Hebrews

The NIV Application Commentary, New Testament #18

by George H. Guthrie

Most Bible commentaries take us on a one-way trip from the twentieth century to the first century. But they leave us there, assuming that we can somehow make the return journey on our own. In other words, 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 us with both halves of the interpretive task. This new and unique series shows readers how to bring an ancient message into modern context. It explains not only what the Bible means but also how it can speak powerfully today. The NIV Application Commentary series helps with both halves of Bible study. It builds a bridge from the past to the world we live in -- explaining not only what the Bible meant, but also how it can speak powerfully today.

Genres: Reference, New Testament, Christian, Biblical Studies, Theology, Faith, Spirituality

480 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1998

About the author

Dr. George Guthrie serves as the Benjamin W. Perry Professor of Bible at Union University in Jackson, TN. As a student of the New Testament and Koine Greek, he is the author of numerous articles and seven books, including, The Structure of Hebrews: A Textlinguistic Analysis (Supplements to Novum Testamentum, 73. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1994; republished by Baker Books in 1998), Biblical Greek Exegesis (Co-authored with J. Scott Duvall, Zondervan), the NIV Application Commentary: Hebrews, and Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Hebrews. Dr. Guthrie has participated in translation projects, such as the revision of The New Living Translation, and has served as a consultant on the Holman Christian Standard Bible, the New Century Version, and the English Standard Version. He has also served for five years as a co-chair of the Biblical Greek Language and Linguistics Section of SBL, has served on the Executive Committee of the Institute for Biblical Research, and has served on the editorial board for Sheffield's JSNTS monograph series. At Union University he has led in the establishment of, and serves as Senior Fellow in, the Ryan Center for Biblical Studies, which is committed to promoting sound Bible reading, study, and interpretation at the grassroots level of the church. Dr. Guthrie holds both the Ph.D. and the M.Div. degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Th.M. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Reviews

[Brian Reagan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terrible commentary on Hebrews! If this is how the Scripture is applied--by going on ad naseum with quotations, poetry, and other nonsense that makes little real connection to the text--then count me out. This text is first of all very boring, theologically shallow, and is filled with so much Baptistic and Calvinistic filth as to make it functionally useless to explain the text. Every time Guthrie approaches the truth, and he may even state it, he soon reverses his assertions to support his "once saved always saved" heresy! The whole point of Hebrews is to make an entire Christian community aware of the very real possibility of their freedom to reject Christ, to forfeit their salvation, and to crucify Jesus all over again. The book of Hebrews is not a rhetorical device built upon non-existent hypotheticals, but a real-time warning to Christians who think it might be a good idea to go back to some other path. Guthrie may have a PhD, and he would do well to use a set of Post hole Diggers to dig a hole and bury this kind of garbage.



The

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This commentary was both hard yet applicable, for many examples given concerning our life. The explanation was good theologically, but still easy to understand.

[Jonathan Mcleod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as I preached through Hebrews. It was the commentary I ended up using the most for sermon preparation.

[David Keith · Rating 2 out of 5]

What is this man speaking about?
Some of the bridging times were down to earth experiences, however I had personally a difficult time comprising the gaps in bridging times. Down to earth as I've said, but few and far between. I had a very strenuous time keeping time with this fellow. I would recommend another comprehensive commentary for your research.

[Greg Reimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The NIV Application Commentaries are always a hit for me. They give just the right amount of depth for pastors and laypeople to dig into the original context and language and to come out the other side with clear points of application. Guthrie does a great job of pulling from the wealth of Old Testament references in Hebrews to give insight and understanding to the meaning of each section in the book. I read this book through cover to cover (and am sure I'm only one of a small minority to do that), and found that this commentary was engaging and thought-provoking throughout. I feel I have a grasp for the themes, context and overall message of the book of Hebrews, which proves to me how good of a job Guthrie has done with this commentary.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

I referenced quite a few commentaries in my sermon series on Hebrews, but four were particularly helpful. This one, by Guthrie, does a good job of explaining the text but also offers lots of fodder for application. I was thankful for this resource.

[Other commentaries I referenced: Kistemaker (not in Goodreads! 5 stars!), Bruce, Grindheim]

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This commentary is very helpful to dig into the convoluted argument and style of the writer of Hebrews. I would recommend but would say that one should read at a slower pace in order to really grasp the flow of the argument.

