This book has gained a high reputation in the economical, pastor-friendly New American Commentary (NAC) series. Craig Blomberg has earned expert status in the scholarly world on the Gospels. Don’t miss his Preface where he tells what he thinks about commentaries series in general, and why the NAC is worthwhile.

Blomberg says his focus could be labeled “a cautious evangelical redaction criticism”. I love “cautious” and “evangelical”, but must admit my least favorite paragraphs were those explaining his views on “redaction criticism”. Scholars often miss that pastors find that the least helpful type of thing that scholarship provides. Some of us are convinced it’s not even accurate. Still, don’t let that turn you away from this commentary. It nevertheless contains the things pastors are looking for, and they are well done at that.

The Introduction does a great job sharing various viewpoints about structure. He works his way to his own conclusion that sees value in a couple of opinions out there (Kingsbury and Bacon particularly). He wisely sees structure as a springboard to theology and gives us several pages that gets to the heart of Matthew. Again, his section on sources doesn’t do much for me, but I appreciated his conservative conclusions on date, authorship, and historicity.

The commentary proper never fails to provide help. The quality remains constant throughout. There might be points I’d disagree with, but every passage was of high quality.

Though this commentary would be considered mid-length (many people’s preference), and pastor/teacher friendly (even more people’s preference), it still can run with the big boys in the exegetical commentary field. I recommend it!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Francois Bovon continues the high standard of commentary that he began in the first volume of this three-volume set in the Hermeneia series. The level of scholarship and probing theological reflection remains at its commendable level. This volume is huge as it is actually one combined volume of what was two volumes in the original German and French. The translation is so well done you would never know it was originally in another language.

This volume covers Luke 9:51-19:27. That section is known as the Travel Narrative and is Luke’s most unique section. Bovon continues with the same format as we found in volume 1. In each section of commentary, he begins with a bibliography and translation. From there, he provides a section he calls “analysis” that discusses sources. That is, to my mind, the least valuable section and his certainty when he discusses sources is somewhat grating.  Next, he moves into commentary verse-by-verse of a most outstanding quality. A final section of the history of interpretation really moves this commentary into a special category.

Maybe the best way I can illustrate why this book is such a jewel is to refer you to some great passages of Luke that are favorites of many of us. In the section on The Good Samaritan, Bovon goes through the story seeing details others miss as well as their theological significance. Both in his own analysis and his discussion of the history of interpretation he allows for the allegorical interpretation of Christ being the Good Samaritan. Most modern exegetical commentaries run right by that possibility.

Then there’s his discussion of the Parable of the Prodical Son, which he wisely calls the Parable of Two Sons. He explains inheritance in those days as well as I’ve seen. He shares so many theological nuggets that most miss. It was truly an exciting section to read. There are many other such passages in this commentary.

This commentary is truly special and unique, and I highly recommend it.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Are you looking for a quality exegetical work on Daniel that holds to a premillennial or dispensational viewpoint? This fine volume in the pastor-friendly New American Commentary (NAC) series has no real rival for you then. If you see it ranked average, it is usually downgraded for its prophetic outlook, not for the quality of its scholarship. That bias will erase if you read it for yourself. In fact, several amillennial reviewers reluctantly admit that the scholarship is superb. Yes, I’m very high on this book.

The Introduction is conservative, helpful, and warm. He begins with the prophet Daniel and the authorship and date of the book. He explains how the radical theories are very recent and the conservative conclusion on Daniel and its date has long been believed and for good reason. He’s helpful on historical setting and genre as well.

Commentaries on Daniel tend to be good on either the thrilling historical stories or the prophecy, but not both. Mark this one down as excelling on each one. It offered real help and insight in both categories.

This series is always your best bet for a premillennial outlook. (Check out the equally magnificent volume on Revelation in the series). Miller has given the volume that many of us have been looking for on Daniel!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Japhet’s volume is the most massive exegetical commentary on I and II Chronicles that I am aware of. It’s actually fatter (1077 pages) than most volumes in the Old Testament Library (OTL) that I’ve seen as well. In addition to its size, I’ve only seen great praise from the entire scholarly world for this highly-respected book. It’s fair to call it an influential volume.

I’d agree with those who would call it “conservatively critical”. In truth, it’s going to appeal to the more scholarly types (that’s another thing that sets this book in a different vein than some others in the series). Still, it’s quite readable.

The Introduction tracks its own course. It jumps in at the name and place in the cannon. She concludes that Chronicles is “one work, composed essentially by a single author, with a very distinct and peculiar literary method.” She looks in depth at the structure of the books. She goes far on sources, but much of it is just about which books of the Bible influenced the Chronicler. She has some conclusions I could never agree with, but there is careful explanation throughout. She summarizes the theology as a constant appeal to the past.

