Overall Outline

The commentaries are organized into sections according to the major divisions of the text. Each section comprises five parts:

• An introductory preview
• A summary outline of the section
• Explanatory notes
• The text in its biblical context
• The text in the life of the church

The two focused articles at the end of each chapter, "The Text in Biblical Context" and "The Text in the Life of the Church," are unique features of this series. Especially in the latter, believers church perspectives come through clearly. These include believers baptism, commitment to the Rule of Christ (Matthew 18:15-20) as part of the meaning of church membership, belief in the power of love in all relationships, and a willingness to follow the way of the cross of Christ.

There are comprehensive outlines, biographical aids, helpful charts, indexes, maps, glossaries, and essays on points that need further development.

Editorial Council and Series Editors

The writers have done the basic work for each commentary, but not operating alone, since "no . . . Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation" (2 Pet. 1:20; cf. 1 Cor. 14:29). They have consulted with select counselors during the writing process, worked with the editors for the series, and received feedback from another biblical scholar.

In addition, the Editorial Council, representing six believers church denominations, reads the manuscripts carefully, gives churchly responses, and makes suggestions for changes. The writer considers all this counsel and processes it into the manuscript, which the Editorial Council finally approves for publication. Thus these commentaries combine the individual writers’ own good work and the church’s voice.

The BCBC editors publish an annual newsletter.

The Uniqueness of This Series

These commentaries, informed by recent scholarship, are not overburdened with detail. They are written for lay leaders, teachers, pastors, college and seminary students, and all those searching the Bible for truth and life.

The writers place each section of Scripture in the perspective of the whole Bible and bring it into conversation with the past and present experience of God's people in the world. The format is unique: Preview, Outline, Explanatory Notes, Text in Biblical Context, and Text in the Life of the Church—thus providing a fine balance of exegesis, theological reflection, and life appropriation.

The BCBC series represents the Anabaptist believers church tradition as a key perspective for interpretation.

Praise for the Print Editions

"Overall, Janzen’s commentary on Exodus offers lucid and balanced guidance for reading Exodus, a book that is so central to the thought and witness of Christian faith."

Review of Biblical Literature, April 9, 2001
review by Marietjie Odendaal, Princeton Theological Seminary

"Yoder Neufeld seeks to show that Ephesians presents a crucial vision of the church as God’s power of peace and reconciliation at work in the cosmos. He acknowledges the fact that his tradition has not found much inspiration in this epistle."

Interpretation, April 2003
review by Pheme Perkins, Boston College

"It is highly commended for any pastor preaching through Ephesians and promises to be stimulating for scholars working in the letter."

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Volume 47
review by Timothy Gombis, University of St. Andrews

"Above all, Yeatts [on Revelation] excels as a careful and honest observer of the biblical text. He steadfastly refuses to allow preconceived theological and eschatological systems to determine the meaning of the text. It is the biblical text that must form our larger understandings."

Mennonite Life, September 2003
review by John A. Esau, North Newton, Kansas

Electronic Books Included

(Click the name of a volume to read its description at the Herald Press website)

Genesis  by Eugene F. Roop
Exodus by Waldemar Janzen
Judges by Terry L. Brensinger
Ruth, Jonah, Esther by Eugene F. Roop
Proverbs by John W. Miller
Jeremiah  by Elmer A. Martens
Ezekiel  by Millard C. Lind
Daniel  by Paul M. Lederach
Hosea, Amos  by Allen R. Guenther
Matthew  by Richard B. Gardner
Mark by Timothy J. Geddert
Acts  by Chalmer E. Faw
Romans by John E. Toews
2 Corinthians  by V. George Shillington
Ephesians by Thomas R. Yoder Neufeld 
Colossians, Philemon  by Ernest D. Martin
1 and 2 Thessalonians  by Jacob W. Elias
1-2 Peter, Jude by Erland Waltner and J. Daryl Charles
Revelation by John R. Yeatts