The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

by Craig S. Keener

Voted one of Christianity Today's 1995 Books of the Year! To understand and apply the Bible well, you need two crucial sources of information. One is the Bible itself. The other is an understanding of the cultural background of the passage you're reading. Only with the background can you grasp the author's original concerns and purposes. This unique commentary provides, in verse-by-verse format, the crucial cultural background you need for responsible--and richer--Bible study. It includes a glossary of cultural terms and important historical figures, maps and charts, up-to-date bibliographies, and introductory essays about cultural background information for each book of the New Testament. Based on ten years of in-depth study, this accessible and bestselling commentary is valuable for pastors in sermon preparation, for Sunday-school and other church teachers as they build lessons, for missionaries concerned not to import their own cultural biases into the Bible, for college and seminary students in classroom assignments, and for everyday Bible readers seeking to deepen and enhance their study of Scripture.

Genres: Reference, Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity, Biblical Studies, History

842 pages, Hardcover

First published December 30, 1993

About the author

Craig S. Keener (PhD, Duke University) is professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He is the author of many books, including Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts, the bestseller The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, The Historical Jesus of the Gospels, Gift and Giver, and commentaries on Matthew, John, Romans, 1–2 Corinthians, and Revelation.

Reviews

[Lee Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have huge respect for Craig Keener’s work ever since his 2003 two-volume commentary on the Gospel of John. It was largely instrumental in researching for my own book about John’s Gospel, and I believe has become the primary resource for Johannine studies. So when IVP sent me this brand new second-edition 800-page New Testament commentary, I was quite excited.

As a reference book, it doesn’t disappoint. Scholarly and interesting, each book of the New Testament is given a short introduction detailing authorship and setting, and then a verse-by-verse commentary. The verses are clustered and topical, so it’s easy to page through the book looking for topics of interest. Be aware that Keener’s emphasis differs from other commentaries; he is less interested in providing simple exegesis than in painting a picture of the first-century setting whereby a saying or statement can be understood. Note the title: this is a “Bible Background Commentary.” It is about the cultural background and what was going on in Bible days that colored the writings we read two thousand years later.

It’s this focus that gives this reference book its unique niche. A few examples of Keener’s focus will help explain what makes this a must-have resource for sermon development or (in my case) writing Bible commentary:

Matthew 5:22, about the “fires of Gehenna” for someone who calls his brother a fool: Keener doesn’t delve into the history of Gehenna but speaks to its metaphorical meaning as the opposite of paradise, and how some Jewish teachers envisioned eternal torture while others believed the wicked would be burned up.

Acts 2:1-4, about the arrival of the Holy Spirit: Keener explains the Jewish anticipation of the return of the Spirit and its outpouring as a sign of the Messianic age.

1 Corinthians 11:14-15, about a woman wearing long hair as a head covering, while long hair on a man is a disgrace: Keener points out how ancient writers, especially Stoic philosophers, loved to make arguments from nature. Nature taught them that men could grow beards, but women’s hair naturally seemed to grow longer. Paul is well aware of the exceptions to the rule (such as the Nazirites) but draws on this observation more to make a point than to instruct his readers in how to wear their hair.

[Patrick Berthalon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un commentaire indispensable d'un auteur hautement qualifié qui a su rendre ses travaux académiques accessibles au lecteur.
Dans le cadre de l'herméneutique, le contexte a une grande importance et l'arrière plan de plusieurs passages "difficiles" prend une tout autre dimension sous la plume expert de Craig Keener.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent popular, slightly scholarly, but not technical commentary, which makes it great for researching, preaching, studying for lessons, et cetera. It's full of background information (e.g. Examples of Herod's temper in Matthew 2, cultural information on the parable of the prodigal son, Jewish & Greco-Roman philosophy surrounding many settings) and is well structured according to NT passages. I've found it to be very beneficial for teaching, school, and personal study. Keener was my NT prof as Asbury Seminary.

