Bible Commentary

Elijah ministered during a terrible time in Israel’s history. Apostasy was at an all-time high because Ahab, Israel’s worst king, was on the throne (1 Kgs 16:30). His ungodly influence was augmented by his wife, Jezebel, who introduced Baal worship to Israel. In order to restore Israel to God, the Lord called one of his greatest prophets, Elijah, to confront Ahab (1 Kings 17:1). Elijah’s ministry was unique. He prayed that it would not rain as a judgment for Israel’s sins, and it did not rain for three and a half years. He challenged Baal’s prophets to a contest to prove that ...

The Book of Revelation is one of the most misunderstood and yet profoundly powerful books in the entire Bible. For centuries, believers have wrestled with its mysteries, drawn to its vivid imagery, prophetic declarations, and majestic portrayal of the risen Christ. But beyond its symbolism and prophecy lies a timeless message that speaks to believers of every age, offering guidance, hope, correction, and the promise of ultimate victory. Revelation Chapter 1 is the foundation upon which the entire book is built. It is here that the Apostle John receives a glorious, awe-inspiring vision of ...

Many pastors, students, and teachers have come to know and depend upon James Montgomery Boice’s scholarly yet accessible commentaries on the most popular books of the Bible. Here is an addition to the Boice commentaries that has a unique focus. Instead of examining an entire book of the Bible, it provides listeners with an in-depth look into Matthew 5-7, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus Christ was a Jew. His earthly parents were Jews, and he was raised within a Jewish culture. In addition, all of the men chosen by Jesus to lead the church he created were Jews. Understanding Jewish culture at the time of Christ, and knowing what the Jews of that time believed and taught, is crucial for anyone striving to know Jesus as a person. This book will help you understand the religious doctrine the Jews believed prior to the birth of Jesus, and will detail many of the specific laws and rites every Jew was required to perform. It will also give you the historical background of ...

Many of us tend to live as though Jesus represents the "spiritual part" of our lives. We don't clearly see how he relates to the rest of our experiences, desires, and habits. How can Jesus, the Bible, and Christianity become more than a compartmentalized part of our lives? Highly regarded New Testament scholar and popular teacher Jonathan Pennington argues that we need to recover the lost biblical image of Jesus as the one true philosopher who teaches us how to experience the fullness of our humanity in the kingdom of God.

“Stories of the Bible: Journeys from Sin to Slavery” is your gateway to an easy to understand introduction and daily reading plan of the Jewish people. Follow them from the day that they entered into their Promised Land, and experience the rapid rise of their culture. Be a witness as they wander from God’s side and into idolatry and sin. Short scriptural stories take the adult reader or Bible Study leader on a chronological journey from the day that Joshua led the Israelites into their Promised Land and through their defeat and enslavement. Stories of the Bible: Journeys from Sin to ...

A verse by verse study of the amazing book of Romans. Designed for high school to lower-college readers.

In The Bible’s Cutting Room Floor, acclaimed author and translator Dr. Joel M. Hoffman gives us the stories and other texts that didn’t make it into the Bible even though they offer penetrating insight into the Bible and its teachings. The Book of Genesis tells us about Adam and Eve’s time in the Garden of Eden, but not their saga after they get kicked out or the lessons they have for us about good and evil.

I and II Kings provide a record of Israel's history from the beginning of the movement to place Solomon on David's throne through the end of the reign of Zedekiah, Judah's last king. There are great lessons to be learned from Israel's desire to be "like those around us" and its consequences.

In Hebrew, this book is called dibhere ha-yamim: ''the words concerning the days.'' The Jewish Bible regards the Old Testament as 22 books and Chronicles is counted as a single book. I and II Chronicles take the form of a history: David and Judah are the focal points. The emphasis of I and II Chronicles is on the Southern Kingdom and the preservation of the Davidic line.

