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Tyndale New Testament Commentaries
Ephesians: An Introduction and Commentary (Volume 10)
Unlike Paul's letters to the Galatians or the Corinthians, the letter to the Ephesians contains almost no clues about the situation and issues its recipients faced. Nevertheless, the letter vividly depicts how God's will revealed in Christ reorients believers' lives toward unity, mutual respect, submission, and love--in short, new life in Christ, relying on his power and strength. In this Tyndale Commentary, Darrell Bock shows how this precious jewel of a letter combines gospel doctrine, enablement, and exhortation to life. The Tyndale Commentaries are designed to help the reader of the Bible understand what the text says and what it means. The Introduction to each book gives a concise but thorough treatment of its authorship, date, original setting, and purpose. Following a structural Analysis, the Commentary takes the book section by section, drawing out its main themes, and also comments on individual verses and problems of interpretation. Additional Notes provide fuller discussion of particular difficulties. In the new New Testament volumes, the commentary on each section of the text is structured under three headings: Context, Comment, and Theology. The goal is to explain the true meaning of the Bible and make its message plain.
- GenresChristian
240 pages, Paperback
Published June 4, 2019
25 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Darrell L. Bock
112 books71 followersDarrell L. Bock is a New Testament scholar and research professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, United States. Bock received his PhD from Scotland's University of Aberdeen.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 10, 2021
I'm not in the habit of reading commentaries, so take my 5 star rating with that in mind.
I gave this commentary 5 stars based on how much I believe it helped me understand Ephesians - how the book is woven together, how a first-century world would have understood it, and what it means for me, today. I also appreciated that the author used the original Greek words and sentence structure when he's trying to make a grammatical point, but I didn't feel like I needed to go to seminary and take Greek to understand it.
I'm so grateful I read this commentary. Ephesians is even more dear to me now.
I gave this commentary 5 stars based on how much I believe it helped me understand Ephesians - how the book is woven together, how a first-century world would have understood it, and what it means for me, today. I also appreciated that the author used the original Greek words and sentence structure when he's trying to make a grammatical point, but I didn't feel like I needed to go to seminary and take Greek to understand it.
I'm so grateful I read this commentary. Ephesians is even more dear to me now.
November 6, 2019
Very good, small commentary on Ephesians. Well written. Does include some short "author's translation" portions, but the text is not part of the book. (I would have loved to have the entire Ephesians text as translated by the author as part of the text). This is not a commentary to discuss other commentaries. Dr. Bock is a good, clear writer. I have a much better understanding of this short book (Ephesians).
This Tyndale series is really a nice, concise commentary for those who do not want to slog through larger more comprehensive ones. I do like the longer ones at times, but this series fills a needed niche.
This Tyndale series is really a nice, concise commentary for those who do not want to slog through larger more comprehensive ones. I do like the longer ones at times, but this series fills a needed niche.
June 6, 2019
This latest release in the Tyndale New Testament Commentary (TNTC) series has snagged yet another top-flight scholar. Darrell Bock tackles Ephesians here after his major works on Luke, Acts, and the historical Jesus. In case you weren’t aware, his two-volume commentary on Luke in the BECNT series is often rated as the best exegetical work we have on that book. Though he branches away from his normal work in this effort to grapple with a Pauline epistle, his credentials are clearly up to the mark. TNTC targets an audience below those major exegetical works though its scholarship is always top-notch. It seems to me that Mr. Bock understood the aims of the TNTC series and brought us an excellent work within those parameters.
After a select bibliography of a few pages, Bock jumps into his introduction. He begins with explaining the importance of Ephesians which many find to be a mountain peak within Pauline writings. He goes on to explain destinations of the letter with plenty of background on the city of Ephesus before he gets into several issues involving authorship. When he enters a more formal discussion of authorship and date, he explains vocabulary and style and theological issues within Ephesians. He doesn’t find enough evidence to deny Paul authorship.
After a brief outline, Bock enters the commentary section that makes up the bulk of the book. For each passage, he gives context, before entering into commentary itself for each verse. There’s also a paragraph or so on the theology of the passage. In my estimation, he makes the reader fully aware of the issues and what the passage is trying to say to us. For example, I thought he handled the Household Code with skill and grace. He stayed true to the text concluding a conservative position yet wrote in a way that would not be overly antagonistic to someone of a different persuasion. The quality of commentary remained throughout.
