This latest release in the Christian Standard Commentary (CSC) series is the first to replace an author from the NAC that the CSC is replacing. To be honest, I was surprised to see the John Pohill work replaced as I had enjoyed using it in the past. In the author’s preface where he mentioned the type of commentary Pohill and others had written, he laid out his desire to especially focus on “the narritival and theological content of Acts with an eye toward the ecclesial.” I only had to start reading before I realized that he was on to something.

He begins the introduction by telling us of the main proposals for the “theological heart” of Acts. From there he develops quite convincingly this theme as our Triune God sharing with us. He traces the big picture through the Father, the Son, the Spirit, the Word, salvation, the church, and witnessing. Now that’s what I call getting the big picture. The Trinitarian perspective is brilliant and undoubtedly correct.

Next, he takes on narrative, genre, Lucan concerns, and structure and imparts much meaningful material along the way. There are even some helpful graphs provided. He ends with traditional introductory issues and has conservative conclusions.

The commentary proper is at once well researched and well written. Despite the expertise, I think pastors and Bible students can score a winner in this volume.

Count be as won over! This is a real treat.

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.

I’ve loved all the ZECOT volumes releases to date, but this latest entry by Gary Smith deserves special commendation. Perhaps he has grasped the format of the ZECOT the best I’ve seen so far. His work is good; his presentation is near perfect. I even enjoyed it more than his widely-received work on Isaiah (NAC/CSC). In that vein, I liked it more than a recent release on Ezra and Nehemiah in the NICOT series as well.

After a bibliography and translation, he dives into a strong Introduction. He begins with a clear presentation of historical background. It’s spruced up with some pictures and graphs that were particularly effective. His conclusions are conservative here as well as the following section on date and authorship. The concluding work on literary features is his best work here and, of course, matches the distinctive contribution of the ZECOT series.

The commentary proper is even better and continues the use of timely charts. Every section gives a main idea, the literary context, structure and literary form (rich), explanation of text ( what most are looking for), and canonical and theological significance (perceptive).

This is one to get!

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.

Philippians is the latest new release in the rapidly unfolding complete revision of the time-honored Tyndale New Testament Commentary series. Brown replaces the somewhat controversial Ralph Martin volume that was itself a revision of his earlier work. Without doubt, that Martin volume took the most criticism in the series. For that reason, this is a welcome replacement.

This work, fortunately, is not going to be as controversial. I wouldn’t call this book riveting as it aims slightly more toward scholars than is typical of this series. At times, what Bible students or pastors would want takes a back seat to more scholarly interests. The author seemed quite knowledgeable, but took, perhaps, too academic an outlook for this series.

I also saw something, too, in this volume that I had not seen in any other I could remember. When I said it had an academic tone, it seemed as though she wrote for younger seminary students. She would explain what she was talking about as if it were the reader’s first encounter with the subject. For example, when discussing reconstructing the situation of the Philippians she had two full paragraphs on how to have a balanced approach in historical reconstruction. That would be helpful to a new student but perhaps others wouldn’t like it. She sounded like a professor teaching at many points.

I’m not suggesting this is a bad commentary just that it might not be for all tastes. She is an accomplished scholar and has written and edited major works. Perhaps that is more her forte than a work for Bible students and pastors or the typical TNTC user.

Still, she handled Philippians 2 far better than Martin did and has for sure superseded his work. I wouldn’t want this volume to be my only one for Philippians, but it one be fine as one of a few I’d consult.

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 book replaces the thirty-year-old Charles Fensham volume that had been widely used. This new entry is much more geared to scholarly types than the more pastor-friendly earlier work. Most new NICOT volumes lean that direction, but this one seems to especially answer the detailed questions that scholars ask. I imagine scholars would rank it highly while pastors might only marshal information from it that would require them to put it together themselves. There is a place for such works, but make your expectations in that direction.

If you are after introductory issues, you’ll get over 90 detailed pages here. Some subjects will be more illuminating than others, but I can’t think of any omissions. The sections on the text and date cover many ideas with mostly conservative conclusions at until a discussion of the final compilation of the books. The discussion of setting covers some themes and structure clearly in the latest parlance. The final 2/3 of the Introduction covers historical background and is the best work here. With that information you can reconstruct the times with distinct advantage. As I understand it, themes of Second Temple Judaism are a specialty of the author. It shows. I thought it was good except when she put how Ezra and Nehemiah dealt with mixed marriages as harsher than, and perhaps a departure from, the Pentateuch. Could not the Lord for His Own purposes have led them to take a stronger stand during times of the acute stress of a seventy year captivity? Our scholarship can collapse under its own weight if we disconnect it from Whose word it is.

The commentary proper exhibits what we found in the Introduction. Expert scholarship that outranks its theology. The bibliography and copious footnotes show the author’s scholarly prowess. Application is not really in view. Take the mass of quality scholarship and make your own application . Then you will be able to squeeze out all this book has to offer.

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.