The book of Colossians has shaped me like no other book in the Bible.

It was the first book I studied as a new Christian and the first book I preached as a new pastor. I use it weekly in pastoral counseling by teaching congregants to set their hearts and minds on things above from Colossians 3:1-4.

I read Colossians 1:15–23 daily to remind me of who I am in Christ before I step out of the door. I’ve instructed that Colossians will be read and preached in my funeral service. The preacher of that service is to be determined.

Here is a list of resources that have aided my study of Colossians and deepened my affection for the Lord. Since the Colossian Heresy plays a significant role in every Colossians commentary, I’ve provided a comparison of each resource’s view on the subject.

Colossians-Philemon: A Beginning-Intermediate Greek Reader by Roy Jeal

This is a helpful volume for those wanting to interact with the Greek text. It provides the Greek Colossians text along with four categories of information in the footnotes: 1) lexical aid, 2) morphology help, 3) translation help and 4) textual variants.

Before each chapter of Colossians, readers are provided a vocabulary list by frequency usage in the chapter.

I regularly look for opportunities to improve my pedestrian Greek reading and translation ability. I wholeheartedly commend this slim volume for those looking to do the same. Jeal is professor of religion at Booth University College.

St. Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon by JB Lightfoot

This commentary is based solely on the Greek text. Each page has a line or two of the Greek text at the top with notes filling the rest of the page. The notes are technical and interact directly with Greek vocabulary.

The commentary also contains three helpful introductory articles on “The Churches of the Lycus,” “The Colossian Heresy” and “Character and Contents of the Epistle.” Regarding the Colossian Heresy, Lightfoot views it as comprised of two elements: Judaism and Gnosticism.

Lightfoot was born in England in 1828. He was educated at Oxford and Cambridge, returning later to Cambridge as professor of Divinity.

Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Colossians and Philemon by David Pao

I love the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament series. I recommend buying every volume. There is no better commentary to aid in preaching and teaching.

Pao’s volume excels in the “Theology in Application’ sections. For example, on Colossians 1:15-23 he provides helpful discussion on “The Universal and the Particular Christ,” “Christ and the Church,” “Christ and Creation” and “Christ’s Work and Human Responses.”

Regarding the Colossian Heresy, Pao surveys a number of hypotheses regarding the false teachers and their philosophy: “Pagan Philosophy,” “Jewish Legalism,” “Jewish Mysticism” and “Syncretism.” He lands upon labeling the Colossian Heresy as “a syncretism with Jewish elements providing the controlling framework.”

Pao is professor of New Testament and chair of the New Testament department at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon by Douglas Moo

The Pillar series is phenomenal, and Moo is a veteran commentary writer. He does a commendable job at providing rigorous exegesis and theological reflection without undue technicality or argumentation with other commentaries.

Regarding the Colossians Heresy, Moo adopts Clinton Arnold’s proposal that it is a syncretistic mix of “Phrygian folk belief, local folk Judaism and Christianity.”

The major drawback to this commentary is the use of the Today’s New International Version, which is discontinued.

Moo, after teaching for more than 20 years at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois, served as Blanchard Professor of New Testament at the Wheaton College Graduate School from 2000 until his retirement in 2023.

Smyth and Helwys Bible Commentary: Colossians by Nijay Gupta

The Smyth and Helwys series is helpful due to its format, which includes a plethora of sidebars that include historical information, outlines of literary structure, definitions, quotations, drawings and photographs.

Gupta’s volume is helpful particularly for its discussion on the Colossian Heresy. He labels it a “Transcendent-Ascetic Philosophy,” arguing it is transcendent insofar as it seeks heavenly wisdom and spiritual perfection that transcends the supposed limitations of the body. The heresy is ascetic, because it seeks the subjugation of the weak in order to be free from domination of troublesome spirits and powers.

Gupta uses this as a guide to understand the context and argumentation of Colossians.

This volume is helpful particularly for the preacher. It provides solid scholarship without a wasted word. Gupta teaches biblical studies at Seattle Pacific University.

IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Colossians and Philemon by Robert W. Wall

This is a highly accessible commentary.

I love Wall’s comment from the introduction: “Interpreting Scripture is an act of worship.

“One of the most surprising gains of recent scholarship,” Wall continues, “is the recognition that a historical and literary analysis of biblical texts, however informed and judicious, cannot be the primary aim of the church’s interpretation of its Scripture. We do not study Scripture by applying some technique to it.

“We believe God intends every text of Scripture be used to form the faith and guide the witness of every Christians, and so Bible study should properly concern itself with people who desire to worship God in spirit and truth and bear witness to the Lord in their daily lives,” he concludes.

This principle is reflected in Wall’s commentary.

Regarding the Colossian Heresy, he sees it as a Hellenized from of piety, probably of Jewish origin manifested in devotion to God expressed through ascetic rules and moral codes that prevented believers from properly living the Christian life.

Wall is Paul T. Walls Professor of Scripture and Wesleyan studies at Seattle Pacific University.

Jeff Gravens is the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary. The views expressed in this resource article are those of the author.

The Book of Lamentations poses a challenge to biblical scholars. It is an elegant poetic book stuck in the middle of the prophetic books in the English Old Testament, whereas in the Hebrew Bible, it is in the Writings among the poetic books.

So, should Lamentations be classified as a poetic book or as a prophetic book?

Many scholars today are gravitating toward treating Lamentations as a prophetic book, but I contend it is much more appropriate to give the Book of Lamentations the recognition it deserves as an elegant poetic book, rather than relegating it to a position of obscurity among the prophetic books.

The Book of Lamentations has five poems in five chapters. The first four poems are intricately crafted in Hebrew acrostics, while the acrostic framework is abandoned in the last chapter. The book is a funeral dirge over Jerusalem following the fall and destruction of the city in 586 B.C.

Here are some helpful resources for Lamentations.

‘Lamentations’ by Kathleen M. O’Connor in The New Interpreter’s Bible

Kathleen O’Connor’s article in The New Interpreter’s Bible is a very good resource. The New Interpreter’s Bible has an inviting layout that makes the material readable.

Following the format of this commentary, O’Connor deals with the introduction and historical setting, and moves on to deal with authorship, versions and canonical placement.

The commentary section provides an exegetical analysis the reader can wade into as much as or as little as needed. For instance, in discussing the structure and literary features, O’ Connor delves into the relationships between the poems, and the reader may dive into it as desired.