[Elaine Ricker Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as egalitarian as expected. Essentially, he provides some notes on gender equality and on others states that the New Testament letters were progressive for their day. In Ephesians 5, he affirms that the mutual submission of all believers is no different from the submission of wives to husbands. In 1 Tim. 2, he discusses women want to be physically saved through the risks of childbirth.
On the passages often used to limit women, the author provides the traditional interpretation and states there space does not allow to show the egalitarian interpretation. For example, in 1 Cor. 11, he states 'head' means leader/authority without giving credence to the idea that head means source/foundation/beginning. He discusses women not covering their hair provoking male lust; he does not mention women not covering their hair signaled availability (such as not wearing a wedding ring today, this does not provoke lust). His conclusion seems to be that removing head covering is "not the way it's done" while the preceding discussion indicates that women are a source of strength and help for the man (v.8-9), both women and men are fit to judge angels (v.8-9), are mutually interdependent (v. 11-12). In 1 Cor. 14, he affirms that women may pray and prophesy in church and suggests the issues is disorder as uneducated women interrupted worship by asking inappropriate questions.
Keener confirms the idea that divorce is prohibited, without notes about where the Bible permits divorce and how Jesus was actually telling men not to abandon their marriage vows, not prohibiting divorce.
While he admits homosexuality was common among first-century Roman males, and Romans considered it natural, he states that Roman Christians would consider homosexual behaviour a sin. He mentions in passing that some scholars dispute the meaning of the term currently translated as homosexual in 1 Corinthians 6 but he does not explain the evidence that the original terms related to exploitive or dominating behaviours. He seems to affirm that salvation can be lost by homosexual acts, without reference to salvation by grace alone. I will continue to use this commentary in combination with other scholarship.

[Taylor Diehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't actually read this straight through from start to finish but used it for reference throughout my New Testament class. It is a great commentary which gives cultural and historical context for every verse of the New Testament. An incredibly valuable resource for biblical study. Written by none other than Dr. Craig S. Keener, a widely respected Bible scholar and genuine, loving man.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Ill: IVP, 1993.

Hugely valuable resource!

[Cory Briggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed

I could not understand why pseudographical writings were cited so much. A lot of times he does let the Bible interpret itself and he is to be commended for that.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoy the accessible language level of this commentary. Not including an index of key terms feels like a real missed opportunity.

[Randy Mccracken · Rating 5 out of 5]

The New Testament Bible background commentary by Craig Keener has been a standard reference work for many years. The new second edition only makes this commentary more valuable. Keener has done a thorough revision of the original and has expanded his treatment of many passages. The goal has remained the same: “The sole purpose of this commentary (unlike most commentaries) is to make available the most relevant cultural, social and historical background for reading the New Testament the way its first readers would have read it” (p. 14). Thus, Keener is not seeking to offer theological commentary on the New Testament, but rather background material that will aid the reader in coming to theological conclusions. Although it is not his main focus, Keener also makes literary observations from time to time (for example, inclusios or chiastic structures–see his final chart at the end of the book entitled, “A Chiasmus: Acts 2:22-36″)

For the rest of the review please click on the following link: http://www.biblestudywithrandy.com/20...

[Eric Molicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique as commentaries go. The Bible must always be read recognizing that the Spirit wants to help us cross from the horizon of our own time/culture to the biblical horizon and then back again in order to gain His meaning. This commentary helps you understand the Biblical horizon's culture and setting in a very accessible fashion even for lay readers of Scripture. Great asset to have in your library.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little resource. Very basic, good for those looking for a little more depth in their bible studies. I would recommend it for those who don't want to do heavy amounts of research but would like a resource that would take them five minutes or so to look up a passage.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! A great study companion. Keener provides brief insights into the world of the NT alongside each verse. The only problem is that sometimes you wish the commentary elaborated on some of the background it provides.

[Elizabeth Licitra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly helpful book to have as you read through the NT. Provides background information for many passages in the NT. I haven't read through every page, but I find it very helpful when trying to figure out what a particular passage is "talking about".

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reference for personal New Testament studies. Keener's voice speaks to me. Used in conjunction with other commentaries and NIV Study Bible notes. Keener's style seems personal to me, not abstract or distanced.

[raysilverwoman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't get to read every page of this book, but used it pretty extensively in my NT Survey class. Great reference text for someone just starting to dip into the NT academically, as it provides a pretty no-nonsense, coherent overview of its historical, socio-cultural context.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually the first commentary I turn to to understand the cultural background of a New Testament passage, and often the last! Nuff said.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great single volume resource of verse by verse cultural background.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good resource for quick reference.

[Jeff Noble]

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament by Craig S. Keener (?)

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting commentary on the New Testament. It isn't the broadest or most in depth commentary, but is useful for additional background and color when researching a topic.

[Pl · Rating 5 out of 5]

For what it is, it really works well.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very helpful reference for studying the New Testament. Keener provides cultural context, parallel references, and geo-political details.

[Glyn Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful. A must have on any Biblical scholar's bookshelf.