The Bible in a Nutshell XX: 1 Timothy 2 Timothy, & Titus

If you've enjoyed this series on the books of the bible, then you also enjoy The One Year Bible. Now continue with our look at the apostolic epistles.

Timothy

First mentioned in the book of acts, Timothy is a young, half-Jewish, half-Greek man who was converted to Christianity and joined Paul on his missionary trip to Macedonia. While Timothy was leading the church in Ephesus, Paul wrote a letter back advising on leadership and worship in the church. From the way in which Paul wrote the letter, it can be inferred that the church was in a state of disarray and the chaos was becoming too much for Timothy to handle. Paul addressed false teachers who seemed to be teaching the same false gospel as was being taught in Colosse. Concerning church management, Paul told them that leaders were to be prayerful and not given to anger, and additionally that women were to dress modestly to avoid becoming a distraction to those trying to worship. Then, Paul described to Timothy how to pick out deacons and elders to assist in the management of the church. Paul ends the letter by encouraging Timothy to remain persistent in his leadership of the Ephesians.

2 Timothy

2 Timothy is recognized as the last letter Paul wrote before being executed a few months later in the spring of 68. Paul saw that his death was approaching and as such, his focus shifted somewhat. Timothy was preparing to visit soon, but Paul wrote the letter to urge him to visit as soon as possible. He encouraged Timothy to continue to endure even in hard times. This was during the strongest time of persecution for Christians, prompting Paul remind Timothy that Jesus had said worse days would come. It is unknown whether Timothy made it to Paul or not. Since Paul was a Roman citizen he was executed by beheading.

Titus