Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon : Volume 9

Christianity Today Book of the Year For the early church fathers, certain passages in the shorter letters of St. Paul proved particularly important in doctrinal disputes and practical church matters. Pivotal in controversies with the Arians and the Gnostics, the most commented-on christological text in these letters was Colossians 1:15-20, where Jesus is declared "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." The fathers found ample support scattered throughout the Pastorals for the divinity of the Son and the Spirit and for the full union of humanity and divinity in the "one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5). These commentators also looked to the Pastorals for important teaching on ethics and church life. Chief among the Eastern commentators and widely excerpted throughout this volume is John Chrysostom, praised for his pastoral insight. Other Greek commentators cited include Theodoret of Cyr, Theodore of Mopsuestia, Severian of Gabala, Ignatius of Antioch, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Athanasius, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa. Western commentators include Augustine, Ambrosiaster, Pelagius, Jerome, Hippolytus, Tertullian, Novatian, Cyprian of Carthage, Hilary of Poitiers, and Ambrose. Of particular interest for their ascetical and devotional insight are works from Syrian and Egyptian churches, including Aphrahat, Ephrem the Syrian, Isaac of Nineveh, and Philoxenus of Mabbug. This Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture volume opens up a treasure house of ancient wisdom that allows these faithful witnesses, some appearing here in English translation for the first time, to speak with eloquence and intellectual acumen to the church today. Cover 1 Praise for the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture 3 Title Page 7 Copyright Page 8 Project Research Team 9 Publisher’s Note Regarding This Digital Edition 10 Contents 11 General Introduction 13 A Guide to Using This Commentary 36 Abbreviations 38 Introduction to the Shorter Epistles 42 Commentary on Colossians 58 Salutation and Thankgiving Colossians 1:1-8 59 Intercession Through Christ Colossians 1:9-14 62 The Person and Work of Christ Colossians 1:15-23 66 Work Colossians 1:24-2:5 80 Consider the Means of Salvation Colossians 2:6-15 85 The Danger of False Observance Colossians 2:16-23 94 Principles of the New Life Colossians 3:1-17 101 Social Duties Colossians 3:18–4:1 107 Admonitions and Final Greetings Colossians 4:2-18 111 Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 116 Greetings and Praise 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 117 Paul's Solicitous Care 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 120 The Integrity of the Preacher 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 125 Paul's Travail and Consolation 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 130 Exhortation to Godly Faith and Love 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 135 Joy in the Face of Death 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 140 Preparation for the Lord’s Coming 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 148 Final Exhortations and Greetings 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 152 Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 158 Salutation and Reminder of Coming Judgment 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 159 The Signs of the Coming Judgment 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 163 Reassurance 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 171 Power Belongs to God 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 173 Warning Against Idleness 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 176 Final Exhortations 2 Thessalonians 3:13-18 182 Commentary on 1 Timothy 186 Salutation and Call to Hold to Sound Teaching 1 Timothy 1:1-11 187 Thankfulness for Mercy 1 Timothy 1:12-20 197 Instructions on Prayer 1 Timothy 2:1-7 208 Praying Men and Modest Women 1 Timothy 2:8-15 219 Instructions on Bishops 1 Timothy 3:1-7 225 Instructions on Deacons 1 Timothy 3:8-13 231 Maintaining the Household 1 Timothy 3:14-16 234 False Teaching 1 Timothy 4:1-5 237 Personal Discipline for Timothy 1 Timothy 4:6-16 244 Treatment of Elders, Widows and Presbyters 1 Timothy 5:1-22 251 Fatherly Solicitude 1 Timothy 5:23-25 263 The Treatment of Servants 1 Timothy 6:1-24 265 Call to Personal Integrity in Teaching and in Life 1 Timothy 6:2-10 267 The Battle of Faith 1 Timothy 6:11-16 273 Keep the Trust 1 Timothy 6:17-21 280 Commentary on 2 Timothy 286 Salutation and Opening Admonition 2 Timothy 1:1-7 287 Do Not Be Ashamed of the Gospel 2 Timothy 1:8-18 290 Exhortation to Steadfastness 2 Timothy 2:1-13 295 Exhortation to Simplicity of Faith 2 Timothy 2:14-26 304 The Character of Heretics 2 Timothy 3:1-9 315 The Cost of Faithfulness 2 Timothy 3:10-4:8 321 Personal Instructions and Final Greetings 2 Timothy 4:9-22 