Focus on the Bible Commentaries Upgrade (12 vols.)
Overview
The Focus on the Bible Commentary series is practical and insightful with contributions by top evangelical scholars and pastors, and are designed to be readable for ordinary Christians, reliable for in-depth study of the Bible, and relevant for daily Christian life. Discover not only what the music of the Psalms, the plight of Job, the story of Jesus, and the spread of the New Testament church meant then, but what these stories—and the whole of Scripture—means today!
For each section of the Bible, the Focus on the Bible Commentaries summarize the passage of Scripture, including the intentions of the authors, the historical and cultural environment, and the questions and issues raised by a particular passage. But most importantly, the Focus on the Bible Commentaries bring you into the heart of the Bible, by explaining Scripture in an accessible way that makes sense for daily Christian living.
Key Features
- Provides accessible and readable exposition
- Includes contributions from leading evangelical scholars
- Illustrates the contemporary relevance of the Old and New Testaments
Product Details
- Title: Focus on the Bible Commentaries Upgrade (12 vols.)
- Series: Focus on the Bible
- Publisher: Christian Focus
- Volumes: 12
- Pages: 3,376
- Resource Type: Commentaries
- Topic: Biblical Studies
Individual Titles
- Genesis: The Beginning of God's Plan of Salvation by Richard P. Belcher, Jr.
- Job: The Mystery of Suffering and God's Sovereignty by Richard P. Belcher, Jr.
- Ecclesiastes: The Philippians of the Old Testament by William D. Barrick
- Song of Songs: A Biblical-Theological, Allegorical, Christological Interpretation by James M. Hamilton Jr.
- Jeremiah & Lamentations: The Death of a Dream and What Came After by Michael Wilcock
- Hosea: The Passion of God by Tim Chester
- Joel & Obadiah: Disaster and Deliverance by Iwan Rhys Jones
- Matthew: The King and His Kingdom by Charles Price
- John: Jesus Christ Is Lord by William F. Cook
- Philippians: Rejoicing and Thanksgiving by David Chapman
- 1 & 2 Peter & Jude by Paul Gardner
- 1, 2, 3 John: Redemption's Certainty by John D. Hannah
Partially includedIn the Logos edition, these volumes are enhanced by an incredible set of digital research tools. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
Genesis provides us with a foundation for correctly understanding the world. Within Genesis, the character and the role of human beings within the world God has created is revealed. In reading Genesis, we find on every occasion, in his dealings with mankind, God steps in by his grace and demonstrates that he is in control.
Richard Belcher's commentary focuses on the big picture of Genesis, tracing God's story of redemption through the biblical narrative. His careful exposition shows how Genesis reveals God's intentions for his creation and his unstoppable purpose to bless his people and redeem them out of slavery, bringing good out of evil. God's people can live with confidence that God will be faithful to his promises to redeem and restore the broken and the suffering. He is able to take what people mean for evil and turn it into good. This commentary deserves a wide appreciation, as it will help pastors, leaders, and Christians see how Genesis proclaims the deepest message of the Bible: the grace of God for sinners and those who suffer.
—Justin S. Holcomb, adjunct professor of Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida
Richard P. Belcher, Jr. is the John D. and Frances M. Gwin Professor of Old Testament and the Academic Dean at Reformed Theological Seminary Charlotte. He is also an ordained minister in the PCA and pastored an urban nondenominational church in Rochester, New York for ten years.
Is God worthy of worship only because He blesses us? How should we respond to God when suffering comes into our lives? At the heart of the book of Job is a question about the character of God - and about how we should respond to Him. In this most recent title of the extensive Focus on the Bible series, Richard Belcher expertly deals with the difficult themes of this practical book, showing how it is still acutely applicable to the lives of believers.
Belcher takes a new direction amongst Job commentaries. He is no ivory tower academic, theorizing about suffering, or playing with the book's theology. Weaving in the story of little baby Pierce, this is a scholarly and reliable commentary with a real human touch.
—Jared Hood, Old Testament lecturer, Presbyterian Theological College, Melbourne
Richard P. Belcher, Jr. is the John D. and Frances M. Gwin Professor of Old Testament and the Academic Dean at Reformed Theological Seminary Charlotte. He is also an ordained minister in the PCA and pastored an urban nondenominational church in Rochester, New York for ten years.
What is the purpose of life? The preacher in Ecclesiastes, just like many today, is in search of life's meaning. But as they look through their limited worldview all they find is "vanity, vanity". Pure emptiness! They are in search for something which will have eternal value. To find it, we need to look beyond ourselves. This is what the preacher discovers; that man is powerless, yet God has a design and purpose for all things. He is the giver of all life. Ecclesiastes gives teaching on doctrines such as man, salvation and future judgment.
