The Pastoral Epistles

The Pastoral Epistles, attributed to the apostle Paul, are letters to Timothy and Titus instructing them on how to lead Christian communities in Ephesus and Crete. They address church order, false teaching, and failing Christians, with a foundational vision for Christians to make a good impression in public life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 31 July 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The Pastoral Epistles, consisting of three letters attributed to the apostle Paul, stand out as unique among his writings. These letters were addressed to Timothy and Titus, two close companions of Paul. Their purpose was to provide guidance and instruction to these leaders on how to effectively lead the Christian communities in Ephesus and Crete. The letters offer a wealth of insights and directives for church leaders of that era and in those specific regions, emphasizing their roles and responsibilities. In this commentary, Scot McKnight delves into the central themes of the Pastoral Epistles: church order, false teaching, and struggling Christians. He aims to unravel their foundational vision for how Christians could impact public life positively. These three concise letters serve as a profound expression of how Christians were to navigate their lives within the Roman empire, all the while respecting the cultural and societal norms of the time. They prescribe a way of public behavior that can be aptly described as civilized religion, emphasizing the importance of living a virtuous and exemplary life that would reflect the values of Christ.

The Pastoral Epistles, consisting of three letters attributed to the apostle Paul, stand out as unique among his writings. These letters were addressed to Timothy and Titus, two close companions of Paul. Their purpose was to provide guidance and instruction to these leaders on how to effectively lead the Christian communities in Ephesus and Crete. The letters offer a wealth of insights and directives for church leaders of that era and in those specific regions, emphasizing their roles and responsibilities. In this commentary, Scot McKnight delves into the central themes of the Pastoral Epistles: church order, false teaching, and struggling Christians. He aims to unravel their foundational vision for how Christians could impact public life positively. These three concise letters serve as a profound expression of how Christians were to navigate their lives within the Roman empire, all the while respecting the cultural and societal norms of the time. They prescribe a way of public behavior that can be aptly described as civilized religion, emphasizing the importance of living a virtuous and exemplary life that would reflect the values of Christ.

ISBN-13: 9781107138797