333 Commentary on Titus 338 Greetings Titus 1:1-4 338 Installation of Presbyters Titus 1:5-9 341 The Activity of Heretics Titus 1: 10-16 346 Instructions for Men, Women and Slaves Titus 2:1-10 352 The Work of Grace Titus 2:11-15 354 Admonitions to Obedience Titus 3:1-8 358 Final Admonitions, Assignments and Greetings Titus 3:8-15 362 Commentary on Philemon 366 Greetings and Thanksgivings Philemon 1-7 367 Intercession for Onesimus Philemon 8-20 369 Conclusion and Greetings Philemon 21-25 374 Appendix: Early Christian Writers and the Documents Cited 376 Chronology 386 Biographical Sketches 388 Authors/Writing Index 411 Subject Index 413 Scripture Index 417 About the Editor 421 Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture 422 More Titles from InterVarsity Press 423 A 2001 Christianity Today Book of the Year! While patristic commentary on St. Paul's shorter letters--Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, the Pastorals and Philemon--was not so extensive as that on his longer letters, certain passages in these letters proved particularly important in doctrinal disputes and practical church matters. Pivotal in controversies with the Arians and the Gnostics, the most commented-upon christological text amid these letters was Colossians 1:15-20, where Jesus is declared "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." In other texts scattered throughout the Pastorals, the fathers found ample support for the divinity of the Son and the Spirit and for the full union of humanity and divinity in the one redeemer, the "one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5). These early Christian commentators also looked to the Pastorals, where Pauline authorship was assumed, for important ethical and moral teaching, as well as explicit qualifications for choosing church leaders and guidelines for overseeing the work and behavior of widows. Chief among the Eastern commentators and widely excerpted throughout this volume is John Chrysostom, praised for his pastoral insight and shrewd, generous empathy with the apostle Paul. Other Greek commentators whose works are cited include Theodoret of Cyr, Theodore of Mopsuestia, Severian of Gabala, Ignatius of Antioch, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Athanasius, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus and Gregory of Nyssa. Among Western commentators Augustine dominates. His work is joined by that of Ambrosiaster, Pelagius, Jerome, Hippolytus, Tertullian, Novatian, Cyprian of Carthage, Hilary of Poitiers and Ambrose, among others. Of particular interest for their ascetical and devotional insight are works from Syrian and Egyptian churches, including Aphrahat, Ephrem the Syrian, Isaac of Nineveh and Philoxenus of Mabbug. This volume opens up a treasure house of ancient wisdom that allows these faithful witnesses, some appearing here in English translation for the first time, to speak with eloquence and intellectual acumen to the church today While patristic commentary on St. Paul's shorter letters -- Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, the Pastorals and Philemon -- was not so extensive as that on his longer letters, certain passages in these letters proved particularly important in doctrinal disputes and practical church matters. Pivotal in controversies with the Arians and the Gnostics, the most commented-upon christological text amid these letters was Colossians 1:15-20, where Jesus is declared "the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation." In other texts scattered throughout the Pastorals, the fathers found ample support for the divinity of the Son and the Spirit and for the full union of humanity and divinity in the one redeemer, the "one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5). These early Christian commentators also looked to the Pastorals, where Pauline authorship was assumed, for important ethical and moral teaching, as well as explicit qualifications for choosing church leaders and guidelines for overseeing the work and behavior of widows.Chief among the Eastern commentators and widely excerpted throughout this volume is John Chrysostom, praised for his pastoral insight and shrewd, generous empathy with the apostle Paul. Other Greek commentators whose work is cited include Theodoret of Cyr, Theodore of Mopsuestia, Severian of Gabala, Ignatius of Antioch, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Athanasius, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus and Gregory of Nyssa. Among Western commentators Augustine dominates. His work is joined by that of Ambrosiaster, Pelagius, Jerome, Hippolytus, Tertullian, Novatian, Cyprian of Carthage, Hilary of Poitiers and Ambrose among others. Of particular interest for their ascetical and devotional insight are works from Syrian and Egyptian churches, including Aphrahat, Ephrem the Syrian, Isaac of Nineveh and Philoxenus of Mabbug. This volume opens up a treasure house of ancient wisdom that allows these faithful witnesses, some appearing here in English translation for the first time, to speak with eloquence and intellectual acumen to the church today. "Volumes in the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (ACCS) offer you the opportunity to study for yourself key writings of the early church fathers. Arranged canonically and employing the RSV, each volume allows the living voices of the church in its formative centuries to speak as they engage the sacred page of Scripture. The ACCS is a postcritical revival of the early commentary tradition known as the glossa ordinaria, a text artfully elaborated with ancient and authoritative reflections and insights. The vast array of writings from the church fathers--including much that is available only in the ancient languages--have been combed for their comment on Scripture. From these results, scholars with a deep knowledge of the fathers and a heart for the church have hand selected material for each volume, shaping, annotating, and introducing it to today's readers. Each portion of commentary has been chosen for its salient insight, its rhetorical power, and its faithful representation of the consensual exegesis of the early church. An ecumenical project, the ACCS promotes a vital link of communication between the varied Christian traditions of today and their common ancient ancestors in the faith. On this shared ground we listen as leading pastoral theologians of six centuries gather around the text of Scripture and offer their best theological, spiritual, and pastoral insights." -- Provided by publisher The Gospel of John was beloved by the early church, much as it is today, for its spiritual insight and clear declaration of Jesus' divinity. Clement of Alexandria indeed declared it the "spiritual Gospel." Early disputers with heretics such as Cerinthus and the Ebionites drew upon the Gospel of John to refute their heretical notions and uphold the full deity of Christ, and this Gospel more than any other was central to the trinitarian and christological debates of the fourth and fifth centuries. At the same time, the Gospel of John was also thought to be the most chronological, and even to this day is the source of our sense of Jesus' having a three-year ministry. And John Chrysostom's Homilies on John, perhaps more than any other commentary, emphasize Christ's humanity and condescension toward the human race. In addition to the serial homilies of John Chrysostom, readers of this volume will find selections from those of Origen, Theodore of Mopsuestia, Cyril of Alexandria and Augustine. These commentaries are supplemented with homiletic material from Gregory the Great, Peter Chrysologus, Caesarius, Amphilochius, Basil the Great and Basil of Seleucia among others. Liturgical selections derive from Ephrem the Syrian, Ambrose and Romanos the Melodist, which are further supplemented with doctrinal material from Athanasius, the Cappodocians, Hilary and Ambrose. The Ancient Christian Commentary On Scripture [series] Is An Ecumenical Project, Promoting A Vital Link Of Communication Between The Varied Christian Traditions Of Today And Their Common Ancient Ancestors In The Faith. On This Shared Ground We Listen As Leading Pastoral Theologians Of Six Centuries Gather Around The Text Of Scripture And Offer Their Best Theological, Spiritual And Pastoral Insights. With The Aid Of Computer Technology, The Vast Array Of Writings From The Church Fathers-- Including Much That Is Available Only In The Ancient Languages-- Have Been Searched For Their Comment On Scripture, Then Hand-selected By Scholars Who Then Shaped And Annotated The Materials To Introduce It To Today's Readers. Each Portion Of Commentary Has Been Chosen For Its Salient Insight, Its Rhetorical Power And Its Faithful Representation Of The Consensual Exegesis Of The Early Church.--book Jackets And Publisher's Website. Commentary On Colossians -- Commentary On 1-2 Thessalonians -- Commentary On 1-2 Timothy -- Commentary On Titus -- Commentary On Philemon. Edited By Peter Gorday ; General Editor, Thomas C. Oden. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. v. 1a-1b. Matthew / edited by Manlio Simonetti v. 2. Mark / edited by Thomas C. Oden & Christopher A. Hall v. 3. Luke / edited by Arthur A. Just v. 4a-4b. John / edited by Joel C. Elowsky v. 5. Acts / edited by Francis Martin v. 6. Romans / edited by Gerald Bray v. 7. 1-2 Corinthians / edited by Gerald Bray v. 8. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians / edited by Mark J. Edwards v. 9. Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon / edited by Peter Gorday v. 10. Hebrews / edited by Erik M. Heen and Philip D.W. Krey v.11. James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude / edited by Gerald Bray v. 12. Revelation / edited by William C. Weinrich ARGUMENT: With Onesimus as his faithful traveling companion, Paul has written this episode, sometime after Romans and before the letters to Timothy, in order to strengthen the Colossian church in its time of adversity.