The importance of the Gospel of Matthew in church history cannot be overstated. For Jewish readers, it affirmed the Messiahship of Jesus, referring consistently to the Scriptures to establish his credentials. For Gentile disciples, it provided powerful and dramatic support of their inclusion in God's kingdom. The cross of Christ had removed the division between Jew and non-Jew, and through Matthew's writings, we see Israel's God drawing the entire world to himself through Jesus. 'The Gospel according to Matthew . . . Was the most widely read and frequently used of any of the four Gospels in the formative years of the church,' writes Michael Wilkins. In this volume of the NIV Application Commentary, Wilkins explains Matthew's broad appeal not only to his ancient readers, but also to us today. Exploring the links between the Bible and our own times, Wilkins shares perspectives on Matthew's Gospel that reveal its enduring relevance for our twenty-first-century lives. Most Bible commentaries take us on a one-way trip from our world to the world of the Bible. But they leave us there, assuming that we can somehow make the return journey on our own. They focus on the original meaning of the passage but don't discuss its contemporary application. The information they offer is valuable---but the job is only half done! The NIV Application Commentary Series helps bring both halves of the interpretive task together. This unique, award-winning series shows readers how to bring an ancient message into our present-day context. It explains not only what the Bible meant but also how it speaks powerfully today. 'This series promises to become an indispensable tool for every pastor and teacher who seeks to make the Bible's timeless message speak to this generation.' Billy Graham 'It takes more than interpretation of God's Word to change lives, it takes application. Application is the bottom line in preaching and teaching. Without it, we've missed the point of the Bible. The NIV Application Commentary is an outstanding resource for pastors and anyone else who is serious about developing 'doers of the Word.'' Rick Warren, Pastor Saddleback Valley Community Church
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A unique commentary that not only explores the original meaning of the text but also applies it to our lives today
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The importance of the Gospel of Matthew in church history cannot be overstated. For Jewish readers, it affirmed the Messiahship of Jesus, referring consistently to the Scriptures to establish his credentials. For Gentile disciples, it provided powerful and dramatic support of their inclusion in God’s kingdom. The cross of Christ had removed the division between Jew and non-Jew, and through Matthew’s writings, we see Israel’s God drawing the entire world to himself through Jesus. "The Gospel according to Matthew . . . Was the most widely read and frequently used of any of the four Gospels in the formative years of the church," writes Michael Wilkins. In this volume of the NIV Application Commentary, Wilkins explains Matthew’s broad appeal not only to his ancient readers, but also to us today. Exploring the links between the Bible and our own times, Wilkins shares perspectives on Matthew’s Gospel that reveal its enduring relevance for our twenty-first-century lives. Most Bible commentaries take us on a one-way trip from our world to the world of the Bible. But they leave us there, assuming that we can somehow make the return journey on our own. They focus on the original meaning of the passage but don’t discuss its contemporary application. The information they offer is valuable—but the job is only half done!
The NIV Application Commentary Series helps bring both halves of the interpretive task together. This unique, award-winning series shows readers how to bring an ancient message into our present-day context. It explains not only what the Bible meant but also how it speaks powerfully today. "This series promises to become an indispensable tool for every pastor and teacher who seeks to make the Bible's timeless message speak to this generation."
Billy Graham "It takes more than interpretation of God's Word to change lives, it takes application. Application is the bottom line in preaching and teaching. Without it, we've missed the point of the Bible. The NIV Application Commentary is an outstanding resource for pastors and anyone else who is serious about developing ‘doers of the Word.’"
Rick Warren, Pastor Saddleback Valley Community Church
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21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent....for its niche,
This review is from: The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew (Hardcover)
Based on the other review here, I feel compelled to offer (1) some comments on this installement in the NIV series, (2) and on the nature of the NIV series itself.
This commentary is excellent for its intended purpose. None of the commentaries in the NIV Application Commentary (NIVAC) Series is intended to be a bastion of exegetical detail. The NIVAC was intended to fill a gap in the commentary market; namely a commentary that busy pastors, beginning students and lay people could access. Accordingly, in each of the NIVAC, as in this volume on Matthew, follows three-fold pattern. First, the author attempts to discern the original meaning; that is, what would a 1st century reader have understood the text to mean. Second, the author attempts to determine and describe the important cultural and historical difference between their (1st century world) and out 21st century world. Finally, the author suggests some specific applications in our lives today that derive from the section of text presently being dealt with. The first two goals, original meaning and historical differences, are the real grunt work of exegesis. This is where the commentaries can be set apart. Some are far more detailed, and at times excruciatingly detailed than others. A commentary's intended audience will determine the level of detail that the author takes the reader. NIVAC is not really meant to inform scholars. It is an entry point for others less schooled or with less time. Therefore, it misses the point to say that it is "better" or "worse" than another commentary; better or worse at what? This volume weighs in at around 1000 pages--not a lighweight! It does a fantastic job giving a brief sketch of the important issues and decisions that the reader of Matthew must make. It gives an unparralled insight into the ongoing discussion of Matthew's intended meaning that is accessible to those with less money, time, or training than those in academia. And finally, the volume does what many of the other NIVAC do so well: suggest real life applications for the text. Very few commentaries acutally do this...because most other commentaries weren't created with that goal in mind. If you want a super detailed, painstaking look at Matt. that covers the Greek and all its possible variations, then see: either of the folloiwng: (1) W.D. Davies & D. C. Allison, Jr. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel according to St. Matthew (International Critical Commentary, rev.), 3 vols, about; or (2) Donald Hagner, Matthew (Word Biblical Commentary), 2 vols. Dallas: Word, 1993-95 Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1988-97. If you want a medium level approach at Matt. using the English translation with some footnotes on the Greek text, then see (1) Craig Blomberg, Matthew (NAC). Nashville: Broadman, 1992; or (2) Craig Keener, A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. G.R.: Eerdmans, 1999. If you want a good overview of the grunt work covered above with a speical emphasis on application to your life, then this volume on Matthew is an excellent choice.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
exegesis into application,
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This review is from: The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew (Hardcover)
Although not quite as full of theological explanations for Greek/Hebrew grammar this commentary bridges the gap between the outstandingly exellent Keener and the BST Green. As usual the bridging and application for each chapter is what makes this a worthwhile commentary to have. For technical exegesis Keener is by far the best of the more recent offerings, but for this combined with a thorough application Leon Morris is also very good. Ranking third would be NIV Wilkins; France is good on exegesis not so good on application and so NIV Wilkins comes just above this.
7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best Volumes in the NIVAC series,
By
This review is from: The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew (Hardcover)
I must admit that I'm not crazy about the NIV Application series format. I like the traditional verse by verse expositional commentary where you can consult it quickly simply by finding the verse you're studying. It's hard to do that with this series because it divides each section into Original Meaning, Bridging Horizons, and Contemporary Significance (which, by the way, will only seem contemporary if you live in the West).
But this volume is exceptional. Michael Wilkins has produced a sane and readable exposition of Matthew's Gospel. He has a great grasp of the background behind the text, and he helps to explain why Jesus says what He says in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). He also does a good job at identifying the stabbing truth behind each of the parables, and he does a good job at applying the text (better than most of the guys who wrote for this series). You should get this book for your library if you are a preacher.
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