In the vast commentary we find helpful philology and exegetical detail. There’s more work on theology here than in the Introduction, which is a plus to most users. There’s more reference to sources than I like to see, but there’s plenty of helpful history. It’s hard to find anything missing across the pages of the commentary proper. Students will appreciate it.

This book is likely the book to have on Chronicles on the heavy exegesis side of the spectrum. I recommend it.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Here’s a scholarly book designed to really get at what OT wisdom literature is and what scholarship has thought it to be. Edited by David Firth and Lindsay Wilson, this book highlights the work of eleven scholars on the oft-debated issues of wisdom literature.

Part 1 is one chapter by Craig Bartholomew that introduces where the study of OT wisdom is today. That provides a fine overview, including some of the more bizarre things out there.

Part 2 gives chapters on the four main wisdom books of Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and the Song by Ernest Lucas, Lindsay Wilson, Katherine Dell, and Rosalind Clarke respectively. All of the chapters were worthwhile providing the reader learning each time.

Part 3 branches out on themes including seeing Ruth as Wisdom literature, retribution, wisdom, the connection of wisdom and biblical theology, voicing, and a really profound discussion of divine absence.   Gregory Goswell, Lennart Bostrom, David Firth, Christopher Ansberry (he was a really good writer), Simon Stocks, and Brittany Melton provided these chapters.

The book was a solid effort. If you like this type of book, I suggest you check out “Five Festal Garments” by Barry Webb from the same publisher as well. I predict you will see this volume quoted often in future scholarly works. It would be a worthy addition to your library.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

This commentary is one where I’ve heard so many tidbits of praise that I have long wanted to see what all the hoopla was about. With this review I’ve had my opportunity to look over this commentary from the Hermeneia series that I’ve had little interaction with. Since the series is geared more to scholars while my needs are that of a pastor, perhaps that was to be expected. Having now looked at this first volume of the three-volume set, I’m ready to admit that it is as special as its press clippings say.

Even though I have some caveats to my glowing review, I’m so glad to have it at my disposal. I must confess that the Introduction is rather brief, and misses what most introductions of an exegetical commentary discuss. That reason, I’ve heard, is because Bovon has written a full volume on introductory matters of Luke’s Gospel and feels no need of repetition. Further, I have no sympathy with his conclusions about sources, dating, or the historical integrity of what Luke’s Gospel says. Why with such caveats do I offer such a high ranking?

He is savvy with exegetical or philological insights. Even better, his theological help is profound. In the passages I reviewed, after I read past matters I couldn’t agree with, I’d find sparkling nuggets that enabled whole new lines of thought. I don’t know about you, but that’s what I’m looking for in a commentary. He’d often pull in incredibly interesting references from other parts of Scripture. I find that kind of help stimulating.

Aimed at scholars or not, I still recommend this book as a fine resource for pastors!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Clinton Arnold, who also happens to be the editor, contributes this volume on the wonderful Book of Ephesians in the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary (ZECNT) series. Mr. Arnold is a scholar highly qualified to comment on this book, one of the most important in the Bible. It’s obvious that Ephesians has been area of expertise for him. As with several volumes in the series, Mr. Arnold holds conservative viewpoints and defends them in a magisterial fashion. His bold proclamation of a belief in the inerrancy of Scripture was much appreciated by this reviewer.

He begins his Introduction by relating his awe of the Book of Ephesians. He believes the destination of the letter is Ephesus and shows the recent scholarly rejection of it to be built on a foundation of sand. He draws a vibrant portrait of the setting in Ephesus including its diverse religious and cultural background. He traces where Judaism stood there. I found it easy to agree with his four main themes of Ephesians too.

On authorship he remains convinced of Paul and explains why we should as well. He sifts through the scholarly debate over Ephesians similarity to Colossians to good advantage. He doesn’t have as much to say about structure as some, but doesn’t believe rhetoric is as in play as some have argued. After an outline and bibliography, he jumps into the commentary of the text.

The commentary is in the pastor-friendly ZECNT style. I read through some of what I believe to be the harder passages and loved what I found. There’s great presentation of options and clear reasoning about what he feels to be the right conclusion. I thought his section on the household code was balanced and firmly complementarian.

There’s a lot of competition in the Ephesians commentary category. He’s much more succinct than Hoehner and up near the staus of O’Brien. The writing flows well and the content is top notch. This volume is clearly in the must-have category.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (ZECNT) series rings the bell again with this fine volume on Colossians and Philemon by David Pao. The more volumes in this series I peruse, the more I like the ZECNT format. The scholarship is conservative and the outlook warmly in sympathy with the biblical text. Pao holds his own with the other great scholarly writers in the series.

