Commentary on 1 and 2 Timothy

Written during the turbulent years of the sixteenth century, John Calvin’s commentary on the Pastoral Epistles reflects both the rigor of a scholar and the heart of a seasoned shepherd. Dedicated to the Duke of Somerset during the English Reformation, this work emerged from Geneva as an urgent blueprint for cultivating faithful leadership amidst ideological controversy and institutional renewal.

Calvin navigates the Apostle Paul’s letters to his young protégé with his signature commitment to lucid brevity. He systematically unpacks essential doctrines, offering lucid reflections on the qualifications of elders, the public administration of worship, the proper stewardship of sound doctrine, and the pastoral defense against false teachers.

Throughout the exposition, Calvin bridges the gap between first-century Ephesus and the emerging Reformed church. His analysis treats the epistles not as detached administrative manuals, but as deeply personal charges to guard the gospel, endure persecution with courage, and persevere through cultural and spiritual decline.

Calvin’s commentary remains an enduring touchstone for pastors, seminarians, and scholars of ecclesiastical history. This classic text offers modern readers an invaluable encounter with one of Christianity’s most influential minds as he wrestles with the timeless challenges of shepherdhood and truth.