The Epistle to the Hebrews (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) [Hardcover]

F. F. Bruce (Author)

Book Description

Series: The New International Commentary on the New Testament | Publication Date: June 23, 1997

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Revised edition (June 23, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802825141
• ISBN-13: 978-0802825148
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #206,888 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

F. F. Bruce (1910-1990) was Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis at the University of Manchester in England. During his distinguished career, he wrote more than forty bestselling commentaries and books, including several titles published by InterVarsity Press, A Mind for What Matters and Paul, Apostle of the Heart Set Free. He also served as general editor of The New International Commentary on the New Testament.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A first rate commentary on Hebrews, July 1, 2007

By 

David A. Bielby "Ev Xpistw" (Normal, IL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Epistle to the Hebrews (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) (Hardcover)

I have to disagree with two of the reviewers here who have some negative comments on this commentary. As I am preaching through Hebrews, I've been looking at a number of commentaries. I look for helpful exegetical comments and summarizations, interaction with other scholarly viewpoints, and for spirituality in the comments. I believe Bruce gives us all three categories.

Let me illustrate what I mean. F.F. Bruce sees Hebrews 1 as part of a larger section of material extending through the end of chapter 2. He titles this 'The Finality of Christianity'. He then breaks chapter 1 into two parts, v.1-4 (more than prophets, Jesus is God) and 5-14 (superior to the angelic beings-citing seven groups of verses). He points out there are seven statements about Christ in v. 1-4 and seven scripture quote sections in v.5-14. He then goes on to draw implications from these that are helpful for the scholar somewhat, but more so for a bible course teacher or a preacher in the pulpit. One of his applications is the demolition of the JW view that Christ was originally an angel. After all the second section deals entirely with the concept that Christ is superior to angels.

His exegetical comments on the term 'universe' in Hebrews 1 help cut the legs out from under a lynch pin in the heretical view called 'open theism'. Although he doesn't take time to dive into the controversies, if you are familiar with them even a little, his comments are enough to help you realize that these verses are very significant in crucial debates among contemporary Evangelical circles.

I just found the observations he makes skip over the superfluous ones I have read in some other commentaries. His points seem pretty convincing and pretty relevant. I think this is another excellent commentary from F.F. Bruce. It's amazing to me that one man could produce so many good commentaries on so many different books of the bible.

I also think his material would help a SS teacher who goes deep in his classes. Although one doesn't need to know Greek to use this commentary, he deals with significant points in the Greek text.

Again in chapter 1 he points out that the scepter of uprightness uses a term which originally meant 'straight'. The idea of just or straight measurements does help clarify the exact nuance of the sort of rule referenced by this passage (I don't think this is an etymological fallacy-but a helpful insight by Bruce).

After reading several commentators besides Bruce, I found others to either lack in exegetical balance but to contain a lot of spiritual vim and vigor...or to be exceptionally boring and technical. This commentary blends scholarship and spirituality well. I would say it is truly superior to most of the other commentaries I have. Other excellent ones on Hebrews include Ellingworth and Murray. Lane is good also.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly and Spiritual at the same time, June 30, 2008

By 

Mark Sharp (Maple Grove, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Epistle to the Hebrews (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) (Hardcover)

As I was preparing to teach an adult Sunday School class on the book of Hebrews I bought three books on the epistle. One was a "common man's" explanation, another was a commentary from a famous preacher, the other was F.F. Bruce's commentary. My thought to use the "common man's" version for simple breakdown of the book, the famous preacher for color, and F.F. Bruce would fill in with scholarly commentary and insights.

By the end of our class, I never even cracked the other two books. F.F. Bruce does it all. What I found was that the common man's explanation was a mess, and the famous preacher nearly identically copied F.F. Bruce's structure and argumentation (but he had cool stories).

The surprising thing about this commentary is Bruce's use of Evangelical poetry by Charles Wesley, Isaac Watts, and John Bunyon to illustrate points the writer of Hebrews was trying to make. His use of historical documents to bolster points was also helpful to me. In one instance he used a portion of a letter Lucian wrote regarding how Christians were looking after an imprisoned Christian named Proteus Peregrinus. This was used as an example of the type of love being called for in the 13th chapter.

To those who care about such things, it is a solidly Evangelical work. I am guessing Jesus Seminar scholars may want to set their hair on fire after reading some of Bruce's conclusions. His conclusions, though are based on solid reasoning and scholarship. They are not haphazard.

Another thing to warn is that this book is not for a beginner. The format and writing borders on the "dry" side. It's a commentary, not entertainment. But the treasures held inside are worth digging for. I really appreciate the effort he put into this.

33 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For the serious(but not necessarily scholarly) Bible student, April 24, 2000

By 

James D. Van Horn (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Epistle to the Hebrews (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) (Hardcover)

Bruce has carefully and thoroughly digested the scholarship of the Book to the Hebrews. The novice might find some portions difficult or even beyond them but any Bible College student will benefit from the text and footnotes. I am using this book as the textbook for a course I am teaching in Hebrews.