The Devil
12.1 1Tim 3:6-7 “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. v7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
2Tim 2:25-26 “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; v26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
12.2 1Tim 4:1-2 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; v2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”
2Tim 3:1-5 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. v2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, v 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, v4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; v5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
12.3 Resisting the Truth 1Tim 4:3 “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”
2Tim 3:8-9 “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. v9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.”