Introduction
Paul letters in the Bible was always the subject of controversy until out present days; theological and historical reasons contribute to this controversy and made Paul letters on if the most interest subjects someone could write about it.
Paul wrote 14 letters in the NT. Most of the scholars agree on 7 of the letters were authentic, 6 were forged and the letter to Hebrew still hanging between neither teams.
The letters approved as authentic are Romans, 1+2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon.
The letters scholars agree on them as forgeries are 1+2 timothy, Titus, Ephesians, Colossians and 2 Thessalonians.
The letter that still subject of debate between both teams is the letter to the Hebrew which I will talk about it with more length because it’s such very controversial case.
I would like to explain the meaning of most of scholars agrees or most of scholars don’t agree, because somebody will argue that not all scholars agree that the letter to Titus is forgery.
It’s theoretical which means that most of people who agree that one of the letters is forged able to provide more evidence to support their claim facing the other team.
Now of course we have some people that they deeply devoted to the Bible and their faith that they believe all the content of the OT and NT is the word of God and it’s authentic.
One of this people told me one time that not only the people who wrote the book of the Bible done that directed by the Holy Spirit, but even people print the Bible were directed and supported by the Holy Spirit.
The same person although didn’t give any explanation for all kind of printing errors in the new editions of the Bible that contain change in the word and correct translation errors.
The Pastoral letters
Three letters were grouped together since the eighteen century under the name Pastoral letters which include 1+2 Timothy and Titus.
The letters have similarities but at the same time they have distinct purposes different from Paul authentic letters, which made most of scholars consider them forgeries under the name of Paul.
I will give summary about each letter then at the end give brief explanation about its key points that made them similar to each other but distinct from Paul authentic letters.
1Timothy
- written to colleague of Paul name Timothy as he appointed as leader for the church of Ephesus.
1Tim 1:2, 3
- Warning from false teachers and their teachings as they are strict on marriage and they promote certain dietary restrictions.
1Tim 4:3
- The characters and conditions should be available for whoever appointed as church leaders and other different rankings.
1Tim 3:1-13
- Instructions related to women in the church and in their life which include dress modestly, elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes is forbidden, learn in quietness and full submission and they are not allow to teach.
1Tim 2:9-12
- The way to women salvation is through childbearing.
1Tim 2:15
- Slaves should be submissive to their masters so they don’t slandered God name and teaching.
1Tim 6:1
2Timothy
- Very personalized as the use of terms and remind Timothy of his family members who accept the faith.
2Tim 1:2, 5
- written from prison or this is the conclusion of some scholars, but he mention that Luke was with him and he ask Timothy to bring Mark with him and some of his personal items.
I have to oppose this as it’s not mentioned directly in 2Tim but it might be concluded from Acts or Romans although I didn’t read any references in both letters that Luke was with Paul in jail.
The other point of my objection is to bring Mark because he is helpful in the ministry!!!
Paul supposes waiting on another trail but was he waiting in Jail or outside?
Just for me the Luke and Mark issue make the point of Paul in jail is not clear for me.
2Tim 4:11, 16
- Paul have sever opposition from some people he named them by Phygelus, Hermogenes, Hymenaeus and Philetus.
2Tim 1:15
Titus
- It was written to other companion of Paul who is appointed as Pastor for the churches of Crete Island.
Titus 1:4
- The characters should be available in the elders appointed as head of the different churches in the cities of Crete.
Titus 1:5-9, 2:1
- Commandments for women to obey their husband, self-controlled and pure.
Titus 2:4-5
- Commandments for the slaves to obey their masters
Titus 2:9-10
The evidence on the forgery
(1)The opening
1Tim 1:1-2
(1)Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
(2)To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Tim 1:1-2
(1) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
(2) To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
The similarity in the opening of both letters is very clear as I mark it with different color.
Titus 1:4
To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
The same terminology used although in part of Titus as I mark it to show the very common verbal connection and similarity.
Another key point here that this opening was never used in any of what suppose to be Paul authentic letters.
(2)Copyist or the same author
Verbal agreement as too many words and phrases is common and not found in any of what suppose to be authentic letters written by Paul.
