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Christ-Centered Exposition
Exalting Jesus in Ephesians
Edited by David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida, this new commentary series, projected to be 48 volumes, takes a Christ-centered approach to expositing each book of the Bible. Rather than a verse-by-verse approach, the authors have crafted chapters that explain and apply key passages in their assigned Bible books. Readers will learn to see Christ in all aspects of Scripture, and they will be encouraged by the devotional nature of each exposition.
Exalting Jesus in Ephesians is written by Tony Merida.
Exalting Jesus in Ephesians is written by Tony Merida.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 3, 2014
181 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Tony Merida
57 books35 followersTony Merida is the founding pastor of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, NC. Tony is the author of Faithful Preaching, co-author of Orphanology, and serves as a general editor and as contributor to the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series (B&H Publishing Group) along with David Platt and Danny Akin. He is married to Kimberly, with whom he has five adopted children.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 17, 2019
Not a bad book at all. I though it was a really practical look at the book of Ephesians, and I think as I continue to read Ephesians and apply it I will grow to appreciate the book more. However, I was expecting more expository study into Ephesians, but this was the first book in the series I had read so I will have different expectations if I pick up another in the set.
October 1, 2025
I've been pleasantly surprised at how good this commentary series is, and the entry for Ephesians is no exception. It goes into the thickets of theology and offers plenty of practical theology. This is a thorough and unrushed resource, but all the commentary feels valued - there's no heady bloat. Highly recommended.
July 20, 2022
I love the way these books are written. While they don’t give huge insight into the depth of the original language, audience, or context, they are written specifically for pastors that may need help applying.
November 15, 2018
I got this to assist in our study through the book of Ephesians. I have several go-to commentaries but I always try to add a new one to the mix when starting a study through a new book of Scripture.
The commentary here is not bad. It is solid in its biblical adherence though and has a strong evangelical leaning. Don’t get me wrong. I’m an evangelical. However, when I’m studying a book of the Bible and reading a commentary, I want to get down to the nitty gritty of the text and it’s practical application if any. It’s not that this isn’t here but not to the extent I would have hoped.
To be fair, this commentary is more for those who are running a Bible study than for those who are pastoring a church. At the end of each chapter are questions for reflection which is great if I was using it for a Bible study or devotional.
Even so, I was still blessed by it and there were some gems in it, quotes I posted on my Facebook page.
If you’re doing a Bible study, this will be more to your liking. If you’re doing sermon prep and self-edification, it still will help but maybe not to the extent you’d suppose.
The commentary here is not bad. It is solid in its biblical adherence though and has a strong evangelical leaning. Don’t get me wrong. I’m an evangelical. However, when I’m studying a book of the Bible and reading a commentary, I want to get down to the nitty gritty of the text and it’s practical application if any. It’s not that this isn’t here but not to the extent I would have hoped.
To be fair, this commentary is more for those who are running a Bible study than for those who are pastoring a church. At the end of each chapter are questions for reflection which is great if I was using it for a Bible study or devotional.
Even so, I was still blessed by it and there were some gems in it, quotes I posted on my Facebook page.
If you’re doing a Bible study, this will be more to your liking. If you’re doing sermon prep and self-edification, it still will help but maybe not to the extent you’d suppose.
March 1, 2019
A very practical, accessible commentary. Helpful for preparing to teach and lead women's Bible study but did consult some more thorough commentaries where I was hoping for a deeper look at language or cultural context. Still very helpful.
March 17, 2019
A 2.5 month daily journey though the book of Ephesians...love these commentaries!
December 31, 2017
This is a hard book for me to review. I loved parts of it and hated parts of it. Here are my thoughts.
It's a very short book for a commentary. From time to time, Merida interacts with the Greek, not often enough to be good for someone looking for original languages work but too often for those who are intimidated by that sort of thing. In many places it reads more like a devotional work than a commentary. Cultural background is given for the section on slaves and masters as well as fathers and children, but not on the section for wives and husbands (where it is just as important). The book is written from a complementarian (further, one where the marriage order is based in creation) perspective. The chapter titled "Life is War" is good overall, but starts with an irritating bit about how people who love MMA and war movies love Ephesians 6, while other people find it antiquated, ridiculous, militaristic, and unenlightened. As someone who does not love MMA or war movies but does love the Bible, I found that somewhat insulting.
Overall, it's a fine book with some great parts and some not-so-great parts, but I'd look elsewhere for a solid commentary.
It's a very short book for a commentary. From time to time, Merida interacts with the Greek, not often enough to be good for someone looking for original languages work but too often for those who are intimidated by that sort of thing. In many places it reads more like a devotional work than a commentary. Cultural background is given for the section on slaves and masters as well as fathers and children, but not on the section for wives and husbands (where it is just as important). The book is written from a complementarian (further, one where the marriage order is based in creation) perspective. The chapter titled "Life is War" is good overall, but starts with an irritating bit about how people who love MMA and war movies love Ephesians 6, while other people find it antiquated, ridiculous, militaristic, and unenlightened. As someone who does not love MMA or war movies but does love the Bible, I found that somewhat insulting.
Overall, it's a fine book with some great parts and some not-so-great parts, but I'd look elsewhere for a solid commentary.
September 8, 2025
This was a great commentary on the book of Ephesians. I read this as a supplement to another commentary I am reading through with a group of ladies. I did find this one a bit more intellectual than the other (by Warren Weirsbe), which at times made it harder to understand. Still enjoyable, and still got some good stuff out of it. I appreciated the questions at the end of the chapters to help guide our discussions as well.
December 2, 2021
When I preach through a book, I want both exhaustive commentaries and shorter commentaries. This one is the latter. But it’s worth it. Almost every sentence by Merida packs a punch. This is a must-have for pastors preaching through Ephesians.
