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NPP = New Perspective on Paul.

Both my wife and I are are allergic to mildew - so I have to be careful about used books, but I have gotten some bargains from time to time.

John

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"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal 5:6b

Pastor John C. Blackburn

new perspective eh? -- does that encompass multiple views or 1 or 2? -- if the later, what is new about it?

never thought of the mildew aspect! -- thanks for adding 2 my "buyer beware" cache

btw -- am looking forward to going thru Bruce's NIGTC Galatians work this year (summer?) -- got it based on your & Alain's reviews

I do not want to stray to far from the OP, but the NPP proposes that the reformers - and Augustine for that matter, misunderstood Paul, and that the crisis in Galatia was not over the manner in which one was saved, but rather over certain "boundary markers" which distinguished God's people.

Justification is redefined to differing degrees by various NPP proponents. I strongly disagree with the NPP - though they have helped us re-examine Judaism in the NT era. It was not as monolithic as some had supposed. Nevertheless, I remain committed to justification as defined by the Augustinian/Lutheran/Reformed tradition. We are declared to be just in God's sight on the basis of the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If you wish to follow this up, please feel free to start a thread or send me a pm.

John

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"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal 5:6b

Pastor John C. Blackburn

On Philippians, it would be O’Brien, unless you find the volume more technical than you desire, but he is the clear first choice. Now it is not that the commentaries of Silva and Fee are not helpful, for in fact, they are very good. Each of them would make a wonderful companion to the study of this epistle. O’Brien taught at TEDS, Fee was a professor at Gordon/Conwell and then Regent, while Silva long served at Westminster and then Gordon/Conwell. Fee is an Assembly of God minister. I do love the diagrams which he includes. Hawthorne (WBC) has recently been revised by Ralph Martin, so I am sure that it will remain a good reference work, but I doubt that I will purchase this revision.

Ralph Martin has also written 2 commentaries on Philippians – in the TNTC and the NCB. I think that I have sold each of them in order to purchase other books. Neither would be sufficient on its own. On the other hand, there are at least 2 other commentaries which could help you work through this epistle: both Melick (NAC) and Theilman (NIVAC) could do the job. I enjoy Melick’s comments and I think that he is clearer to the average minister than is Theilman, but both would help you through the Epistle.

I have to plead ignorance with respect to the BNTC entry by Bockmuehl, for it is another book on my Christmas/Birthday list. If the reviews I have read are indicative of its value, then his effort may well exceed that of Melick and Theilman. Volume 12 of the REBC is the only volume which I have actually purchased – CBD briefly sold it for ten bucks! David Garland has contributed 74 large pages of comment on Philippians which would be 150 or more pages in most other volumes. He is a fine writer, but I have not yet even read the introduction. I have read Bruce (NIBC) and it is excellent for its size, but it is still does not provide enough information to be your only commentary. One of my professors, Homer Kent covered Philippians in the EBC = he only had about 55 pages, so it cannot be your only reference, but he makes some helpful comments. (Note that I sat under Dr. Kent for a course on the exegesis of Philippians.)

I understand that Motyer’s contribution in the BST is excellent – as his books usually are, but I have not had the opportunity to review it. I only know that the work of Fowl in the THNTC is highly praised, but I do not know his doctrinal perspective. Witherington’s commentary is much slimmer than some of his other works, but I have found it to be helpful on occasion. Hendriksen is outdated, but still helpful to the expositor.

So I would encourage you to acquire O’Brien, if it is not a more technical work than you desire, but you would not go wrong with either Fee or Silva. Melick, Garland, Theilman, and perhaps Bockmuehl would each be less technical, but, I believe, sufficiently helpful partners to guide you through the epistle.

May you study with joy! John

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"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal 5:6b

Pastor John C. Blackburn

On Colossians! O’Brien (WBC) is the best commentary on this Epistle. I found O’Brien to be excellent when I preached through this letter, but a brand new work may provide some serious competition for the evangelical pastor’s attention. Yes, I will recommend a volume which I do not even own, at least not yet! In fact, I have not even touched it, but I am so confident that Moo’s new contribution to the Pillar series is a first rate commentary that I will make him a top choice, and hopefully, my birthday will bring this new publication my way. Dunn’s contribution in the NIGTC is somewhat helpful from the NPP (New Perspective on Paul.) It must be read with discernment, but there is some help to be found.

The next group of books is less technical than the above, but each is a profitable investment for the evangelical student. Garland (NIVAC) is highly regarded and I have not been disappointed when I referred to him. I have already stated my appreciation of Melick on Philippians. I think that Bruce’s contribution on Colossians is stronger than his comments on Ephesians in the NICNT, I always try to read it.

I really want to review Ernest Martin in the BCBC, which has been recommended by others, but I have not had the opportunity to use it The same is true of Thompson in the THNTC – which I do intend to purchase. C. F. D. Moule Is a helpful guide to the Greek text – as is Harris in the EGGNT, the only entry in that series. Some would say that both are dated. Harris has helped me in my studies.

Curtis Vaughan has given us two commentaries on Colossians, one is in the old EBC - which is as helpful as a work that size can be, and the other is one of his study guide commentaries. The latter is perfect for a Sunday School teacher, but insufficient for a pastor. Todd Still has contributed about 85 large pages of comments on Colossians in the revised edition of the EBC. I have not yet formed an opinion.

Ralph Martin did both the NCB entry and an exposition of this epistle. Each is helpful, but would not be my top pick. Hendriksen is a somewhat dated reformed commentary, but he can be helpful. I did not find Wright to be that helpful in the TNTC, I quit reading him after a few sermons after when I preached through the Epistle.

I would suggest that the Pastor purchase O’Brien or Moo. If your budget constrains you, Garland, Melick, or Bruce would suffice.

In Christ, John

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"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal 5:6b

Pastor John C. Blackburn

On Thessalonians, well, before I say much, are you pre-, mid-, late-, post, or a-trib? One may find each of those positions. I am a convinced pretribulationist, and if I should give that up, my second choice would be a-trib or no trib as I believe that the imminence of our Lord’s return is clearly taught in the Scripture.

Yet let me start at the beginning – so to speak. I have found F. F. Bruce to be very helpful. He is the first “heavy” commentary to which I turn. Either he or Wanamaker, whom I use primarily as a reference tool, could help you work through these epistles. Green may be the best choice for many pastors; it is well done, and he may well replace Bruce during my next trip through these epistles. Leon Morris (NICNT) has been a faithful companion, though, as an amillenialist, he is less helpful on the prophetic sections.

So what is that great pre-trib commentary that I would recommend? Unfortunately, it has not yet been written. Thomas in the REBC is the best that we have – though I do think that one of my former professors, Richard Mayhue, did a very good job in his Focus on the Bible volume. I have not used the commentary by Mal Couch, but I do have the old standard of Hiebert, now published by BMH. I wish that it had more headings – sometimes it takes a bit of time to find that for which you are looking.

I so looked forward to Martin in the NAC – and I was quite disappointed that he was post-trib. He is helpful in other respects. Something similar could be said of Holmes in the NIVAC. The standard brief amilenial commentaries are Morris in the TNTC and Beale in the INPNTC.

According to the reviews which I have read, Best denied Pauline authorship of the second letter in his BNTC volume. Marshall is said to compliment Best, and I have found him to be helpful, but not as much as some of those listed above. Williams in the NIBC is somewhat thin. I have not used either Mahlerbe (AB) nor Witherington’s volumes on theses epistles.

If you are pre-trib like me, you are only going to buy one book, and want someone from your perspective, Thomas or Mayhue could work. If you want the best work no matter what the perspective, Greene or Bruce might be the best choice. Wannamaker can help the serious student, and Morris always provides help to the preacher. Finally, Martin could also help you work through the Epistles.

Preach both readily and ready to go! John

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"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal 5:6b

Pastor John C. Blackburn

To preach the Pastoral Epistles, it would be a difficult choice. God has once again greatly blessed us with mighty helpers in our studies. Most of them are very recent and exciting. As my remarks concerning the letters to the Thessalonians were affected by controversy over prophetic issues – so I will occasionally remark on the egalitarian/complementarian issue with respect to these books. There are excellent commentaries on each side of the issue.

If we begin with the “heavy” works, I would first choose Mounce. It is a thorough and profitable work – although there is that annoying WBC format. George Knight would be roughly his equal, he is another complementarian. Now, I must confess that I have not even gazed upon the most thorough of works – the ICC entry by Marshall. He is an egalitarian, but, although he is an evangelical British Methodist, he rejects Pauline authorship. Phillip Towner worked with Marshall on that ICC volume and he has now produced a most formidable commentary in the NICNT. I have only begun to use it, but have been quite impressed. He is also an egalitarian and also holds to Pauline authorship.

The above entries are the Big Four evangelical commentaries on the Pastorals. There are also some works of moderate complexity that would serve you well. Kostenberger in the REBC is perhaps a little better than Fee in the NIBC – the first is from a complementarian perspective, the second is from an egalitarian, both are profitable. Towner wrote a smaller commentary in the IVPNTC which I found to be quite helpful.