[A] sound, biblical exposition of an often neglected but very relevant Old Testament book.
—The Masters Seminary Journal
William Barrick is Professor of Old Testament at Masters Seminary, Sun Valley, California. Dr. Barrick has been married to his wife Barbara for 45 years. They have four married children and fourteen grandchildren.
In the Song of Songs, David's son and King in Jerusalem overcomes hostility and alienation to renew intimacy between himself and his Bride. This most sublime Song sings of a love sure as the seal of Yahweh, a flashing flame of fire many waters could never quench. James M. Hamilton Jr, in this latest addition to the popular Focus on the Bible series, pours fresh light on this inspiring and uplifting book.
This beautifully written book of sound Christ-centered biblical exposition and skillful personal application will not only strengthen and heal many marriages, but will also draw many Christians into a deeper appreciation and enjoyment of their marriage to Christ. Unlike most books on the Song of Songs, this one will make you sing!
—David Murray, professor of Old Testament & Practical Theology, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan
James M. Hamilton Jr. is Professor of Biblical Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Preaching Pastor at Kenwood Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky.
Jeremiah was set aside to be the prophet to the nations. Set apart to be a voice that was not afraid to stand up for sharing the message of the Lord to those aiming headlong for judgment. There are responsibilities for those who belong to God. However, God still loves his people even when they have sinned against him. We are reassured that hope can be found even in times of suffering.
Lamentations tells Jerusalem's story of suffering, starvation, and despair, till finally the walls are breached, the survivors deported, the goods looted, and the city torched.
Michael Wilcock's thorough and creative exposition of the books of Lamentations and Jeremiah is a joy to read. His clear style and pastoral perspective provide a valuable resource for preachers in the pulpit, teachers in the classroom, and other students of this important, and at times, difficult prophetic pair. I recommend it to those who would encounter Jeremiah's message in light of its ancient context, the redemptive work of Christ, and its application into the contemporary Christian life.
—Scott Redd, president and associate professor of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C.
Michael Wilcock is a respected author and Bible teacher. He has spent many years in pastoral ministry including his most recent charge, St Nicholas, Durham. He was formerly Director of Pastoral Studies at Trinity College, Bristol.
In the message of Hosea, we see the passion of God. We see the jealousy of God, the commitment of God, the heartbreak of God, the enthusiasm of God, the love of God. People often talk about what they feel about God. Hosea tells us what God feels about us. It is the author's prayer that as we explore the message of Hosea the Spirit of God would reveal God's passion so that He stirs our passion: our jealousy for God, our commitment to God, our heartbreak at sin, our enthusiasm to serve, our love for the lost.
This fresh, readable, insightful commentary will lead you to worship a God who is jealous for our affections, and loves us too much to leave us sitting comfortably in apathy! Christians cannot fail to profit from this sound and exciting read.
—Jeremy McQuoid, teaching pastor at Deeside Christian Fellowship, Aberdeen, Scotland
Tim Chester is a pastor with Grace Church, Boroughbridge, a faculty member of Crosslands Training and the author of over 40 books. He has written on a wide variety of subjects, and cares deeply about making the link between theology and practice clear to his readers. He is also Chairman of the Trustees for Keswick Ministries.
Disaster and Deliverance, these two words sum up something of the message of both Joel and Obadiah. In Joel, the prophet begins by announcing a disaster in terms of a locust invasion, which has affected Judah. This, however, is but the pretext for warning of an even greater disaster on the horizon for Judah. Nevertheless, the prophet holds out the prospect of deliverance. In the case of Obadiah, the focus is on Edom. Edom's pride and longstanding hostility against the people of God has led her to be party to an attack upon them, and as a result, she is threatened with disaster. The people of God, meanwhile, are assured of better things at the hand of the LORD. These two prophets and their message of disaster and deliverance will both challenge and reassure all who have ears to hear.
Iwan Rhys Jones' concise commentary is clear, well-grounded in careful attention to the text and also very readable. It will provide considerable help to those who want to get to grips with the message of these prophets and will be welcomed by preachers conscious of the dearth of good material on both books.
—David McKay, professor of Systematic Theology, Ethics and Apologetics, Reformed Theological College, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Iwan Rhys Jones is director of Postgraduate Studies and lecturer in Hebrew and Old Testament Studies at Wales Evangelical School of Theology in Bridgend, Wales. He is an elder at Freeschool Court Evangelical Church and he and his wife Julie have two grown-up children.
