1-2 Timothy & Titus (The IVP New Testament Commentary | IVPNTC)

by Philip H. Towner

Publisher:

IVP

, 1994

Overview

Questions about the nature of Christian leadership and authority, attitudes toward wealth and materialism, proper responses to cults, the role of women in the church, and even the validity of the institution of marriage are not new. Paul addressed these issues in personal letters to Timothy and Titus as leaders of first-century congregations in Ephesus and Crete. What he had to say to them is as relevant to us as today's newspaper headlines. In this clear, pastorally oriented commentary, readers will find helpful background material on authorship, date and purpose, as well as an overview of theological themes in the Pastoral Epistles. The introductory material is followed by passage-by-passage explanation of the meaning these letters had for their first-century hearers in order to pave the way for understanding their significance for readers today. Students, pastors, Bible teachers and everyone who wants to understand the message of the Pastoral Epistles for the church will benefit from this excellent resource.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Discouragement and withdrawal from the struggle of ministry marked a failure to rely on the Holy Spirit’s enabling power.” (2 Timothy 1:6–7)

“In either case, we should notice that Paul did not employ his usual term for ‘the normal exercise of authority’ (exousia). He chose an unusual word (authenteō) that could carry negative connotations such as ‘to usurp or misappropriate authority’ or ‘to domineer.’ The unusual term probably signifies an unusual situation. In the Ephesian context at least, women had misappropriated authority by taking upon themselves the role of teacher.” (1 Timothy 2:12)

“One position (here called position 1) generally maintains that verses 11–12 prohibit women from teaching and holding authority over men.” (1 Timothy 2:11–15)

“A quick scan of these letters makes it clear that Paul’s central concern in writing was to give instruction for confronting false teachers and restoring the stability of the churches.” (source)

“The implication is clear: the Christian leader must be one who has habitually taken nourishment from God’s Word and continues to do so.” (1 Timothy 4:6)

Product Details

• Title: 1–2 Timothy & Titus
• Author: Philip H. Towner
• Series: IVP New Testament Commentary
• Volume: 14
• Publisher: IVP
• Print Publication Date: 1994
• Logos Release Date: 2001
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. N.T. Pastoral Epistles › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. 1 Timothy › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. 2 Timothy › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. Titus › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9780830861422, 0830861424
• Resource ID: LLS:29.59.2
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-09-24T16:08:46Z

About Philip H. Towner

Philip H. Towner is dean of Nida Institute for Biblical Scholarship at the American Bible Society in New York, New York.