J. N. D. Kelly was one of my best 2 commentaries on these epistles when I was in seminary. The other was from one of my professors, Dr Homer Kent. Occasionally both are overly influenced by certain traditions, but both are helpful. John Stott again has 2 model expositions on these epistles in the BST. They are simply excellent.

I also found Lea and Griffin (NAC) to be of help. I am glad that I purchased the book, but it is not in the top tier of works on these epistles. Neither is Walter Liefeld in the NIVAC, this was a major disappointment to me, perhaps because I had such high hopes. William Hendriksen did meet my expectations for his volume, but I did not think it was as helpful as some of his other volumes.

A number of evangelicals think that Luke Timothy Johnson has written a helpful work in the AB. I have used not examined his work. He does uphold Pauline authorship. Two very complete works which reject Paul’s authorship are the AB entry on Titus by Jerome Quinn and the ECC volume by Quinn & Wacker.

Finally there are 2 fairly new works to mention. The first is the Cornerstone volume by Linda Belleville and John Laamsa. I have not yet touched it. I am also unfamiliar with another new work, Ben Witherington’s: Letters and Homilies for Hellenized Christians, Volume 1: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on Titus, 1-2 Timothy and 1-3 John, but I am confident that it would be an excellent supplement.

So Mounce, Knight, and Towner are each very valuable and could guide you through these epistles. If you can tolerate his stance on authorship, Marshall could also be included in that list – the 928 page paperback is affordable (and technical). Kostenberger would head the next group – with Fee, Lea & Griffin, and Kent following behind.

Read Faithfully, John

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"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal 5:6b

Pastor John C. Blackburn

...on a much loved, but yet challenging book of Hebrews.

I would choose either William Lane (WBC) or George Guthrie (NIVAC). Lane includes Guthrie’s analysis in his introduction so I would pick Lane if you can afford and use his two technical volumes. I believe Guthrie has nailed down the structure of Hebrews.

There are other respected technical offerings; Ellingworth (NIGTC) provides an excellent evangelical interpretation in the NIGTC. Attridge in the Hermeneia series is a very highly regarded technical work, but he is not an evangelical. Johnson in the Interpretation series is a respected RC entry in the NTL, but I would not make any of these three my first choice.

The older evangelical standard was the combination of FF Bruce with P. E. Hughes. One could choose Hughes for the theology and some history of interpretation and Bruce for everything else. Kistemaker would be an adequate guide and to a lesser extent so would Hagner. In addition to Hagner, Homer Kent would provide an adequate help for those on a stricter budget.

Now, I have not used France’s contribution to the REBC – so I will not comment, but Morris was disappointing in the original EBC. I have not laid eyes on Phillips in REC, but I would expect it to be sound. I do not think that de Silva would alone be adequate, but could be a helpful supplement. I have read that if you are going to purchase any of William Barclay's volumes - this is the one to purchase. His writing can be quite illuminating, but not always trustworthy.

On the whole, I have not found many of the shorter commentaries on Hebrews to be that helpful.

Boldly, John

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"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal 5:6b

Pastor John C. Blackburn

On the Epistle of James, on this day, I would pick Douglass Moo in the PNTC, but I might change my mind whenever I acquire Blomberg/Kamell in the new ZEC. Davids (NIGTC) is excellent, but I would not choose it as my only commentary. Nevertheless either this technical commentary by Davids or that of Martin (WBC) could also help you work through the epistle.

I really like Stulac in the IVPNTC, more than most reviewers, because he helped me preach through the epistle. Kistemaker and Hiebert are reliable, but certainly not exciting guides. Adamson (NICNT) was a disappointment to me on my first post-seminary journey through James, even before I read some other folks offer the same opinion.

I have not been impressed with Nystrom (NIVAC) or Burdick (EBC), but I am looking forward to reviewing Guthrie in the REBC. Everything I have read tells me that Motyer is very good in the BST - as is Curtis Vaughan in his Study Guide Commentary. Either of them would be great for a Sunday School Teacher. Davids in the NIBC is also helpful, but if you can use his NIGTC volume, there is no reason to own this one.

There is a new commentary (REC) by Dorianni, but I have not used it. The same is true of the AB volume by L. T. Johnson, one of the few RC commentaries that I am considering for a future purchase.

