The purpose of this research is to examine Paul's views about the practice and theology of ministry, taking as a point of departure his injunction at 2 Timothy 4.1-5. The plan of the research will be to review Paul's comments in 2 Tim. 4 and then to discuss how they relate to the overall pattern of Paul's vision for the form and content that he believes the Christian ministry ought to take.
In 2 Timothy Paul focuses less on the content of appropriate Christian doctrine, which can be found in the gospels and which dominates, for example, Paul's own letters to the Corinthians, and more on the continuity of the Christian witness for the future, which is to be the concern of the guardians of doctrine, the priestly class. Just as the synoptic gospels close with Jesus adjuring his disciples to spread his teachings throughout the world, so do the letters addressed to Timothy and Titus deal with pastoral issues that affect the shape of the priesthood and the behavior and style of belief that must mark a member of the nascent clergy. Contrast that with letters written to various communities of faith--e.g., Corinthians, Hebrews, Romans, etc.--which contain instructions on points of doctrine and how Christians as a group are meant to relate to God, faith, and one another. That is not to say that 2 Timothy has no references to the content of the faith or to Paul's authority in such matters; indeed, at 2 Tim. 2.8, Paul mentions Jesus Christ's royal lineage and the Resurrection, and 2 Tim 4.1 calls forth the image of the last judgment. Such references reinforce the importance of the content of the faith. Still, the overarching purpose of the letter seems to be to emphasize pastoral and ministerial features of the Christian experience, including systematic study of scripture and tradition, in the project of spreading the Word.
Adherence to the faith is undoubtedly essential for all Christians, but especially essential for the pastorate is adher...