We have studied the letters of the apostle Paul to the Thessalonian believers and to three individuals, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. They occur together in sequence in our Bibles, but they cover a variety of theological and practical ground. We summarize them here in conclusion:

1 and 2 Thessalonians. Heralded by many as Paul’s first letters written (although some contend that Galatians holds this honor), these pack a significant amount of theology into a short space. Written during Paul’s second mission tour to the budding church and about twenty years after our Lord’s ascension, a key teaching dealt with the rapture and second coming of Christ.

1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. Paul’s letters to these two individual traveling companions, whom he delegated to specific geographical areas, came years later (probably between A.D. 64 and 66). Paul tells us his reason for writing, which would extend to all three of these so-called “pastoral” epistles:

I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. (1 Tim. 3:14–15)

However, the designation of “pastoral” epistles is misleading. Never is there a sense that Paul assigned or conferred on the recipients any official designation as “pastors” or “bishops” who exercised apostolic or ecclesiastical authority over the church. They were to simply convey Paul’s teachings. They might more aptly be called Paul’s understudies, disciples, delegates, or representatives.

We turn to these letters for church leadership teaching, and indeed much is written about elders, their qualifications, and their work. Timothy resided in Ephesus, where the church was well established, having enjoyed the lengthy ministry of Paul in person, along with the ministry of Apollos, Aquila, Priscilla, and Timothy. Titus, in contrast, was serving in Crete, where the young churches lacked biblical leadership. Christians for centuries have benefited from looking over the shoulders of Timothy and Titus, and applying the teaching found there to many leadership contexts, both in the church and outside.

Philemon. As we have most recently seen, this letter comprises, on one level, a prototype for making Christian behavioral change. But the more important message is about the transformation of human relationships resulting from redemption into the family of God.