The Books of 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon: Goals to Godliness – 21st Century Biblical Commentary

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TODAY TO BE MORE LIKE CHRIST?

The key to achieving success in anything is to set reasonable goals and strive to meet them. The difficulty in striving to be like Christ is that we never ca be like Him-not perfectly, not until we are made new in His image in heaven. Yet, the fact that we cannot achieve perfection should never top us from anything good. So, the real question is, how is good is good enough? Any Christian who thinks he or she has nothing more to achieve in godliness and personal holiness is utterly deceived.

These books (especially 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus) are often referred to as the "Pastoral Epistles." The name is certainly appropriate since these books provide the the most thorough statement of church government found anywhere in the New Testament . Paul's combination of personal advice and apostolic injunction has set the pattern for church government for the past twenty-one centuries.

Yes these books are so much more than official letters on church policy. American scholar Homer Kent Jr. made a career out of studying these important letters in detail. He summed up his opinion of them, saying, "Not only is the content rich in doctrinal and practical discussion, so pertinent to the Christian life, but the historical, geographical, and personal notices make the letters colorful and intensely human."

Charles Ray's commentary is unique in that he emphasizes the personal, practical results Paul wanted to encourage every Christian to strive for in their daily walk. Here the reader will be challenged to see the goals Paul had in mind, and to incorporate them in his or her own life.