Explore the content and major themes of 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus with New Testament Professor Kenneth Waters Sr. You’ll examine the doctrine of salvation, learn the difference between “imminent” and “immanent” eschatology, gain background information on Timothy and Titus, and see the bigger picture of where and how these letters fit in with the rest of Paul’s journeys and our own spiritual formation. Dr. Waters also looks at the controversies that surround the interpretation of these texts. You’ll gain new insight into Paul’s remarks about slavery and the roles of women in the church.
“‘Tell the older men to be temperate, serious, prudent, and sound in faith, in love, and endurance. Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in behavior … so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, chaste.… Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.’” (source)
“Paul would have found the ‘childbearing’ metaphor very convenient for an Ephesian congregation. Ephesus was the worship center of Artemis, the goddess of childbirth. Birth metaphors in that culture were as common as sports metaphors in American culture.” (source)
“Titus was able to succeed where Timothy failed, and one reason for that is because Titus was one of them. Titus was also a Corinthian. He spoke their language, of course, and he knew their culture, and he was able to assist Paul the apostle even more effectively than Timothy did in effecting reconciliation and healing between the apostle and that congregation.” (source)
“He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately.’” (source)
“as Gentile believers in Jesus Christ, they were former pagans—former pagans having a pagan heritage and background.” (source)