The Epistle to the Ephesians (Black’s New Testament Commentary | BNTC)
Overview
In this comprehensive new commentary, John Muddiman begins by arguing that to be able to draw conclusions about the text of Ephesians, each scholar must take a position about its Pauline or non-Pauline authorship. He therefore offers an extensive introduction, which discusses various approaches to this question, including his own, detailing the evidence for each position. All the perspectives of major modern scholars are discussed and assessed, particularly on the question of Ephesians’ relationship to Colossians. The implications of the question of authorship for evaluating Paul's theology are extensively discussed.
Top Highlights
“time—that precious commodity—is because these are evil times.” (Page 246)
“eschatological explanation of ‘redeeming the time’ is” (Page 244)
“The berakah proper (vv. 3–10) blesses God for four or five spiritual blessings: eternal election, predestination to sonship, redemption through sacrifice, secret revelation and hope for the consummation of all things in Christ (the last two being closely related).” (Page 63)
“The original plan of God in creation was that human beings should achieve life through obedience to their creator; Christ’s redemption atones for past wrong doing and provides the example of a life pleasing to God; and the re-creation of believers through faith and baptism enables them to walk in the way of righteousness.” (Page 113)
“Pastor’ (i.e. shepherd) occurs only here in the New Testament with reference to an order of ministry, though related pastoral metaphors are found at Acts 20:28, 1 Pet. 5:1–4 and John 21:16. It implies care and nurture of the faith of a local congregation. The distinction between itinerant and resident church leaders, which lay behind the terms ‘apostles’ and ‘prophets’ for the first generation, is thus maintained in the distinction between ‘evangelists’ and ‘pastors’ in the second: evangelists are the missionary successors of the apostles, just as pastors and teachers are the local successors of the prophets (see MacDonald 1988: 133).” (Page 199)
Praise for the Print Edition
Ephesians is already well served with excellent commentaries by Barth, Schnackenburg, Lincoln, Best and O’Brien. But this, the latest in the Black’s New Testament Commentaries, certainly deserves a place with them. It is concise, stimulating, packed with careful argument and exegetical insight, yet remains readable, and is thoroughly original.
—Theology
Muddiman takes a fresh look at the question of the letter’s authorship….His commentary on the contents of the letter is particularly rich and condensed….This commentary is much more manageable in size than most [contemporary commentaries on Ephesians] but doesn’t seem to sacrifice any quality or depth.
—The Bible Today
Product Details
- Title: Black’s New Testament Commentary: The Epistle to the Ephesians
- Author: John Muddiman
- Publisher: Hendrickson
- Publication Date: 2001
- Pages: 360
