The books of First Timothy, Second Timothy and Titus are frequently referred to as the Pastoral Epistles. The reason for this title is that the letters that Paul wrote in these 3 books were written to Timothy and Titus, two of his previous colleagues and apprentices as they had questions about many issues that they were facing and how to deal with them. 

The issues facing Timothy and Titus are not that different than the ones that today’s pastor faces in the course of their ministry. Such issues they faced were how to train church leaders, being good stewards of material resources, how men and women are to interact with one another in the church, how to exercise discipline within the church, creating a support system for widows, how to counteract false teaching and the way in which the believer is supposed to act in regards to society and government. 

Key Features 

• Introductions to the historical and cultural context, the literary style, and the major themes and theological concerns 
• Exegetical and textual notes 
• Commentary pays special attention to context and major theological themes 

Recommendations 

An enormously helpful series for the layperson and pastor alike because it centers on the theological message of each book and ties it directly to the text. This approach has been needed for some time and will be an invaluable supplement to other commentary series. 

—Grant Osborne 

A treasure house of insight into the biblical text. Written by some of the best scholars working today, it is an essential tool for pastors, students, church leadesr, and lay people who want to understand the text and how how it relates to our lives today. Like the NLT text it uses as its base, this commentary series is extemely readable. 

—Tremper Longman III 

About the Authors 

Linda L. Belleville PhD., St. Michael's College, University of Toronto, is Professor of Greek and New Testament at Bethel College in Mishawaka Indiana. She has published commentaries on 1 and 2 Corinthians and various articles and essays on 1 Timothy. She has been a member of the translation team for the New Living Translation since its inception. 

Jon Laansma Ph.D., University of Aberdeen, is Associate Professor of Ancient Languages and New Testament at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He is the author of several articles and of “I Will Give You Rest”: The “Rest” Motif in the New Testament with Special Reference to Matthew 11 and Hebrews 3-4. He contributed the introductions and notes for 1–2 Timothy and Titus for the NLT Study Bible. 

J. Ramsey Michaels Th.D., University, is Professor of Religious Studies Emeritus at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. He has published commentaries on the Gospel of John, 1 Peter, and the book of Revelation. He has been a member of the translation teams for the New International Version and the New Living Translation and has been a consultant for the American Bible Society. 

Series Introduction 

Providing students, pastors, and lay people with up-to-date, evangelical scholarship on the Old and New Testaments. Designed to equip pastors and Christian leaders with exegetical and theological knowledge to better understand and apply God's Word by presenting the message of each passage as well as an overview of other issues surrounding the text. Includes the entire NLT text of 1-2 Timothy, Titus, and Hebrews.