O’Connor uses a reflective outline of the chapters thus:

Chapter 1: No Comfort
Chapter 2: Who will Heal You?
Chapter 3: The Strong Man’s Dilemma
Chapter 4: The Dimming of the Future
Chapter 5: The Survivor’s Prayer

An interesting section deals with the impact of Lamentations on the arts, as O’ Connor points out how musicians have employed the lyrics of Lamentations for liturgical music and for more general compositions.

The New Interpreter’s Bible lays out the full texts and critical notes of the New International Version and the New Revised Standard Version in parallel columns for quick reference. This facilitates the reader’s ability to compare translations and scholars’ views.

An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophetic Books by C. Hassell Bullock

C. Hassell Bullock’s book does not treat the prophetic books in the Protestant canonical order. Rather, he follows a historical line through them, inasmuch as the historical data is visible to modern scholars.

He seeks to enable the reader to see the cultural, theological and historical interrelationships that existed among the canonical prophets. This enables the reader to gauge the approximate timeframe in which the book was written relative to other books.

Using a descriptive approach, Bullock outlines the chapters thus:

Chapter 1: The Pitiable State of Jerusalem
Chapter 2: Yahweh’s Anger
Chapter 3: Judah’s Lament
Chapter 4: Jerusalem’s Ruin
Chapter 5: Final Lament

The descriptive outline enables the reader to visualize the persons whose voices are heard in the lament poems, as well as the severity of the punishment God inflicted on them.

‘Lamentations, Book of’ by Mark J. Boda in Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets

Boda writes this article in a volume of which he is the co-editor.

Boda’s article in Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets is a recent work, so it acquaints the reader with an update on the views of scholars on the book.  Boda begins with the questions of authorship and history.

There is a versatile use of cross references in Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets, one of which is the use of the asterisk. An asterisk before a word signals the reader can find an article with that word as the title or with the word being a close wording of the title. Hence *suffering directs the reader to the article on suffering, *exile to the article on exile, *Zion to the article on Zion, *women to the article on women and female imagery, and so forth.

A section deals with theological traditions and themes where Boda discusses suffering and redemption, Zion, retribution and the character of Yahweh.

A Liturgy of Grief: A Pastoral Commentary on Lamentations by Leslie C. Allen

Leslie Allen’s book is an integration of Scripture and pastoral care that presents a biblical model for helping those coping with grief. The emphasis is on emotional healing. Allen views Lamentations as a liturgy designed to help God’s people come to terms with the catastrophic fall and destruction of Jerusalem.

There are many helpful resources on Lamentations. The above sources are ones I have used in my study and feel comfortable recommending to others. They are resources the general audience can enjoy, benefit from and use to minister to others.

Felisi Sorgwe is an associate professor of theology at Houston Christian University. He has a Ph.D. in religion with a minor in biblical languages from Baylor University and a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the pastor of Maranatha International Church in Houston and author of I Will Be With You: God’s Favorite Promise. The views expressed in this resource article are those of the author.

Be careful with Romans. You might set out to study the text and master the finer workings of the gospel, only to find yourself on a direct collision course with the Lord of the gospel.

Paul offers the same warning: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God” (Romans 1:16, emphasis added).

The message of the gospel as presented in Romans is not simply a system to study—though we should—but the power of Christ that addresses us.

Christian history offers a corroborating witness. World-shaking gospel movements led by keystone names like Augustine, Calvin, Luther, Wesley—via the Moravians and Luther himself—and Karl Barth all were launched by a fresh hearing of Romans.

Perhaps this is not surprising, given the letter was written by Paul—formerly Saul, a zealous persecutor of the church turned zealous promoter of the church’s gospel after a blinding encounter with Jesus led him down a long path of rethinking everything in the cruciform way of Christ. That gospel turns everything upside down, even today.

The challenge of Romans

Studying Romans is not easy. It is widely regarded to be Paul’s most complex letter, picking up themes as broad as creation, Israel and new creation. At the same time, the letter is intimate and pastoral, addressed to specific people and dealing with the inner workings of the human heart.

Added to the complexity is the existence of several competing schools for interpreting Paul, which can be confusing for a newcomer.

My best advice is to explore critically a broad swath of these schools. While you likely will live or dwell in one approach, studying a variety of angles will open new vistas of insight and illuminate outlier texts, preventing blind spots. A book as vast as Romans deserves better than that.

To that end, an alternative starting point might be Preaching Romans: Four Perspectives, edited by Scot McKnight and Joseph Modica. This is a generative conversation between voices like Tom Schriener, Michael Bird and James Dunn.

So, where to begin?

Not Ashamed of the Gospel: Sermons from Paul’s Letter to the Romans by Fleming Rutledge

It might seem odd to begin by recommending a collection of sermons, but I contend this is a natural place to begin.

Paul’s exposition of the gospel demands to be encountered as an address to the church, and these sermons do just that—through the lens of deep scholarship.

Romans was stamped and sent to the churches of Rome, connecting the living message of Christ, salvation and new creation to actual people and the lives they lived through its proclamation.

Rutledge’s sermons are a masterclass in hearing the word of God for the people of God, and she does not shy away from the confounding truth at the heart of Christian faith: “Christ crucified.”

If you are curious as to how Romans might continue to invigorate the church today, start here.

Romans: An Introduction and Commentary by David E. Garland

Now, it’s time to study. I’ll confess I have a certain allergy to biblical commentaries. They are necessary, and I make a habit of reading them, but I often struggle to keep my focus. This commentary is a rare exception and a delight to read.

Although deeply insightful and built on a lifetime of research and familiarity, this commentary is written in a gripping and intuitive style that renders the more obscure turns in Paul’s thought into clear insights.

I have encountered many “Aha” moments walking through these pages, and I am appreciative of any work this deeply studied and yet this readable.

As an added bonus, Garland is a fair and balanced interpreter of Paul. He is not hesitant to make strong claims and refute what he sees as dead ends. Yet, his work is open and receptive to insights generated by a wide variety of angles and schools of thought. This book is a treasure trove.

Reading Romans Backwards by Scot McKnight

I have chosen this book out of an abundance of possibilities, simply because it will provide an additional lens by which to view the shape of Romans—the church.

If the message of Romans is vast and expansive, it also is personal, intimate and written to actual people trying to live the Christian life together.

Rather than regarding Romans as an abstract theological treatise meant for the academy, McKnight challenges us to see Paul as a pastor interested in forming a “Christoformic” culture in the Roman house churches.

Paul is leading people who have been formed by the Roman cursus honorum—pursuit of honor—and Jews formed by restrictive Torah observance into a unified people whose minds and lives have been renewed in the humble way of Christ. His theology has its telos in shaping the church for faithfulness.

Whatever you make of McKnight’s portrayal as a whole—it is controversial—this approach should help you keep your eyes on the more pastoral purpose of seeing the gospel not just understood, but lived, and lived in a Jesus-shaped community of disciples.

Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Romans edited by Gerald Bray

Now, let’s step way back. By this point, we have been bogged down with contemporary perspectives, but what did the ancient Christians think? We would be wise to ask that question.

What gems might be waiting to be handed down to us from the first centuries of those who interpreted and encountered Paul’s gospel? To expand your horizons, and to step out of the blinding urgency of the present, give this volume a try.

The Bible Speaks Today Series: The Message of Romans by John Stott

Finally, I conclude with a classic. Sometimes it is wise to learn from one of those stalwarts who, like Paul, has advanced the global cause of the gospel, but in a generation immediately before us.

Stott’s writings and teachings have influenced the shape of Christianity worldwide. It can’t hurt to be tutored by his accumulated insight as we preach and teach today.

Where to go from here?

Beyond these five offerings, there are endless possibilities for further study. The essay “A Tale of Two Gardens: Augustine’s Narrative Interpretation of Romans 5” by Ben Myers in Apocalyptic Paul: Cosmos and Anthropos in Romans 5-8, edited by Beverly Roberts Gaventa, was one of the first theological writings to grab my imagination with all the depths of Paul.

When preparing a sermon, I nearly always look into The Story of God Bible Commentary Series by Zondervan Academic for its clarity at connecting each book to the larger story of Scripture.

I also have benefited from The Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible for its unique voice in employing theologians to bring the broader field of theology to bear on Scripture.

I conclude with Paul’s own benediction and blessing:

“Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith—to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen” (Romans 16:25-27).

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Tyler Phillips is the pastor of Berryville Baptist Church in Berryville, Va. He is a graduate of Georgetown College and Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary. The views expressed in this resource article are those of the author.

The Book of Zechariah is the second of three post-exilic books in the Minor Prophets.

Zechariah’s ministry overlapped a portion of the prophet Haggai but was longer than Haggai’s. Zechariah ministered as the Israelites returned from Babylonian captivity, rebuilt the temple and anticipated the installation of a king from the line of David.

As a pastor, I have both preached sermons and led Bible studies from the Book of Zechariah.

As a professor, I also regularly teach about this important prophetic book as part of my Old Testament survey courses. Here are the resources I have found most helpful in my study of the Book of Zechariah.

The New American Commentary: Zechariah by George L. Klein

George L. Klein was associate professor of Old Testament and senior associate dean for the research doctoral program at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Klein provides an extensive introduction related to the identity of the prophet, authorship, historical era, literary style, structure, text, canonical position and theology. His volume contains a full exposition of every verse using the New International Version text. Insights from the original Hebrew language are provided in the commentary and are accessible for all readers.

While the main text of this commentary is accessible to all readers, there also are extensive footnotes and references to other resources for those who would like to dig deeper.

The New Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. VII: ‘Zechariah’  by Ben C. Ollenburger

The New Interpreter’s Bible has been written by a stellar cast of authors. It is accessible and helpful to Christians who want to study the Bible for teaching and preaching.

Ben C. Ollenburger, who retired in 2018 after nearly four decades teaching Old Testament at the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind., wrote an introduction, commentary and reflections on Zechariah.

He also served as assistant professor and instructor of Old Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary (1980–87) and an instructor of religious studies and philosophy at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan. (1975–77).

Ollenburger addresses Zechariah by dividing his commentary into two parts: First Zechariah (1:1-8:23) and Second Zechariah (9:1-14:21) as explained in his introduction. The bibliography at the end of his introduction provides an excellent source of resources for further study.

The commentary portion uses both the New International Version and New Revised Standard Version Bible texts. At the end of each section of commentary, Ollenburger provides insightful reflections that will help the reader apply the text to contemporary needs.

Honorable mention

Joyce G. Baldwin’s Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries provides a succinct treatment of Zechariah.

Baldwin provides a good introduction to Zechariah as she addresses the critical question of its authorship and unity. She also includes additional notes related to the topics of “the divine jealousy,” “Zechariah’s horses” and “the burden of the word of the Lord” mentioned in Zechariah 9:1.

Though it is a briefer treatment than some of the other works reviewed above, it is still a good resource for a pastor or teacher.

Bill Bryan is the pastor of Abingdon Baptist Church in Abingdon, Va. He is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity), Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry), and B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary (Ph.D. in Old Testament literature). He teaches in the masters and Doctor of Ministry programs of B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary at East Texas Baptist University. The views expressed in this resource article are those of the author.

For centuries, the people of God have learned to sing and pray by using Psalms. It is the hymnbook and prayerbook of the church.

Both poetic and powerful, Psalms contains the entire range of human emotion and experience. It has tremendous value in private devotion and public proclamation.

I’ve preached sermon series through Psalms 1, 23, 27, 51, 100 and 103 at First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs. I read a psalm every Wednesday night to begin Bible study.

I pray Psalm 119:10-11 over my church every day: “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Here are resources helpful to my personal study of Psalms and useful in preparation to teach and preach.

Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Psalms volume is slim, easily read in one concentrated effort. Yet, it’s impact is disproportionate to its size.

He approaches the Psalms as a prayerbook. In the opening chapter, Bonhoeffer writes: “Prayer does not mean simply to pour out one’s heart. It means rather to find the way to God and to speak with him, whether the heart is full or empty. No man can do that by himself. For that he needs Jesus Christ.”

He argues Jesus allows us to pray, teaches us to pray and teaches us to pray the psalms.

Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer by Eugene Peterson

My love for the writings of Eugene Peterson runs deep. As a lover of God’s word and church, his works point to the truth of Scripture and challenge us to breathe them in and live them out.

This early work of Peterson, published in 1989, focuses upon the language, story, rhythm, metaphor and liturgy of the psalms.

Peterson was the long-time pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Belair, Md., and professor of spiritual theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is likely best known for The Message, which translates Psalm 35:1 as: “Harass these hecklers, God, punch these bullies in the nose.” This is Peterson highlighting the language of the psalms.

Open and Unafraid: The Psalms as a Guide to Life by W. David O. Taylor

David Taylor is associate professor of theology and culture at Fuller Theological Seminary. He dedicated this book “to Eugene and Bono”—Eugene Peterson and Bono, the front man of U2.

In Open and Unafraid, Taylor groups psalms together by themes such as honesty, sadness, anger, joy, justice, death and nations. Questions and exercises for each chapter are provided.

Taylor writes: “The Psalter opens with an invitation to the reader to walk on the way, the faithful way, the way that leads to life. The Psalter closes with an invitation to the reader to join all creation in praise.

“In the pages in between,” he continues, “the Psalter shows us both how to walk in this way and with whom we walk. We walk in faith alongside the people of God. We walk in hope in the sight of a watching world. And we walk, with our hearts open, before the face of a gracious God.”

In the Lord I Take Refuge: 150 Daily Devotions through the Psalms by Dane Ortlund

In each chapter, Dane Ortlund provides a psalm in the English Standard Version and roughly a page of devotional thought. The devotional thoughts never are cute stories or anecdotes. Rather, they are serious reflection upon the text.

I’m using this work as a part of my morning devotions in 2025. It already has blessed my soul. Ortlund is the senior pastor of Naperville Presbyterian Church in Naperville, Ill.

The Psalms: A Christ-Centered Commentary by Christopher Ash

This scholarly four-volume set deals with the original language and interacts with other scholarship. Yet, it also is beautiful, thoughtful and artful. On top of all that, it is devotional. You can tell Ash loves and seeks the Lord. The work helps the reader to do the same.

The first volume provides introductory material in three parts: “Christ and the Psalms,” “Doctrine and the Psalms” and “Christian History and the Psalms.”

The subsequent three volumes tackle 50 psalms each. These volumes live up to the subtitle A Christ-Centered Commentary. Yet, nothing is forced or ripped from context. Ash walks readers through the story of redemption depicted in the Psalms and uses them to point to Jesus or echo the truth of a promised Messiah.

Ash is writer-in-residence at Tyndale House in Cambridge, England. He previously served as a pastor and church planter.

Teach the Text Commentary: Psalms by C. Hassell Bullock

I truly love the Teach the Text series. It is a shame it was discontinued before all volumes were published. I was an early backer to a subscription service that delivered each volume to my doorstep as they were released.

Bullock’s two-volume work on the Psalms is a highlight of a great series. His “Interpretive Insights” sections provide helpful interpretation with incredible brevity. This is my go-to quick reference for a question on a particular phrase in a psalm.

Bullock is Franklin S. Dyrness Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies at Wheaton College.

NIV Application Commentary: Psalms 1-72 by Gerald Wilson

I’m not always a fan of the three-fold structure of the NIV Application Commentary: original meaning, bridging context and contemporary significance. In some volumes the divisions are forced. Yet, it works well with Psalms.

Wilson’s volume covers Psalms 1-72, and he does a tremendous job of giving each section its proper due. It does not feel as if he is writing to adhere to a predetermined format. Rather, the volume feels as if it is the natural and proper study of each Psalm.

I found his introductory material to be incredibly helpful. He has a brief discussion on the understanding of the poetic conventions in the psalms and the techniques of Hebrew poetry. I share this information on a regular basis in my teaching upon the Psalms.

Wilson was professor of Old Testament and biblical Hebrew at Azusa Pacific University.

NIV Application Commentary: Psalms 73-150 by W. Dennis Tucker and Jamie Grant

This volume covers Psalms 73-150, with Jamie Grant covering 73-106 and Dennis Tucker covering 107-150. Alongside, David Garland’s volume on Mark, this might be my favorite commentary in the NIV Application Commentaryseries.

Even though this is the second volume, the few pages of introductory matters are useful. The sections on “Theological Themes in the Book of Psalms,” “Humans in the World” and “God’s Word to Humanity, Humanity’s Word to God” are rich material for the teacher and preacher.

Like Wilson’s volume, Tucker and Grant shine in the use of the format of the NIV Application Commentary series.

Dennis Tucker is professor of Christian Scriptures at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary. Jamie Grant is vice principal and tutor in biblical studies at the Highland Theological College.

Jeff Gravens is the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary. The views expressed in this resource article are those of the author.

As we know, the whole Bible should be read and used by the church, for “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16).”

However, 1 and 2 Thessalonians are especially important for the church in America today, given the Western church has an inordinate focus on blessings and often looks at suffering as something to escape and minimize by any means necessary.

By contrast, 1 and 2 Thessalonians are letters from Paul to a church facing persecution and yet is thriving and flourishing through the oppression. In the letters, Paul even makes a point to say the faith of the church is heard and admired throughout the area.

Some of the questions Paul answers in the letters, such as what happens to Christians when they die, show the seriousness of the persecution they are going through. Yet, even as they are persecuted, the church in Thessalonica continues to follow God through Christ.

For the church today, 1 and 2 Thessalonians are a testimony of how a church not only goes through suffering, but thrives in their walk with God, all while refusing to succumb to the temptation of turning away from God in their darkest moments.

Having written sermons from 1 and 2 Thessalonians as a pastor at New Song Fellowship Church, and as a professor at Stark College & Seminary who has taught the historical and theological context of Paul’s letters, here are a few commentary recommendations for preaching and teaching through the letters.

IVP New Testament Commentary Series: 1-2 Thessalonians by G.K. Beal

The IVP New Testament Commentary for 1-2 Thessalonians is a great verse-by-verse commentary for virtually anyone needing guidance with Paul’s letters. Its easy-to-read format makes it to where pastors and lay leaders can use and understand the commentary.

The commentary breaks up the letters into sections, giving commentary on those sections, and then explaining each verse within that section deeper. I appreciate this approach, because it gives insight into the passage as a whole and its overarching message before diving into the details.

The introduction also gives a theological and historical context of the letters for needed background.

G.K. Beal is a professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary and a known New Testament scholar.

Within the commentary, Beal does a great job of providing both an in-depth analysis and pastoral insight. Given this, I believe the commentary is more useful for the pastor or Bible study leader than for an academic setting. However, I have used this commentary for both sermon preparation and class lectures on the Thessalonian letters.

One thing I appreciate about this commentary series is it focuses on the exegesis of Scripture, giving priority to the original meaning of the text, rather than interpretation of those Scriptures. This allows the sermon writer to engage in critical thinking, using the foundation provided by the commentary to apply it to their own context thoughtfully.

Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letters to the Thessalonians by Gene L. Green

The Pillar New Testament Commentary is especially useful in academia.

Nevertheless, all ministers can utilize this commentary because of its well-laid-out structure. Gene L. Green uses his background in New Testament exegesis to provide a proper and deeper understanding of the context of Paul’s letter. The beginning of the commentary also gives as much historical and literary background that a commentary within this size can provide.

In the Pillar New Testament Commentary, the author explores the Greek translation to bring out an in-depth commentary for each section of the letter, providing notes all ministers can understand easily.

The commentary is structured verse-by-verse and offers insight into specific words and phrases within each verse. This approach helps readers grasp the details of the passage, giving them further theological understanding into Paul’s letter as a whole.

This commentary is one of the main resources I use for sermon preparation. While it is helpful for pastors in preparing their messages, the Pillar New Testament Commentary’s detailed structure also makes it an ideal resource for teaching others in an academic setting.

NIV Application Commentary: 1 & 2 Thessalonians by Micheal W. Holmes

The NIV Application Commentary is one of the best commentaries out there for pastors. While it is useful particularly for ministers in the local church, it also contains great information that makes it a valuable resource for scholarly study.

The commentary starts by looking at the “Original Meaning” of the text, where the author breaks the passage down verse by verse.

The commentary then follows with a “Building Contexts” section that helps to “build a bridge from the world of the Bible to the world of today.” This section does an excellent job of exploring the original message of the letter and making it understandable for modern readers who live in a vastly different culture and time period.

Finally, the commentary concludes each section with the “Contemporary Significance,” which helps the reader apply the letter’s timeless truths to today’s world. This practical section is needed especially to ensure the church faithfully lives out biblical truth.

Micheal W. Holmes is a professor specializing in New Testament textual criticism and therefore is an expert at interpreting the original meaning of passages. Holmes does a great job of explaining Scripture with proper exegesis, while also making the passage easy to understand for all ministers.

I use this commentary when I need help tying Scripture to the contemporary world for the church. I also use this text to gain background information for my sermon notes.

Honorable mentions

Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 45: 1 & 2 Thessalonians by F.F. Bruce

If there is one commentary I use strictly to gain background information, it is the Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 45: 1 & 2 Thessalonians by F.F. Bruce. Although the Word Biblical Commentary is an older series, its thorough study of Greek to English interpretation makes it a valuable and timeless resource.

Word Biblical Commentary breaks down every word and phrase from the Greek in order to help explain what it properly means in English.

The information in the Word Biblical Commentary is much more academic than any of the commentaries listed above. However, the background and even theological information within its contents provides a foundation the other commentaries then use to derive pastoral insight and contemporary application.

IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament by Craig Keener

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament by Craig Keener is on the opposite spectrum of commentaries from the Word Biblical Commentary.

It is simplified and shorter in its scriptural breakdown compared to the robust Word Biblical Commentary. However, this approach is helpful to pastors looking for concise insight into Scripture.

While many commentaries expound on words and phrases, this commentary gives insights on the passage or section as a whole, rather than verse-by-verse interpretation. This helps readers understand the overall message from the passage.

Andres Garcia is the pastor of New Song Fellowship Church in Corpus Christi and is a Doctor of Ministry graduate of Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon Seminary, now Logsdon School of Theology. He is also the director of the certificate program at Stark College & Seminary. The views expressed in this resource article are those of the author.

Genesis has been at the heart of Baptist controversies for centuries.

From the “Toy Controversy” in which Crawford H. Toy—who has been dubbed the original “first Baptist martyr of modernism”—denied the Genesis creation account in favor of Darwinian evolution, to John Frank Norris and his battle with Baylor for teaching evolution in the classroom that prompted the Southern Baptist Convention to develop and adopt the Baptist Faith & Message 1925, Genesis repeatedly has sparked theological and institutional controversy.

More recently, the “Elliot Controversy” led to the publishing arm of the SBC pulling Ralph Elliot’s Broadman Bible Commentary on Genesis in the 1970s due to his nonliteral interpretation of the creation account.

These controversies highlight the enduring significance of Genesis for Baptists.

With that said, let’s embark on ways to understand Genesis on its terms without invoking controversies.

Genesis on its terms

Genesis is mythology. I know, a controversial statement, but let’s lower our Baptist swords for a moment and hear me out.

Genesis is a myth if one considers the historical definition of mythology as a story of origin that considers how the divine interacts with creation.

In the technical sense, Genesis is mythology. In the modern sense, I would argue, not so much.

However, I start with this point of Genesis as mythology to consider how it should be understood, especially in light of other mythologies of the ancient world.

This matters, because if one is going to understand Genesis on its terms, one has to get outside one’s contemporary bubble and begin to understand Genesis is a theological claim on the origins of the universe that is surrounded by other theological claims made alongside it by other people groups in the ancient world.

To do this, it is of the utmost importance readers of Scripture escape their chronological echo chamber when engaging with the text.

We all know what echo chambers are today in our polarized society. Unfortunately, not enough people are aware of the fact we read the text through modern-Western lenses that are difficult to take off.

However, escape is possible when one consults commentaries, hopefully examining theologians’ commentaries from different parts of church history.

Escaping Enlightenment influence

The reality is, we all are under the influence of Enlightenment thinking. The presuppositions of today have different nuances than pre-Enlightenment thinkers.

To combat this “reading under the influence,” I suggest consulting commentaries written by the early church fathers and the medieval doctors of theology. The fortunate thing is most of these commentaries are available online for free.

I often find myself consulting digitized libraries of early church writings such as Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Internet Archive, New Advent or Early Christian Commentary.

If I were to recommend one theologian from outside our contemporary bubble, it would be Augustine’s commentaries on Genesis.

It also is important to point out, by looking at these early church fathers, we not only find ourselves getting outside of our ideological silos, but we also are getting outside of our cultural paradigms, since most of the early church fathers came from a non-Western perspective.

The world of Genesis

When we enter into the world of Genesis, we come to see some of the literary features of the account on its own terms.

For example, we begin to see the “bi-focal” approach of Hebrew literature throughout Genesis. This is when the reader begins to see the Hebrew literary style of a two-fold telling of the story.

For example, one sees the first creation account in Genesis 1 as a macro understanding of creation, while the second account found in Genesis 2 is a micro account.

This example of the “bi-focal” method allows the reader to understand the Creator is both the transcendent Creator of the universe and yet at the same time, the immanent Creator of us. He is both the God of the “big picture” and the God of the “details.” He is the God beyond our understanding and yet at the same exact time, the God who relates to us personally.

Once you begin to notice this “bi-focal” reading, you will begin to see it throughout Genesis.

In fact, when I teach Genesis in my introductory Old Testament courses at Howard Payne University, I help my students see the two-fold structure of the entire book by breaking Genesis down into two parts: the primeval history of Genesis 1-11 and the ancestral history of Genesis 12-50.

Genesis gives us the origin story of the entire world and the origin story of a particular people.

Genesis alongside other origin stories

When one begins to understand Genesis on its terms, one will have a greater appreciation for the account itself, especially when one begins to read Genesis alongside other mythologies of the day.

In fact, reading some of the other myths actually will provide clarity for some of the more difficult passages in Genesis.

For example, when one compares the flood accounts of other people groups with Genesis, it provides a greater appreciation for the grace of God. The Gilgamesh Epic’s cause of the flood was because man was too noisy.

Or when one considers the story of Abraham almost sacrificing Isaac in light of the child sacrifice of the Canaanite god Molech, we cannot help ourselves but praise God that we do not have to give up our children to be in relationship with him because he does it on our behalf.

I hope this article challenges us to get outside of our bubbles so we can have a greater appreciation for the book of Genesis.

Other resources I have found helpful to understanding Genesis on its own terms follow.

Other resources

Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary: Exalting Jesus in Genesis by Phillip Bethancourt

This commentary is part of the Christ-Centered Exposition series, focusing on how Genesis reveals Christ throughout its narrative. Phillip Bethancourt, a Texas native, provides an accessible yet exegetically sound approach, making it useful for pastors, seminary students and lay leaders seeking to apply Genesis in a Christ-centered way.

The Bible Project: The Book of Genesis

This resource provides an accessible and visually engaging overview of Genesis, summarizing key themes, literary structure and theological insights. It is useful for introducing students or laypeople to Genesis in an approachable way. I appreciate the contributors’ use of typology in their resources.

A Theological Introduction to the Pentateuch by Charles A. Briggs and Richard E. Lohr

This book offers a theological and academic examination of the first five books of the Bible, making it a valuable resource for in-depth biblical studies and theological reflection on Genesis.

A Beautiful Design sermon series by Matt Chandler

This sermon series provides a pastoral and practical application of biblical themes related to human identity and creation, making it useful for sermon preparation or pastoral teaching. This series was extremely impactful on me as I was just starting out in ministry.

NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture edited by Craig Keener and John Walton

This study Bible provides historical, cultural and archaeological context, helping to illuminate the background of Genesis and other biblical texts. It is valuable for understanding how the ancient Near Eastern setting informs biblical interpretation. I used this study Bible for my own personal study for years.

Expositions of Holy Scripture: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers by Alexander MacLaren

This is a classic pastoral exposition offering theological reflections and practical applications. While dated, it is useful for historical perspectives on Genesis interpretation. If you can get past MacLaren’s refusal to be pinned on a literal reading of Genesis, this can be a helpful resource.

A Biblical History of Israel by Iain Provan, V. Philips Long and Tremper Longman III

This book takes a critical and historical approach to the history of Israel, including the narratives in Genesis. It is useful for those studying the historical reliability and theological implications of the Old Testament. I used this resource in one of my Bible classes in seminary and have utilized it ever since.

Genesis in Space and Time: The Flow of Biblical History by Francis Schaeffer

Francis Schaeffer approaches Genesis from a theological and apologetic perspective, emphasizing its historical significance. It is useful for engaging with how Genesis interacts with history and contemporary faith discussions.

Free Bible Commentary: Genesis 1-11 and Genesis 12-50 by Bob Utley

Bob Utley provides free, accessible biblical commentary aimed at laypeople, pastors and teachers. It is helpful for sermon preparation and study groups. I utilize Utley’s free resources anytime I am handling a challenging text.

Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible’s Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture by Christopher Watkin

This book engages with the Bible’s overarching narrative and its implications for contemporary culture. It is useful for integrating biblical themes with modern cultural analysis. This is probably one of the most impactful works I ever have read.

This is a monster of a work. So, if it seems too challenging for you, there is a layman’s version of this work called Strange New World by Watkin.

Jordan Villanueva is a graduate of Howard Payne University, where he is instructor of Christian studies in the School of Christian Studies and assistant to the president for Hispanic relations. The views expressed in this resource article are those of the author.

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians encapsulates his comprehensive and mature theology in a compact, balanced and eloquent form.

Renowned for its literary beauty and theological depth, it has been acclaimed as “the crown of St. Paul’s writings” (Armitage Robinson), “the queen of the epistles” (William Barclay), “the quintessence of Paulinism” (F.F. Bruce), “one of the greatest letters of the apostle Paul” (Markus Barth), and “one of the most significant documents ever written” (Peter O’Brien).

The letter’s focus is telescopic, progressively narrowing from the cosmic to the corporate and finally to the individual. From a theological perspective, this progression moves from the person and work of God the Father to the person and work of Christ (Christology) and the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology), to individual salvation (soteriology), to the church and ministry (ecclesiology), and finally to practical exhortations (ethics).

Preaching commentaries

NIV Application Commentary: Ephesians by Klyne Snodgrass and The Message of Ephesians, Revised Edition by John Stott

Several commentaries aim to assist pastors and Bible teachers by bridging the gap between exegesis and homiletics and making the exegetical insights relevant to contemporary audiences. Snodgrass’s NIV Application Commentary and Stott’s well-known commentary are examples of such efforts.

These commentaries are recommended as examples of the efforts to combine exegesis with homiletics and offer valuable guidance on how to apply the text to real-life situations. The homiletic task is ultimately the calling of pastors, and these two commentaries offer valuable insights and guidelines for that purpose.

Exegetical commentaries

These commentaries are well-crafted, intermediate-level exegetical commentaries authored by evangelical scholars.

Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter to the Ephesians by Constantine R. Campbell (Eerdmans, 2023)

Australian New Testament scholar Constantin Campbell’s commentary replaced Peter O’Brien’s in the Pillar New Testament Commentary series after O’Brien’s was retracted following accusations of plagiarism.

Campbell significantly shortened the commentary by limiting interactions with other scholars but maintained the exegetical quality. His major contribution lies in offering theological insights, particularly on Paul’s concept of union with Christ, and incorporating the perspectives from contemporary Pauline scholarship, such as the language of faith and grace/gift.

In his book Paul and Union with Christ, he engages extensively with my work, Corporate Elements in Pauline Anthropology. While we agree on the importance of these concepts, Campbell understands them more as metaphorical expressions, whereas I approach them from a more realistic perspective.

New International Commentary on the New Testament: The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians by F.F. Bruce (Eerdmans, 1984)

Although F.F. Bruce’s one commentary covers three letters—Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon—and is now dated, it advanced the conversation at the time of its publication, setting a standard for subsequent evangelical exegetical commentaries.

While Bruce does not provide extensive grammatical and literary analysis, his textual, historical and theological insights remain valuable.

New International Commentary on the New Testament: The Letter to the Ephesians by Lynn H. Cohick (Eerdmans, 2020)

Lynn Cohick took the significant step of replacing Bruce’s commentary. While following the framework of the New International Commentary on the New Testament series, she focuses exclusively on Ephesians, greatly expanding its volume by incorporating new insights from recent commentaries, Pauline studies and her specialized research on women and families in the Jewish and Greco-Roman world.

Her writing is clear and coherent, and her exegetical and theological insights are both refreshing and valuable.

Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary by Harold Hoehner

This is Harold Hoehner’s magnum opus and, by far, the most comprehensive and detailed commentary on Ephesians.

After an extensive discussion on the introductory issues, Hoehner delves into the text of Ephesians verse by verse, providing detailed commentary in constant interaction with other scholars and providing a fair and thorough examination of every disputed point in the letter.

He thoroughly explores every aspect, lifting and examining every detail. While his meticulous attention to detail can be overwhelming and may seem too technical for those without a strong foundation in Greek, his commentary remains the definitive resource for those seeking a comprehensive, conservative evangelical treatment of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

Language-based exegetical commentaries

These commentaries are language-based exegetical works. The first two are intermediate-level, exegetical commentaries written by evangelical scholars who support Paul’s authorship of Ephesians. The last two are top-notch critical, exegetical commentaries by scholars who reject or seriously doubt Paul’s authorship.

Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Ephesians by Clinton Arnold and Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Ephesians by Frank Thielman

Published in 2010, both commentaries are similar in their exegetical approaches and offer an excellent verse-by-verse analysis.

Arnold’s commentary is more clearly organized, consistently following a pattern: literary context, main idea, structure, exegetical outline, explanation of the text, and theology in application. It also enhances the text’s meaning significantly by examining the text within the religious context of Asia Minor.

Thielman’s commentary stands out for its simplicity in design and structure, offering fresh insights into the Greco-Roman background, Paul’s theological perspective on the Law and his use of the Old Testament.

While both commentaries balance academic rigor with pastoral needs, Arnold’s commentary seems to have several advantages over Thielman’s.

Word Biblical Commentary: Ephesians by Andrew T. Lincoln and International Critical Commentary: A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Ephesians by Ernest Best

These two commentaries are top-notch critical and exegetical works on Ephesians, despite being somewhat dated. The authors reject (Lincoln) or doubt (Best) Paul’s authorship of the letter, which influences their treatment of the text to some extent. Nevertheless, their exegesis is thorough and judicious, and theological discussions remain insightful and thought-provoking.

Lincoln focuses on Pauline eschatology, while Best emphasizes Paul’s concept of one body.

Interestingly, while questioning Paul’s authorship, Lincoln argues for the priority of Colossians over Ephesians, while Best insists on the priority of Ephesians.

Lincoln also provides an excellent summary of Paul’s theology of Ephesians in his concise Theology of Later Pauline Letters.

S. Aaron Son is professor of biblical studies at Dallas Baptist University. The views expressed in this resource article are those of the author.

Galatians is shorter than some of Paul’s letters, and it was written relatively early in his ministry.

It sometimes has been overshadowed by Romans, since the latter is longer, and its arguments on some points are easier to understand. But we neglect Galatians at our peril, for it not only gives us important insights into the mind of the venerable apostle, but it also speaks powerfully to issues Christians face today.

The importance of Galatians

In Galatians, Paul interweaves elements of his personal narrative with substantial reflections on Christology, pneumatology, soteriology, ecclesiology and other topics of religious interest to present a coherent and provocative warning against false gospels.

Those who place their faith in Jesus become participants in a new family—one whose identity is constituted by the empowering presence of God’s Holy Spirit and whose life is framed by the new epoch inaugurated by Christ’s incarnation, death and resurrection.

That may seem like a bunch of highfalutin mumbo-jumbo, but for Paul, it has intensely practical implications for God’s people.

The cruciform life is a Spirit-governed life, and it unites people across otherwise impenetrable social boundaries in a community of love. Far from producing moral anarchy, this life of freedom bears the kind of fruit in individuals, families and congregations no law can produce or condemn.

Pauline disputes

Galatians is a hotbed of controversy. Even issues like when the letter was written and to whom it was sent can spark a spirited debate among specialists in the field.

Moreover, Pauline studies has undergone a seismic shift over the last several decades, and as with all momentous changes, not everyone is happy about it. Indeed, even those who think some change was necessary—as I do—are not always happy with the new readings of Paul that have been produced.

That is why it is important to read a variety of scholars when one is trying to tease out the meaning of this densely argued letter. But not everyone has the time or the expertise to dig in to multiple commentaries and monographs. So, what should you do?

More advanced commentaries

Douglas Moo and N.T. Wright

For pastors and other more advanced practitioners, I recommend two specific works—the commentaries by Douglas Moo and N.T. Wright. These are two of the top scholars in the field, and they treat both their topic and their opponents with genuine respect.

They also come from different perspectives. Moo takes a more traditional approach to Galatians and to Pauline theology as a whole, while Wright is one of the foremost representatives of the so-called “New Perspective” on Paul. Their research is thorough, their writing is clear, and they both care deeply about the church.

Craig Keener

Another commentary to consider reading is Craig Keener’s new work. Keener strikes fear in the hearts of some; his John and Acts commentaries are massive. Still, Keener is a rigorous student of biblical backgrounds, and he brings that expertise to bear in every commentary he writes.

More importantly, Keener explicitly writes this work with the consensus on Pauline theology developed by Martin Luther in mind.

A more widely accessible resource

But what if you are not a pastor? What if you just want a simple, well-researched study that will help you understand Galatians and teach it to your family, your Sunday school class or your small group?

Gordon D. Fee’s volume in the Pentecostal Commentary series is just what you are looking for. It is a little bit older, but it is still worthy of your attention. Fee was a top-notch scholar and, like Moo, Wright and Keener, he cared deeply about the church. His writing is clear and persuasive, and he is especially good at teasing out the Spirit’s place in Pauline theology.

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As with all books of the Bible, and many other topics of theological or ministerial interest, there are many resources for the study of Galatians out there and many voices that want to influence your faith, life and ministry.

But these are some of the ones I have found meaningful, and I am confident they will provide you with the guidance you are looking for as you seek to live and minister faithfully in Jesus’ name.

Wade Berry is pastor of Second Baptist Church in Ranger and a resident fellow for B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary. The views expressed in this resource article are those of the author.

The Book of Ruth is a concise and captivating tale of a journey from devastation to redemption in God’s sovereign andloving plan. Despite its succinctness, Ruth abounds with a rich theological message for its readers.

Its ability to find hope amid bitter loss makes the story inspirational to the wandering soul. The tale’s joyful resolution makes for a pleasant respite when read after the Book of Judges, its neighbor in the Christian canon.

Increasingly, the Book of Ruth has become a favorite lecture to teach to my students at Houston Christian University. The young men and women in my classes are easily able to connect with the plight of Naomi as she struggles with theanxiety of grief, homelessness, poverty and a desperate outlook for her future.

I find students to be reflective when they learn Boaz’s heroism derives from his willingness to adhere to God’s law ashe provides for the poor and redeems his kinsman.

Most importantly, students enjoy making the connection that Ruth’s fulfilling path, which culminates in the genealogical line to monarchy and Messiah, begins with her loving confession that, “Your God will be my God” (Ruth 1:16).

Common debates

Before reviewing biblical commentaries and resources on Ruth, it may be helpful to note some of the common debates on the book.

First, the book’s date of authorship is difficult to decipher. Therefore, theories on dating are vigorously debated. Twomain schools of thought have developed. Some scholars give the book an “early” date between the reigns of David andJosiah. While other scholars prefer a “later” post-exilic date.

Second, scholars are split on the author’s purpose for writing the book. This debate coincides with the debate on dating. Those preferring an early date tend to see the author’s purpose deriving from their support for David’s monarchy. Those favoring the later date tend to argue for the book as a response to the perceived ethnocentric policies of post-exileJudah.

While some commentaries take a neutral approach to these questions, many do not. Additionally, there exists an abundant amount of scholarship focusing on Ruth as a woman.

All these approaches impact the textual interpretations of their commentaries. Mindful consideration should be employed when utilizing resources with incongruent points of view.

The Zondervan Exegetical Commentary: Ruth by Daniel I. Block

The Zondervan Exegetical Commentary is a thorough resource for Ruth scholarship. Designed for sermon writers, it is clearly a strong academic work that does not abandon a sense of accessibility.

Textual explanations and background context provide the reader with clarity. Getting the biblical Hebrew correct is rightly a priority for Block. Therefore, the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on Ruth provides Block’s own English translation of the original Hebrew.

Block argues for an earlier date of authorship. While admitting his view is not in the majority of critical scholars, he bolsters his position by keenly displaying the contradictions in other dating points of view. The cordial way he challenges other theories is refreshing.

Ministry professionals will appreciate the sections on theological messaging and the links to other biblical texts. These sections will help the sermon writer in displaying Ruth’s place in the metanarrative of Scripture.

Block supplies a verse-by-verse commentary on the book and wraps up his work with a script for a dramatic retelling of the story, complete with stage direction and costume suggestions.

Eerdmans Classic Biblical Commentaries: Ruth by Robert L. Hubbard Jr.

Originally released in 1989, this commentary has stood the test of time. Scholars of varied backgrounds find insightsin Hubbard’s commentary. The continued popularity of this award-winning commentary led to its paperback re-release in 2023.

Hubbard is open to female authorship of the book and advocates for an authorship theory motivated by the defense ofthe Davidic monarchy. He arrives at this position based on his interpretation of the narrative.

Some scholars note Hubbard’s sensitivity to the predicaments of Naomi and Ruth.

Other Common Commentaries

The NIV Application Commentary: Judges and Ruth by K. Lawson Younger Jr. is a good commentary with aslightly heavier focus on contemporary application.

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 9: Ruth, Esther by Frederic Bush often is used by my students and is a solidcommentary that always points students in the right direction.

The New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary, Volume II by Leander E. Keck is a fine commentary, but does endorse amore parable than historical view of Ruth.

Other Scholarly Resources

Ruth: A Continental Commentary by Andre LaCocque

While not a personal recommendation, if one favors the later date of Ruth’s authorship, this commentary may be ofvalue.

LaCocque gives a full-thoughted defense of his view that the Book of Ruth is a direct response to the allegedxenophobia of the restrictive marriage practices in Judah during the post-exilic era. He displays little patience for points of view that he sees as untenable.

If only considering citations by other academics, LaCocque’s work is perhaps the most-cited book on this list.

Ruth: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text by Robert D. Holmstedt

This book is a deep dive into the Hebrew linguistics. It is highly scholarly and may not be of interest to the casual reader.

Free Online Resources

Asbury Bible Commentary by Zondervan, Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik, Biblehub Commentaries and Blue Letter Bible Commentaries are good online resources.

TH Harris is the academic program fellow for the School of Christian Thought at Houston Christian University. He teaches courses on the Bible, theology and Christian ethics. The views in this resource article are those of the author.

Millennials are the second largest generation in America’s history. At 74 million persons, they are only surpassed in size by the Boomer generation. Born between 1980 and 1997, they are shaping our businesses, our government and our culture.

And they are shaping our churches.

As a Boomer, I remember well how pastors were viewed just a few decades ago. In the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, the “successful” pastors made it to large county seat churches. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the measure of success was leading larger churches in general.

The times they are a’changin’ (Bob Dylan, for the uninformed).

To be sure, there are still millennial pastors moving to larger churches. And these leaders are not averse to megachurches.

But more millennial pastors sense God’s call to the smaller and mid-size churches. Why has their attitude been so different from their predecessors? I asked a number of millennial pastors, and here are five of the responses they gave me.

5 reasons

1. They want to invest their lives in a community.

The millennial pastors, as a whole, are highly community focused. It takes several years to get to know a community and to be embraced by the community.

2. They want more stability for their families.

To be fair, these leaders will not deny a call to another community or even another country if they sense God’s call in that direction. But any move has to be convincing, convicting and compelling. I know. I moved my family four times in ministry. I am not sure I followed God as much as my own selfish ambitions.

3. They don’t measure ministry success and fulfillment by numbers and size.

These millennial pastors do indeed desire to reach more people. They truly want to make more disciples. But their worth and esteem are not measured by “nickels and noses.”

4. They are financially locked into their homes.

Many millennial pastors bought their homes when prices and mortgage rates were much lower. Even though they could sell their homes at a gain, they would have to put all of their gains into their next home, which is now higher priced. And most of them would have to pay a higher mortgage rate and, thus, have higher monthly payments.

5. They are leading church revitalization.

They are sufficiently wise to understand the turnaround of a declining established church is a long-term endeavor. They are willing to make such commitments to win trust and lead revitalization.

Different metrics

As with any generation, we must be careful with generalizations. There always are exceptions and differences. But, as a rule, millennial pastors have a much longer-term perspective on church tenure.

And they see their ministries fulfilled by lives changed and communities impacted. If the result is a larger church, they are fine with it. But numbers and size are not their measures of success, contentment or obedience.

Thom Rainer is the founder and CEO of Church Answers. Republished by permission.