How well do you understand the grace of God? As women, we try so hard to be perfect, get the Christian life just right and have all of the pieces in just the right places. The book of Hebrews is a deep and complex argument for the finality of Christ’s sacrifice and His completed work on the cross. It presents for us the importance of learning to balance our need for holy living with the grace of God and the blood of Jesus that sanctifies us and makes us holy. A Study of Hebrews takes you on a journey through this powerful book of the Bible, giving you a devotional reading sprinkled with ...

Discover the mystery and ancient wisdom contained in the Three Books of Enoch: the First Book of Enoch (Ethiopian Enoch, 1912), the Second Book of Enoch (Slavonic Enoch, 1896), and the Third Book of Enoch (Hebrew of Enoch, 1928). This complete edition gathers all versions into a single volume, giving you total access to one of the most enigmatic works of antiquity. Perfect for those who wish to explore the boundaries between the earthly and the divine.

Here is Thomas Jefferson's classic abridgment of the Bible, in which Jefferson sculpted the words and ideas of Christ into a resounding moral philosophy. On and off for 17 years (including his term in the White House), Jefferson cut and pasted the philosophy of Jesus Christ, as recorded in Scripture, into one compact statement. He omitted any references to the virgin birth, miraculous healings, demonic possession, or supernatural events of any kind. His aim was to distinguish the moral philosophy of Christ from the religion that was later created around Christ.

What is Christianity really all about? Drawing on passages from Romans 1 to 12, J. D. Greear unpacks the essential aspects of the Christian message, showing both secular and religious people what the gospel is and how it addresses our most pertinent questions. The gospel, as he explains, is not just about life after death: it’s about reclaiming the life we’ve always yearned to live.

The Old Testament account of the prophet Jonah’s remarkable experience in the belly of the whale is highly debated by Bible commentators. Though many believe it is pure allegory and doubt God’s ability to create a whale large enough to hold a man in its belly, Dr. Henry Morris provides a well-researched biblical history as a compelling defense for the literal interpretation of the book of Jonah. Jesus the Messiah confirms the record of Jonah as absolutely real and profoundly important in the New Testament (Matthew 16:17 and Luke 11:29-32). In the Remarkable Journey of Jonah, Morris ...

This Very Short Introduction looks at the importance accorded to the bible by different communities and cultures and attempts to explain why it has generated such a rich variety of uses and interpretations. It explores how the Bible was written, the development of the canon, the role of biblical criticism, the appropriation of the bible in high and popular culture, and its use for political ends.

A comprehensive study guide with verse-by-verse commentary on all of Philippians. The theme is the mind of Christ in the believer and to love one another. Apostle Paul thanks the Philippians for their gift and their “fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” (1:5). He is confident that “he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (1:6). Paul wants the Philippians (and us) to know that it is most excellent to suffer for sharing the gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4) and the mystery (Ephesians 3:1-9). Prayer is the most ...

Reading the Bible doesn't need to be a difficult journey through strange and bewildering territory. How to Read the Bible Book by Book walks you through the Scriptures like an experienced tour guide, helping you understand each of its 66 books. For each book of the Bible, the authors start with a quick snapshot, then expand the view to help you better understand its message and how it fits into the grand narrative of the Bible. Written by two top evangelical scholars, this survey is designed to get you actually reading the Bible knowledgeably and understanding it accurately.

The letter of Jude is one of the shortest books in the New Testament. Along with Philemon, it contains only 25 verses. What Jude’s letter lacks in length, it makes up for in content. Jude can pack a big punch in a small package. And while Christians might be more familiar with other New Testament letters, Jude should not be overlooked. Jude had intended to write about salvation. Instead, he urged his readers to defend the Christian faith. Ungodly people had wormed their way into the churches of his readers. Jude is an essential letter for modern believers. First, the threat of false ...

According to noted expositor James Montgomery Boice, the Minor Prophets particularly highlight three aspects of God’s character: his sovereignty, his holiness, and his love. The messages of the Minor Prophets and their pertinent application for our lives should not be dismissed. This is volume two of a two-volume expositional and inspirational commentary on the Minor Prophets that integrates rigorous scholarship with accessible writing.