[Vincent Ng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed going through Guthrie's commentary on Hebrews alongside Mohler's in preaching through the book of Hebrews. What I found tremendously helpful is how Guthries makes ties to our times through the "contemporary significance" section as he deals pastorally with matters related to the text.

[C.S. Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most balanced and pastoral of my Hebrews commentaries

[Jay Merrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

[Pam Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked Guthrie's approach to the book of Hebrews. However I feel the format of the NIVAC series devotes too much space to application and not enough to exegesis.

[Gerardo Borja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mo tiene desperdicio

Nada que reprochar, lastima la ttaduccion pero el comentarista excelente, la aplicación sorprendente. Muchas gracias a George H. Guthrie y en general.

[Dominic Venuso · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok. It is good as a very basic commentary on Hebrews.

[Ian Minielly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Most of the commentary is alright without breaking any new ground. I do not like the format of this series as it divides the commentary on each chapter into, "Original meaning;" "bridging Context; and "Contemporary Significance." This format really breaks the chapters into siloed material for the same chapter whereas most commentaries cover the same angles, but do it in a manner that flows. This commentary lacks flow and feels very halting.

Chapter 8 is very painful to read. The author goes above and beyond in his apology to Jews and their religious beliefs while acknowledging the New Covenant has replaced the Old. The author wants to apologize for Jesus over and over again without acknowledging the Hebrews never followed their own covenant and broke it from the day it was given. The author admits the new is better and has replaced and the old has gone away, but then he goes through extensive pains to paint people in line with Hitler and the senior Luther if they do not wallow in Jewishness and its greatness.

The author makes sure we all know he is not anti-Semitic and labels everyone who does not apologize and revere Judaism as a near equally valid belief system as anti-Semites. One does not have to be an anti-Semite to fully teach the New Covenant is better and has replaced the Old. The Bible itself teaches this and Jesus was murdered because the priest class understood what He was saying when He was alive. They rejected the need for a New Covenant and their replacement and decided to kill the Messiah because of it. Acknowledging this is not anti-Semitic. It is reality and truth and Jewish people today are in the same boat as Jewish people 2,000 years ago. They need to acknowledge their Savior, repent, and seek forgiveness. This is not anti-Semitic.

Guthrie's efforts to make his readers know he is not anti-Semitic falls in the face of Scripture. Christians are either for God or against Him. We cannot uphold the Old as valid or worthy while receiving and trusting in the New. The Old had its place, but it has been replaced. All people should be treated the same. Either within the Kingdom of God or outside of it. That has nothing to do with their background or genealogy. If anyone is outside of the New Covenant, then they need to hear about it and be given the opportunity to join.

[William And · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good commentary

This is my first experience with this series of commentaries. I like how it is thorough in treating the subject matter and I also like the bridging the context sections. They are a great combination to help the teacher in making the obscure relevant.

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how Guthrie structures the book of Hebrews. It's really not self-evident (to me at least). Many other scholars (including O'Brien's work) have (loosely) adopted his structure. That much is very helpful. However, the more I read the NIV Application series for the text's application (I've got over a dozen from this set alone), I find myself increasingly dissatisfied. I cannot remember a time when I actually used the application suggested by Guthrie (or any other of these authors from the series). Maybe the application is better suited for devotional and not pedagogical purposes.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my 5th commentary this year for the book of Hebrews and although I am glad I read it for the practical applications , I found myself wanting to skip over many pages ( I usually read every word of a commentary ) After a year in the study of one book of the Bible I think I have grown to love this book and Jesus more. I am thankful for the truths this book helped me to see more clearly with the help of the Holy Spirit and the study of Hebrews has made me fall on my face thankful I am under the new covenant - Mt. Zion and not the old covenant - Mt Sinai..

[Gerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great commentary for lay readers -- very application focused, which I appreciated and found helpful in my own meditation and personal reflection. But I also learned a lot about the structure and theology in this complex book which I didn't know before.

[Sean-david · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful work, excellent scholarship.

[Jeremiah Mustered · Rating 3 out of 5]

A more practical commentary with good applicational insights; I would not recommend reading F.F. Bruce's NICNT: Hebrews before this; because Guthrie seems to rely heavily on Bruce for interpretation.

[Warren Pace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, disagreement with some things.

[John Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good text especially for teaching