Bible Study audience interpretation

[yesha]

1Tim was addresses to Timothy, not to a church.
Does this fact play any role in the interpretation of such letters?

 

[cyberjosh]

I'm leaving a note to myself to come back and answer this when I get more time. Be back later.

 

[Drew]

1Tim was addresses to Timothy, not to a church.
Does this fact play any role in the interpretation of such letters?

I cannnot comment in respect to the letter of 1 Timothy, but I definitely believe that we should not simply treat letters from Paul as written "to us and us only accross the centuries". I am much more familiar with Romans than other letter from Paul. To me, it is clear that a knowledge of the specific historical situation in the church at Rome at the time should indeed inform the meaning that we ascribe to the letter.

And to give a specific example: I submit that Paul was centrally concerned in ensuring harmony in a Roman church that has both Jews and Gentiles. To the extent that this assertion is correct, it strengthens the case that, in Romans, Paul is not so much concerned with arguing against "justification by works" (since he in face endorses such a position in Romans 2). Instead he is concerned with redressing the Jewish tendency to believe that they (and therefore not the Gentiles) are members of God's family by birthright. Not so, says Paul, covenant membership is not according to the works of Torah that demarcate the Jew from the Gentile.

So I do think we have to know what was going on at the time. These were real letters written to real people in a real historical setting - they are not only for those of us who follow.

 

[cyberjosh]

Alright, my thougts on this are that although it is not personally addressed to a Church we see the counciling of one who is to lead a Church, and we see both what the leader is expected to do & what those to whom he teaches should do in submission to that godly authority. We also gain some very valuable theology from 1 & 2 Timothy. It is sound wisdom and advice. It may be that the commands specific to Timothy as a leader may not apply to you (since all believers, as Paul says, have different offices & callings) but the principles are always applicable, not to mention the majority of the Epistle not specific to Timothy (which involves general doctrine & instruction). Also at 1 Timothy 3:1 Paul says that if one desires to be a leader (an overseer), that he desires a good thing. Thus all the advice and commands given to Timothy are also good instruction to those who would aspire to the virtues of leadership in the Church. That's the purpose of the Pastoral Epistles (including Titus). So it can indeed speak to the Church, though it probably qualifies for those who are more mature in their walk, who have moved past the milk of the word, since Paul does not offer the basics of the faith, but sound advice and commands to a leader in the Church.

I hope that helps to answer your question.

God Bless,

~Josh