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Ephesians: A Commentary
"Stephen Fowl's rich volume on this rich letter displays his careful reading of the text that yields a truly theological commentary."--Michael J. Gorman, Raymond E. Brown Chair in Biblical Studies and Theology, St. Mary's Seminary and University
"Stephen Fowl brings his considerable gifts in theological interpretation to the profound theological message of the Letter to the Ephesians. The result is a refreshingly irenic commentary that reflects a thorough knowledge of the critical discussions while eschewing lengthy debate." --Andrew T. Lincoln, Portland Professor of New Testament, University of Gloucestershire
"Reading Stephen Fowl's work is always a wonderful experience. His prose is tight and clear, his thinking fresh, and his commentary on Scripture always targets the sacred text and what it may teach the church about its relationship with God and one another." --Robert W. Wall, Paul T. Walls Professor of Scripture and Wesleyan Studies, Seattle Pacific University
Even though it was written some two millennia ago, Ephesians still speaks to Christians today in themes quite familiar to the modern reader. In a context where the church had become overwhelmingly, if not exclusively, Gentile, the Christian community needed to be reminded of the priority of Israel and the astonishing work of reconciliation that God willed to accomplish in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This volume in the highly acclaimed New Testament Library series reveals the great theological promises of Ephesians while discussing issues of context, authorship, and style.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2012
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About the author
Stephen E. Fowl
27 books6 followersDr. Stephen E. Nowl is the chair of the Department of Theology at Loyola University Maryland.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 5, 2018
Stephen Fowl has delivered this volume on Ephesians in the New Testament Library (NTL) series. Mr. Fowl would rate as one of the more conservative writers in this critical series. If you are familiar with this series it’s safe to say that the author delivers what you’ve come to expect. There’s the same theological insight with even a higher level of exegesis as compared to other volumes in the series.
The introduction that follows a lengthy bibliography is rather short. Some typical introductory issues aren’t even touched upon. He does explain his view of the argument of Ephesians. He gives a fairly detailed outline of the book. He covers historical background in a section on Ephesus and Paul in Acts. When he discusses authorship, he doesn’t completely dismiss the possibility that Paul wrote the letter as we might have expected in this series. In any event, he doesn’t feel that authorship has all that much bearing on the interpretation of the book. He discusses briefly its relation to the book of Colossians, and he overviews vocabulary, style, themes, eschatology, and its use of the Old Testament. He ends the introduction with a look at the recipients and occasion of the book.
Even the commentary section is shorter than I anticipated. Still, the size is somewhat mitigated by a succinct style that is thorough enough to get to the heart of the matter in most passages. Again, the theological help makes this commentary worth consulting. Here’s a good look at Ephesians from a moderately critical perspective that is better than many in that same category.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
The introduction that follows a lengthy bibliography is rather short. Some typical introductory issues aren’t even touched upon. He does explain his view of the argument of Ephesians. He gives a fairly detailed outline of the book. He covers historical background in a section on Ephesus and Paul in Acts. When he discusses authorship, he doesn’t completely dismiss the possibility that Paul wrote the letter as we might have expected in this series. In any event, he doesn’t feel that authorship has all that much bearing on the interpretation of the book. He discusses briefly its relation to the book of Colossians, and he overviews vocabulary, style, themes, eschatology, and its use of the Old Testament. He ends the introduction with a look at the recipients and occasion of the book.
Even the commentary section is shorter than I anticipated. Still, the size is somewhat mitigated by a succinct style that is thorough enough to get to the heart of the matter in most passages. Again, the theological help makes this commentary worth consulting. Here’s a good look at Ephesians from a moderately critical perspective that is better than many in that same category.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
October 6, 2016
Stephen E. Fowl is Professor and Chair of Theology in the Department of Theology at Loyola University, Maryland. Fowl received his MA from Wheaton Graduate School and PhD from the University of Sheffield, where he completed his dissertation on the Christ-Hymn material in the Pauline corpus. Fowl is the author of numerous books and articles, including a commentary on Philippians in the Two Horizons New Testament Commentary series. Most recently, Fowl joined the ranks of the top contributors in the New Testament Library series with his excellent volume on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.
Ephesians: A Commentary is confidently positioned as one of the most useful volumes to arise out of the New Testament Library (NTL) series in recent years. The commentary begins with a quick introduction that tackles all of the expected introductory matters with precision. Fowl is fairly conservative in his approach, but he hesitates to take a firm position on Pauline authorship. Fowl explains, “I find the arguments so finely balanced that my decision about this could vary from day to day” (p. 28). One of the more interesting angles Fowl takes to discuss the authorship of the letter is the use of the Old Testament and its relationship to the undisputed letters of Paul. Fowl concludes the introduction with a section on the recipients and occasion of the letter, and again, he remains largely agnostic after evaluating the evidence.
The commentary proper is judiciously presented. Two features deserve mention here. First and foremost, like the other volumes in the NTL series, Fowl provides the reader with an original translation and textual notes. I’ve continually found this to be one of the most helpful features of the NTL series, and Fowl does not disappoint. Fowl’s textual notes are lengthy and well positioned to provide the keen reader with the information needed to establish the sometimes difficult text. Second, the exegetical handling of the text is brief and pointed, and Fowl quickly moves towards theological exposition. This shift in focus will be predictable for those familiar with Fowl’s work within the theological interpretation of Scripture movement.
