It is often thought that while the New Testament lays down very clear teaching about justification and holiness, it shows a relative indifference to the nature of the church's life and organization. But in fact the New Testament is deeply concerned to teach that God has a plan for the church and a pattern for its life and ministry. This teaching is scattered throughout the twenty-seven New Testament books, but much of it is concentrated also in the three short letters which Paul wrote to his fellow-ministers Timothy and Titus. Often called the 'pastoral' epistles because of their teaching on ruling, caring for and feeding the church of Christ, they provide essential teaching for Christians today-when there is so much confusion about the nature, purpose and relevance of the church.

Geoffrey Wilson's commentaries on Paul's letters have been welcomed and commended throughout the world. They patient! uncover the meaning of the text of Scripture and clearly expound meaning. But as a working pastor himself, Geoffrey Wilson brin specially relevant experience and wisdom to bear on his exposition this section of apostolic teaching.

Geoffrey B. Wilson is minister of Birkby Baptist Church, Huddersfield He has written commentaries on all of Paul's letters with the single exception of Philippians on which he is now working.