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Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians

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I bought this book only because I've read Exegetical Fallacies by Carson and I was doing a sermon series on Philippians. While comparing this book to other works on Philippians, it is lacking in technical detail on many issues, but it outshines my other resources in presenting the thrust of the book in a memorable and practical way. So for a preaching/teaching minister who is working through Philippians, I think this is a valuable resource.

For example...when working through Philippians chapter 1 I had come to a summary conclusion on my own...and adjusted it after reading other commentaries. I had to rethink everything after reading Carson and eventually rewrote my sermon notes because of this perspective...I found it compellingly accurate. Instead of simply evaluating Paul's emphasis on thanksgiving and prayer as most works do...and showing the patterns in detail that relate to ancient forms of writing...Carson analyzes the content of these two paragraphs in Philippians 1 and says that the key is 'Put the gospel first'. He then applies that in different arenas...such as in your prayer life...fellowship with other believers and so on. When you reread Philippians 1 again it is clear that he has pointed out accurately what was going on.

Fresh summary from a deeper perspective. I had lost that perspective in the details of the verse by verse analysis with my other commentaries (some of the very best included). So this is an excellent book. It's different than anything else I have on Philippians. Highly recommended!

Another one of Carson's books which began as expositions at a Christian conference. Reading this book, you can almost hear the author speaking to you.He tells a number of helpful stories throughout the book which powerfully bring home the points he is illustrating.

The book is simple, but it shows a deep understanding of Paul and his theology. It will help you to fall in love with Paul's letter, but also with the Christ whom Paul urges us to emulate and serve.

This is a great little commentary. D A Carson has done an excellent job of teasing out the flow of the letter as Paul might have intended it. It is because of this and the exceptionally practical nature of Carson's exposition that I can recommend this book to every Christian. It is also set out in such a way as to be useful for group Bible studies.

Even though it is very small, Carson's book is deep, practical, straight-forward and challenging. It makes a great resource for pastors. It is like a mini-commentary on the book, full of great insight. Buy a copy soon and use it for personal devotion or as a starter for sermon ideas on Philipians.

This is an exposition on Philippians (exactly what the subtitle says on the cover). This was given to us at the start of my church's ministry class to help us preach through Philippians. It is short and simple. It was supposed to be some sort of commentary book we were going to use, but we stopped using it right away because our leader said it wasn't in-depth enough. But I read it and found myself very blessed by it. It is a short, clear, and simple exposition from D.A. Carson on the book of Philippians... and exposition of the word = blessings. Very well knitted together and concise and cohesive - easy to read and very convicting.

I have around 10 books on Philippians. I have given a few sermons on the letter and led a couple of small groups in studying it. While there are other books that give essential linguistic and historical insights in greater depth and some that attempt to summarize its teaching, Carson's captures the useful teaching/application of the letter in the most meaningful way I've found. He's clear and to the point. I always appreciate his accurate analysis and appropriate interpretation and application. Carson's book has led me to see that Philippians isn't just "Basics" for most Christians. It's a challenge to re-evaluate life at any stage of the Christian walk and is much needed in this day.

Wow! - don't let the title put you off this book. How often in the Christian life do we need to be reminded of the basics? I heard Carson say at a conference recently that he would far rather be writing something to feed the souls of believers than refuting error and dodgy doctrine. And here he does it. Carson covers the basics without being basic. This is warm and nourishing, and at the same time searching and challenging.

`Basics for Believers' is a study of Philippians. There is near enough a chapter for each of the four chapters of Philippians, but it is not a book to be read a chapter at a time, much less the whole book in one sitting. It is a book to be read slowly - each chapter is split up into sections and I found that each section had enough meat in it to provide food for thought for each day.

Carson's writing is packed full of biblical wisdom and insight. This is a cross and Christ-centred book, which will give you a deeper appreciation of the transforming power of the Gospel. His two final chapters on `Emulate worthy Christian leaders' and resolutions to help us never to give up the Christian life are particularly good.