The Pastoral Epistles Through the Centuries
Blackwell Bible Commentaries
1. Edition December 2008
272 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Drawing on scholarly insights and a comprehensive array of texts
from the entirety of Christian tradition, The Pastoral Epistles
Through the Centuries explores the rich legacy of the Pastorals
as it has unfolded over the centuries.
* Explores the important role of the New Testament letters to
Timothy and Titus, known collectively as the Pastoral Epistles, in
the development of early Christianity
* Surveys the many theological, cultural, literary, political,
and artistic uses of the Pastorals, and the broader influence these
letters have had throughout the ages
* Considers the Pastorals' complex influence on issues such
as church structure and rites, the roles of women in Christian
religious life, the authority of scripture, and the development of
monastic orders
* Examines the many ways in which language and concepts from the
Pastoral Epistles (such as "fight the good fight" and
"the root of all evils") have filtered into our
cultural vernacular
* References the works of major theologians and interpreters from
all periods, and places special emphasis on traditionally
underrepresented interpreters
Introduction.
Historical Overview.
The Interpretations.
Areas of Interpretive Interest.
.
The Commentary.
1 Timothy 1.
The Salutation (1:1-2; 2 Tim 1-2; Titus 1:1-4).
The Opponents: Speculators (1:3-7; 4:1-5, 7; Titus 3:9).
The Opponents: On The Law (1:8-11).
'Paul' (1:12-17; Titus 3:3-4).
The Opponents: Excommunication (1:18-20; 2 Tim 2:17;
4:14-15).
1 Timothy 2.
The Church: Politics (2:1-2; Titus 3:1).
Theological Speculation: Christ as Mediator (2:4-6).
Women: Silence in The Church (2:8-14).
1 Timothy 3.
The Church: Bishops and Deacons (3:1-13; 5:1, 17; Titus
1:5-9).
Theological Speculation: The Mystery (3:14-16).
1 Timothy 4.
The Opponents: End Times (4:1-10; 2 Tim 3:1).
1 Timothy 5.
Women: Widows (5:1-10).
The Church: Elders (5:17-22; Titus 1:5).
Timothy (5:23-25).
1 Timothy 6.
The Church: Slaves (6:1-2; Titus 2:9).
The Church: Wealthy Christians (6:6-10, 17-19).
Theological Speculation: God's Dwelling and Being
(6:12-16; 1 Tim 1:17).
The Opponents: Dissent (6:2b-5, 20).
2 Timothy 1.
The Thanksgiving (1:3-7).
Timothy: Ordination (1:6-8; 1 Tim 1:18, 4:14-15).
Theological Speculation: God's Plan (1:9-10; 4:1, 8; 1 Tim
6:14; Titus 1:2; 3:4-5).
'Paul' (1:13-18; 4:11, 19).
2 Timothy 2.
The Church: Pauline Succession (2:1-2).
The Church: Christian Soldiers (2:3-7).
'Paul': The Gospel (2:8-10).
Theological Speculation: Divine Consistency (2:11-13; Titus
1:2).
The Opponents (2:14-18).
The Church: A Large House (2:19-26).
2 Timothy 3.
The Opponents: Home Breakers (3:1-9).
'Paul': Suffering (3:10-13).
The Church: Scripture (2:14-17).
2 Timothy 4.
The Opponents: Entertaining Teachers (4:1-4).
'Paul': The Good Fighter (4:6-8; cf. 1 Tim 1:18;
6:12; 2 Tim 2:5).
Conclusion and Greetings (4:9-22).
Titus 1.
The Salutation (1:1-4; 2 Tim 1:9).
The Opponents: Cretan Liars (1:9-16).
Titus 2.
The Church: A Household Code (2:2-10).
Theological Speculation: Christ the God (2:11-14).
Titus 3.
The Church: Baptism (3:1-11).
The Opponents: And Also Some Friends (3:10-11, 13).
.
Conclusion.
Brief Biographies.
Bibliography.
Name Index.
Subject Index
of these two volumes. Both for the seasoned scholar and the
preacher looking for fresh inspiration there is much to challenge
and enliven the understanding of the biblical texts. These are two
superb volumes." (The Expository Times, 2011)
"This is a fine addition to the Blackwell Bible Commentary
series . . . Twomey has given us an excellent commentary, lucid and
elegantly written, further enriched by inclusion of interpreters
from his own field of English literature: Chaucer, Charlotte
Bronte, Thomas Hardy and Jeanette Winterson. " (Journal for the
Study of the New Testament, 2011)
"Overall this is an excellent guide to the very significant and
varied reception history of the Pastoral Epistles. The volume
testifies to the role the Pastorals have had in shaping the church
and at times wider culture too, and makes accessible in one volume
the evidence for this highly significant role." (JTS, 9 April
2011)
"The Blackwell Bible Commentaries are a rare and valuable
treasury of information, and Jay Twomey's volume on the Pastoral
Epistles is a fine addition to this series. From Augustine,
Aquinas, Calvin, and the Wesleys to Mary Astell, Amiri Baraka,
Friedrich Nietzsche, and Jeanette Winterson (among a great many
others), these biblical writings have been developed, transformed,
and opposed in many ways and for many purposes. Twomey's survey
further delineates the enduring power of the biblical canon to both
stimulate and control "a steadily continuing history of complex and
contradictory readings." George Aichele, Adrian College
(retired)
"Jay Twomey straddles the fields of biblical studies and
literary studies with enviable ease. He is familiar with the
history of biblical interpretation, both critical and pre-critical,
but that is only the beginning. In addition to the more usual
ecclesiastical and theological suspects, he is able to adduce a
wonderfully diverse range of literary authors, over several
centuries, who cite the Pastoral Epistles or allude to them, which
imparts a rare richness to his reception history." Stephen
D. Moore, Drew University
"A rich feast to suit every palate. Commentators from deep in
the past stand side by side with those who trouble the texts in the
present, especially feminist, queer and cultural counter-readings.
In Twomey's hands the Pastoral Epistles emerge as sites of tension
and struggle; in other words, they come to life and engage. A real
bonus is Twomey's ability to write well. It is a lucid, finely
written text that draws the reader in." Roland Boer,
Monash University
