Titus and Philemon (Maclean) - The Lectio Continua Commentary Series

Description

Paul’s letters to Titus and to Philemon address the unique challenges facing the New Testament church. First, Paul writes to Titus, giving him instructions for encouraging the spiritual growth of the fledgling churches that the two men had founded in Crete. Second, in a letter that Malcolm Maclean describes as “different from them all,” Paul writes to Philemon, master of the runaway slave Onesimus, who had become a Christian through the imprisoned apostle’s ministry. While both letters are brief, they deal with important matters for the church of all ages—leadership, dealing with false teachers, the Christian’s attitude toward civil authorities, good works, forgiveness, and prayer. Above all, Maclean points readers to the sovereign grace of the Lord Jesus Christ in His church, both in Paul’s day and in our own.  

Contents

Series Introduction

Titus

Introduction to Titus

1. Paul, a Man on a Mission (1:1a)
2. The Faith of God’s People (1:1b–2a)
3. Who Is Our God? (1:2b–3)
4. Greetings to Titus (1:4)
5. Importance of Elders (1:5–16)
6. Teaching Sound Doctrine (2:1–6)
7. The Teacher of Sound Doctrine (2:7–8)
8. Bondservants (2:9–10)
9. The Difference That Grace Makes (2:11–12)
10. Hope Possessed because of Redemption Provided (2:13–14a)
11. Zealous for Good Works (2:14b)
12. Living in Society (2:15–3:1–3)
13. The Grace of the Father (3:4–7)
14. Devotion, Divisiveness, and Dedicated Disciples (3:8–15)

Philemon

Introduction to Philemon

15. Saying a Lot in a Few Words (1–3)
16. Paul’s Prayer for Philemon (4–7)
17. The Conversion of Onesimus (8–16)
18. Paul, the Church Leader (8–9, 21–22)
19. What to Do with Onesimus? (15–20)
20. Learning from Paul’s Contacts (23–24)
21. The Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ Be with Your Spirit (25)

Endorsements

“Malcolm Maclean’s expositions of Titus and Philemon bear the marks of faithfulness, clarity, and warmth. Here are messages that stick to the text of Scripture and open it up in helpful ways that speak to our contemporary situation. Maclean has given attention to the words, meaning, and application of these brief but important letters from the apostle Paul. The result is an expository commentary that both challenges and encourages the church. Readers will be gratefully in his debt.”

—Rhett P. Dodson, senior pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA), Ohio

“This book is a helpful companion to anyone who is seriously attempting to work their way through Titus and Philemon, both in content and application. In a warm, accessible, and conversational manner, Malcolm Maclean deploys his own extensive pastoral experience in explaining and unpacking the two short pastoral letters, asking the kind of questions that will naturally come to mind and exploring their practical implications.”

—Iver Martin, principal, Edinburgh Theological Seminary, Edinburgh, Scotland

“My friend Malcolm Maclean’s fresh exposition of Titus and Philemon is clearly the work of a seasoned pastor who knows how to care well for his people. Like the two letters themselves, his treatment is rich in practical wisdom for Christian living. Theologically astute yet crystal clear, profound in its understanding of the gospel and its implications yet simple in application, Maclean’s commentary helps us know and love not just these two precious letters but the Christ to whom they call us. This volume deserves a wide readership.”

—David Strain, senior minister, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi

About the Author

Malcolm Maclean is a retired minister of the Free Church of Scotland. He has served in two congregations, one in the Western Isles of Scotland and the other in Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. Prior to becoming a minister, he was managing editor with Christian Focus Publications. He has also authored books on the Lord’s Supper, the Song of Solomon, and the life of Abraham.