Fifteen years ago I read the Old Testament (King James Version) and blogged it as I went. I always meant to keep on trucking, but, well, I didn’t.
Now, in January and February of 2026 I am going to read all 27 books of the New Testament (I have a passing familiarity with the Gospels, thanks to secondary school, and I did read the Book of Revelations at some point (fever dream, innit?)
The plan is to read at most ten pages a day, with rest days more frequent than old “1-in-7” for the Gospels through Romans, but then, because it all gets somewhat shorter, one a day for most of February.
Crucially, am blogging as I go.
Oh, and I am going to read Gore Vidal’s 1992 “Live from Golgotha” as soon as I am done with John…
Summary:
The pastoral epistles are a group of three books of the canonical New Testament: the First Epistle to Timothy (1 Timothy), the Second Epistle to Timothy (2 Timothy), and the Epistle to Titus. They are presented as letters from Paul the Apostle to Timothy and to Titus. However, many scholars believe they were written after Paul’s death. They are generally discussed as a group and are given the title pastoral because they are addressed to individuals with pastoral oversight of churches and discuss issues of Christian living, doctrine and leadership. The term “pastorals” was popularized in 1703 by D. N. Berdot and in 1726 by Paul Anton.[1] Alternate nomenclature for the cluster of three letters has been proposed: “Corpus Pastorale,” meant to highlight the intentional forgery of the letters as a three-part corpus,[2] and “Letters to Timothy and Titus,” meant to emphasize the individuality of the letters.[3]
Historical – when written, by whom
See previous
Most poetic bits
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Most quotable bits
1 Timothy 5: 11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
1 Timothy 6: 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
Most “wtaf” bit(s)
1 Timothy 2: 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
What it reminds me of (books/plays/jokes etc)
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Further reading
Xx
Chapter 1
1 Timothy 1: 4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
Quotable – vain jangling
1 Timothy 1: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
1 Timothy 1: 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
Chapter 2
Sumptuary laws, control of womens’ bodies
1 Timothy 2: 9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
Wow
1 Timothy 2: 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
1 Timothy 2: 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1 Timothy 2: 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
Chapter 3
Can bash the bishops
1 Timothy 3: 2-4 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
?
1 Timothy 3: 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Chapter 4
There will be liars
1 Timothy 4: 1-2 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Kill the vegans
1 Timothy 4: 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
Don’t bother with the gym
1 Timothy 4: 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
Set an example!
1 Timothy 4: 12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Chapter 5
No merry widows (they’re currently not a man’s property)
1 Timothy 5: 6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
“Wax wanton” = getting laid?
1 Timothy 5: 11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
Ladies who lunch
1 Timothy 5: 13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
Of course, Satan
1 Timothy 5: 15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
PUBLIC dressings down required
1 Timothy 5: 20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
Wine over water
1 Timothy 5: 23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
Chapter 6
Academia
1 Timothy 6: 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
Still academia
1 Timothy 6: 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
Come from nothing, go to nothing (as per bright side of life)
1 Timothy 6: 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
Lusts, perdition
1 Timothy 6: 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Love of money
1 Timothy 6: 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Good foundations
1 Timothy 6: 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Vs science (NB VERY different meaning at beginning of 17th century)
1 Timothy 6: 20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
marchudson.net 
Leave a comment