Jesus is the Messiah! Matthew's Gospel was written to show that Jesus is the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. It is carefully arranged by subject matter as a clear explanation to the Jewish people, and to the world, of who Jesus really is. Here you will meet Jesus the Great Teacher (chapters 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount), the Storyteller (chapter 13), the Prophet (chapter 24), the Atoning Sacrifice and much, much more. See Jesus through the eyes and ears of Matthew. Includes a Study Guide
"Charles Price has set a standard that challenges us. There is something that happens in biblical proclamation: a moment in which the Spirit of God invades our minds and wills. Few do it as well as Charles."
—Brian C. Stiller, president of Tyndale University College & Seminary
Charles Price has been the Senior Pastor of The Peoples Church, Toronto since September 2001. For twenty-five years prior to this he was on the staff of the Capernwray Missionary Fellowship of Torchbearers in England, latterly as Principal of Capernwray Bible School. During that period, he was also involved in an extensive Conference and Evangelistic ministry in many parts of the world, including Western and Eastern Europe, Africa, India, the Far East, the Middle East, the Caribbean, on numerous occasions in Australia and New Zealand and from Coast to Coast in the USA and Canada.
John's Gospel is the mature reflections of the last living apostle. John the apostle wrote this book approximately fifty-five years after the resurrection of Jesus. During those years he had reflected on the words and deeds of Jesus and the result is that the pages of the Gospel contain the seasoned thinking of one of Jesus' closest friends.
New Testament scholar William F. Cook brings us the latest in the popular Focus on the Bible series. In a lucid and engaging style, he leads us through the Gospel of John.
In lucid and engaging style, Cook proves a faithful tour guide through the Gospel of John. In reading his commentary, you will quickly sense that the author has spent decades studying carefully and preaching faithfully the biblical text he now exposits with skill and passion.
—Robert L. Plummer, professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky
William F. Cook has taught New Testament for twenty-four years. For the past fifteen years at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to his teaching, Dr. Cook has been the Lead Pastor at The Ninth and O Baptist Church in Louisville for over fourteen years.
The Apostle Paul has a deep-seated joy in Christ. He is content whether he is in want or plenty and yes even in the face of great suffering and persecution. His life exemplifies what it means to live a Christ-like life full of devotion and joy. There is no better place to go to find an autobiography and indeed the theology of Paul than the book of Philippians. It is here we see his focus on Christ and his pastoral concern and spiritual feeling for the people at Philippi. David Chapman skillfully unpacks the book of Philippians and provides us with some personal reflection questions which help us to apply it to our lives.
David Chapman's Philippians commentary represents the finest scholarship directed by a pastoral heart well in tune with both the struggles the apostle consistently faced and also the Gospel joy he ceaselessly embraced.
—Bryan Chapell, Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church, Peoria, Illinois
David Chapman is Associate Professor of New Testament and Archaeology at Covenant Theological Seminary in St Louis, Missouri. His interests include running and hiking.
1 Peter addresses Christians who have known suffering and persecution to a degree that we will never know. In 2 Peter, Peter was very concerned that those who deny Christ's return should be withstood and that the church could be confident that Christ has not abandoned them. The theme of Jude is similar and also points Christians towards the evidence of believers who heard Jesus speak, to enable them 'to fight on for the faith which once and for all God has given to his people'.
This is heart-warming, mind-stretching, Christ-honoring, text-illuminating, church-building exposition of the highest order. I commend it warmly to ministers, elders, Bible-study leaders and all those whose passion is to know the Bible better.
—Liam Goligher, Senior Minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dr. Paul Gardner was previously a lecturer in New Testament at Oak Hill Theological College in London and a Rural Dean in the Church of England. In 2005, after serving as Archdeacon of Exeter for three years, Dr. Gardner moved to the United States and now serves as the Senior Minister at Christ Church Presbyterian, Atlanta, Georgia.
John is known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” He was under our Savior's teaching and care for three years. He leaned against Christ's chest at the last supper and witnessed the crucifixion. Who better then to write about the love of Jesus than the one who had such first-hand experience of it? In these three letters, John is passing on the impact of these experiences to people he loves, tenderly encouraging them to see past their failings and focus on the promises available in Christ.
I am delighted to recommend this commentary on the Johannine epistles. It is beloved message from the beloved disciple expounded by a beloved professor. Highly recommended.
—Denny Burk, professor of Biblical Studies, Boyce College, Louisville, Kentucky
John D. Hannah is Distinguished Professor of Historical Theology, Research Professor of Theological Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas.
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