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
Xxx
Most quotable bits
2 Timothy 2: 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
Most “wtaf” bit(s)
!! Paul and his entirely rational response to female sexual desire
2 Timothy 3: 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
What it reminds me of (books/plays/jokes etc)
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Further reading
Xx
Chapter 1
2 Timothy 1: 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1: 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
“Abolished death”? Yeah, nah
2 Timothy 1: 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
Chapter 2
“Strive not”
2 Timothy 2: 14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
Good advice
2 Timothy 2: 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
2 Timothy 2: 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
No fun!
2 Timothy 2: 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Chapter 3
As per Abba – On and On and On
2 Timothy 3: 1-2 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
!! Paul and his entirely rational response to female sexual desire
2 Timothy 3: 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
Poetic (also, Trump and Miller)
2 Timothy 3: 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Chapter 4
The Quick and the Dead!
2 Timothy 4: 1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Timothy 4: 3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
“I’m outa here”!
2 Timothy 4: 6-7 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Word cloke (archaic spelling of cloak)
2 Timothy 4: 13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
Poetic!
2 Timothy 4: 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
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