Customer Reviews

Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians & Philemon (New Testament Guides for Everyone)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tom Wright is amazing. He changed my Theology in Seminary (in a good way as "N.T." Wright and when he came to speak to Asbury) and now he amazes me with this easy to read and even easier to understand commentary set. I have only bought this one book, but will be saving up (as only a new pastor can) for the entire commentary set. Please find this book. Read page 100-104 about the mind of Christ (Philippians 2.5-11) section and realize how changed your life will be after reading this book. Thank you Tom! and God bless everyone who reads this review. (I hope it encourages you to find it in a librabry or book store, read it, and judge it for yourself)

As a pastor I feel comfortable recommending this commentary and the entire Everyone series to them, because not only are these commentaries excellent scholarly interpretation, but are very readable. N T Wright has the ability to write in a very technical scholarly style or in a manner that everyone can understand and he masterfully demonstrates that fact with the Everyone series.

Wright provides a translation of the entire Epistle that starts each section, then he tells an applicable story that leads into his discussion of the meaning of the text.

The Prison Letters of Epheisans, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon are all covered in this book. Wright is remarkably consistent in his interpretations of the text. You never feel as though he is guessing at an interpretation, but most of his interpretations seem natural and never forced. What was most impressive for me was how he handled Philemon. It is not a very big book, but he shows that it has very big meaning.

If I had to disagree with something it would be his failure to recognize and emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit. I speak as a classical Pentecostal, but there are times when Paul emphasized the Spririt and Wright does very little with this emphasis. He most often uses a lower case "s" for spirit instead of Spirit. I am not sure why he does this and he fails to give an explanation.

Wright does have an excellent glossary of terms at the end of this book and every book in the series. The positive features in this book are well worth the five stars that I have given this book and I overwhelmingly recommend this commentary.

Tom Wright (the more informal way N. T. Wright addresses himself in his more popular and accessible material) has shown his brilliance once again. He says more in 2 - 3 pages about a major section of Paul's letters than many commentaries say by using dozens of pages. This series is meant to be simple and accessible to the average layman, and yet, because of the author, the insights are profoundly brilliant. I can't think of a better series to use for devotions. Buy any of these -- you will not be disappointed.

Bishop Wright's commentaries, which is really what this series is (i.e., Paul for Everyone, John for Everyone, Luke fr Everyone, etc.) are a superb gift to the Church. Though one of the finest academic New Testament scholars alive, his commentaries are extremely readable and accessible for the layman.

Even though his audience is the layman or woman, his work is rooted in serious thought, scholarship and reflection. He doesn't always try to solve or answer every textual or theological problem but he will always give the basic tools or parameters allowing the reader to make one's own decision.

He is quite reliable in his underlying exegesis of the text. His tone is pastoral, hortatory and narrative. I use these commentaries for devotional reading.

Highly recommend Dr. Wright and this "Everyone" series.

For those unfamiliar with Wright's "______ for Everyone" series, they are a series of commentaries on the New Testament books by Bishop Wright based on his extensive historical scholarship. He provides his own translation (based on his extensive knowledge and study of the source languages) which is a very engaging paraphrase. The text is divided up into chronological topic-based segments, followed by a 2-3 page sermonette/commentary based on that section.

In this book, it is interesting to learn of the continuity between the "prison letters" and details of Paul's life and the life of the local churches, in that some of them may have been circulars traveling through the same area, carried by certain people named in the letters, and giving insight into their lives. Because this book is divided up over four of Paul's shorter epistles, it helps to make the reading into manageable sections. Wright gives lots of details and imagery on first-century Jewish and Gentile culture that help the reader to become aware of hidden nuances in Paul's writing, as well as double-meanings and important plays on words that are not apparent in the English text.

As well, Wright often begins each commentary with a short illustration or personal vignette, some of which are quite entertaining. (I enjoyed his account of getting lost at my local Mall of America.)

Wright's writing style is very engaging and refreshing, as is reflected in his more scholarly works of deep theology.

This book (and series) are ideal for individual daily Bible study, devotions, and/or group study, as well as material for teaching.

I hope that when the entire series is completed Bishop Wright will consider releasing all his translations of the New Testament books as the "New Testament - Wright Translation." I think it would be very readable and enlightening for general religious study.

This commentary is very thoughtful and accessible even to those who don't have a massive amount of theological study under their belts. I'm using it for a women's Bible study on Philippians, and the scripture and commentary provide a basis for wonderful conversation. We are being challenged intellectually and spiritually. I would recommend this for those looking for a serious study of Paul's letters.

Just to give you a few of my credentials, which are not many. I have a Bachelor's Degree in ministries. I am almost finished with my master's degree in theology at Liberty University. I have been involved in the ministry for many years. I also own many complete series of commentaries. If there is a series I try to own it in book form, including "Adam Clarke Commentary," "Beacon Bible Commentary," "The Daily Study Bible Series," and others.

The book is very conversational and really easy to read. Matter-of-fact, almost too easy. A young child could read this and understand it for the most part. It gives many down-to-earth illustrations that are up to date. To really grasp my meaning it would be beneficial to read as long of a section before buying. This will really illuminate what I am trying to tell you. The only downfall is there it does seem to stray away from theology and the harder issues. The major strength, due to the readability, would have to be the ability for the reader to grasp the basics of what the scripture means, for the most part. These books are almost perfect for "the average Joe" and for those people I would probably rate it a 4 to 4.5 star rating. The lower rating is because of the lack of theology and avoidance of the hard issues. This book would be a great resource for the average Joe who wants to delve more into the scriptures, Sunday School teachers, laymen and women, or anyone without a theology degree.

For the theologian, that wants to really delve more into the scriptures and study word meanings, theology, or anything in depth, this is probably not the book or books for you. There are some great illustrations that one might be able to use at the pulpit, though. For the pastor, or anyone who has went to seminary, this is probably not the set of books that you want to invest the money to buy. However, it would not be bad if you get asked a lot of times to let someone borrow a book this might be good to purchase for that purpose. If you fall into this category I would have to give this a rating of about 1.5 of 5 stars.

Received book in a timely manner. Although I didn't expect so many underlines, it was interesting to see what previous owner considered of import.
The book was in better condition than I expected.
Thanx.