Living out the faith, John

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"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal 5:6b

Pastor John C. Blackburn

…on 1 Peter? Well, we have moved from a position of need to a situation of abundance with respect to commentaries on this epistle. I have just begun to use Jobes (BECNT), but I am confident that she is easier to follow than Schreiner (NAC.) Schreiner is a fellow Southern Baptist and this is one of the better commentaries in the NT portion of the NAC. Davids is also helpful and would give one a more Arminian slant to the book. I have not purchased the WBC volume by Michaels, but I am sure that he would be helpful to the student, I am looking forward to Wilkins (ZEC) and Hafeman (PNTC), and maybe Martin (NIGTC) – I am not familiar with his work.

Hillyer is one of the best commentaries in the NIBC – at least of the ones which I have used. Kelly (BNTC) was my close and helpful companion on my first trip through the Epistle. The NIVNTC contribution by I. Howard Marshall is well written. (Note that I have recommended two books from the other side of the Calvinist divide.) Of course, Kistemaker is definitely a Calvinist, and he is steady as always, and Hiebert is his usual warm, helpful, and somewhat wordy self. I am not sure that either the old TNTC entry by Stibbs, or the new volume by Grudem would be alone sufficient. Grudem is better than Stibbs, but Stibbs did warm my heart in years past.

Some folks recommend Clowney (BST) quite highly, maybe I was having a bad year, because I quit reading him after a few sermons. I was also a little disappointed by McKnight (NIVAC), but he has been praised by several reviewers. Perhaps
it was a really bad year! Selwyn (a reprint of the old Macmillan entry) is really a reference work, while Blum (EBC) is not quite sufficient to be your only work. I have not yet acquired Charles (REBC), so I have not yet formed an opinion. Neither have I purchased the BCBC volume by Waltner and Charles.

John Elliot (AB) and Actemeier (H) are on the other side of the conservative/liberal divide, but I would buy the latter if I were going to pick between them. If I may be allowed a personal favorite, Jay Adams is very helpful to the pastor who counsels. So Jobes, Schreiner, Davids, and Michaels would be my top choices. Marshal, Hillyer, or Kelly could also help you think through the book.

In His steps, John

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"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal 5:6b

Pastor John C. Blackburn

on 2 Peter and Jude…well I have new riches on these books - which I have not yet fully explored, so I will begin with my Big Three. I think that Green (BECNT) will become my best commentary on this Epistle; if only because I might agree with him more than Davids (PCNT), and Schreiner is one of the more complete volumes in the NAC.

Now Bauckham (WBC) is an excellent technical work, but not quite as conservative as the three mentioned above, while Moo (NIVAC) is conservative, and does an excellent job in his volume. Greene was always one of my favorite entries in the TNTC, yet I always wanted more! Kistemaker met that need until these more recent works appeared. Hillyer may be as helpful here as he was on the first epistle.

Unfortunately, Kelly (HNTC) denies Petrine authorship, and I thought that his comments are affected by that perspective. Hiebert is Hiebert – warm and helpful to the pastor who wishes to jump in the water, but he really cannot compare with the first 5 commentaries mentioned. There are 2 recently published works which I have not reviewed: the REBC volume where Charles covers these 2 books and the IVPNTC by Harvey & Towner. I do not think that I will get into some of the old entries (like Mayor) because we now have current resources! There are also some interesting volumes on the way to us.

I would check out the first 3 to see which one helps you the most in your ministry/study. If they are a bit pricey – perhaps Greene, Hillyer, or a bargain on Charles in the REBC would be the answer.

While we are waiting, John

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"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal 5:6b

Pastor John C. Blackburn

I am truly excited! Even though Carson has not completed the commentary on which I have waited for years, the past several years have brought outstanding commentaries to my shelves. Smalley has revised his 1984 WBC volume just this year. Yarbrough’s excellent BECNT contribution was published in 2008, the commentary by NET Bible translator W Hall Harris arrived in 2003, Daniel Akin’s work in the NAC appeared in 2001, and Kruse’s Pillar entry came out in 2000. WOW!

I really like Yarbrough on the Epistles of John, he has again excited me about these epistles, but his volume is not a quick read, If you want one that you can absorb without meditation – either Akin or Kruse would be excellent. Marshall (NICNT), written from an Arminian perspective, is also very good. The volume by Harris is great for someone who is trying to make use of their Greek skills and He has clearly worked through this epistle many times - to our profit. Smalley is a moderate who rejects Johannine authorship, but he is nevertheless often helpful.

