The New International Encyclopædia/Pastoral Epistles

PASTORAL EPISTLES. A sub-group in the collection of New Testament letters which in their several addresses claim to have been written by the Apostle Paul. They comprise the following three writings: I. Timothy, II. Timothy, and Titus. They are called Pastoral because of the rather unusual character of their contents, as compared with the Apostle's other letters, being addressed to helpers of the Apostle, whom he had left in pastoral care of certain fields, and whom he wished in these communications to instruct regarding the duties involved in their charges. See the articles on the individual Epistles.