Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters : Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (Paperback)

by Tom Wright (Author) "The most successful tourist attraction to appear in London in recent years is the 'London Eye'..." (more)
Key Phrases: King Jesus, Jesus the Messiah, Jesus Christ (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
[The For Everyone series] is probably the most exciting thing to have happened in Christian education in Britain for many years.Expository Times --Expository Times

Product Description
Making use of his true scholar's understanding, yet writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, N.T. Wright captures the dauntless power of these letters. They were written by Paul while in prison facing the possibility of imminent death, yet burn with undimmed passion. Paul seeks to help direct the growing faith where his influence might prove crucial, and writes a very personal letter to a slave-owner on behalf of a runaway.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664227880
• ISBN-13: 978-0664227883
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,133 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #7 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Reference > Commentaries > New Testament
  #13 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts > Bible Study > Study
  #25 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Reference > New Testament

• This item is part of The New Testament Guides for Everyone Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW, June 10, 2004

By	D. G. Hollums (Santa Fe, NM) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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)

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Everyone Title is for Real, December 20, 2005

By	DarrenGJohnson "DarrenGJohnson" (Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews

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.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple. Profound. Accessible. Brilliant!, June 11, 2003

By	Richard J. Vincent "www.theocentric.com" (West Bend, WI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon (New Testament Guides for Everyone) (Paperback)

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.