Pastoral Letters of Paul

Apostle Paul’s letters to Timothy & Titus are classified as Paul’s Pastoral Letters. We see an ageing Paul in captivity facing execution, passing the baton to Timothy & Titus. He wanted them to continue the good work, with complete Faith in Lord Jesus Christ & the Hope of eternal life. He counseled the young man on matters of church leadership—from proper worship, to qualifications for overseers (elders) and deacons. Another Epistle of Paul to Philemon is about reconciliation & relationships between Christians. Here’s a snap shot of my insights in to these Epistles.

இரக்கமுள்ள கடவுள், கிறிஸ்து இயேசுவை நம்புவோர்க்கு கிருபையையும், விசுவாசத்தையும், அன்பையும் அளவின்றி வழங்குகிறார்

Merciful God pours out his Grace, Faith & Love to all who believe in Christ Jesus

1 Timothy 1:12-17

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. ¹³ Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners —of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

கிறிஸ்துவின் மக்கள் அனைவருக்காகவும் மன்றாடவும், ஜெபிக்கவும், பரிந்து பேசவும், நன்றி செலுத்தவும் வேண்டும்

Christ’s People should petition, pray, intercede & give thanks for all people

1 Timothy 2:1-5

¹ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,

கடவுள் மீதான விசுவாசத்தை காப்பவராகவுகம், அவர்தம் குடும்பத்தைப் பேணுபவராகவும், அனைவராலும் ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளப்படுபவராகவும் இருப்பதே முதன்மை; திருச்சபைப் பணி இவற்றிற்கு பின்பே.

Holding on to Faith (God), Taking Care of his/her Family & being above reproach (acceptable) comes first; Ministry is after these

1 Timothy 3:1-10

1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of
money. 4 He must manage his own family
well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons

கடவுள் கொடுத்த திறமைகள் பயன்ப்படுத்தப்பட்டு பிறறை கிறிஸ்துவின் அன்பிற்குள்ளாகவும் விசுவாசத்திற்குள்ளாகவும் ஈர்க்க வேண்டும்

God given talent must be practiced and inspire others towards Christ’s love & faith

1 Timothy 4:12-14

¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴
Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

மூப்பர்களின் ஆலோசனை திருச்சபைக்கு ஆசீர்வாதம்

The counsel of the Elders is a Blessing to the Church

1 Timothy 5:17-20

¹⁷ The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” ¹⁹ Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. ²⁰ But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.

Contentment helps in living right
சரியான வாழ்க்கை வாழ மனநிறைவு உதவும்

1 Timothy 6:6-11
⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. ¹¹ But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

பரிசுத்த ஆவியானவர் கிறிஸ்துவின் ஆற்றலாலும் அன்பினாலும் நம்மை நிர்ப்புவார்
The Spirit of God fills us with Christ’s Power and Love

2 Timothy 1:7-9

⁷For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. ⁸So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. ⁹He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

கடவுளின் அருட்பணியாற்ற நாம் நம்மை தூய்மைப்படுத்திக் கொள்ள வேண்டும்

We have cleanse ourselves to do God’s Mission

2 Timothy 2:20-21

²⁰ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. ²¹ Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work

கடவுளின் ஆவியே திருமறை அது நம்மை நீதியின் வழிகளில் நடத்துக்கிறது

Scripture is God’s breath that leads us in righteousness

2 Timothy 3:16-17

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

இயேசு கிறிஸ்துவே மெய்யானவர், அவர் நம்மை நித்திய வாழ்விற்கு இறைப்பற்றின் வழியில் நடத்துக்கிறார்.

Jesus Christ is the truth, who leads us in godliness to eternal life

Titus 1:1-3
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness — 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,

கிறிஸ்தவ போதனை நலம்தருவதாக இருக்கவேண்டும் மேலும் நாணயத்தோடும் கண்ணியத்தோடும் கற்றுக்கொடுக்கப்படவேண்டும்.

Christian teaching should be Sound and taught with integrity & dignity

Titus 2:1, 7-8
¹ But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine

⁷ Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, ⁸ and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

நாம் கடவுளின் பார்வையில் நேர்மையானவர்களாக காணப்படுகிறோம், ஏனெனில் அவர் கிருபையாய், நம்மை கிறிஸ்துவின் மூலம் புதுப்பித்தார்.

We are made righteous in God’s sight, because He was Gracious and He generously renewed us through Christ

Titus 3:4-8
⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

கிறிஸ்துவின் அன்பில் கட்டப்பட்ட உறவுகள், மிகுந்த மகிழ்ச்சியையும் ஊக்கத்தையும் தரும்

Relationships built on Christ’s Love brings great Joy & encouragement

Philemon 1:7

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.