Yet, we have not yet spoken of perhaps the best volume in the TNTC, where Leon Morris wrote on these Epistles of John. He was my main man before most of the above were written. D. E. Hiebert contributed another conservative exposition on these epistles – a little dated, but pastoral and dependable. There is also the larger commentary by Burdick. I was once very excited about this book. It can still help the preacher, but I do not think it can compete with Akin, Harris, and Yarbrough. I thought that Burge in the NIVAC was OK, but Akin and Kruse have more meat and also provide sufficient application to render this volume unneeded. F. F. Bruce’s small volume is excellent for it’s size, as is that by Curtis Vaughan, but one should at least get Morris.

I should mention a few volumes which I do not own that might be helpful to you. I have not purchased Letters and Homilies for Hellenized Christians, Volume 1: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on Titus, 1-2 Timothy and 1-3 John by Witherington, the NIVNTC by Marianne Meye Thompson, or the BST entry by David Jackman, but the latter 2 should be sufficient guides to these letters, while the first would be a resource.

Yarbrough, Akin, Kruse, and Hall would be my top choices – Smalley being hindered by his conclusions on authorship. Marshall and Morris are also very good and would serve admirably as your guide through these letters.

In His Fellowship, John

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"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal 5:6b

Pastor John C. Blackburn

This is the first and last (literally) post in this series that I have approached with some trepidation. I suppose it is because Revelation has been used divisively by those on all sides of the eschatological divides. My best friend, who is actually smarter than me is pre-wrath premillenialist - go figure. I have another long time friend in the ministry who is a historic pre-millenialist - oh well. And then One of my fellow moderators shared with me that she is amillenial - Oh my - what to do? Love them of course, because we just need to be ready all the time!

I am a pretribulational and premillennial futurist, but I do not think that a pastor should limit his reading to one point of view. It has been about eight years since I have preached completely through Revelation; though I did preach chapters 1-5 and 20-22 during that interval. Alan Johnson (EBC) and Craig Keener (NIVAC) were my main guides on that last alpha to omega journey. Since I was doing a summer series, I did not need the depth of Thomas on a regular basis – so I used him as a reference work at certain points. Now that I have Osborne (BECNT) – I am confident that I will start the conversation with his comments before I move elsewhere. Osborne is pre-millenial.

I did think that Mounce (NICNT) was much more helpful to me than some of the pre-trib commentators. Tenney’s Interpreting Revelation was sometimes useful, but I stopped reading Walvoord after a while. Kistemaker (NTC), who is amillennial was sometimes helpful, but I stopped reading Kistemaker a few sermons after I quit reading Walvoord.

I am considering the new a-mill contribution by Ian Boxall in the BNTC. I may not spend the money on the NIGTC entry by Beale, but I would purchase the volume if I was just starting out. There is also a highly recommended a-mill commentary by Dennis Johnson, but I have not used it – yet. I have both bought and sold Beasley-Murray – the NCB format was not that helpful, but I have not purchased Ladd. It is my hope that Mounce would adequately cover that approach, but since Ladd has been reprinted, I am thinking about it again.

There are some other interesting books out there – on some of which I have to admit a degree of ignorance – not complete ignorance, but I can only make some general comments. A number of folks think that William Hendriksen’s “More than Conquerors” captures Revelation accurately – he sees a series of recapitulations, I do not see it that way. On the other hand, I have been considering buying Stephen Smalley’s new commentary for my next trip - He does think John wrote Revelation! Many of us have long waited for D. A. Carson’s commentary in the Pillar series, but I suppose that our wait will continue.

Finally, I will add a few more works, Leon Morris (TNTC) or Anthony Hoeksema for those who see no millenium; and perhaps Stewart Custer, Ed Hindson, or Lehman Strauss for those of us with a dispensational perspective. I am sure that I have left some worthwhile contributions out of these comments, but since this is a discussion board, you all can compensate for my oversights!

Meanwhile my choices for one commentary on Revelation would begin with Osbourne, Alan Johnson, Keener, and Mounce. Many folks would add either Ladd or Dennis Johnson to that list.

Waiting, John

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"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal 5:6b

Pastor John C. Blackburn

so Osbourne over Thomas? - have but haven't read Osbourne yet -- perhaps this summer, Lord Willing, but need to read some other Book commentaries 1st

Chilton's Days of Vengeance is supposed to be the #1 preterist treatise

Not sure which are the best for the historist & idealist views -- suggestions?

John, in light of your recommendations of Osbourne, Johnson, Keener, and Mounce, where would you say Beale fits into the picture for one beginning to build a commentary library? And can you recommend a good devotional commentary on Revelation?

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Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!

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