PASTORAL EPISTLES — A common designation for the Pauline epistles 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. In the 17th century they were also called "pontifical" (C. Magalai-nus), a term justified by their destination to the pastors of Churches and by their content (cf. the Muratorian Fragment, in Enchiridion Biblicum, Rome 1927, no. 4; Tertullian, Adv. Marc., V, 21; PL 2, 556).
In these epistles the community appears only indirectly, as the writer addresses himself directly to the leaders to instruct them on the duties of their office: the selection of ministers, the example of holy life, and the defense of sound doctrine. The community, however, must become acquainted with the contents of these letters through those by whom Paul exercises his superior authority as Apostle (1 Tim. 2:1 ff.; 4:12; 6:3 ff., 21; Tit. 2:1 ff.; 3:15; 2 Tim. 4:22).
Both the language and style contribute to distinguishing the Pastoral Epistles from the group of Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, and Galatians, as well as from the captivity epistles, to which, however, they are closer in time and circumstances of composition, as well as in the defense of Christianity against the first attacks of false gnosis. In the Pastoral Epistles it is difficult to discern a plan: teachings, exhortations, and polemical points often follow one another without evident connection. Together with Philemon, they are the most familiar of the letters of St. Paul and the furthest removed from the literary character of the "epistle" genre.