Author: Bruce Anstey
Binding: Paperback
Paul's letters to Titus and Philemon are called "pastoral epistles" because they were written to individuals rather than to assemblies, giving personal counsel and instruction.
In the epistle to Titus, Paul emphasizes the need for truth and godliness being found among the saints--that is, a proper balance between Christian doctrine and practice in their lives. Titus was left in Crete to insist on this with apostolic authority which he had received as a delegate from the Apostle Paul. Truth and godliness were to be found in the leaders (elders), and in all the saints, and exhibited in their public testimony before the world.
Paul's epistle to Philemon is unique among the "pastoral epistles" in that it is concerned with a purely private matter between two individuals. Thus, it has a distinct character of its own, demonstrating Christian grace and love in action in a real-life circumstance. The epistle contains no statement of doctrine; nor does it have any general exhortations to Christian living; but rather, it furnishes us with an inspiring example of Christian grace and courtesy.