PAUL'S LETTERS TO INDIVIDUALS

Paul and people: Paul's letters followed a basic pattern. First, he presented his personal concerns and greetings. Then he taught spiritual truth. Then he taught application of that truth. He concluded with personal comments. Paul's commitment to God's truth was equaled by his concern for people. He would give the truth ... then teach them to live the truth. Even in Romans, his most formal and doctrinal letter, he devoted an entire chapter (16) to personal greetings and concern. Paul was committed to the three things in life that will last forever . . . God, God's Word, and people. The four letters described in this section are particularly committed to his concern for four men Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and Philemon's runaway slave Onesimus.

1 Timothy - Paul wrote to Timothy as his "true child in the faith". Timothy was the son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother and was associated with Paul from the second missionary journey. Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to oversee the ministry there. This letter was written in the early 60's AD after Paul's first Roman imprisonment. Paul instructed and encouraged Timothy to be a good leader. Many subjects are covered . . . prayer, women in the church, leaders, dangers and defenses, the older men and women, widows, elders, masters and slaves, false teachers, and money. Paul exhorted Timothy to "fight the good fight of faith".

2 Timothy - Paul wrote this final letter in the mid to late 60's AD from his second imprisonment in Rome. He wrote it shortly before his death. This is an extremely personal letter from Paul to his "beloved son" Timothy.

Paul encouraged Timothy to be strong . . . to not to be ashamed . . . to minister faithfully . . . to stand true in the coming apostasy. . to do the work of an evangelist . . . and to fulfill his ministry.

TITUS - Paul wrote to Titus, his "true child in a common faith", in the mid-60's AD after Paul's first Roman imprisonment. He left Titus in Crete to ''set in order what remains" and to ''appoint elders in every city".  Paul encouraged Titus to carry out that task. Paul taught Titus about elders ... about rebellious, empty talking, deceiving men ... and about older men, older women, younger men, younger women, and slaves. He wrote about subjection to governments, consideration for all men, false teachers, and salvation producing a people zealous for good works.

PHILEMON - Paul wrote this letter in the early 60's AD during his first Roman imprisonment. It is Paul's personal plea to his friend Philemon in Colossae. The slave Onesimus had run away from his master Philemon. Onesimus came to faith in Christ through Paul's ministry while Paul was in prison in Rome. Paul sent the new believer back to his master with this personal plea for forgiveness of the slave who had become a beloved brother. Paul offered to repay anything that Onesimus owed.

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THE NEW TESTAMENT 12    PAGES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
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