1 & 2 Timothy, Titus (Believers Church Bible Commentary | BCBC)

by Paul M. Zehr

Publisher:

Herald Press

, 2010

Overview

In this volume, author Paul M. Zehr explores Paul’s instructions to Timothy and Titus in light of recent scholarship, applying Christian theology and ethics to the political, philosophical, religious, and cultural issues that early Christians faced as the church reached out in mission in Ephesus and on the island of Crete.

Additionally, Zehr also shows how the themes in 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus have been interpreted and applied in the history of the church, especially the Believers Church. His interpretive process includes both a vertical reading of each book separately and a horizontal reading of the themes found in all three letters.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Paul is not condemning all women’s teaching of men, but rather a certain kind of teaching by women.” (Page 65)

“God promised it before the ages began. And God never lies. God’s truthfulness and absence of deceit are well-attested in the Scriptures. Therefore, God’s promise of eternal life before the ages began is sure and reliable.” (Page 242)

“Contentment means being satisfied with what one has. In short, godliness provides all that we need. The gain is in contentment rather than in using religion for selfish ends.” (Page 123)

“What kind of person should the pastor be? It is the question of being. What should the pastor know? It is the question of knowledge. And what must the pastor do?” (Page 13)

“Paul holds right belief (orthodoxy) and right living (orthopraxy) together in the letters to Timothy and Titus” (Page 15)

Praise for the Print Edition

This is a remarkably readable commentary on the Pastoral Epistles. It successfully and perhaps uniquely provides sound exegesis at a level that is adequate for the preacher; sets the theological themes in their wider biblical contexts; and surveys the history of the interpretation and influence of the letters, particularly in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. I warmly commend this attractive presentation, which should greatly encourage and assist exposition of these fascinating letters.

—I. Howard Marshall, University of Aberdeen, Scotland

This commentary by Paul Zehr provides helpful guidance to interpret important but difficult passages in a contemporary Anabaptist manner. Zehr is alert to current ecumenical and evangelical scholarship on the pastorals, to the historical and cultural contexts reflected in these books, to the difficult issues of authorship, and to the energy of these letters for the well-being of healthy church leadership.

—John A. Esau, former Mennonite pastor and denominational administrator

With careful scholarship and a Christ-centered hermeneutic, Paul Zehr has given to the church an insightful guide in understanding the Pastoral Epistles. He seeks to work carefully with the cultural background of these scriptures, their context in the larger Scripture, and in applications to our setting. He does not back away from engaging the difficult issues that have divided groups but calls us to follow Paul’s example of contextualizing applications.

—Myron S. Augsburger, President & Professor Emeritus of Eastern Mennonite University

Product Details

• Title: Believers Church Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus
• Author: Paul M. Zehr
• Publisher: Herald Press
• Publication Date: 2010
• Pages: 406

About Paul M. Zehr

Paul M. Zehr graduated from Eastern Mennonite College in 1962 and from Eastern Mennonite Seminary in 1965. After seminary, Paul pastored the First Mennonite Church of St. Petersburg, Florida from 1965 to 1973. Following this eight-year experience of pastoring an urban church, he attended Princeton Theological Seminary where he earned a Th.M. degree in Biblical Studies in 1975. In 1980 he was ordained bishop and supervised pastors in five congregations for twenty-five years. In 1987 he graduated from The Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Doctor of Ministry degree.