September 27, 2022
This is a great little commentary. He does not seek the go through Greek sentence structure, but he instead does a good job of compiling many vetted commentaries on Ephesians so that one can pursue those books if a deeper dive os desired.
February 8, 2024
This is a good look at Ephesians. Not terrifically in depth, which I think I was hoping for a bit more of, but overall well written. The chapters are of palatable length for a weekly Bible study. We did it in my mens group and enjoyed it.
November 18, 2024
Having read lots of other commentaries for a series on Ephesians, this is actually a great book if you want to take a bit of a short cut: the treatment is often a summary of other commentaries (helpful ones), with a few additional observations in broad-stroke observation.
December 29, 2024
This book is effectively a collection of sermons from Ephesians. I’m not sure if Merida actually preached them live, but they were good sermons that deepens my love for Christ and encouraged and instructed me. Glory to God.
March 11, 2025
4.5 🌟
These series are so helpful when reading a book of the Bible. It helped to provide some application and discussion questions for the small group I was leading. So approachable and very relatable. Great explanations of the texts.
These series are so helpful when reading a book of the Bible. It helped to provide some application and discussion questions for the small group I was leading. So approachable and very relatable. Great explanations of the texts.
September 30, 2019
Excellent and practical comments of the book of Ephesians. I’ve yet to find a poor one in the CCE series. I highly recommend.
March 3, 2020
A great example of pastoral exposition
July 29, 2020
The detailed outlines at the beginning of each chapter are an organizational feat. They’re also a great help in understanding the passage!
July 6, 2024
Fantastic resource for digging deep into scripture!
November 23, 2014
I've read a few commentaries on Ephesians in recent times and found this to be both a comprehensive and challenging study of the book. Certainly there are others that are significantly larger in volume and depth of interpretation which I have yet to study so am unable to make a comparison with those ones.
For all intents and purposes is a verse-by-verse commentary and provides good explanations of each verse. It is geared to providing practical understanding and each chapter ends with a series of in-depth questions challenging the reader to further explore the concepts outlined and apply them to their life.
I particularly enjoyed how Merida seamlessly wove other commentators workings throughout and added to the comprehensiveness of the study by including additional voices and interpretations.
In the introduction to this series of commentaries the authors make reference to it being geared towards pastors, however, I found it tremendously useful and readable.
This is the first of the "Christ-Centred Exposition" series I've used but I'm looking forward to starting the next one.
For all intents and purposes is a verse-by-verse commentary and provides good explanations of each verse. It is geared to providing practical understanding and each chapter ends with a series of in-depth questions challenging the reader to further explore the concepts outlined and apply them to their life.
I particularly enjoyed how Merida seamlessly wove other commentators workings throughout and added to the comprehensiveness of the study by including additional voices and interpretations.
In the introduction to this series of commentaries the authors make reference to it being geared towards pastors, however, I found it tremendously useful and readable.
This is the first of the "Christ-Centred Exposition" series I've used but I'm looking forward to starting the next one.
December 17, 2015
The brand new Christ-Centered Exposition series edited by David Platt, Danny Aiken, and Tony Merida, looks to be one of my go-to's as a pastor. I am always looking for succinct, mildly-technical, mostly-pastoral offerings. In the past, the Preaching the Word series, edited and mostly authored by Kent Hughes, has fit that bill. I'm glad to say that, at the very least, Ephesians by Tony Merida in the Christ-Centered Exposition series is a home run winner!
The commentary is laid out like it was probably a sermon series by Merida at one point. His headings are driven by the text, but presented in a way that is homiletically pleasing. While he isn't overly-illustrated, he offers illustrations where they are appropriate. Some are personal to him and didn't translate well into my pulpit ministry. Merida has a solid theological frame-work. He is mildly Reformed, but is clearly not an undiapered Calvinist. His main concern is to address the text.
I would highly recommend Ephesians to pastors, small group leaders, or even laymen looking for a meatier study aid in their personal time with the Lord. This is an excellent tool for the church!
The commentary is laid out like it was probably a sermon series by Merida at one point. His headings are driven by the text, but presented in a way that is homiletically pleasing. While he isn't overly-illustrated, he offers illustrations where they are appropriate. Some are personal to him and didn't translate well into my pulpit ministry. Merida has a solid theological frame-work. He is mildly Reformed, but is clearly not an undiapered Calvinist. His main concern is to address the text.
I would highly recommend Ephesians to pastors, small group leaders, or even laymen looking for a meatier study aid in their personal time with the Lord. This is an excellent tool for the church!
November 23, 2016
An approachable commentary on the book of Ephesians. The book gets technical when it has to or when it's helpful, but never gets too bogged down in minutiae; true to the series title, it keeps the text's relation to Christ as the central focus as much as possible, and this is a guideline that allows it to be both succinct and comprehensive. Useful if you want to read through Ephesians or if you want exposition on particular passages.
January 20, 2021
Simple, inspiring devotional commentary
This is a helpful complement to reading through Ephesians as a devotional. Basic themes are emphasised and addressed in easy to understand and inspiring language.
This is a helpful complement to reading through Ephesians as a devotional. Basic themes are emphasised and addressed in easy to understand and inspiring language.
August 23, 2015
Quite good overall. I'll certainly be staying in this series.
March 16, 2023
Dr. Merida is a preacher’s preacher. Lifts up Jesus, loves the Bible, writes so clearly. Not the least bit pretentious. May his tribe increase!
April 1, 2017
Easy to read and follow, very informative, and good citations. Book would be very good for Bible study group. Also does not go down rabbit trails.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews