Passing on the Truth: 1 & 2 Timothy Simply Explained

by Michael Bentley

Publisher:

Evangelical Press

, 1997

Overview

Paul wrote his first epistle to Timothy so that the Christians at Ephesus should "know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth." The epistle contains a wealth of practical help and guidance on the administration and care of local churches, including the roles of men and women, the appointment and responsibilities of church officers, the financial support of elders and the care of widows.

The second epistle to Timothy was to be Paul's last letter, written from prison as he awaited his final trial and execution. In it we catch a glimpse of the human side of the great apostle as he feels loneliness and longs for a last visit from his younger friend.

Central to both epistles is the theme of the apostle's concern to warn against false doctrines and his charge to Timothy, and through him to succeeding generations of believers down the ages, to guard faithfully as a precious deposit the truth entrusted to him by Paul and the other apostles and to pass it on to others.

Contents

Top Highlights

“They thought they were holy because they kept the law of God very rigidly, and they tried to make sure that everyone else did so too. In addition they kept well away from those whom they considered to be ‘sinners’. This is why they were called Pharisees (the separated ones).” (Page 54)

“So Paul was saying that those people who taught wrong doctrine knew what the truth really was, but instead of obeying God’s Word they had deliberately and continually refused to listen to the voice of conscience within them. With their consciences sealed off they would be totally insensitive to correct teaching and behaviour.” (Page 127)

“We are believers because God has chosen us in Christ ‘before the creation of the world’ (Eph. 1:4). That is the amazing thing about God’s love—he shows mercy to the most unlikely people. God showed mercy to Paul, who had been a blasphemer, a persecutor and a violent man.” (Pages 48–49)

“Jesus proceeded to explain how that thought applied to the spiritual realm: ‘I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance’ (Luke 5:32).” (Page 55)

“Paul did not say, ‘I was the worst of sinners, but I am the worst of sinners” (Page 54)

Product Details

• Title: Passing on the Truth: 1 & 2 Timothy Simply Explained
• Author: Michael Bentley
• Publisher: Evangelical Press
• Series: Welwyn Commentary Series
• Publication Date: 1997
• Pages: 320

About Michael Bentley

Michael Bentley worked as a bookshop manager and served in the British army before his call to the ministry. He has a diverse background, which includes freelance religious reporting for national and religious radio and television, being a Religious Education teacher, and holding pastorates in Surrey, South East London, and Berkshire. He is also closely involved with his local community as a member of various committees and councils. His hobbies include singing second bass in the Bracknell Choral Society. Now retired, he still preaches regularly and has a ministry of writing, with some thirteen books in print including Opening Up Amos from the Opening Up Commentary Collection (30 Vols.), and Face2face: David, part of the Face2face Collection. He lives in Bracknell with his wife, Jenny, and has five children and eight grandchildren.