240 linda l. belleville
internal support is also substantial. autobiographical comments and
personal references are numerous.90 typical Pauline expressions are
found.91 familiar Pauline themes are present: “Christ Jesus came into the
world to save sinners” (1 tim 1:15); “he [god] saved us, not because of the
righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (titus 3:5); “i
used to blaspheme the name of Christ; in my insolence, i persecuted his
people” (1 tim 1:13); “i am the worst [sinner] of them all” (1 tim 1:15); “the
god i serve with a clear conscience” (2 tim 1:3); “Jesus Christ... raised
from the dead” (2 tim 2:8).
despite early and significant support, language considered inconsis-
tent with a first-century Sitz im Leben is seen by many scholars today to
outweigh external and internal considerations: Εὐσέβεια (and cognates),92
νηφάλιος,93 τῇ ὑγιαινούσῃ διδασκαλίᾳ (commonly mistranslated and hence
misconstrued as the later idea of “sound doctrine”),94 ὑγιαίνοντας τῇ
πίστει,95 creedal statements introduced by Πιστὸς ὁ λόγος,96 ἐπιφάνεια,97
and τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν.98 those who do, argue that typical Pauline language
is an authenticating ploy of a third generation pseudonymous author or
an insertion by a Pauline disciple.
the key question is whether the distinctive language of these letters
is foreign to a first-century milieu. Νηφάλιος (“sober”) is a red-herring,
since the verb is found elsewhere in Paul and the adjective is common in
luke ends with Paul awaiting trial in rome. hence it is not merely the lack of further
post-prison ministry but the absence of the trial’s outcome that needs explanation. this
eliminates the use of acts in authenticating and dating the Pastorals.
90 for example, “i used to blaspheme the name of Christ. in my insolence, i persecuted
his people.” (1 tim 1:13); “the worst [sinner] of them all” (1 tim 1:15); “the god i serve with
a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did” (2 tim 1:3); “the time of my death is near” (2
tim 4:6). the letters also contain numerous personal references: “timothy, my son” (1 tim
1:18); “do your best to meet me at nicopolis” (titus 3:12); “how i was persecuted in antioch,
iconium, and lystra” (2 tim 3:11); “when you come, be sure to bring the coat i left with
Carpus at troas. also bring my books, and especially my papers” (2 tim 4:13).
91 see “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus” (1 tim 1:1; 2 tim 1:1; titus 1:1), “titus my true
son” (titus 1:4), “night and day i constantly remember you in my prayers” (2 tim 1:3),
“so never be ashamed to tell others about our lord. and don’t be ashamed of me, either,
even though i’m in prison for him [Christ]” (2 tim 1:8) and “Jesus Christ... raised from
the dead” (2 tim 2:8).
92 1 tim 2:2; 3:16; 4:7, 8; 5:4; 6:3, 5, 6, 11; 2 tim 3:5, 12; titus 1:1; 2:12.
93 1 tim 3:2 [2x]; 2 tim 4:5.
94 1 tim 1:10; 2 tim 1:13, 4:3; titus 1:9; 2:1.
95 titus 1:13; 2:2.
96 1 tim 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2 tim 2:11; titus 3:8.
97 2 tim 4:8; titus 2:13; 3:4.
98 1 tim 1:1; 2:3; titus 1:4; 2:10; 2:13; 3:4.