Geoff Hudson

I understand that Titus is the Latin form of the Greek for Timothy. Titus was born in CE 39, being two years younger than Nero who was the same age as Josephus (imo Paul).

In CE 49, Agrippina, Claudius’ wife had Seneca recalled from exile and appointed tutor to her son Nero, then aged 12. Titus also had a palace education along with Brittanicus Claudius’ son by his former marriage to Messalina who was executed in CE48. Brittanicus was two years younger than Titus. Under Nero, in CE 55 when Titus was 16, his close friend Britannicus died (probably by poisoning).

When Claudius died in CE 54. Nero was made emperor at the age of 17. Seneca administered the affairs of Nero, in partnership with Burrus, the praetorian. Titus, if not directly under Seneca’s tutelage, must have known the philosopher very well, have been heavily influenced by him, and was probably taught by him.

The young Josephus (Paul) first came to Rome at the age of 16 in CE 53 while Claudius was still emperor. He had gone to hear the message of the Spirit being preached by James who had fled to Rome seven years earlier when the church was being persecuted. This was the time when the editor of Josephus would like us to believe the young Josephus (Paul) was in the desert (Life 2) (a time echoed by the editor of Galations which has Paul going into Arabia, Gal.2.17). With his pedigree and intelligence, it would not have taken long for Josephus (Paul) to penetrate the Roman establishment and befriend Titus, his future captor and saviour, especially when armed with the new philosophy of the Spirit learned from James – a philosophy that would almost certainly be attractive Seneca.

Geoff

Greg2003

This is fascinating. Can you provide some sources connecting Titus to Seneca? Also, what is your basis for claiming Paul is Josephus? This doesn't seem plausible to me. Please explain and/or cite some sources for this.

CX

Actually, I'd like to see an entire thread outlining and defending the thesis that Paul = Josephus.

Greg2003

Agreed!

Egoinos

Hey CX,

Thats just my trouble. I had to present the view that Colossians & Philemon were both pseudopigraphical (which is what I assume you mean, rather than "epigraphical", btw) for a class once. I found it difficult to find any sustained treatment of the issue from either side.

As you pointed out in your other post, "Udo Schnelle offers only one sentence on the authorship of Philemon", which i found to be the norm in all the books I read. The authorship was dealt with in a couple of sentences at the most, making presenting on that topic rather hard.

IIRC I relied on Eduard Schweiser for my information, due to this lack. It was evident to all of us that Philemon & Colossians need more modern scholarship in general, and specifically on authorship.

The two epistles refer to the same people (eg Epaphras is mentioned in Coloss 1:7; 4:12 and in Philemon 1:23) as well as Archippus who is mentioned in Coloss 4:17 and Philemon 1:2:

(Coloss 4:17) And say to Archippus, "See that you fulfil the ministry which you have received in the Lord."

(Philemon 1:1-2) Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house

As well as Onesimus who is the subject of Paul's letter to Philemon:

(Philemon 1:10) I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment.

(Colossians 4:8-9) I have sent him [Tychicus] to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

As Philemon is addressed to one of the same people who is also addressed in Colossians, and as the subject of Philemon is described as one of the people at Colossae, it seems quite clear that the two epistles are related, and quite possibly that Philemon was a member of the church at Colossae.