Millions have caught Karl Marx's vision of a New Man and a New Society. "Paul presents a greater vision still," writes John Stott. In his letter to the Ephesians the apostle "sees the human predicament as something even deeper than the injustice of the economic structure and so propounds a yet more radical solution. He writes of nothing less than a 'new creation.'" John Stott expounds Paul's theme of uniting all things in Christ by uniting his church and breaking down all that seperates us from God, one ethnic group from another, husband from wife, parent from child, master from slave. A book for all who want to build the church into the new society God has planned it to be.
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More About the Author
John R. W. Stott is known worldwide as a preacher, evangelist and communicator of Scripture. For many years he served as rector of All Souls Church in London, where he carried out an effective urban pastoral ministry. A leader among evangelicals in Britain, the United States and around the world, Stott was a principal framer of the landmark Lausanne Covenant (1974). His many books, including Why I Am a Christian and The Cross of Christ, have sold millions of copies around the world and in dozens of languages. Whether in the West or in the Two-Thirds World, a hallmark of Stott's ministry has been expository preaching that addresses the hearts and minds of contemporary men and women. Stott was honored by Time magazine in 2005 as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World."
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you're looking for a readable but meaty commentary that bridges the gap between popular commentaries and scholarly ones, Stott's The Message of Ephesians is an excellent choice. In fact, I find the whole series "The Bible Speaks Today" very valuable for both pastors and laypeople.
In this commentary on Ephesians, Stott does a great job of bringing out the larger themes, as well organizing and presenting Paul's teaching in each chapter. Stott organizes each chapter into their major sections, and then he breaks these down into subsections that are all related in thought. In this way, Stott helps the reader and student see the connections in Paul's thought, something essential to reading Paul properly.
Because of the way Stott has organized his interpretation of Ephesians, and because of his readable way of writing, his commentary is very useable for a wide variety of readers. Preachers will find that is just the kind of commentary suited to sermon preparation. I found it very useful in helping me prepare for a series of sermons I gave over the book of Ephesians several years ago. In part because of this commentary, the book of
Ephesians has stuck in my soul better than other books of the New Testament.
The educated laymen looking for something more than self-help books masquerading as Bible study will also benefit from this volume. The Message of Ephesians can even be used by who are interested in some deeper devotional reading, because Stott is easy to understand and leaves the reader with memorable ways of letting Paul's writing become of a part of the reader's life.
Thankfully, Stott, in spite of his Evangelical background, highlights the ecclesiological implications of Ephesians.... Read more ›
In this commentary on Ephesians, Stott does a great job of bringing out the larger themes, as well organizing and presenting Paul's teaching in each chapter. Stott organizes each chapter into their major sections, and then he breaks these down into subsections that are all related in thought. In this way, Stott helps the reader and student see the connections in Paul's thought, something essential to reading Paul properly.
Because of the way Stott has organized his interpretation of Ephesians, and because of his readable way of writing, his commentary is very useable for a wide variety of readers. Preachers will find that is just the kind of commentary suited to sermon preparation. I found it very useful in helping me prepare for a series of sermons I gave over the book of Ephesians several years ago. In part because of this commentary, the book of
Ephesians has stuck in my soul better than other books of the New Testament.
The educated laymen looking for something more than self-help books masquerading as Bible study will also benefit from this volume. The Message of Ephesians can even be used by who are interested in some deeper devotional reading, because Stott is easy to understand and leaves the reader with memorable ways of letting Paul's writing become of a part of the reader's life.
Thankfully, Stott, in spite of his Evangelical background, highlights the ecclesiological implications of Ephesians.... Read more ›
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I purchased this book for a sermon series I'm doing on Ephesians. It was highly recommended by two friends. I am
happy with the book, but have to give it a four star rating
because I've found some explanations of Greek text, for example
the Ephesians 2:1 claim that trespasses and sins were the
equivalent of commission/omission do not stand up under scrutiny.
The lexicons I checked and the scholars I contacted did not concur with Stott's claim. He provides no support for this popular definition of sins and trespasses. For a commentary dealing with the Greek text, I was a bit disappointed with that.
This is the first time I've had this experience with Stott's stuff. The main reason I like his commentaries is that his
stuff provides good summaries that preach well.
I think overall this commentary is very good, but one must check the scholarship. For Ephesians so far I've found the best on
the Greek text is FF Bruce's commentary NICNT. He rightly identifies Eph 2:1 trespasses and sins as synonyms.
Out of all the commentaries I've purchased or read for Ephesians I would rate FF Bruce highest, Stott second and O'Brien third.
happy with the book, but have to give it a four star rating
because I've found some explanations of Greek text, for example
the Ephesians 2:1 claim that trespasses and sins were the
equivalent of commission/omission do not stand up under scrutiny.
The lexicons I checked and the scholars I contacted did not concur with Stott's claim. He provides no support for this popular definition of sins and trespasses. For a commentary dealing with the Greek text, I was a bit disappointed with that.
This is the first time I've had this experience with Stott's stuff. The main reason I like his commentaries is that his
stuff provides good summaries that preach well.
I think overall this commentary is very good, but one must check the scholarship. For Ephesians so far I've found the best on
the Greek text is FF Bruce's commentary NICNT. He rightly identifies Eph 2:1 trespasses and sins as synonyms.
Out of all the commentaries I've purchased or read for Ephesians I would rate FF Bruce highest, Stott second and O'Brien third.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By C. Chen
Format:Paperback
Dr. Stott has written a very helpful commentary from the evangelical perspective. This commentary was a very helpful guide to me and another lay leader, as we co-led a church Bible study. Stott primarily uses the NRSV English translation, but also uses Greek when necessary. When he does use Greek, he transliterates into English and explains things clearly to the English reader.
Exegetically, Stott correctly identifies the unifying theme of Ephesians as "God's New Society" (i.e., the Church). He organizes his commentary clearly around 4 aspects of this "New Society." Stott helps readers greatly by clearly identifying the Church as the emphasis of Ephesians. With this proper focus, the reader is equipped to understand the text, without forcing themselves to accept every single point that Stott makes.
Personally, I found Stott's commentary to be much more helpful than another evangelical commentary that I own (Expositor's Bible Commentary, by Skevington Wood). Stott seems to draw many insights from Markus Barth's commentary on Ephesians from the Anchor Bible commentary.
Exegetically, Stott correctly identifies the unifying theme of Ephesians as "God's New Society" (i.e., the Church). He organizes his commentary clearly around 4 aspects of this "New Society." Stott helps readers greatly by clearly identifying the Church as the emphasis of Ephesians. With this proper focus, the reader is equipped to understand the text, without forcing themselves to accept every single point that Stott makes.
Personally, I found Stott's commentary to be much more helpful than another evangelical commentary that I own (Expositor's Bible Commentary, by Skevington Wood). Stott seems to draw many insights from Markus Barth's commentary on Ephesians from the Anchor Bible commentary.
By Matt Barnes
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a great companion to John's Study guid on Ephesians. It help spark some really great discussion in our group
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you enjoy reading Stott, this will be a great study aid. If you are new to Stott, I have found this volume to be clear, simple (without being simplistic), and insightful. There is great knowledge here without the content being overly academic.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book along with the work book has been a blessing and asset to our bible study. I would encourage any bible scholar to purchase this book. Very helpful and informative. If all the other books are like this i would purchase them also.
By Kevin
Format:Paperback
This guide was great for a small group bible study on the book of Ephesians. Provided insight on history and reference to other scripture.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book from John Stott is another great book from him. Our fellowship use it as a reference material for the Ephesians study guide book and they work very well.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Unfortunate copy of a good book
Yes, this is an excellent book full of useful information on Ephesians but the copy I received is old with yellow pages that are practically falling out.
Published 3 months ago by Linda L.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solid
Stott does a good job of recognizing the larger themes of Ephesians. Many commentators focus too tightly on one or two verses and miss the larger context. Read more
Published on April 19, 2008 by Mike Chartowich
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 34
books:
See all 34 books this book cites
98
books
cite this book:
See all 98 books citing this book
- Life in the Spirit by D. M. Lloyd-Jones on 6 pages
- Life in the Spirit by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on 6 pages
- Veni Creator by Handley C. G. Moule in Front Matter, page 132, and page 136
- The Christian in Complete Armour, Vol. 3 by William Gurnall in Front Matter, and page 276
- The Bible Speaks Today (48 Volume Set) by David Atkinson in Front Matter (1), and Front Matter (2)
See all 34 books this book cites
- Chosen in Christ: The Glory of Grace in Ephesians 1 by Richard D. Phillips on 4 pages
- The Message of Salvation: By God's Grace, for God's Glory (Bible Speaks Today: Bible Themes) by Philip Graham Ryken on 4 pages
- Unfinished Business: Returning the Ministry to the People of God by Greg Ogden on page 23, page 55, and page 118
- The Angry Christian: A Theology for Care and Counseling by Andrew D. Lester in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- The Message of 1 Peter (Bible Speaks Today) by Edmund P. Clowney in Front Matter, page 102, and page 129
See all 98 books citing this book
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