1 Timothy

We now enter the "Pastoral Epistles." Paul is no longer writing to a crowd; he is writing to his young protégé, Timothy, whom he left in charge of the church in Ephesus. Ephesus was a chaotic city full of false teachers and pagan worship. Timothy was young, timid, and seemingly overwhelmed. Paul writes this letter as a "Church Management 101" handbook.

He gives detailed instructions on how to choose leaders (elders and deacons), urging Timothy to look for character over charisma. He tells him how to treat widows, how to guard the doctrine, and famously encourages him: "Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young." It is a manual on how to build a healthy institution. While this letter is practical and full of energy, the next letter is heartbreakingly different, written from a cold dungeon in 2 Timothy.