The Introduction to Colossians is ideal. He argues beautifully for traditional conclusions while succinctly sharing various viewpoints. Still, he doesn’t let this volume drown in the weirder scholarly drama that we sometimes find in modern exegetical commentaries. He agrees with the long-accepted conclusion that Paul is the author and feels that Rome is the most likely location of the letter’s origin. He describes well the audience in Colossae and explains the circumstances behind the text. He sees both a Jewish legalism and syncretism at play in Colossians. He provides a helpful outline and bibliography.

The commentary on Colossians follows the usual format of discussing literary context, offering up the main idea, diagramming the text, discussing the structure, providing an exegetical outline, followed by substantial commentary on the text along with a section on theology in application. This format really serves up exactly what the pastor needs and is helpful throughout. I found his comments perceptive.

Philemon is given a similar Introduction followed by the same type of commentary format. Though I do not really agree with his rejection of seeing Onesimus as a runaway slave, it’s all still very helpful. I’m more in sympathy with his conclusions on Colossians, but this is still a superb choice for Philemon.

This commentary ranks up there with Douglas Moo  and Peter O’Brien and is newer than either of them. Add to its high rating its economical price and you have a winner here. I highly recommend it!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Roy Ciampa and Brian Rosner team up to provide this commentary on First Corinthians in the highly respected, conservative Pillar Commentary series edited by D. A. Carson. At this point, I’ve used most of the volumes in this series, and even reviewed several of them, and can’t deny that this series is one of the premier ones on the New Testament. Many of us look forward to when the entire New Testament is covered.

This volume on First Corinthians is huge, at just under 900 pages, on this one of the more challenging books of the New Testament. After a lengthy bibliography, the authors dive into an Introduction. With a confession that First Corinthians is one of Paul’s most difficult letters, they then jump into a discussion of the background of the church in Corinth. That section is quite well done. Next, they examine the identity and aims of the apostle Paul. They conclude that “Paul’s aim, then, is to bring about true worship and obedience among the Gentiles, to the glory of God”.

In the discussion about the interpretation of the book, they outline the structure of First Corinthians. They feel “the four main elements of 1 Corinthians are (in order) wisdom, sexuality, worship, and resurrection/consummation”. A section that was a bit harder to follow was the biblical theological framework of First Corinthians. They pull in many parallels from the Old Testament. They discuss verbal aspect and finally conclude that a “biblical/Jewish approach provides a solid basis for appreciating the structure and coherence of Paul’s response to Corinthian problems and also does greater justice to the fundamentally Jewish character of Paul’s response to the Corinthians”. You will have to decide for yourself if you see the depths of the Jewish character that they do.

The commentary itself is outstanding and of the high-caliber writing that we are used to finding in the Pillar commentary series. When checking several of the more notorious problem passages, you will find the authors arguing clearly and helpfully. I really liked what they had to say! I’m sure scholars will love this detailed volume. On the other hand, this volume is likely the top exegetical commentary on First Corinthians available to pastors today.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Leslie Allen is a veteran commentator who has contributed commentaries in several important series. Here in the Old Testament Library (OTL) Allen has replaced an earlier weak volume in the series with this widely-recognized contribution on the Book of Jeremiah. Having used some of his other commentaries, I found here the same quality of efforts as I saw in earlier projects. The book is even considered more conservative than several in this series.

After a nice bibliography, Mr. Allen begins a rather brief Introduction for this commentary. I appreciated his sharing his six guiding principles of approach to this commentary. I wish all commentators would so succinctly tell us up front the approach they’re going to take. He gets into translation and text and then quickly moves to the genre. He feels that “oracles of disaster constitute a backbone for the book”. He discusses the quotation formulas that you will encounter in Jeremiah. He barely addresses style before he jumps into literary development. Though I could not agree with his conclusions about the LXX and MT, he did carefully state his reasons. His comments on structure were helpful, and then he ends the Introduction with a discussion of purpose in the complex Book of Jeremiah. He remarks that the “purposeful trajectory of overriding grace that stretches over the book like a rainbow” is key.

The commentary was superior to the Introduction. In each passage, he gave the text with exegetical notes, followed by a paragraph on the passage as a whole, and then with more comments on individual verses. Though I could not always agree with his conclusions, you could tell that Mr. Allen was a season scholar with a full grasp of all the issues.

I found this book to be one of the more important in the OTL series, and as I said before, more conservative than some of them. Anyone trying to secure the most important commentaries on Jeremiah for a first-class library, simply must add this volume. I recommend it.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.