1 and 2 Timothy, Titus

A Theological Commentary for Preachers

Abraham Kuruvilla

• Publisher: Cascade Books
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781725275195
• Topic: Théologie et religion
• Subtopic: Commentaire biblique

1 and 2 Timothy, Titus: A Theological Commentary for Preachers engages hermeneutics for preaching, employing theological exegesis that enables the preacher to utilize all the units of these epistles to craft effective sermons.This commentary unpacks the crucial link between Scripture and application: the theology of each preaching text (pericope). The three letters--collectively, the Pastoral Epistles--are divided into eighteen pericopes, and what the author is doing with what he is saying in each is explored. The overall theological trajectory of the Pastoral Epistles concerns the promotion of God's economy by the community of God's people. The specific theological thrust of individual preaching units is captured in this commentary, making possible a sequential homiletical movement through each pericope of the three epistles.While the primary goal of the commentary is to take the preacher from text to theology, it also provides two sermon outlines for each of the eighteen preaching units of the Pastoral Epistles. The unique approach of this work results in a theology-for-preaching commentary that promises to be useful for anyone teaching through 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus with an emphasis on application.

1 TIMOTHY

Shepherding the Saints

Pericope 1

Instruction for Godliness

1 Timothy 1:1–11

[Right Handling of Scripture; Promotion of the Divine Economy]

SUMMARY, PREVIEW

Summary of Pericope 1: The first pericope of 1 Timothy (1:1–11) focuses on the august responsibility of the people of God and their leaders to handle Scripture rightly, in contrast to what false teachers do. Such a right handling of Scripture in accordance with the gospel (in its broad sense) seeks to apply the sacred writings for the development of godliness in listeners, thus promoting the economy of God and culminating in God’s glory.

Preview of Pericope 2: The second pericope of 1 Timothy (1:12–20) has Paul putting himself into the category of those sinners mentioned in the previous pericope (1:1–11). He gratefully describes his wondrous salvation by grace wrought by a merciful God through Christ Jesus. Such a work of God for all believers is for the purpose of appointing them into his service, strengthened by him and persevering in ministry, unlike false teachers who face discipline.

1 1 Timothy 1:1–11

THEOLOGICAL FOCUS OF PERICOPE 1
1	The people of God, divinely and authoritatively commissioned, in their right handling of Scripture—congruent to sound teaching and in accordance with God’s glorious gospel: his grand plan for his creation—promote the economy of God and his glory, for the goal of their instruction is love, the manifestation of godliness (1:1–11).

OVERVIEW

This pericope (1:1–11) and the next (Pericope 2: 1 Tim 1:12–18) are carefully centered around the law/Scripture, its misuse and its right use48:

1 1 Timothy 1:1–11

THEOLOGICAL FOCUS 1
1	The people of God, divinely and authoritatively commissioned, in their right handling of Scripture—congruent to sound teaching and in accordance with God’s glorious gospel: his grand plan for his creation—promote the economy of God and his glory, for the goal of their instruction is love, the manifestation of godliness (1:1–11).

TRANSLATION 1

1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the command of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, our hope,

1:2 to Timothy, genuine child in faith: Grace, mercy, peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

1:3 As I charged you to remain at Ephesus, when I left for Macedonia, so that you may instruct some not to teach falsely,

1:4 nor to attend to myths and endless genealogies, which promote useless speculation rather than the economy of God which is in faith.

1:5 But the goal of [our] instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and an unhypocritical faith,

1:6 from which things some, going astray, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,

1:7 wanting to be law-teachers, not understanding either what they are saying or things about which they make confident assertions.

1:8 But we kno...