Overview
A letter from Paul to his co-worker Timothy, whom he had left in Ephesus. It warns against false teaching and gives instruction on the order of worship in the ekklesia (church), the qualifications of overseers and deacons, the care of widows and elders, and the right attitude toward wealth.
Theme Right order and sound teaching in the ekklesia, the household of God
Historical background
The letter is generally placed after the events of Acts, when Paul had been released and resumed his ministry. Ephesus was the chief city of the province of Asia and a centre of the worship of Artemis; within the ekklesia, teaching devoted to genealogies and myths had arisen. With 2 Timothy and Titus it is classified among the Pastoral Epistles.