Pastors, teachers, and Bible students will appreciate the fine help this commentary provides. I recommend it.
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.
After a select bibliography of a few pages, Bock jumps into his introduction. He begins with explaining the importance of Ephesians which many find to be a mountain peak within Pauline writings. He goes on to explain destinations of the letter with plenty of background on the city of Ephesus before he gets into several issues involving authorship. When he enters a more formal discussion of authorship and date, he explains vocabulary and style and theological issues within Ephesians. He doesn’t find enough evidence to deny Paul authorship.
After a brief outline, Bock enters the commentary section that makes up the bulk of the book. For each passage, he gives context, before entering into commentary itself for each verse. There’s also a paragraph or so on the theology of the passage. In my estimation, he makes the reader fully aware of the issues and what the passage is trying to say to us. For example, I thought he handled the Household Code with skill and grace. He stayed true to the text concluding a conservative position yet wrote in a way that would not be overly antagonistic to someone of a different persuasion. The quality of commentary remained throughout.
Pastors, teachers, and Bible students will appreciate the fine help this commentary provides. I recommend it.
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.
June 28, 2019
As a high school Sunday School teacher, our curriculum includes studying The Doctrines of Grace. Ephesians is a critical text we examine. When I saw that IVP Academic had released Ephesians as volume 10 in the Tyndale New Testament Commentaries series, I knew I had to check it out.
Engaging Ephesians
Author Darrell L. Bock, Executive Director of Cultural Engagement and Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, is a prestigious and precise writer. He is not afraid to tackle each word, phrase, and nuance in the text. He is able to offer different viewpoints but also argues for his own. He sets a pace and sticks to it with quick and engaging commentary.
For example, early in the commentary, I was intrigued by Ephesians 1:18 and the meaning of the word “inheritance.” Do we have an inheritance or are we the inheritance? Bock makes the case that we are God’s possession, a people predestined for his purposes. Bock persuasively proves his point and moves on. The commentary requires you to keep up with alert eyes.
Exhortations from Ephesians
This volume offers more than what a Study Bible can provide. Bock draws from the entirety of Scripture for cross-references, points on Biblical theology, and even offers concrete application as is fitting near the end of Ephesians.
I consider the true test of a commentary to be if it can educate me as well as exhort me to worship. I was drawn deeper into the text and my emotions were elevated to praise, thank, and worship God.
Encouragement from Ephesians
Reading a commentary from cover to cover is not for everyone. Bock’s volume is accessible to laymen like me who simply love Scripture. Ephesians is my favorite book in the Bible, and this commentary has helped to solidify it in my mind. It reads like an academic or devotional book and I highly recommend it.
I was provided a complimentary copy of Ephesians: An Introduction And Commentary in exchange for an honest review.
Engaging Ephesians
Author Darrell L. Bock, Executive Director of Cultural Engagement and Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, is a prestigious and precise writer. He is not afraid to tackle each word, phrase, and nuance in the text. He is able to offer different viewpoints but also argues for his own. He sets a pace and sticks to it with quick and engaging commentary.
For example, early in the commentary, I was intrigued by Ephesians 1:18 and the meaning of the word “inheritance.” Do we have an inheritance or are we the inheritance? Bock makes the case that we are God’s possession, a people predestined for his purposes. Bock persuasively proves his point and moves on. The commentary requires you to keep up with alert eyes.
Exhortations from Ephesians
This volume offers more than what a Study Bible can provide. Bock draws from the entirety of Scripture for cross-references, points on Biblical theology, and even offers concrete application as is fitting near the end of Ephesians.
I consider the true test of a commentary to be if it can educate me as well as exhort me to worship. I was drawn deeper into the text and my emotions were elevated to praise, thank, and worship God.
Encouragement from Ephesians
Reading a commentary from cover to cover is not for everyone. Bock’s volume is accessible to laymen like me who simply love Scripture. Ephesians is my favorite book in the Bible, and this commentary has helped to solidify it in my mind. It reads like an academic or devotional book and I highly recommend it.
I was provided a complimentary copy of Ephesians: An Introduction And Commentary in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2025
As commentaries go, this was adequate. It covered grammar and exegesis well enough but was lacking in application. I prefer a more balanced treatment between scholarly work and application of the principles.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews