2 Timothy & Titus

As one reads through 1 Timothy and Titus, a contemporary letter, it is obvious that Paul is free and moving about, engaged in evangelizing and strengthening churches. He has recently left Timothy in Ephesus (1 Tim 1:3) and he has been with Titus in Crete (1 Tim 1:5). In his letter he asks Titus to join him in Nicopolis (Tit. 3:12). Paul is happy and busy in the work of God.

But when one reads 2 Timothy all is changed. He is now a prisoner, expecting not a release but execution (2 Tim. 2:6). The shadow of death hangs over him , unlike his earlier Roman imprisonment when he expected release (Philemon 22).

Paul is in Rome now (2 Tim. 1:17) but has recently been in Troas where he left his coat and books (2 Tim. 4:13). He may have been arrested and taken away quickly with no time to gather his personal belongings. Earlier he left Trophimus sick in Miletus and had left Erastus in Corinth(2 Tim. 4:20).

Others question the authorship on the basis of linguistic style or doctrinal approach. But a writer may use a very different vocabulary and writing style depending on his subject matter. A university professor will use very different styles in writing a scholarly dissertation or in penning an intimate letter to a family member. Paul claims to be the author (1 Tim. 1:1; 2 Tim. 1:1) and there is no convincing reason to doubt this. If the work is inspired of God, would there be deception and fraud? No, these letters carry the stamp of divine inspiration and approval. The reader today can study them diligently with confidence that they came from the hand of Paul. Through the centuries they have blessed and inspired the readers to live wholeheartedly for God.

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Daniel L. Norbie is a Bible teacher and author now living in Colorado. While attending high school in Tucson,Arizona, he was led to Christ by T.B. Gilbert in 1938 and began to fellowship with the Bible Chapel there.

After spending several years in the Navy during World War II he returned to college. Since 1949, when he received a Master of Arts degree from Wheaton College, he and his wife Marie have been active in Bible teaching and evangelism.