Editing Saint Timothy (section)

==Pastoral Epistles==
{{main|First Epistle to Timothy|Second Epistle to Timothy}}
{{see also|Pastoral Epistles|Pauline epistles|Authorship of the Pauline epistles}}
There are two letters to Timothy attributed to [[Paul the Apostle]], the [[First Epistle to Timothy]] and the [[Second Epistle to Timothy]]. These – along with the [[Epistle to Titus]] – are called the [[Pastoral Epistles]], and are considered pseudepigraphic by some modern scholars, including [[Bart D. Ehrman|Bart Ehrman]], [[Raymond Collins (priest)|Raymond Collins]], and [[David Aune|David E. Aune]].<ref>[[Bart Ehrman|Ehrman, Bart]]. ''The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings''. Oxford University Press. 2003. p. 393 {{ISBN|0-19-515462-2}}<br>"when we come to the Pastoral epistles, there is greater scholarly unanimity. These three letters are widely regarded by scholars as non-Pauline."</ref><ref>Collins, Raymond F. ''1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: A Commentary''. Westminster John Knox Press. 2004. p. 4 {{ISBN|0-664-22247-1}}<br>"By the end of the twentieth century New Testament scholarship was virtually unanimous in affirming that the Pastoral Epistles were written some time after Paul's death. ... As always some scholars dissent from the consensus view."</ref><ref>David E. Aune, ed., ''The Blackwell Companion to the New Testament'' (Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010), 9: "While seven of the letters attributed to Paul are almost universally accepted as authentic (Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, Philemon), four are just as widely judged to be pseudepigraphal, i.e., written by unknown authors under Paul's name: Ephesians and the Pastorals (1 and 2 Timothy and Titus)."</ref>

===First Timothy (c. 62–64)===
The author of this epistle writes to Timothy concerning the organization of the church and Timothy's own leadership within the body. Major themes include the use of [[Torah|The Law]],<ref>{{Bibleref2|1Timothy|1:7–11}}</ref> warnings against [[heresy|false doctrine]] such as [[Encratites|Encratism]], instructions for prayer,<ref>{{Bibleref2|1Timothy|2:1–8}}</ref> roles of women in the church, qualifications for leaders of the church,<ref>{{Bibleref2|1Timothy|3:1–13}}</ref> and the treatment of widows, elders, masters, youth, and church members in general.<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Timothy|5:1–5:20|ESV}}</ref>

===Second Timothy (c. 62–64)===
According to the letter, Paul urges Timothy not to have a "spirit of timidity" and not to "be ashamed to testify about our Lord".<ref>{{Bibleref2|2 Timothy|1:7–8}}</ref> He also entreats Timothy to come to him before winter, and to bring Mark with him. Paul clearly anticipates his being put to death and realities beyond in his valedictory found in 2 Timothy 4:6–8.<ref>{{Bibleref2|2 Timothy| 4:6–8}}</ref> He exhorts his spiritual "son" Timothy to all diligence and steadfastness in the face of false teachings, with advice about combating them with reference to the teachings of the past, and to patience under persecution,<ref>{{Bibleref2|2 Timothy| 1:6–15}}</ref> and to a faithful discharge of all the duties of his office,<ref>{{Bibleref2|2 Timothy| 4:1–5}}</ref> with all the solemnity of one who was about to appear before the Judge of the quick and the dead (God).