(3)What does the word faith mean to Paul?
The word faith was very important to Paul as concept. If we read his letters to Romans and Galatians, we will find the concept of faith mean to Paul the trust in Christ.
If we read Titus 1:13-16, we would find the meaning of faith is the teaching of the Christian faith or I would be more accurate, the teachings according to Paul concept.
(4)The similarities
We will find the pastoral letters sharing very similar ideas but at the same time contradicted with another ideas in what they call it Paul authentic letters.
The Women submission and lifestyle, the obedience of slaves to their masters, the moral cod for the overseers and deacons are all common between the Pastoral letters.
(5)The dissimilarities
The term [work of law] which means by Paul concept doing the requirement of the Jewish law, starting with circumcised and not ending with the Kosher although this is stand odd in the pastoral letters as its mean good feeds to people.
Paul stress before that the only way to salvation believes in the death and resurrection of Jesus and although he contradict himself in several location in his letters, je didn’t mention the resurrection in the pastoral letters (1Tim 6:18-19, Gal 3:11, 2Tim 1:9).
We could take the idea of marriage as the pastoral letters handle it different from other what suppose to be authentic letters for Paul.
1 Corn 7:8,38 stand odd with 1Tim 3:2-3 in the marriage idea and to make the matters worst as Paul describe who forbidden marriage as following deceiving spirits and things taught by demons (1Tim 4:1-3).
Paul thinks that he was living at the very end of the time, even he thought that he will be alive when Jesus returns from heaven (1Thess 4:14-18).
If we toke the 1+2 letter to the Corinthians as Paul address several problems, he appeal to the church as whole and individuals. Paul didn’t write to the Church leaders because they didn’t exist.
The pastoral letters telling different facts about the church structure as describing church leaders (bishops, deacons) in hierarchy form, structure and organization.
Paul was sure of the very short time between the Jesus resurrection and his return from the heaven and this why he didn’t appoint such complicated structure for the church as the one we read in the pastoral letters.
I found one reference in (Acts 14:23) related to the structure of the church in Paul time as hel and Barnabas appointed only Pastors for the churches in the cities they are passing by it.
Finally, the false teaching that pastoral letters talking about such as forbidding marriage didn’t belong to Paul time, it look more belong to Gnostic teaching and the same for the genealogical and mythological teaching promoted.
Textual Criticism
(1) The savior
Paul mention in 1Tim 1:1 that God is the savior but this contradict what he said in 1Tim 1:15 that Jesus is the savior.
(2) Does the sinners will ever be saved?
According to 1Tim 1:15 the answer will be yes although this contradict with 2 Thess 1:8 as they will be punished
(3) The mediator
1Tim 2:5 (For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus)
- The Trinity would say God, Father and the Holy Spirit but nothing there about mediator.
- Does people need mediator between them and God?
- The Gospel according to Mathew 6:6 said (But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you).
The connection here between the mankind and God with no need for mediator?
- Jesus was crucified against his will as he was driven to the crucifixion location by force not by his choice. He even prays for God in the Garden to save him and pass the cup to somebody else.
- OT didn’t mention or talk about any mediator between God and people.
(4) The Gospel of Paul
2Tim 2:8 (Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel)
- How the church accepts Paul letters in the NT but we don’t see anything related to his Gospel?
- Jesus himself denies that he was descended of David in the Gospel according to Mathew 22:41-46 so who we should believe; Jesus or Paul?
(5) Paul the servant but for whom?
Titus 1:1 Paul said that he is servant for God and apostle for Jesus Christ but this contradict Romans 1:1 as he said) he is servant for Christ Jesus).
This will bring another issue related to the mediator in 1Tim 2:5; it will raise the question about Paul being servant for mediator.
Final word
I wrote in this subject about the Pastoral letters written by Paul in the NT, it’s 1+2 Timothy and Titus.
I try to be inclusive to cover the issue from all angels, to explain why scholars think it’s forged and I asses some textual criticism from my own point of view.
In the next subject, I will write about the remaining of the letters that scholars think its forgery by the name of Paul except the letter to the Hebrews which I will talk about it in separate subject.
End
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