There were no Make Nice with Rome decisions by "the church" because there was no single, organized and observant christian church. The key centers of the early church were in Alexandria Egypt, Antioch Syria, Ephesus, Corinth. Rome till 64, then after rebuilding. These "Churches" started has gatherings in homes. What distinguished them was that they were composed of both men and women. Rich and poor. Free and slaves. In each area, Christianity was supported by letters that were copied and circulated. There was no issue about they just considered "the way."
Paul never admitted to "treason." You can read his defense before several lawyer of Roman courts. In 1 Clement, Paul's death was said to be caused by Christian feuds. Paul’s second imprisonment and subsequent martyrdom took place during the reign of Nero (AD 54–68), not under his successors Galba or Otho and thus Paul was not alive to write the Pastorals. Early church historians, such as Eusebius, record that Paul was beheaded in Rome, a form of execution reserved for Roman citizens, which Paul was. While not explicit, 2 Timothy 4:6-8 is generally accepted as written by Paul from prison, suggesting he anticipated his imminent execution. 1 Clement (c. 95 AD): Written roughly 30 years after the traditional date, this letter from the Church of Rome to Corinth refers to Paul having "suffered martyrdom under the prefects" Ignatius of Antioch (c. 107 AD): Refers to Paul as "the martyred" in his letter to the Ephesians. Tertullian (late 2nd century): Explicitly states that Paul was beheaded in Rome, comparing his death to that of John the Baptist. Dionysius of Corinth (c. 170 AD): Noted that Peter and Paul were martyred in Italy at about the same time.
Historians often link Paul's execution to the aftermath of the Great Fire of Rome in July 64 AD. The Roman historian Tacitus recorded that Nero used Christians as scapegoats for the fire, initiating a brutal wave of executions. As a prominent leader of the movement already in Roman custody, Paul would have been a primary target during this purge. Tradition holds that Paul was beheaded rather than crucified. This aligns with Roman law, which granted citizens a "quick" execution by sword and exempted them from the "shameful" death of the cross.
Reality. There are no eyewitnesses to the events in Paul's life and death that via letters or later quotes validate anything about his death.
For the most part, I find that those who believe they MUST find a way for Paul to have written the Pastorals have invented a non-historical narrative to justify their need. They must find any plausible or "not impossible" undocumented and non-biblical means of finding comfort. Unfortunately, this methods of wanting something to be "true" so much that any "not impossible" theory is acceptable where scholarship is abandoned in service to dogma.
The Pastorals, according to modern scholarship, were not written by Paul. For at least the following reasons
Developed Church Structure: The Pastorals describe established offices like bishops, elders, and deacons with specific qualifications, reflecting a more organized institutional church structure than the charismatic, early communities seen in undisputed letters.
Vocabulary and Style: A vast number of words in the Pastoral Epistles are not used in Paul's authentic letters (hapax legomena). The style is also described as more formal and less passionate than Paul’s typical writings.
Theological Differences: The letters shift from Paul's typical focus on justification by faith to a focus on sound doctrine, good works, and piety. They also exhibit a different understanding of church leadership, particularly regarding the role of women compared to Romans 16. Women were central to Paul and his mission. He describes one as an apostle and warmly greets women in leadership positions in the early church. It was women who crossed oceans to bring Paul letters and take Paul's letters back to their home communities. Whereas in the Pastorals, suddenly woman are not even allowed to speak in the christian community.
House Church Leaders: Women like Lydia, Nympha, and Mary (mother of John Mark) hosted and led early Christian worship meetings in their homes, essential for church sustainability. Deaconesses and Teachers: Women served as deacons (such as Phoebe in Rom. 16:1) and teachers, helping instruct new believers and, in some cases, mentoring male leaders like Apollos.
Anachronistic Context: The letters deal with Gnosticism-like heresies and false teachings that are generally thought to have developed after Paul’s death (c. 64–67 AD), pointing toward a date in the late 1st or early 2nd century.
Historical Context Inconsistencies: The biographical details mentioned in the Pastorals (e.g., Timothy in Ephesus, Titus in Crete) are difficult to fit into the timeline of Paul’s travels provided in the Book of Acts and his other letters.
