After the book of Acts ended Paul was released from his house arrest in Rome and resumed his travels. He retraced his steps through Asia and Macedonia, but left Timothy to lead the church in Ephesus. While Paul was in Macedonia, he wrote this letter to Timothy in Ephesus to encourage him to be a strong leader even though he was young and was being challenged by older men in the community. Paul told Timothy to not let the older men spread their heresy and to counteract that heresy by teaching the true gospel with boldness; teaching the people how they should live according to Jesus’ ways.