Hebrews

Peterson’s relatively compact commentary is remarkable for the amount of mature judgment it contains. It reflects more than fifty years of engagement with Hebrews, including major earlier work on perfection, worship, sanctification, and the theology of the letter, and consequently often feels less like a short introductory commentary than the distilled conclusions of a lifetime of scholarship. Peterson is particularly strong on the relationship between Christ’s sacrifice and heavenly priesthood, the typological rather than Platonic character of the sanctuary imagery, the warning passages, and Hebrews’ theology of access to God and persevering faith. His explanations are concise, clear, theologically responsible, and unusually well calibrated for preaching and teaching. It naturally cannot provide the technical detail or extended argumentation of Lane, Ellingworth, Koester, or Moo, and many of its conclusions were developed more fully in Peterson’s earlier specialist work rather than originated within this volume. Even so, few commentaries have a higher insight-to-page ratio, and for someone wanting a concise but genuinely scholarly guide to Hebrews, it is difficult to better.

Peterson navigates Hebrews’ warnings and assurances with pastoral insight. He shows how the epistle’s author presents Christ’s person and work as the fulfillment of the Old Testament. [Full Review]

Very Illuminating. Used to think the Tyndale series was more of an intro level commentary and it may have started that way, but the new revisions take more of the middle line but still highly readable. Peterson keeps an eye on inner textual links and parallels(like showing how the letter expounds the first 4 verses of intro), which is very helpful to understand the book as a whole. So much appreciated the brief exploring of OT context for the use of OT quotations as well. I have started to take the time to do this myself and its nice to have conversation partners in this without just the CNTUOT alone. Biblical Theology is a strength. This is certainly the one in competition with Hughes for my current favorite. Whole book, whole bible scope. Ex.: When Hebrews quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34, he teaches so much more on Jeremiah's promise of the new covenant than many Jeremiah commentaries that I have! Has spent a lot of time thinking through this book and theology in general. Some of his theological discussion is beautifully extended beyond the normal. For example, as I was thinking through the actual effects that forgiveness of sins has for us, besides pardon, I was met by Peterson's comments on its transforming work as well. A fine work that will greatly aid any to understand, teach, preach, or worship through Hebrews. Must buy...