The Appearing of God Our Savior

“Studies of Paul’s three Pastoral Letters often focus on the problems they address. Claire Smith rightly centers on the God who acts and speaks to save a people for himself. This places the emphasis where the text does and advances the teachings and admonitions that surely renewed faith, direction, and hope in Timothy, in Titus, and in their congregations. Smith’s exceptionally clear and flowing exposition of the letters to Timothy and Titus offers the same refreshing benefit to readers, the church, and the world today.”

Robert W. Yarbrough

“With sound scholarship and insightful clarity, Claire Smith zooms out from the text of these three epistles, helping readers to see the overriding themes and ideas Paul communicates, and enabling readers to trace his arguments, understand his terms, and grasp his message.”

Nancy Guthrie

“This is an excellent guide to three New Testament epistles that are vitally important for the life of the church. Smith structures her introduction around their major themes: the sovereign purposes of God, the need for and nature of salvation, and the proclamation of the message and its outworking in the life of the Christian community. A great place to begin to understand what God is saying to his pilgrim people here on earth, as we await the final outworking of his plan for us and the whole of creation.”

Gerald Bray

“This accessible volume provides a very useful sketch of the theology of each of Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus. Readers will find in Claire Smith a competent and reliable guide for studying these eminently relevant missives to Paul’s apostolic delegates.”

Andreas J. Köstenberger

“The Appearing of God Our Savior is classic Claire Smith. It is clear and compelling and will help you be a better reader of God’s word. Smith shows us that life is always about how God orders things. Therefore, every part of our lives is to conform to God’s purposes and plans. We may suffer now as we live this way, but we are blessed and saved for eternity through Christ Jesus.”

Jane Tooher

“Here is a masterful demonstration that the letters to Timothy and Titus contain much more than ecclesiological tidbits. Pastors and other Bible teachers will find in this volume a lucid summation of God’s redemptive arrangement: the one God who desires to save a people for himself, the one mediator—Jesus Christ—who accomplishes the salvation of God’s people, the Spirit who indwells and empowers, and the human agents through whom God’s saving word advances. This will remain one of my go-to theological resources as I preach and teach the letters to Paul’s delegates.”

Dillon T. Thornton

“Claire Smith has gifted us with a remarkable resource that delves into the theological and pastoral depths of Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus. Often these letters are viewed only through the lens of specific debates. However, Smith skillfully encourages us to take a broader perspective, highlighting how the letters convey profound truths about the God who saves us from sin and death through his Son, Jesus Christ. Smith connects these truths to the practical realities of human relationships, church life, and pastoral ministry. While clearly the result of her thorough exegetical analysis and scholarly expertise, the book remains clear, accessible, and highly engaging.”

Lionel Windsor

“The New Testament letters to Timothy and Titus address a number of critically important issues in the life of the churches in Ephesus and Crete at the time of writing. Claire Smith’s helpful study carefully explores the big ideas about God and his purposes that shape the apostle Paul’s understanding of and response to these issues. Those of us who tend to focus on the details of the particular texts will be helped to see how the appearing of God our Savior is the wonderful reality that, in different ways, illuminates each of these letters. Bible students and teachers will benefit from this perceptive bird’s-eye view.”

John Woodhouse

“The Pastoral Epistles are essential for the health of the church of Christ. They are core study material for all church leaders and Christian workers. Churches benefit from every member being familiar with them. This concise study identifies and examines the key theological themes in each letter and thus provides an outstanding resource for any wishing to understand and teach this vital material. I found myself profoundly encouraged by Claire Smith’s work.”

William Taylor

“This excellent book fills a long-standing need for a thorough assessment of the theology expressed in these letters without the undue but widespread skepticism about the letters. With clear and accessible writing, Smith beautifully articulates the theology of the Pastoral Epistles, showing also how it fits with the rest of Pauline, and indeed New Testament, theology, making this a wonderful resource for anyone studying 1–2 Timothy and Titus.”

Ray Van Neste

“Claire Smith expertly expounds 1–2 Timothy and Titus in this excellent entry to the New Testament Theology series. These apostolic letters not only engage pressing challenges of the early church but also instruct the church in every age to marvel at the saving plan of God, to hold fast to God-breathed Scriptures, to endure suffering, and to love Christ’s appearing. Highly recommended!”

Brian J. Tabb

“Claire Smith’s study of these epistles helps us to elevate our gaze to the majestic narrative of God’s redemptive plan in Christ. Her exploration of the themes reveals that the heart of these Pastoral Letters lies not in household and church rules but in a revelation of God’s character and his mission in the world to save sinners and transform a people for himself. Smith’s work will help Christian leaders and all God’s people to stand courageously firm in God’s revealed truth and live gospel-shaped lives while we await the glorious appearing of Jesus.”

Carmelina Read