1 & 2 Timothy, Titus

New International Biblical Commentary

by Gordon D. Fee

The Understanding the Bible Commentary Series helps readers navigate the strange and sometimes intimidating literary terrain of the Bible. These accessible volumes break down the barriers between the ancient and modern worlds so that the power and meaning of the biblical texts become transparent to contemporary readers. The contributors tackle the task of interpretation using the full range of critical methodologies and practices, yet they do so as people of faith who hold the text in the highest regard. Pastors, teachers, and lay people alike will cherish the truth found in this commentary series.

Genres: Biblical Studies, Reference, Theology, Christian, New Testament, Church, Nonfiction

350 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1984

About the author

Gordon Fee was Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Regent College, where he taught for sixteen years. His teaching experience also included serving schools in Washington, California, Kentucky, as well as Wheaton College in Illinois (five years) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts (twelve years).

Gordon Fee was a noted New Testament scholar, having published several books and articles in his field of specialization, New Testament textual criticism. He also published a textbook on New Testament interpretation, co-authored two books for lay people on biblical interpretation, as well as scholarly-popular commentaries on 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus and on Galatians, and major commentaries on 1 Corinthians and Philippians. He is also the author of a major work on the Holy Spirit and the Person of Christ in the letters of Paul.

Gordon Fee served as the general editor of the New International Commentary series, as well as on the NIV revision committee that produced the TNIV. Besides his ability as a biblical scholar, he was a noted teacher and conference speaker. He has given the Staley Distinguished Christian Scholar lectures on fifteen college campuses as well as the annual NT lectures at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, North Park Seminary, the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, the Canadian Theological Seminary, Duke Divinity School, Golden Gate Baptist, Anderson School of Theology, Asbury Seminary, and Chrichton College. An ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, Gordon Fee was well known for his manifest concern for the renewal of the church.

Gordon Fee was married and had four married children.

Reviews

[Glenn Crouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good commentary covering the Pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy, Titus and 2 Timothy, in that order) - examining each verse (or group of verses), within each pericope.

The Author makes a good defence for Pauline Authorship, though does helpfully include some of the Pseudepigraphical arguments along the way in the Additional Notes. He also argues that the purpose of these letters has more to do with the problem of False Teachers / Teachings then them containing some sort of early Church Manual - and I think he demonstrates this quite well.

Though not a brief commentary, I did feel that more comment could be made about various themes as they were encountered would have been advantageous.

It includes quite a nice Bibliography.

[Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fee is undoubtedly a skilled scholar, but I felt many times while reading this that he avoided some of the major evidence in favor of all views regarding elders and deacons, and especially regarding the role of women. I read this while also reading Mounce's volume on the Pastorals in the Word series, and it's evident that Fee either did not do enough research, or omitted significant information. I tend to think the former is true. Either way, though, I enjoyed the book. Fee gave great insight into some difficult passages, and even at times that I didn't agree with him he made me think deeply about the text.

[Erik Koster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a good commentary. As a general reader, it's extremely hard for me to find commentaries that aren't ridiculously wordy or that sound like the author is trying to let everybody know how smart they are while at the same time also conveying some extra nuggets that I didn't already know. This one did a good job of balancing both. I wish there was more application on a lot of commentaries, and this one fell into that as well. I enjoyed the context part and the explanations of the ancient world, but there was zero application to today.

[Solomon · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐ - Liked It

Fee's commentary on the pastoral epistles was a wonderful resource to have in my study of the pastoral epistles. It had some great insights into the meaning of some passages that used to perplex me. Would not hesitate to recommend to someone looking for an accessible commentary on these letters!

[Mark Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fee unjustifiably argues that the false teaching in Ephesus was female dominant. Hence the prohibitions are merely situational against the female false teachers there. But it’s a house of cards argument.

[Ian Rees · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this commentary on the pastoral letters. There was no application of the text to life in general, but he was very thorough in dealing with the structure of the text and questions of interpretation.

[Nú ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leí este libro para seguir con la costumbre que empecé en la cuarentena de estudiar una carta bíblica al mes. En este comentario están incluidas tres: 1ª y 2ª de Timoteo y Tito. Es un libro completo, repleto de información y muy útil para profundizar en estos escritos paulinos a veces un poco difíciles de entender. La verdad es que el último mes me costó más seguir y el final del libro lo pasé por arriba, pero la estructura de todo el material es el mismo así que puedo decir que es un trabajo valioso de este autor cristiano.

[Dan Glover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't always agree with his conclusions at points and, considering his teaching on exegesis is quite good, he doesn't practice what he preaches at times, especially concerning the issue of the role of women in the household and in church ministry. However, if one can see past this, the majority of his commentary (and others on Paul's letters) is fairly good.

[Brian Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent defense of Pauline authorship in the introduction; disagreed with his position on women and ministry and did not find the exegesis compelling; found the commentary on 1 Timothy (which was the section I read) to do a good job of explaining how the letter fits together, how the parts relate to the whole.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fees chief contribution in this book is that he views it as a specific letter written to Timothy for specific problems at the church on Ephesus. He doesn't see it as a general guideline for church management and growth. It is very helpful very insightful and very much worth having on your shelf.

[Travis Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent commentary. I appreciated the technical but not too technical aspects. He states the different viewpoints in exegesis well, then lands. I cannot say I agreed with every point. But a solid commentary none the less.

[Bill Forgeard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exegetical, scholarly, and quite succinct. Not many suggestions for application. (Read 2 Timothy in 2011, Titus in 2013.)

[Matthew Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Occasionally helpful but usually was not as helpful as mounce or Towner.