- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: InterVarsity Press (Jan 1988)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0877842876
- ISBN-13: 978-0877842873
- Product Dimensions: 21.2 x 14.1 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
-
Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
2,482,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #83 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible > Commentaries > By Series > Bible Speaks Today
| ||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Book Description
A new and better society has been the constant dream of men and women. Responding to this dream, John Stott has been attracted back again and again by Paul's letter to the young church at Ephesus. It portrays a new society of Christ's making that stands out in bright relief against our colourless world of oppression, heartache, separation and division. Paul's letter, with its exultant vision of a renewed human community, has, says John Stott, 'stirred me deeply'.
John Stott expounds Paul's theme of uniting all things in Christ by uniting his church and breaking down all that separates us from God, one ethnic group from another, husband from wife, parent from child, master from slave. Paul's insights are for all who want to build the church into the new society God has planned it to be. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
About the Author
Known world-wide as a Bible teacher, writer, pastor and mission-leader, John Stott is the author of many books including the best-selling 'Basic Christianity'. He is Rector Emeritus of All Souls Church, Langham Place, London, and President of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Extremely helpful to anyone trying to study Ephesians. I found the fact that the author sets out the text of each passage before commenting upon it very useful, particularly as he then refers to alternative translations where these might affect the interpretation. John Stott has immense knowledge but combines this with an ability to explain, making the text accessable to the reader and linking together the various themes within the book.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
John Stott's exposition of the great letter to the Ephesians is extremely helpful and clearly written. For sure, Stott's writing style is not an easy read for all, but it is worth a read for anyone studying the book of Ephesians. It is aimed at a very wide range of readers. Stott deals with many questions that arise in the academic study of the Bible, such as controversies surrounding the authorship of the letter and various interpretations of certain passages, making it suitable for those following theological studies. However, he is constantly relating and applying his exegesis to Church life. He clearly portrays God's eternal plan for unity and peace within a worldwide Church. Whether you are simply looking to discover more about God's plan for the church, preparing a sermon, writing an essay or simply curious, 'The Message of Ephesians: God's New Society' is a fantastic book.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
6 reviews
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Worth owning (Second best commentary on Ephesians)
27 April 2005
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I purchased this book for a sermon series I'm doing on Ephesians. It was highly recommended by two friends. I am
happy with the book, but have to give it a four star rating
because I've found some explanations of Greek text, for example
the Ephesians 2:1 claim that trespasses and sins were the
equivalent of commission/omission do not stand up under scrutiny.
The lexicons I checked and the scholars I contacted did not concur with Stott's claim. He provides no support for this popular definition of sins and trespasses. For a commentary dealing with the Greek text, I was a bit disappointed with that.
This is the first time I've had this experience with Stott's stuff. The main reason I like his commentaries is that his
stuff provides good summaries that preach well.
I think overall this commentary is very good, but one must check the scholarship. For Ephesians so far I've found the best on
the Greek text is FF Bruce's commentary NICNT. He rightly identifies Eph 2:1 trespasses and sins as synonyms.
Out of all the commentaries I've purchased or read for Ephesians I would rate FF Bruce highest, Stott second and O'Brien third.
happy with the book, but have to give it a four star rating
because I've found some explanations of Greek text, for example
the Ephesians 2:1 claim that trespasses and sins were the
equivalent of commission/omission do not stand up under scrutiny.
The lexicons I checked and the scholars I contacted did not concur with Stott's claim. He provides no support for this popular definition of sins and trespasses. For a commentary dealing with the Greek text, I was a bit disappointed with that.
This is the first time I've had this experience with Stott's stuff. The main reason I like his commentaries is that his
stuff provides good summaries that preach well.
I think overall this commentary is very good, but one must check the scholarship. For Ephesians so far I've found the best on
the Greek text is FF Bruce's commentary NICNT. He rightly identifies Eph 2:1 trespasses and sins as synonyms.
Out of all the commentaries I've purchased or read for Ephesians I would rate FF Bruce highest, Stott second and O'Brien third.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Readable and Meaty - Great for Pastors and Laymen
30 July 2010
Format:Paperback
If you're looking for a readable but meaty commentary that bridges the gap between popular commentaries and scholarly ones, Stott's The Message of Ephesians is an excellent choice. In fact, I find the whole series "The Bible Speaks Today" very valuable for both pastors and laypeople.
In this commentary on Ephesians, Stott does a great job of bringing out the larger themes, as well organizing and presenting Paul's teaching in each chapter. Stott organizes each chapter into their major sections, and then he breaks these down into subsections that are all related in thought. In this way, Stott helps the reader and student see the connections in Paul's thought, something essential to reading Paul properly.
Because of the way Stott has organized his interpretation of Ephesians, and because of his readable way of writing, his commentary is very useable for a wide variety of readers. Preachers will find that is just the kind of commentary suited to sermon preparation. I found it very useful in helping me prepare for a series of sermons I gave over the book of Ephesians several years ago. In part because of this commentary, the book of
Ephesians has stuck in my soul better than other books of the New Testament.
The educated laymen looking for something more than self-help books masquerading as Bible study will also benefit from this volume. The Message of Ephesians can even be used by who are interested in some deeper devotional reading, because Stott is easy to understand and leaves the reader with memorable ways of letting Paul's writing become of a part of the reader's life.
Thankfully, Stott, in spite of his Evangelical background, highlights the ecclesiological implications of Ephesians. As he says early in the commentary, "Ephesians is the gospel of the church." Stott organizes Ephesians into 4 main sections dealing with "God's New Society"
1:3 - 2:10 New Life
2:11 - 3:21 New Society
4:1 - 5:21 New Standards
5:22 - 6:24 New Relationships
One reviewer correctly pointed out a sloppy interpretation of the Greek by Stott. This is true, but it doesn't affect any major point in Stott's theology as presented in this particular volume. Stott does make use of the original Greek, but uses it lightly and where important. If you're looking for a more academic commentary, then there are better choices out there.
But if you're looking for a commentary that will help you understand, remember, and apply Ephesians to your life, this one's a great place to start.
In this commentary on Ephesians, Stott does a great job of bringing out the larger themes, as well organizing and presenting Paul's teaching in each chapter. Stott organizes each chapter into their major sections, and then he breaks these down into subsections that are all related in thought. In this way, Stott helps the reader and student see the connections in Paul's thought, something essential to reading Paul properly.
Because of the way Stott has organized his interpretation of Ephesians, and because of his readable way of writing, his commentary is very useable for a wide variety of readers. Preachers will find that is just the kind of commentary suited to sermon preparation. I found it very useful in helping me prepare for a series of sermons I gave over the book of Ephesians several years ago. In part because of this commentary, the book of
Ephesians has stuck in my soul better than other books of the New Testament.
The educated laymen looking for something more than self-help books masquerading as Bible study will also benefit from this volume. The Message of Ephesians can even be used by who are interested in some deeper devotional reading, because Stott is easy to understand and leaves the reader with memorable ways of letting Paul's writing become of a part of the reader's life.
Thankfully, Stott, in spite of his Evangelical background, highlights the ecclesiological implications of Ephesians. As he says early in the commentary, "Ephesians is the gospel of the church." Stott organizes Ephesians into 4 main sections dealing with "God's New Society"
1:3 - 2:10 New Life
2:11 - 3:21 New Society
4:1 - 5:21 New Standards
5:22 - 6:24 New Relationships
One reviewer correctly pointed out a sloppy interpretation of the Greek by Stott. This is true, but it doesn't affect any major point in Stott's theology as presented in this particular volume. Stott does make use of the original Greek, but uses it lightly and where important. If you're looking for a more academic commentary, then there are better choices out there.
But if you're looking for a commentary that will help you understand, remember, and apply Ephesians to your life, this one's a great place to start.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Commentary was very readable and helpful
13 Oct 2007
Format:Paperback
Dr. Stott has written a very helpful commentary from the evangelical perspective. This commentary was a very helpful guide to me and another lay leader, as we co-led a church Bible study. Stott primarily uses the NRSV English translation, but also uses Greek when necessary. When he does use Greek, he transliterates into English and explains things clearly to the English reader.
Exegetically, Stott correctly identifies the unifying theme of Ephesians as "God's New Society" (i.e., the Church). He organizes his commentary clearly around 4 aspects of this "New Society." Stott helps readers greatly by clearly identifying the Church as the emphasis of Ephesians. With this proper focus, the reader is equipped to understand the text, without forcing themselves to accept every single point that Stott makes.
Personally, I found Stott's commentary to be much more helpful than another evangelical commentary that I own (Expositor's Bible Commentary, by Skevington Wood). Stott seems to draw many insights from Markus Barth's commentary on Ephesians from the Anchor Bible commentary.
Exegetically, Stott correctly identifies the unifying theme of Ephesians as "God's New Society" (i.e., the Church). He organizes his commentary clearly around 4 aspects of this "New Society." Stott helps readers greatly by clearly identifying the Church as the emphasis of Ephesians. With this proper focus, the reader is equipped to understand the text, without forcing themselves to accept every single point that Stott makes.
Personally, I found Stott's commentary to be much more helpful than another evangelical commentary that I own (Expositor's Bible Commentary, by Skevington Wood). Stott seems to draw many insights from Markus Barth's commentary on Ephesians from the Anchor Bible commentary.
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible > Bible Studies > New Testament > Commentaries
- Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible > Bible Studies > Old Testament > Commentaries
- Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible > Commentaries > By Series > Bible Speaks Today
- Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible > Concordances
- Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Theology > Bible > New Testament
- Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Sacred Writings > Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) > Commentaries
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