There is no shortage in sight when it comes to choosing a commentary on the book of Ephesians. Still, with the market as saturated as it is, Ephesians: A Commentary by Stephen E. Fowl is an option well worth exploring. Fowl is both clear and to-the-point in his exegesis of the text, and his presentation is one of the more balanced critical approaches to the letter. While I don’t see this volume superseding Hoehner (2002), Lincoln (1990), or Thielman (2010) in its usefulness, I foresee its use being well-positioned for the busy pastor looking for theological application that is rooted exegetically within the text. If you are in the market for a well-written commentary that will get you into the text and theological insights quickly, Fowl’s work will outfit you well. It comes highly recommended!
Ephesians: A Commentary is confidently positioned as one of the most useful volumes to arise out of the New Testament Library (NTL) series in recent years. The commentary begins with a quick introduction that tackles all of the expected introductory matters with precision. Fowl is fairly conservative in his approach, but he hesitates to take a firm position on Pauline authorship. Fowl explains, “I find the arguments so finely balanced that my decision about this could vary from day to day” (p. 28). One of the more interesting angles Fowl takes to discuss the authorship of the letter is the use of the Old Testament and its relationship to the undisputed letters of Paul. Fowl concludes the introduction with a section on the recipients and occasion of the letter, and again, he remains largely agnostic after evaluating the evidence.
The commentary proper is judiciously presented. Two features deserve mention here. First and foremost, like the other volumes in the NTL series, Fowl provides the reader with an original translation and textual notes. I’ve continually found this to be one of the most helpful features of the NTL series, and Fowl does not disappoint. Fowl’s textual notes are lengthy and well positioned to provide the keen reader with the information needed to establish the sometimes difficult text. Second, the exegetical handling of the text is brief and pointed, and Fowl quickly moves towards theological exposition. This shift in focus will be predictable for those familiar with Fowl’s work within the theological interpretation of Scripture movement.
There is no shortage in sight when it comes to choosing a commentary on the book of Ephesians. Still, with the market as saturated as it is, Ephesians: A Commentary by Stephen E. Fowl is an option well worth exploring. Fowl is both clear and to-the-point in his exegesis of the text, and his presentation is one of the more balanced critical approaches to the letter. While I don’t see this volume superseding Hoehner (2002), Lincoln (1990), or Thielman (2010) in its usefulness, I foresee its use being well-positioned for the busy pastor looking for theological application that is rooted exegetically within the text. If you are in the market for a well-written commentary that will get you into the text and theological insights quickly, Fowl’s work will outfit you well. It comes highly recommended!
March 27, 2018
A measured, overall well balanced commentary on Ephesians.
In an environment when many have written far larger commentaries and treatises on Ephesians, investigating the text on all sorts of levels, the author of this commentary attempts to spend some time discussing the various disputations and controversies regarding the letter, its authorship, and its content, while seeking to maintain focus upon making good theological sense of what is being communicated in Ephesians.
The author takes an "agnostic" view of many of the disputed issues; for the purposes of his commentary he does not presume Paul did or did not write it, and shows throughout the letter how various aspects can be used to justify Paul's authorship or authorship by another and that, in the end, one can find the reasons to believe what one wants to believe about the authorship of the book. On the whole the author does not push a particular denominational or theological agenda in his commentary but instead provides a refreshing and clear perspective on many of the issues addressed in the letter. He rightly laments at the brokenness and divisiveness present within "Christendom"; his understanding of grace and works appreciates the nuances of the text and the roles of each. The only moment of "drift" from this perspective comes in terms of Ephesians 5:22-6:9: the author uncharacteristically emphasizes the cultural context when confronted with the "patriarchal" system described in the text, and while attempting on the surface to remain "agnostic" about the matter, nevertheless prejudices the discussion/understanding toward a more egalitarian and less complementarian view of the matter. I also appreciated the author's use of Chrysostom and Thomas Aquinas, among other ancient/medieval sources, to provide a more thoroughgoing history of interpretation of many of the passages.
A good resource on Ephesians and worthy of consideration.
**---galley received as part of early review program
In an environment when many have written far larger commentaries and treatises on Ephesians, investigating the text on all sorts of levels, the author of this commentary attempts to spend some time discussing the various disputations and controversies regarding the letter, its authorship, and its content, while seeking to maintain focus upon making good theological sense of what is being communicated in Ephesians.
The author takes an "agnostic" view of many of the disputed issues; for the purposes of his commentary he does not presume Paul did or did not write it, and shows throughout the letter how various aspects can be used to justify Paul's authorship or authorship by another and that, in the end, one can find the reasons to believe what one wants to believe about the authorship of the book. On the whole the author does not push a particular denominational or theological agenda in his commentary but instead provides a refreshing and clear perspective on many of the issues addressed in the letter. He rightly laments at the brokenness and divisiveness present within "Christendom"; his understanding of grace and works appreciates the nuances of the text and the roles of each. The only moment of "drift" from this perspective comes in terms of Ephesians 5:22-6:9: the author uncharacteristically emphasizes the cultural context when confronted with the "patriarchal" system described in the text, and while attempting on the surface to remain "agnostic" about the matter, nevertheless prejudices the discussion/understanding toward a more egalitarian and less complementarian view of the matter. I also appreciated the author's use of Chrysostom and Thomas Aquinas, among other ancient/medieval sources, to provide a more thoroughgoing history of interpretation of many of the passages.
A good resource on Ephesians and worthy of consideration.
**---galley received as part of early review program
July 7, 2015
Mooi beknopt commentaar op Efeze. Goed om de hoofdlijnen van een perikoop te pakken.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews