Focus on the Bible Commentaries (41 vols.)

The word ‘Deuteronomy’ is a misnomer. It means ‘the second law.’ The name is taken from Deuteronomy 17:18 where the expression really means having a copy of the law. Deuteronomy is therefore not a second, different law, but a renewal of the covenant made on Mount Sinai. For a people on the brink of entering the Promised Land, Deuteronomy confirmed God’s gracious promises as they prepared for new horizons and adventures.

This exposition is rooted first in a thorough analysis of the Hebrew text, employing helpful insights from archaeology and linguistics, and second in the major theological and literary themes discovered in each section. Finally the author brings the fragments together in an expository treatment which addresses the important topics of application.

The Church has a problem with the book of Judges. It is so earthy, puzzling, primitive and violent—so much so that the church can barely stomach it. It falls under the category of “embarrassing scripture.” Such an attitude is, of course, wrong, so Dale Ralph Davis here makes Judges digestible by analyzing the major literary and theological themes discovered in each section, providing a theocentric exposition.

In the lawless period of the history of Israel between the invasion of Canaan and the establishment of the monarchy there existed military leaders, national heroes called the Judges. The lesson of the book of Judges is that Israel’s survival depended upon loyalty to God and that disloyalty always ended in disaster. It also shows God’s faithfulness to his people when they turned in repentance.

The story of Ruth is set in the times of the Judges. It shows the blessings that came upon a foreigner when she turned to Israel’s God at a time when Israel was turning away.

Tragedy and triumph—the books of Ruth and Esther tell the stories of two women who achieve success against all odds. One woman overcomes a personal tragedy, the other a nationwide crisis. The roads they take to succeed, however, are quite different.

This fascinating study provides a practical commentary on the lives of two women as it shows readers the providential care of the unseen God for his people—not only in past history, but in our day as well. Even seemingly out-of-control crises are under his watchful care.

Teachers of Bible study groups as well as pastors will find this volume a rich source of insight into the text and a real inspiration for living.

Dale Ralph Davis brings cultural and historical color to the task of interpretation and adds a pastor’s heart for personal application. You will find a point of contact with the lives of Samuel, Saul, Jonathan, and David as Davis answers the question, “What does God seek when he looks on the heart?” Davis presents a simple exposition of the literary and theological character of the text in a bright and fascinating way.

Dale Ralph Davis brings cultural and historical color to the task of interpreting one of the most studied parts of the Bible. The lessons in 2 Samuel from the life of Israel, and David in particular, have obvious modern parallels. Davis writes with a pastor’s heart and the incisive brain of a respected theologian specializing in the Old Testament texts.

1 Kings is a continuation of a narrative of the history of Israel which begins in 1 Samuel and continues through into 1 & 2 Kings. While we so often struggle with the events and issues of the book of 1 Kings, Dale Ralph Davis helps us to see how it we can apply to the contemporary settings of the twenty-first century. As usual, Davis uses pastoral application and laces it with his own sense of humor. He is noted for tackling scholarship head on.

2 Kings provides a fast-paced narrative of insight into the history of Israel under its monarchy. This book is a continuation of the narrative begun in 1 Samuel, and continued through 2 Samuel and 1 Kings. Dale Ralph Davis finishes it off with a captivating and rewarding journey through 2 Kings.

Written between 561 BC and 538 BC, 2 Kings gives us a warning about the consequences of sin, especially the catastrophic repercussions of Israel’s love affair with idolatry. Despite struggling with other problems, we see that the Jewish people learned from their experience. They never made a mistake of this enormity again.

Through prophets such as Elisha and Elijah, we see God’s compassion for his people and the opportunity for repentance. An opportunity spoiled by Judah, climaxing with the subjugation of the kingdom by the Babylonians.

Illuminating, accessible, and laced with his unique sense of humor, Davis’ practical devotional expository applies events to the contemporary reader providing parallels to alert us in the twenty-first century.

The books of Chronicles have had a checkered past. Neglected for many years under the unfortunate name paraleipomenon or “things omitted,” meant that they occupied a subordinate position in the Scriptures until the fourth century AD when the title “A Chronicle of the whole of Sacred History” was suggested instead. This has since been shortened to Chronicles and the rest is, literally, history.

Probably penned by Ezra, Chronicles is a selective history of the Jews encouraging them to trust that God is intimately involved in their story. Written at a time when the Jews were newly out of captivity and with their capital city in ruins, Chronicles assures them of God’s faithfulness. If they would obey and serve him then his people would still enjoy his blessing.

This volume continues Cyril J. Barber’s examination and exposition of the history of Israel as depicted in the Chronicles. Beginning with the life of Solomon, Barber outlines the ebb and flow of good and evil kings, the building—and subsequent desecration—of the temple, the split between Judah and the 10 tribes of Israel, and the disastrous consequences of sin and the agony of exile. In this accessible exposition, discover what we can learn from Israel’s history, and learn the nature of the God who speaks through prophets, who displays both justice and mercy, and who preserves his people.

The poet Alfred Lord Tennyson is reputed to have called the book of Job “the greatest poem of ancient or modern times.” It is, indeed, a poetic masterpiece—one of the most original poems in the history of mankind—and it is also is one of the most dramatic illustrations in the Bible of the interrelationship of God, mankind, and Satan.

There is much argument as to what is the basic theme of Job. There are many opinions—the patience of a good man under testing, the suffering of the innocent, the tragedy of life in a fallen world, justification by faith, the incomprehensibility of God’s dealings with people, and even a parable of the suffering of Israel—all have been suggested.

One reason why it may be difficult to find a unifying theme is that it really happened! This is not someone’s opinion about spiritual matters but an event that is reported in detail and then set in a different literary style.

Bill Cotton has put together a fascinating study of the book of Job. To aid the reader he has added highlight boxes throughout the commentary that discuss basic problems and the flow of thought.

A Psalm is basically a poem set to music and sung. This sets the book of Psalms apart from other Scripture. You will find other Psalms and songs scattered throughout Scripture—some are also used for worship—but they tend to be part of a narrative. Because people think of the Psalms purely as a songbook, they have tended to overlook them as a place to look for teaching, and many have even considered them as a less important part of the Bible.

Yet, for many centuries the Psalms would have been the most familiar part of Scripture to people who had no access to books. They are not only an integral part of the shared experience of the church but they also communicate God’s guidance to this world, unfurl his character, and encourage his people.

The range of subjects covered is staggering! They extol God’s greatness and invite repentance, express commitment to his covenants and adherence to his law—and look forward to the coming Messianic kingdom. The style is predominantly praise but includes prayers, complaints, and even curses! Many were composed as liturgy, to be sung by God’s people together, others are private and personal—yet have still found a place as shared worship in the church.

All of which makes them fascinating! This volume covers the first three books of the Psalms (Psalms 1–89). The second volume on the book of Psalms, also included in this collection, covers books four and five (Psalms 90–150) and includes an appendix with a suggested chronological order.

In his previous volume—also included in this collection—Eric Lane teaches about the first three books of the Psalms (Psalms 1–89). In it he introduces us to the staggering range of subjects covered in the Psalms.

This volume continues his exposition with the last two books of the Psalms, which include the earliest Psalm (Psalm 90—attributed to Moses), and the “Psalms of Ascent” (Psalms 120–134). Each of these two books ends with their own doxology.

This collection of Psalms is ancient—at least as old as the second or third century BC This volume also contains an appendix, giving a suggested chronological order for the Psalms. All of which makes this a fascinating book to seek guidance from, with the experienced help of Eric Lane.

Whatever the question, the answer is in Proverbs!

No book of the Bible gives Christians more practical advice than Proverbs. It covers personal problems like sex, ambition, anxiety, fear, money; family matters such as marriage, parenting, discipline and education; social questions like neighborliness, friendship, disputes and litigation; and even politics, both from the ruler’s and citizen’s viewpoint!

The revolutionary method employed in this commentary combines two different approaches. Firstly, the verse-by-verse approach and secondly, the thematic style. Most modern commentaries on Proverbs don’t cover every verse, as this one does. Most other commentaries also don’t show the thematic nature of the book of Proverbs.

Eric Lane shows his long investigation into the text by giving a comprehensive thematic index of topics covered. This means that whilst every verse is covered, each chapter is arranged topically, making it more reader-friendly.

Eric Lane succeeds brilliantly in bringing us a study of Proverbs that can be used as a devotional aid or Bible study companion. He reveals Proverbs as something more than a disconnected collection of inspired sayings!

The Song of Songs is a love poem attributable to Solomon and the first of the Hebrew Megilloth. Originally these scrolls were read in connection with the different feasts and fasts of the Jews, in the case of the Song of Songs, it was read at Passover time.

This commentary takes a stance. It was at one time the consistent evangelical stance but that has changed with many in recent years, taking the Song of Songs to be a book dealing with marriage and sexuality. This opinion appears to be gaining less favor of late, so it is time for a modern commentary which takes this viewpoint into account, but which reestablishes the line that the Song of Songs is primarily an exposition of the spiritual relationship between Christ and the believer.

Although it was written before the time of the incarnation, it is Jesus himself who explains that the Old Testament Scriptures are “they which testify of me” (John 5:39). It is not denied that we can learn from the Song at a human level, since Paul set the relationship between husband and wife in the context of the relationship between Christ and the church. At the heart of the Song is a beautiful relationship for us to explore.

Isaiah has been called the “fifth gospel.” Why? Because in it, God speaks through his prophet of his people’s departure from truth, the need for repentance, and the redemption provided by a coming Savior. Isaiah’s imagery is some of the most beautiful, and terrifying, in the Bible.

It was written in the eight century BC at a time of material prosperity. This wealth had brought increased literacy and so God’s people could be brought back by a book of 66 chapters to understand a world that had spiritual, as well as physical, dimensions.

This is a key Old Testament book, as well as charting a key change in the life of God’s people it provides some of the most important prophecies fulfilled only in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Its lessons for the contemporary church are particularly apt.

Too often modern commentaries become a discussion between commentators rather than an exploration of what the text has to say to contemporary readers. Allan Harman’s methods follow those of Leon Morris and Allan McRae in that he devotes most of his energy to discovering what God is saying through his prophet, rather than what we are saying amongst ourselves.

Frenetic scholarly activity has raged over differing interpretations of the book of Daniel. Many liberal scholars claim that it is full of fanciful accounts, some that the prophecies were written after the events occurred. Bob Fyall deals with such questions in his introduction before he goes on to explain the text. He shows us why it was written and when it was written.

Daniel is an excellent example of Godly living, and there is a theme throughout the book of Daniel that God reigns sovereignly and that he will use those who know him to do his will in history.

The book of Daniel is also a book which contains prophecy and visions. Some of the prophecies are remarkably detailed and are fulfilled in history, while others concern the coming kingdom of the Messiah. Fyall provides guidelines for us to use in coming to a biblical understanding of God’s plan for the world.

The breakdown of family values is having a devastating effect on society. Older people are no longer respected by the young, lawlessness abounds, everyone does what they like with no thought for their neighbors, politicians, and the government is viewed as corrupt. The leaders of the church are out of touch, out of mind, and out to lunch.

This scenario is not taken from last week’s tabloid newspapers but from the troubled times of the prophet Hosea in the eighth century BC.

Hosea’s prophecy is a book of hope for us today as Michael Eaton shows that God can be trusted to win back the love of his people despite a less than promising outlook.

Viewed through the picture-window of his own disastrous marriage, Hosea shows that God’s constant love and perfect judgment, when put together, restores his relationship with his Church.

Amos had no claim to fame. He was not even a son of a prophet. Neither had he had any formal training to be a prophet. Yet God called him out from a career of being a herdsman. He was sent out from the south to bring the Lord’s message to Samaria in the Northern Kingdom. Amos was called to speak at the time of national disunity, military superiority, economic prosperity, and religious activity. Amos brings home the idea of a famine. However it is not food the people lack like we might expect, but there is a famine of the Word of God. Through this study you will be reminded of the importance of the Word of God in your lives.

These prophets were writing during the seventh and eighth century BC. The major prophetic themes of the destruction of Israel’s enemies, the judgment of God upon Israel when she turns from him, and the peace that would result from living in harmony with God, are all here. There are also Messianic and future prophetic themes, such as the eternal reign of a king from the line of David (Micah) and the destruction of Jerusalem (Zephaniah). This fascinating period of Bible history is full of drama, wisdom and insight.

The ministry of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi is a record of how God deals with people he has restored as they try to translate their basic loyalty to him into practical action. Restoring their temple and the physical trappings of their ravaged kingdom was not an end in itself. God was, and is, primarily interested in obedient minds and wills in people who have a heart for God.

Matthew’s Gospel was written to show that Jesus is the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. It is carefully arranged by subject matter as a clear explanation to the Jewish people, and to the world, of who Jesus is. Here you will meet Jesus the great teacher, the storyteller, the prophet, the atoning sacrifice and much, much more.

Charles Price’s commentary on Matthew puts the Gospel into context and helps us to see Jesus through the eyes and ears of Matthew.

Mark’s Gospel is a book for today’s people in today’s world. It is vivid, appealing powerfully to the eye of the imagination.

This is an age of new interest in the supernatural, with so many possibilities of deception. Here is Jesus, the true God and perfect man, working the supernatural works of God. Today harrowing pictures of suffering bombards us all and we ask ‘Why?’ Here is God’s great suffering servant, showing us that God cares. Most of all, today’s people are fascinated by Jesus himself. Who was this man? Indeed, if, as Mark believed, he really did rise from the dead, we should re-phrase the question: Who is this man? Who did he claim to be? All this and much more, Mark’s dynamic book brings to us.

Acts is an exciting story of church growth despite inner problems and outward conflict. The book of Acts describes the spread of the gospel throughout the known world of the first century and the establishment of Christian churches in many different places. As the gospel entered new places, its preachers often faced opposition from followers of other religions, and sometimes this opposition extended to include political persecution. Nevertheless, within a generation, the gospel had spread from Jerusalem to Rome and beyond. While Luke, the writer of Acts was an historian, Acts is not merely historical, but also provides principles and lessons for contemporary churches to imitate as they continue to spread the apostolic gospel today.

Dale Leschert has written, “Paul’s epistle to the Romans may possibly be the most influential letter ever written. Apart from its immediate impact upon the first century, it has indirectly altered the direction of the church and secular history through its instrumentality in the conversion of several of Christianity’s most outstanding leaders.” Augustine, Luther and Wesley are among those who relate their trust in Christ to this book.

Romans is all about the revelation of God’s righteousness in freely offering salvation to all people through faith. Written about AD 56 or 57 in Corinth while Paul was on his way to Jerusalem, Romans historically fits into the book of Acts near the end of Paul’s third missionary journey.

First Corinthians is Paul’s masterly pastoral letter to a church, which he founded five years earlier, but which in the meantime has lost its way. In Ephesus, Paul was visited by various groups from Corinth bringing disturbing reports of recent developments, but also a list of questions. A little sleuthing helps us recover an idea of the problems in Corinth as well as the questions to which they wanted answers. A less imaginative person may have simply addressed the problems and replied to the questions, but not Paul. Paul discerned in the problems and the questions five underlying issues:

• True wisdom
• Sexual holiness
• Temple attendance
• Behavior at church meetings
• Resurrection hope

This letter is both timely and timeless. It was, doubtless, piercingly relevant for the Corinthians as they sat transfixed listening as it was read to them. But the letter continues to challenge readers today as they apply its principles to life in an increasingly unstable and hostile world—as Corinth was.

The second letter to the Corinthians is Paul’s personal appeal to the church he founded in Corinth, a church influenced against Paul by false prophets. In describing the type of church leader that is pleasing to God, Paul reveals more about himself than in any other of his writings. It is as if we can see into his soul as he lovingly points out the faulty attitudes of the church at Corinth.

In addition to guidance on leadership and on other subjects, he also wrote about Christian giving. Paul was eager for the church to participate in the relief fund he was putting together for poor believers in Jerusalem. His rulings on these matters need to be applied to today’s church.

The glorious doctrine of justification by faith far exceeds even the great charters of freedom and liberty which we have seen throughout history. This doctrine is expounded by the apostle Paul in Galatians, and in it we see the key themes of his theology expounded. Joseph Pipa, an able biblical expositor committed to the inerrancy of Scripture, brings us this important letter with practical lessons for the church.

Ephesians is a letter to a church very much like yours. Paul is obviously commended that this young church gets its foundations right. It is intriguing that later, when writing to Timothy, he says that there are some in the church promoting “false doctrines.” The leadership was in revolt! Yet in the revelation given to John, Jesus commends the Ephesian church that they have thrown out the false teachers and are a congregation who has staying power despite their setbacks. The church of Ephesus had been through the mill but back out the other side! What was their secret? You will find out as you explore this letter to the church, ably expounded by Paul Gardner.

The church at Philippi evidently had a lot going for it. Paul was full of joy because of what was happening there; they were energetic in evangelism and demonstrated the power of the gospel through their lives. However, like all churches and indeed all Christians, it was not perfect—needing among other things to be challenged, warned, and prayed for. For Christians today, there is a lot to be learned from the people in Philippi, particularly with regard to the enjoyment they had in living and proclaiming their faith. The challenges set them by Paul and the encouragement he gave them are both areas where Christians today can and should learn from.

Come and hear a wonderful story of evangelism, church planting, and Christian growth. Colossians was a letter which would have first been read by Tychicus in Philemon’s house in Colossae. The people who were to read that letter had been converted as a result of Paul’s teaching in Ephesus (Acts 19). As they read they were are about to better understand better the reality of life in Christ, and reading it years later we can understand better too.

You will see the power of fellowship at work as a formerly useless slave and his master are brought together to work together as brothers in the Lord.

The Thessalonian epistles give us relevant glimpses of the church’s earliest times. When looking at the early church many contemporary questions arise such as:

• What is true gospel?
• How do you plant a church?

These are questions that exercise our modern church just as much as the historic Thessalonian one.

Paul’s first letter was written to encourage and reassure the Christians in Thessolonica. He gives thanks for their faith and love, he reminds them of his example on godly living, and he answers questions about the return of Christ. In his second letter we find Paul still dealing with confusion over the return of Christ, especially with those who believed the Lord’s coming had already arrived. He also shows that evil and wickedness will reach a crescendo under the leadership of a mysterious figure called “the wicked one.” He tells them to remain steady in all that they have learned.

Richard Mayhue’s skill in interpreting the text accurately but with humor and modern parallels comes through in this fascinating commentary. These timeless letters provide up-to-date answers from a consecrated church, shepherded by godly men devoted to God and to his word.

Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus, commonly called the Pastoral Epistles, are Paul’s last letters before his martyrdom. Although written in the first century, they are very relevant for church life today. Contemporary issues such as the inspiration and authority of scripture, the characteristics of church leaders, the role of women, and the nature of holiness were high on Paul’s priority list to be passed on to his “sons in the faith,”: Timothy and Titus.

Hebrews was written to challenge and encourage professing Jewish believers who were considering abandoning the Christian faith and returning to the Jewish religion. Throughout his work, the unknown author shows how Christ is superior to all that the Old Testament offered, including the prophets, high priest, Levitical sacrificial system and old covenant. In Christ, all believers have Jesus to be the ultimate prophet, priest, and king, who gives to them all the blessing of the new covenant. At the same time as showing that Christ is superior to the Old Testament system, the author also shows that, in fact, the prophets and other men of faith in the Old Testament are actually united to Christians and not to followers of the Jewish faith.

It’s one thing to talk the talk. It’s another to walk the walk. The book of James clearly addresses what the Christian walk entails and challenges believers to apply the principles taught by Christ to their lives. It’s not an easy walk, but it’s highly rewarding.

The epistle of James is one of the most controversial included in the canon of the New Testament. Why the controversy? James (almost certainly Jesus’ brother) sets out in his letter to deal with the problem of a church that does church—yet really does nothing! James is forthright in spelling out some home truths to his readers.

1 Peter was written by the Apostle Peter to encourage believers for whom the storm clouds of persecution were gathering, just because they were Christians. To encourage them he first reminds them that suffering is temporary, and that faithful living in times of suffering will produce eternal benefits. He develops this theme to show that such a lifestyle, lived out in difficult and dangerous circumstances, is an effective witness to unbelievers, and will result in church growth—the very opposite effect intended by those who persecuted them.

2 Peter was widely circulated throughout the early church to warn people to watch out for the false teachers that were appearing in the church, who were leading the church to immorality and the loss of its witness. Peter was very concerned that those who say that Christ will not return should not make the church feel that Christ has abandoned them. Jude’s theme is similar and also points the church towards the evidence of believers who heard Jesus issuing the call “to fight on for the faith which once and for all God has given to his people.”

Michael Eaton believes that John’s epistles were written to counteract false teachers who were influencing Christians in the church. An exposition of these epistles could not be timelier, as often people who come to Christ today have little or no church background—they can be easily influenced by false teaching.

John showed in his letters that the most secure way to avoid being deceived was the importance of having a present experience of knowing the Father and the Son. Michael Eaton brings out this balanced approach to help give us healthy and fruitful church members.

It is ironic that a book called Revelation remains probably the most obscure of all the books of the Bible. Many Christians have never ventured further than the first three chapters and others have studied its intricacies and the split churches that resulted wished that they hadn’t! For those who already love the book of Revelation this commentary will take you a little deeper and stimulate thinking about how the teaching should be applied to the modern church.