Bible Commentary

Even people who are not professing Christians think they are familiar with the story of the Nativity. Every Christmas, displays of Jesus resting in a manger populate lawns and churchyards, and songs about shepherds and angels fill the air. Yet despite the abundance of these Christian references in popular culture, how many of us have examined the hard edges of this biblical story? Timothy Keller takes listeners on an illuminating journey into the surprising background of the Nativity.

The Kingdom of Jesus came with power. It spread from Jerusalem, throughout Judea, to Samaria, and even reached the hearts of Gentile believers. The ministries of Peter and Paul take center stages, as the Gospel spreads throughout the world, from the holy city where Jesus died and rose, to the capital of the Empire, Rome itself. Journey back to the first century, to the beginning days of the church of Jesus, as a movement of twelve believers becomes a Kingdom of thousands, turning the world upside-down in the process!

N. T. Wright explores Acts, illuminating the early Christians' zeal in spreading Jesus's message. The book of Acts brims with early Christians' zeal, global evangelism, and the real-life challenges faced by churches. It's a dynamic narrative of journeys, trials, and triumphs, offering inspiration for our spiritual journeys. Acts for Everyone, Part 2 follows Paul's ministry, concluding with his arrival in Rome in Acts 28.

Fans of historical romance, military history, soap operas, conspiracy theories, spy novels, swashbuckling adventure, or political intrigue will find it all here in The Book of Judges! But from a broader and deeper perspective, Judges is essentially the story of a deteriorating nation - and it serves as a sober warning against deterioration in our own nation and in our own personal lives.

The Book of Romans stands as one of the most profound and influential works in the New Testament. Penned by the Apostle Paul, this letter is a masterpiece of Christian theology, articulating foundational truths about humanity, sin, salvation, and the righteousness of God. Romans is not only a letter to the early church in Rome but also a timeless guide, calling believers across ages to understand the essence of the gospel, its implications for personal transformation, and its role in the unfolding story of God’s redemptive work. The book opens with a deep dive into the human condition and...

The Apostle Paul's intent in writing the Colossians letter was to correct erroneous teachings infiltrating the Colossian church. In doing so, Paul presents Christ as all-encompassing and all-sufficient. Colossians provides one of Scripture's most straightforward presentations of the deity and supremacy of Jesus Christ. Nathan S. Whitley has traveled internationally as an evangelist and speaker and presently serves as Associate Pastor of First Apostolic Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Pastor Whitley's website has become a destination for students of Scripture, and his writings have been ...

Throughout much of human history, our most important stories were passed down orally - including the stories about Jesus before they became written down in the Gospels. In this fascinating and deeply researched work, leading Bible scholar Bart D. Erhman investigates the role oral history has played in the New Testament - how the telling of these stories not only spread Jesus' message but helped shape it.

The book of Leviticus has not been a popular subject of study in the modern church. Much like the book of proverbs, any emphasis upon the practical applications of God's law is readily shunned in pursuit of more "spiritual" studies. Books like Leviticus are considered dull, overbearing, and irrelevant. To be spiritual, in the modern sense of the term, means to live on a "higher" level where today's Christian is governed more by the impressions of the heart than a carnal commandment.

Meet Joshua. A brave leader who led the Israelites through battles, challenges, and victories on their journey to conquer Canaan. When you flip through these pages, you'll find an amazing historical account and lessons that will resonate with you. Victory Road goes beyond being a mere narrative; it's an invitation to rise, believe in yourself, and reach your goals. Keep in mind, your dreams are within your grasp. If you have faith and stay determined, you can totally achieve them. Whether your "Promised Land" is a personal goal, a lifelong dream, or a battle within, this book gives you what...

A verse by verse commentary on the book of Isaiah (chapters 1-39), taking special care to notice the local circumstances surrounding the writing (the threat of Assyria, the growth of Babylon, the sins of Judah), while allowing the many references to the coming-Christ serve as the sizzle to the steak of the letter.

First Corinthians is about how believers should think, live, and spend our time. The theme is sanctification (Christian living, walk, conduct). But also God’s wisdom, and the power of the cross. How can we live a life above sin and self? First Corinthians is such a great letter because it deals with the believer’s conduct, how we can live a life pleasing to God.Paul was grieved because the carnal Corinthians were living beneath their privileged position in Christ and not walking in a manner worthy of their calling. The Corinthians were guilty of conduct unbecoming of a saint. Ungodly ...

"Finishing Well" is the name of the game. Here was a rich, young ruler - a first century "yuppie" if you will - who, although getting off to a rather problematic beginning, finished well, indeed. A rich young ruler questioned Christ about what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Mark's Gospel includes a detail that Matthew and Luke failed to mention: "And Jesus looking upon him loved him..." This hints at the possibility that young John Mark himself may have been that rich young man.

The relationship between a husband and a wife can be a very fruitful relationship if both the man and the woman are able to understand and perform their God given roles. Unfortunately many ladies today are becoming wives without understanding the roles of a wife and what is expected of them by the society/church. Many do not fully know their roles and obligations and the result of this ignorance is the dysfunctional homes we are seeing today and marriages going to the “dogs”. The solution to the dysfunctional marriages today may be found in proper preparation through the right knowledge...

As James Montgomery Boice points out, no book in the Bible is so filled with joy as Philippians. Even though Paul faced possible execution for his faith, he managed to remain joyful in the midst of terrible circumstances. Beyond providing encouragement, Philippians also contains a wealth of great themes. As Boice explains, it covers most of the major doctrines of the Christian faith and is at the same time extremely practical.

Delve into a verse by verse study of the book of Genesis from a prophetic perspective. The Morning Light Bible Study Commentary is an expositional inquiry of the book of Genesis. Topical messages have their place but when you read and study the word of God in the expositional method, chapter by chapter you gain access to a level of narrative and inspiration you won't get any other way. In studying the book of Genesis it is so important to get a good grounding because if doctrinal drift occurs here the bible student will fall far afield from the central truths and tenets of scripture. If you...

"Like a child eating cotton-candy at the circus, many people who expect to bite into something real end up with a mouthful of nothing. They waste priceless years on empty substitutes for reality." Through clever word pictures like this that strike the audience with their simple truth, acclaimed best-selling author and former pastor Warren Wiersbe shares priceless unchanging realities as he opens up the book of I John.

Romans: An Expositional Commentary, Vol. 1 discusses the full impact of justification by faith alone. Boice uses stories and hymns to present the thoughts of Paul in a poetic form and provides word studies based on the Greek text to add meaning and enrichment to Paul’s words.

This translation of the life and teachings of Jesus creates an image of not only a great spiritual teacher, but of a real person. Eminent author and translator Stephen Mitchell's approach to the Gospels has been widely praised for its depth, clarity, and radiance. This is a stunning work for believers and non-believers alike.

Paul's letter to the Ephesians is a well-loved book of the Bible that teaches some of the most important lessons of faith: who you are in Christ, how you are to live as His follower, and how to gain victory in the spiritual battles you face. In this study tool, Joyce Meyer takes a close look at the meaning of those beloved verses, identifying key truths and incorporating room for personal reflection. Joyce's first-ever biblical commentary series provides eye-opening teachings that will help you develop a stronger relationship with God.

Volume two, The Reign of Grace, focuses on the sovereignty, grace, and holiness of God and on the need for holiness in believers. James Montgomery Boice discusses the full meaning of salvation, the problem with suffering, the struggles of sin, and the sustaining love God pours on his people.