Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition (NBBC)
Overview
Associated closely for almost two millennia, the Pauline letters Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon share many names, places, and situations. Each has its own theological emphasis and purpose, ranging from the Christological to the ecclesiological. Although the authors of this New Beacon Bible Commentary discuss matters of authorship, background, vocabulary, and literary style, they approach these writings as servants, always mindful of each letter’s canonical authority as Christian Scripture and its inestimable value to the church. The rich scholarship and accessible composition of this volume make it a welcome addition to the NBBC family.
The New Beacon Bible Commentary is an engaging, indispensable reference tool to aid individuals in every walk of life in the study and meditation of God’s Word. Written from the Wesleyan theological perspective, it offers insight and perceptive scholarship to help you unlock the deeper truths of Scripture and garner an awareness of the history, culture, and context attributed to each book of study. Readable, relevant, and academically thorough, it offers scholars, pastors, and laity a new standard for understanding and interpreting the Bible in the 21st century.
- Presents completely new scholarship from notable experts in the Wesleyan tradition
- Includes convenient introductory material for each book of the Bible including information on authorship, date, history, audience, sociological/cultural issues, purpose, literary features, theological themes, hermeneutical issues, and more
- Contains clear verse-by-verse explanations
Top Highlights
“Here is the foundation for holy living, a new life that understands that in the will of God we are able to ‘stand perfect [teleios] and fully assured’ (4:12 NASB). Rather than always apologizing for the inability to reflect Christlikeness in our behavior, it is time to live up to the possibilities of grace God has extended to us through Jesus Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit (Gal 2:20; 5:16).” (Page 261)
“The tension believers experience as they live between the cross and the second coming of Christ proves that they ‘live in the flesh’ (Howard 1975, 31).” (Page 336)
“While the letter was written to the church at a specific point in time, the narrative context surrounding it continues as it relates the present to the past. When read today, two millennia stand between then and now. But to receive the letter as only a historical document isolates its message from the ongoing life of the church. The ‘unchanging’ message of the letter will lose its power to challenge the problems confronting the contemporary church, if it fails to be read within its ongoing congregational life. Paul’s Christology addressed specific problems present in the church in Colossae; so it addresses the pluralistic ideology of Western thought in the twenty-first century.” (Pages 248–249)
“The ability to rejoice in personal suffering is possible because Paul grounds his theology in the cross. From this perspective he recognizes the hand of God at work in his suffering (Rom 5:3–5; 2 Cor 1:3–7). His teaching on the Christian life, as well as his theology and practice of ministry, are marked by the paradoxical message of the cross. Previously he explored this theme in Phil 2:1–11. This is possible because ‘death has been swallowed up in victory’ (1 Cor 15:54b; Isa 25:8) by the resurrection of Christ.” (Page 309)
- Title: Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition
- Authors: George Lyons, Robert W. Smith, Kara Lyons-Pardue
- Series: New Beacon Bible Commentary
- Publisher: Beacon Hill
- Print Publication Date: 2019
- Logos Release Date: 2019
- Pages: 480
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. N.T. Ephesians › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. Colossians › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. Philemon › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9780834137232, 9780834137226, 9780834123991, 0834137224, 0834123991
- Resource ID: LLS:NBBC70EPH
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-10-31T22:13:26Z
George Lyons has been Professor of New Testament at Northwest Nazarene since 1991, after teaching 14 years at Olivet Nazarene University. He has also served as a visiting professor at Nazarene Theological Seminary, Point Loma Nazarene University, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Nazarene Theological College (Brisbane, Australia and Manchester, England), Southeast Asia Nazarene Bible College (Bangkok, Thailand) and European Nazarene College. He has also taught in China.
Robert W. Smith is professor of Scripture and preaching in the School of Theology and Christian Ministry at Point Loma Nazarene University. Prior to his assignment at Point Loma, he served for 20 years as a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene. He earned an M.Div. at the Iliff School of Theology and a D.Min. at Fuller Theological Seminary.
Kara Lyons-Pardue is associate professor of New Testament at Point Loma Nazarene University and an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. She earned her Ph.D. in biblical studies at Princeton Theological Seminary and her M.Div. at Nazarene Theological Seminary.