Study Commentaries

The fourth edition of this book has been written to clean up some of the poorly worded text in the first three editions and to show important Bible verses rather than just refer to them. An effort has also been made to convert previously used first person speech with more formal third person speech. In looking at the second chapter of the epistle of James, this standalone book considers authorship, the date that the whole epistle was written, and the basis for its acceptance into the biblical canon. With a strong focus on the Greek language, the goal has also been to perform good exegesis ...

This devotional commentary on the book of Ruth is the fourth in Dr. Parker's series "Expository Thoughts." Other books in this series are Expository Thoughts on Joshua, Expository Thoughts on 1 Samuel, and Expository Thoughts on James. Dr. Parker has always believed that Bible study that does not get down to the level of affecting the heart is very limited at best, and sometimes even dangerous. Intellectual Bible study generally puffs one up. Bible study is not primarily intended to inform, although it does inform. Bible study is primarily for the purpose of bringing us to the place of ...

Jesus Christ has been given the name above all names, the highest seat of honor, the right to reign and rule. Yet the busyness of our lives and the diversions of this world often distract us from knowing the most important person we could ever know. Perhaps we need some help to see Jesus afresh. In this thoughtful study and worshipful reflection, two influential pastors draw on decades of pastoral experience in order to guide us through the whole sweep of Scripture and examine seven key qualities of Jesus's identity and ministry.

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 ...

A multitude of Biblical stories have been censored, mistranslated, ignored, and even banned by religious authorities due to their erotic, violent, or mysterious content. Here, Jonathan Kirsch recounts some of the most startling and explicit writings from the Old Testament.

Also: The Old Testament: An Introduction, Part 1 and Part 2

Since Hamas's attack on Israel last October 7, the term "settler colonialism" has become central to public debate in the United States. A concept new to most Americans, but already established and influential in academic circles, settler colonialism is shaping the way many people think about the history of the United States, Israel and Palestine, and a host of political issues. This short book is the first to examine settler colonialism critically for a general audience.

Written between A.D. 413 and 426, The City of God is one of the great cornerstones in the history of Christian thought, a book which is vital to the understanding of modern Western society. Augustine originally intended it to be an apology for Christianity against the accusation that the Church was responsible for the decline of the Roman Empire, which had occurred just three years earlier. Indeed, Augustine produced a great amount of evidence to prove that paganism was responsible for this event. However, by the time the work was finished, the book had taken on a larger theme.

The book of Acts bursts with the passion of early Christians embracing God's work and spreading Jesus's message worldwide. It also lays bare the challenges churches face, demonstrating that 'normal church life' has never been plain sailing. Acts is a dynamic narrative of journeys, trials, and triumphs, inspiring us in our own spiritual journeys. Acts, Part 1 spans from Luke's introduction to Herod's death in chapter 12.

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.

Autobiographies from the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Talmud teaches that the ancient patriarchs were all prophets, and that each one of them left testaments for their descendants to read. These contain commands for their children, moral lessons, and prophecy. This legend is not only repeated among the Essene community, but fragments of 20 such records have been found in the Dead Sea Scrolls!

Oxford mathematician and author John Lennox takes a closer look at Hawking's logic regarding what brought the universe into being. In lively, layman's terms, Lennox guides us through the key points in Hawking's arguments - with clear explanations of the latest scientific and philosophical methods and theories - and demonstrates that far from disproving a creator God, they make his existence seem all the more probable.

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 ...

At every moment the author brings deep insight, conviction, and clarity about what God's Kingdom work is all about.

Welcome to "Genesis: The Beginning of Everything"! In this book, we will explore the first 10 chapters of the Bible's book of Genesis in detail. Genesis is the very first book of the Bible, and it tells us the story of how everything began. From the creation of the world to the first people who lived on earth, Genesis lays the foundation for understanding our origins and God's plan for humanity. As we journey through these chapters, we will discover how God spoke the world into existence, forming the heavens, the earth, the oceans, and all the living creatures. We will learn about the first...

Galatians is the clearest letter for distinguishing the difference between “prophecy” and “mystery.” The Lord Jesus Christ has two ministries: one on earth to Israel as recorded in the four gospels and early Acts, and the other from heaven to the Body of Christ as recorded in Romans to Philemon. The Galatians had “fallen from grace” and gone back under the law. This legalistic error is prevalent among Christians today. This error prevents believers from functioning as God intends them to and from rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

In one astonishing, short period–the ninth century BCE–the peoples of four distinct regions of the civilized world created the religious and philosophical traditions that have continued to nourish humanity into the present day: Confucianism and Daoism in China; Hinduism and Buddhism in India; monotheism in Israel; and philosophical rationalism in Greece. Historians call this the Axial Age because of its central importance to humanity’s spiritual development.

Colossians: The Easy Study Bible Commentary Not for just for scholars but for anyone who wants to understand the New Testament through learning the Greek definitions of key words. The Easy Study Bible Commentary takes The Easy Study Bible and examines, describes and expounds upon each New Testament book, chapter by chapter, paragraph by paragraph, verse by verse and finally word by word. In my many years of Bible study, I have found this dept of description to be the easiest to follow and understand. I have done my best to write this commentary with the idea in mind of making it easier for ...

“Do you want peace?” asks James Montgomery Boice. “Are you willing to receive it at the point where Jesus indicated it may truly be found?" This fourth volume on the Gospel of John calls us to the peace that can be found in Christ’s love. Nowhere in the entire Bible can we walk on more holy ground as we listen to Christ’s final discourses.

This seasonal addition to the Reformed Expository Commentary series presents twelve biblically and theologically grounded Christmas messages, as the authors explore the canonical teaching on the birth of Jesus Christ in the gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John. As a sample of the exposition found in the series, this volume is accessible to both pastors and lay audiences. Each commentary gives careful attention to the biblical text, is doctrinally Reformed, focuses on Christ through the lens of redemptive history, and applies the Bible to our contemporary setting.

Here is the multi award-winning SmartPass study guide with and without commentary options. This is a full-cast, unabridged performance, with comprehensive commentary and analysis, enabling students to fully understand and appreciate the play. Judge for yourself whether Lear is "a man more sinned against than sinning" in this moral tale that pits wisdom and age against ambition and youth. Experience and examine the power of Shakespeare's most cruel and violent tragedy.