Hebrews

Tyndale New Testament Commentaries #15

by Donald Guthrie

The book of Hebrews is quite challenging, claims commentary author Donald Guthrie, since there are many open questions about authorship, historical setting and audience. More than most New Testament books, Hebrews requires detailed explanations of the background allusions within it, which reference the priesthood of Christ being directly linked to the old Levitical order. Above all, Hebrews deals with the important question, How can we approach God? The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries have long been a trusted resource for Bible study. Written by some of the world's most distinguished evangelical scholars, these twenty volumes offer clear, reliable, and relevant explanations of every book in the New Testament. The original, unrevised text of this volume has been completely retypeset and printed in a larger, more attractive format with the new cover design for the series. These Tyndale volumes are designed to help readers understand what the Bible actually says and what it means. The introduction to each volume gives a concise but thorough description of the authorship, date, and historical background of the biblical book under consideration. The commentary itself examines the text section by section, drawing out its main themes. It also comments on individual verses and deals with problems of interpretation. The aim throughout is to get at the true meaning of the Bible and to make its message plain to readers today.

Genres: Reference, Biblical Studies, New Testament, Theology, Christian, Scripture, Christian Non Fiction

281 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 1983

About the author

Donald Guthrie was a British New Testament scholar. Guthrie was a graduate of the University of London (B.D., Th.M., Ph. D.). From 1949 until his retirement in 1982 Guthrie was lecturer in New Testament studies at London Bible College (now London School of Theology), and from 1978 until 1982 he served as vice-principal of the college.
Guthrie wrote New Testament Introduction (1962) and New Testament Theology (1981) which are recognized as significant books related to the New Testament.

Reviews

[Cale Manley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent commentary. Guthrie has incredible depth and insight without being devotional or overly technical. His particular approach to the book of Hebrews is a theological one, and I found the section on the theology of the letter in the introduction very valuable. The view of Pauline authorship is very compelling to me right now (although I don’t think Paul penned it). This commentary provided more support for this view for me, as Guthrie shows throughout his commentary the astonishing similarities and parallels between Hebrews and Paul’s epistles—although he doesn’t seem to think Paul is the author. If I could’ve read only one commentary on Hebrews, it would’ve been this one.

[Joe Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another workmanlike commentary in the Tyndale series. The introduction covers the much debated question of authorship predominately. The commentary explains many Greek words and is more scholarly than inspiring. It tends to shy away from controversies in the book of Hebrews such as the author's use of non-messianic passages from the Old Testament in a messianic context. This is likely appropriate in a conservative commentary, but there were times I found myself turning to other sources to try and discover the answers to some obvious questions. Worth reading if you own the series, but not buying as a stand alone.

[Vanjr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhat obtuse. Not my first choice for a small Hebrews commentary.

[Doug Eaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best! Clear and conscience. If you want to follow the flow of the author of Hebrews arguments, and understand the phrases and OT quotes he uses, this book is for you.

Highly recommended!

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

After abandoning O'Brien's and Philip Hughes' commentaries for being more technical than I needed, I found this to be just right.

[BJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an "it was ok" commentary. I found NT Wright's commentary on Colossians in this Tyndale New Testament Commentary Series better. However, it is a commentary and does bring some light to the text, I just don't think it is what it could have been.

Let me give you one quote that I thought was excellent on Heb. 12:20-22, you must read the context though:

"Throughout the era of law, separateness had been a feature of God's dealing with his people, as the holy of holies showed. This build-up of awesomeness was calculated to set out in greater relief the approachableness of God under the gospel, as verses 22-24 show" (p. 260).

In Jesus one can confidently approach the living God. This indeed is good news, and I'm thankful that Guthrie sought to bring that out in his commentary

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly average material with a few keen insights and helpful bright spots.

[Chris Comis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very scholarly but also very pastoral. Really helpful commentary on the book of Hebrews.