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Pillar New Testament Commentary
The Letters to Timothy and Titus (The Pillar New Testament Commentary
The Pastoral Letters—1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus—have made an enduring contribution to understanding the role of pastors in the church. With a spirited devotion to the text, Robert Yarbrough helps unlock the meaning of these short but rich letters in this commentary. In keeping with the character of Pillar New Testament Commentary volumes, The Letters to Timothy and Titus offers a straightforward reading of these texts. Their primary concerns—God, salvation, and the pastoral task—remain central to Yarbrough’s thorough and comprehensive exegesis. Engaging with the best scholarship and resources, Yarbrough shows how these letters are as relevant today as they were to the early Christians.
608 pages, Hardcover
Published September 25, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 11, 2018
This commentary by Robert Yarbrough will become, I predict, a top-rated volume on the Pastoral Epistles. These epistles are ideal for the style of commentary we find in the Pillar New Testament Commentary (PNTC) series. As respected and valuable as the NICNT volumes by the same publisher are, these Pillar volumes are simply more valuable. They have a better center of focus, are more consistently conservative, and have more value for pastors without sacrificing scholarship. This volume succeeds in reaching that standard too. As you might have guessed, the editorship of D. A. Carson likely keeps this series moored to that lofty perch. BTW, don’t miss the editor’s preface where Carson fawns over Yarbrough’s work here.
I was in love with this commentary within a few pages of its fine Introduction. So many commentators lose their way in the Pastoral Epistles. I have long suspected that it has far more to do with the authors dislike of what these epistles say rather than any actual problem found within them. Yarbrough is not sucked into the irrational fear of using the term “pastoral epistles” as so many are today either. It’s a breath of fresh air.
He opens the Introduction with eight theses on pastoral heritage in these epistles. To my mind, that was a great way to present introductory issues. Next, he does a section each on Father, Son, and Spirit respectively in the Pastoral Epistles (PE). He was particularly perceptive in discussing Paul as a working pastor, even dispensing some silly critical theories along the way. He then tackles in turn geography, people, and key terms. He ends with a section on authorship and other usual introductory matters and masterfully reaches conservative conclusions.
The commentary itself was even better! The phrase “real help” comes to mind. He showed off his skill, for example, in the perpetual battlefield of Titus 2. He gently yet surefootedly takes us where that disliked passage goes. He’s kind to dissenters, careful in scholarship, but not afraid to reach a conclusion. I don’t know about you, but that’s how I like my commentaries. 5 stars all the way!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I was in love with this commentary within a few pages of its fine Introduction. So many commentators lose their way in the Pastoral Epistles. I have long suspected that it has far more to do with the authors dislike of what these epistles say rather than any actual problem found within them. Yarbrough is not sucked into the irrational fear of using the term “pastoral epistles” as so many are today either. It’s a breath of fresh air.
He opens the Introduction with eight theses on pastoral heritage in these epistles. To my mind, that was a great way to present introductory issues. Next, he does a section each on Father, Son, and Spirit respectively in the Pastoral Epistles (PE). He was particularly perceptive in discussing Paul as a working pastor, even dispensing some silly critical theories along the way. He then tackles in turn geography, people, and key terms. He ends with a section on authorship and other usual introductory matters and masterfully reaches conservative conclusions.
The commentary itself was even better! The phrase “real help” comes to mind. He showed off his skill, for example, in the perpetual battlefield of Titus 2. He gently yet surefootedly takes us where that disliked passage goes. He’s kind to dissenters, careful in scholarship, but not afraid to reach a conclusion. I don’t know about you, but that’s how I like my commentaries. 5 stars all the way!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
April 18, 2020
This is the best resource I’ve read on 1-2 Timothy and Titus.
Yarbrough’s exposition of Adolf Schlatter’s previously untranslated Pauline authorship work alone is worth the price of this volume. Yarbrough also provides extensive word studies throughout the commentary where other authors have cut these short. The commentary is sparse on application, but extremely helpful/precise when it does apply a passage to modern readers.
Yarbrough’s exposition of Adolf Schlatter’s previously untranslated Pauline authorship work alone is worth the price of this volume. Yarbrough also provides extensive word studies throughout the commentary where other authors have cut these short. The commentary is sparse on application, but extremely helpful/precise when it does apply a passage to modern readers.
