Customer Reviews

Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, Vol. 3: Romans to Philemon

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I had the privilege of taking a New Testament exegesis course from Clint Arnold. He's the kind of man who is always smiling and is always joyful. He's also a brilliant scholar.

The Bible Backgrounds Commentary is exactly that: rather than approaching a Book of the Bible from either a strictly theological or strictly historical perspective, it attempts to provide insight into meaning by providing a detailed picture of the New Testament world as it applies on a passage by passage basis. Hence it is a commentary from a primarily historical perspective. What was the Palestinian world like in Jesus' day? What was the Roman world like in Paul's time? How would seeing that world with our own eyes better help us understand their messages? What underlying historical issues help us better understand the text?

The 4 volume series is a treasure trove revealing the ancient world, and helping readers better understand the Bible, the people whose stories are found in it, and the history and teachings that emerge from it, that came out of this incredible period of history.

I have a lot of written commentaries but this commentary fills a big hole. First, it is visual which makes the subject come alive other than in your imagination. Second, it is filled with a lot of short, incisive facts that enhance the more detailed, word-driven commentaries. I can honestly say I learn something each time I refer to it. It has made my study of the New Testament much richer and much more fun.