These letters have been dated all the way from A.D. 61 to 180, but were probably written between 110 and 140.
The unknown author of these epistles has Paul write from prison, and does his best to make it appear that Paul really wrote these letters to Timothy and Titus.
It seems likely that these three epistles were based on fragments of messages to Timothy and Titus, but fifty years later were rewritten by an admirer and follower of Paul.
Sound doctrine. “That you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies which promote speculations rather than the divine training that is in faith.” 1:3,4.
To save sinners. “The saying is sure…that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1:15.
Universal salvation. “Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2:4.
Christ as mediator. “There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all.” 2:5,6.
Restrictions on women. “I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to keep silent.” 2:12.
Family discipline. “For if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God’s church.” 3:5.
Qualification for deacons. “Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for gain; they mist hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” 3:8,9.
The falling away. “In the latter times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.” 4:1.
Plea for maturity. “Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths. Train yourselves in godliness.” 4:7.
Youthful rights. “Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” 4:12.
Attend to your gift. “Do not neglect the gift you have.” 4:14.
Family obligations. “If any one does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 5:8.
Female deportment. “They learn to be idlers, gadding about from house to house, and not only idlers but gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.” 5:13.
Advice to young widows. “So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, rule their households, and give the enemy no occasion to revile us.” 5:14.
About wine. “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.” 5:23.
Religious contentment. “There is great gain In godliness with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world; but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” 6:6-8.
Love of money. “For the love of money is the root of all evils.” 6:10.
Spiritual endowment. “God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control,” 1:7.
Life and immortality. “And now has manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 1:10.
Dedication. “No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him.” 2:4.
Skilled workmen. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2:15.
High aims. “Shun youthful passions and aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels,” 2:22,23.
The last days. “In the last days there will come times of stress. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, fierce, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people,” 3:1-5.
Persecution. “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 3:12.
Inspiration of scripture. “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 3:16, 17.
False teachers. “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate fbr themselves teachers to suit their own likings, md will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths.” 4:3,4.
The final reward. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 4:7.
Qualifications for elders. “Men who are blameless, married only once, whose children are believers and not open to the charge of being profligate or insubordinate.” 1:6.
Spiritual purity. “To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure; their very minds and consciences are corrupted.” 1:15.
The Christian life. “Bid the older men be temperate, serious, sensible, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Bid the older women likewise to be reverent in behavior, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be sensible, chaste, domestic, kind, and submissive to their husbands, that the word of God may not be discredited.” 2:2-5.
The civil life. “To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all men.” 3:2.
The reward. “So that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.” 3:7.