Ephesians

The NIV Application Commentary, New Testament #10

by Klyne R. Snodgrass, Paul the Apostle

The NIV Application Commentary helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in today's context. To bring the ancient messages of the Bible into today's world, each passage is treated in three sections: This unique, award-winning commentary is the ideal resource for today's preachers, teachers, and serious students of the Bible, giving them the tools, ideas, and insights they need to communicate God's Word with the same powerful impact it had when it was first written.

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

384 pages, Hardcover

First published July 7, 1996

About the author

Klyne Ryland Snodgrass (born 28 December 1944) is an American theologian, author and professor of New Testament Studies at the North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. His publication Stories with Intent: A Comprehensive Guide to the Parables of Jesus garnered a 2009 Christianity Today Book Award.

Reviews

[Frank Peters · Rating 2 out of 5]

The NIV Application Commentary is a really nice idea. It seeks to discuss bible passages based on the original context, a middle bridge to our culture, and a contemporary focus. Many of the volumes are really very good. In particular these volumes are excellent for additional Bible study support. The commentary on Ephesians is OK, but not outstanding. The section on the original context is pretty good and often interesting. The contemporary focus is unfortunately grounded in the US south, and its culture, where evidently the author comes from. As a Canadian living in Ireland, his “modern” focus is not much more relevant than the original first century focus. Actually, I think the first century focus is more relevant! By the time I finished reading through the commentary, nothing particular stood out. On the other hand after reading through Ephesians repeatedly and mulling over that letter, there is much that is life changing that I have read.

[Shaun Marksbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical.

[Frans Kempe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well done commentary of Ephesians with practical insights for today

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good commentary on Ephesians and well worth your time if you would like a general overview of the letter. The book is very moderate in tone and its conclusions are generally reasonable and fair-minded. I especially like the three-part design of each chapter in the book: each begins with a discussion of the original meaning of the text in question, then a section on bridging the original context behind the text with our modern context, and then ends with a discussion of the contemporary significance of the section to our faith and modern lives. The only downside of the book is its sparse footnoting. Snodgrass rarely footnotes other sources throughout the commentary, and most of his footnotes are personal notes on textual issues. I understand this book isn't designed to be an overly-academic commentary, but I felt like Snodgrass could have at least documented his sources more often. If you are going to teach or study Ephesians, or if you want to be encouraged, check it out--its a good read.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The application part of this commentary seemed right on target for the middle-class American church. Snodgrass strikes hard using the text of Ephesians. It is not a critical commentary, he does not address options of interpretation, can be curt with those he disagrees with (does so harshly to A. Lincoln's argument of non-Pauline authorship, especially when he relies so heavily on Lincoln throughout), but I am not too critical because I agree with him in most conclusions he makes (would argue over the nature of the powers - see Gombis' book, The Drama of Ephesians on that). Still, the exposition is excellent and clear and he includes wonderful sections bridging to our culture today and applying the text. A wonderful commentary for the church about its identity in Christ and what that means for life, especially life together.

[Joel Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snodgrass provides a great commentary on the book of Ephesians. Couple this with the purpose of the series -- to take Biblical literature into our modern mindset -- and Snodgrass provides a wonderful book full of knowledge of the Biblical world as well as sound application. Even though the series is not specifically designed for personal devotions, many of Snodgrass's applications were devotional in nature and certainly inspired me as I seek to follow God more closely.