Paul's short letter to Titus has been called "a priceless and unrivalled manual of pastoral advice." It is a message that is timeless in its instruction, both to pastors and to the Church as a whole. In this instructional letter to Titus, Paul includes advice on dealing with many of the issues that Timothy was dealing with in Ephesus: false teaching, immoral living by church members, and for instruction in church governance including the selection, roles and responsibilities for deacons and elders.
During the period of Paul's freedom from AD 62 – 66, he traveled freely around the area in which he took his missionary journeys, continuing to preach the gospel to those he could. As he traveled, he left Titus in Crete (Titus 1:5), and from somewhere in Asia Minor wrote this letter around AD 63.
Philemon
Philemon was a wealthy owner of slaves in Colosse (Colossians 4:8-9). We know that he hosted a house church (Philemon 2) and was considered a friend and probably a convert of Paul (Philemon 19). The primary theme of Philemon is that of forgiveness. Paul, in this one letter, demonstrates his tact and grace in settling an issue between Christian brothers. His simple statement, "though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you" (Philemon 1:8-9) is enough to show how delicately Paul addressed difficult situations. Often, Paul pounded his fist and proclaimed the necessary action, but here, he shows his softer side.
Since Onesimus and Tychicus carried both this letter and the letter to Colossians from Paul, it is apparent they were written at the same time. As with all the "Prison Epistles" this letter was written during Paul's first imprisonment in Rome around AD 61.
Hebrews
In regard to the book of Hebrews, John Calvin wrote:
There is, indeed, no book in the Holy Scriptures which speaks so clearly of the priesthood of Christ, so highly exalts the virtue and dignity of that only true sacrifice which he offered by his death, so abundantly treats the use of ceremonies as well as of their abrogation, and, in a word, so fully explains that Christ is the end of the Law.
There is no clearer way to introduce the book of Hebrews. It is a book which describes the superiority of Christ; His superiority to the Mosaic priesthood; to the Melchizedekian priesthood; to the Mosaic sacrifices; to the Law in all its parts. Christ is the end of the Law.
Click on the link to read day 35: Titus 1:1-Hebrews 7:28
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