This addition to the SCM Theological Commentary on the Bible offers a new interpretation of the theology and the narrative context of the Pastoral Epistles, Philemon, and Jude. Risto Saarinen makes three unique claims: 1) the Pastoral Epistles need to be understood in terms of character formation and diagnostic language; 2) the treatment of gifts and giving is a prominent feature of the epistles; 3) a theological exegesis of these books results in a new view regarding the nature of doctrine. The SCM Theological Commentary series enlists leading theologians to read and interpret Scripture for the twenty-first century, just as the church fathers, the Reformers, and others did for their times and places. Each commentary is a useful tool for preaching, teaching, study groups and individual reflection