Letters to Pastors
Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus on sound teaching, qualified leaders, godly living, and faithfulness to the gospel to the end.
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Sign in to start- 11 Timothy 1: Sound Doctrine and the Mercy Shown to Paul
Paul urges Timothy to stay in Ephesus and stop false teachers who misuse the Law. He gives thanks that Christ came to save sinners, counting himself the worst of them, and charges Timothy to fight the good fight with faith.
- 21 Timothy 2: Prayer for All People and Order in Worship
Paul urges prayers for all people, including rulers, since God desires all to be saved and Christ Jesus alone stands between God and people, having given himself to ransom them. He instructs men to pray without anger and women to dress modestly, and addresses teaching and authority in the church.
- 31 Timothy 3: Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons
Paul lists the qualifications for overseers and deacons, emphasizing character, self-control, faithful family leadership, and sound faith. He explains that the church upholds and supports the truth and summarizes the great mystery of godliness revealed in Christ.
- 41 Timothy 4: False Teaching and Training in Godliness
Paul warns that some will depart from the faith, forbidding marriage and certain foods that God made to be enjoyed with thanks. He urges Timothy to train himself in godliness, set an example despite his youth, and devote himself to Scripture and teaching.
- 51 Timothy 5: Caring for Widows and Honoring Elders
Paul instructs Timothy on treating church members as family, on which widows the church should support, and on the responsibility of families to care for their own. Elders who lead well deserve double honor, and accusations against them require witnesses.
- 61 Timothy 6: Contentment and the Good Confession
Paul addresses slaves and warns against false teachers who treat religion as a way to get rich. True gain is godliness joined with contentment, while craving money leads into many evils. He charges Timothy to fight the good fight and instructs the rich to be generous.
- 72 Timothy 1: Not Ashamed of the Gospel
Paul thanks God for Timothy's sincere faith and urges him to rekindle God's gift, since God gave a spirit of power and love, not fear. God saved and called believers by his purpose and grace in Christ before time began, so Timothy must protect the gospel entrusted to him.
- 82 Timothy 2: A Good Soldier and an Approved Worker
Paul urges Timothy to be strong in grace and pass on what he learned, enduring hardship like a soldier, athlete, and farmer. He is to handle the word of truth rightly, avoid quarrels and false teaching, flee youthful passions, and gently correct opponents.
- 92 Timothy 3: The Last Days and the God-Breathed Scriptures
Paul warns that the last days will bring people who love themselves and money and have a form of godliness without its power. Timothy should continue in what he has learned, since every part of Scripture comes from God and fully equips believers for good works.
- 102 Timothy 4: Preach the Word
Paul solemnly charges Timothy to preach the word whether or not the time seems right, since people will turn to teachers who suit their desires. Facing death, Paul says he has finished his course faithfully, and asks Timothy to come to him quickly.
- 11Titus 1: Qualified Elders and False Teachers
Paul greets Titus and charges him to appoint elders in every town on Crete who are blameless, self-controlled, and hold firmly to sound teaching. Such leaders are needed to refute the many empty talkers and deceivers who profess to know God but deny him by their works.
- 12Titus 2: Sound Doctrine and the Grace That Trains
Paul tells Titus to teach what fits sound doctrine, with instructions for older men and women, younger women and men, and slaves. The grace of God that brings salvation trains believers to renounce ungodliness while they wait for the appearing of Jesus Christ.
- 13Titus 3: Saved by Mercy for Good Works
Believers should be submissive to rulers and gentle toward all, remembering they were once foolish and enslaved. God saved them not by their works but by his mercy, cleansing them through new birth and the Spirit's renewing work, so they should devote themselves to good works.