The three pastoral letters or epistles are books of the canonical New Testament: the First Epistle to Timothy (1 Timothy) the Second Epistle to Timothy (2 Timothy) and the Epistle to Titus. They are letters from Paul the Apostle to Timothy and to Titus. They are generally discussed as a group (sometimes with the addition of the Epistle to Philemon) and are given the title pastoral because they are addressed to individuals with pastoral oversight of churches and discuss issues of Christian living, doctrine and leadership. While the title is not technically quite correct in that the Epistles do not deal with pastoral duties in the sense of the cure of souls, yet it is popularly appropriate as denoting the essentially practical nature of the subject matter as distinguished from the other Epistles attributed to Paul. The term "pastorals" was popularised in 1703 by D. N. Berdot and in 1726 by Paul Anton.

1 Timothy 2:2 For Kings

1 Timothy 2:2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
In 1 Timothy 2:1 Paul urges prayer for all sorts of people. In this second verse of the chapter Paul tells us two things more. Firstly, among the all sorts of people that Paul wants the believers to pray for are kings and all those in authority. The first term is pretty specific and no doubt speaks of the Emperor but the second is not and so would include Queens, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Ministers of State, MPs, Peers, Senators, Congressmen, Judges, Magistrates, Local councillors, etc, etc. Anyone who has any influence or power over people, however small it may be, is someone we can and ought to pray for. Secondly, the thing to pray for us is that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. We are to pray primarily for believers. We are to pray primarily for peaceful and quiet lives for them. The goal of this request is godliness and holiness. That is Paul's concern. He knows, of course, that godliness and holiness can flourish when there is no peace and no quiet but the order is to ask first for leaders to promote peace and quiet for believers. Members and ministers, the ministers taking the lead, should pray like this. We sometimes forget what an impact for good those in power have.
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