February 23, 2021
Quite possibly the best Bible commentary I've read. No books barred.
November 25, 2025
A Thorough Commentary that Needs Less Neutrality
Dr. Yarbrough has addressed the meaning of the Pastoral Epistles with the excellence we have have come to expect from him. However, sometimes he seems reluctant to take a stand on some controversial issues (other than on Pauline authorship and matters of basic Christian orthodoxy, to both of which he is correctly firmly committed). When several possibilities of meaning are possible, for example, it would be helpful to know which hypothesis he favors, and why. While occasionally he does state a definitive opinion, more often he does not, perhaps in a laudable but somewhat overdone effort to avoid controversy with fellow theologians. However, when one reads a 1000+ page commentary written at a scholarly level, one expects the author to give his or her expert opinion on such matters—indeed, it is a major reason that one purchases and studies a commentary. To conclude on a more positive note, Dr. Yarbrough’s observations on Greek word usage, including numerous Old Testament passages from the Septuagint, the Apostolic Fathers and apocryphal works, were very helpful in aiding the reader in understanding fine shades of meaning. His pastoral observations and deductions based on the text are simply excellent. His discussions of the strengths and weaknesses commonly encountered in Christian leaders in Western countries versus those observed in leaders from other nations were fascinating and edifying, not to mention occasionally convicting (in a good way)—even for readers who aren’t pastors, like me.
Dr. Yarbrough has addressed the meaning of the Pastoral Epistles with the excellence we have have come to expect from him. However, sometimes he seems reluctant to take a stand on some controversial issues (other than on Pauline authorship and matters of basic Christian orthodoxy, to both of which he is correctly firmly committed). When several possibilities of meaning are possible, for example, it would be helpful to know which hypothesis he favors, and why. While occasionally he does state a definitive opinion, more often he does not, perhaps in a laudable but somewhat overdone effort to avoid controversy with fellow theologians. However, when one reads a 1000+ page commentary written at a scholarly level, one expects the author to give his or her expert opinion on such matters—indeed, it is a major reason that one purchases and studies a commentary. To conclude on a more positive note, Dr. Yarbrough’s observations on Greek word usage, including numerous Old Testament passages from the Septuagint, the Apostolic Fathers and apocryphal works, were very helpful in aiding the reader in understanding fine shades of meaning. His pastoral observations and deductions based on the text are simply excellent. His discussions of the strengths and weaknesses commonly encountered in Christian leaders in Western countries versus those observed in leaders from other nations were fascinating and edifying, not to mention occasionally convicting (in a good way)—even for readers who aren’t pastors, like me.
December 9, 2025
This is a thorough commentary on Paul's pastoral epistles (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus). Dr. Yarbrough gives the big picture of each book, then dives in passage by passage and verse by verse. The theology is classic orthodoxy, although he does review some alternate readings of appropriate passages. He brings out important Greek words and meanings, but you can read the book profitably even without knowing Greek (I do not).
This is more than a casual Bible reader wants, but is an excellent resource for teaching or preaching.
This is more than a casual Bible reader wants, but is an excellent resource for teaching or preaching.
May 11, 2023
I referenced quite a few commentaries in my sermon series on 1 Timothy, but I'll put on Goodreads only my favorites. Yarbrough often gave me good insights. He is more thorough than Hendriksen without being too heavily academic.
[Other commentaries I referenced: Hendriksen, Mounce, Knight, Hughes.]
[Other commentaries I referenced: Hendriksen, Mounce, Knight, Hughes.]
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June 14, 2021This is a great modern commentary on the Pastorals. Many have mentioned the author’s emphasis on hard work, and I agree that theme really comes alive in the letters once he points it out.
July 20, 2019
Another fantastic commentary In the Pillar series. I liked that the author wasnt afraid to spend more time on weightier passages primarily 1 Timothy chapter 2. While some people may not agree with his interpretations in areas noone can deny that the author doesn't shy away from voicing his opinions especially when they may be controversial and that whatever his views they are always solidly backed up in scripture. This is definitely one of the best commentaries on the pastoral epistles available.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews