Opening Up Commentary Series (43 vols.)

Genesis is the book of beginnings. But it is also a book about God. “In the beginning, God” is the opening freeze-frame of the Bible. If we go back before the world sprang into being, we find God. If we ask where the world came from, Genesis answers: God. If we wonder why the universe continues to operate in an orderly, timely, predictable fashion, the answer in Genesis is God. And as we ponder how all this ancient information has been preserved and passed down to us, the answer again is God, who gave this book to Moses and had him write it down for the ages.

By the time we have read through Exodus we have learned the basic vocabulary of the Gospel—words like blood, redeem, sacrifice, glory, law, tabernacle, and Passover are all here. These are central to the great drama in which God saves a people for himself. To study Exodus, therefore, is to come to the heart of the message of redemption, to see God as the Savior of his people, caring for them and present with them as they journey from Egypt to Canaan, from the house of bondage to the land of promise.

Joshua was the man who succeeded Moses and led the ancient nation of Israel during its conquest of the land of Canaan. The book of Joshua tells us the story of this conquest. But how is such a book relevant for us today in the twenty-first century? In this warm and engaging study, Roger Ellsworth demonstrates the importance of the book of Joshua for today. He shows how the story of Israel in the land of Canaan pictures the life of the Christian in this world, a life of struggle, hardship, and conflict. He highlights the truths found in the book of Joshua, which will encourage and comfort Christians in those struggles. Finally, by looking at Joshua, he points us to Christ, our leader and captain.

A man slain by a tent peg; a man with super-human strength dispatching his enemies with the jawbone of a donkey; yet another man carving up a woman: it is all in the book of Judges, and it is all covered by Simon J. Robinson, who leads us through the book, opening it up and applying it powerfully and relevantly to readers today.

The Book of Ruth tells a true, simple, engaging and well-crafted story. It teaches us about God’s sovereign control of history and his transforming kindness to individuals. In this heart-warming study, Jonathan Prime opens up the message of Ruth, applying it practically to our lives in the twenty-first century.

The Opening Up series offers accessible and easy-to-read introductions to the books of the Bible. The commentaries tackle the key issues in each book by introducing the history and context and giving an overview of important themes and events. The authors wrestle with the hard questions with a keen eye toward application and relevance for today.

The book of 1 Samuel is the story of Israel seeking a leader. After the failures of Eli, Samuel, and Saul to properly guide the people, God raises up David, the man after his own heart. This commentary gives a brief explanation of the text and then shows how these events, which took place thousands of years ago, have direct and profound application to our lives today, having been recorded “for our instruction” (1 Cor. 10:11). It also reveals how every event pointed toward the coming of Jesus Christ (Luke 24:27), the final and ultimate leader of the people of God.

The book of 2 Samuel centers around the reign of Israel’s greatest king: David. Tragically, when David is at the height of his powers, he commits his great sin with Bathsheba—the greatest king Israel ever produced is not good enough. Only the Messiah, the Son of David, will be able to reign in righteousness forever.

This commentary gives a brief explanation of the text and then shows how these events have direct and profound application to our lives today, having been recorded “for our instruction” (1 Corinthians 10:11). It also reveals how every event points to the coming of Jesus Christ (Luke 24:27), the final and ultimate leader of God’s people.

The book of 1 Chronicles is often neglected, yet it has so much to teach us—even the genealogies! Along with 2 Chronicles, 1 Chronicles surveys the Bible history, charting the gracious purposes of a faithful God over the centuries, with the aim of encouraging and enlightening its readers. Here, Andrew Thomson draws out key lessons and principles to help us avoid the pitfalls and enjoy the blessings that God’s people Israel experienced. Promises and praise are central themes which will warm our hearts as we set about responding to David’s call to seek the Lord and his strength.

The book of 2 Chronicles carries on where 1 Chronicles left off. We start with a conducted tour of Solomon’s kingdom. Then we visit the kingdom of Judah’s royal portrait gallery, seeing the good, the bad, and the ugly. At times we are confronted with what is unattractive in our own lives. Along the way we learn lessons about the importance of wisdom, the priority and practice of prayer, and the utter reliability of the Lord. All the kings had their strengths and weaknesses, their good moments and bad—and so do we. Thankfully, our God has only strengths, and he doesn’t change. If a fresh grasp of our own frailties causes us to “seek the Lord and his strength,” the chronicler will have done his job.

The book of Ezra, tucked away in the Old Testament, is often overlooked, yet it is remarkable for its relevance to the modern world. Ezra the scribe is a warm-hearted man who exercised a powerful ministry of spiritual, practical leadership to the Jews who had returned to Israel after the exile in Babylon. Love for God’s Word is a hallmark of his life, and he stands as a powerful example in establishing reformation and revival in the life of the nation. This easy-to-use guide to the book of Ezra may be used for group or individual study.

The Psalms, the longest book in the Bible, has been described as the national hymn-book of the people of Israel in the Old Testament as well as the songbook of the early church. Full of emotion, expressing the believer’s response to various experiences, and full of theology, these psalms give wonderful counsel to us today, both in our day-to-day lives and in our worship. Roger Ellsworth competently leads us through the different kinds of psalms, first giving the big picture, then zooming in to look at the detail of some of the psalms in closer perspective.

The Book of Proverbs has one central message (how to gain wisdom) and deals with an extensive array of practical topics including vocation, financial stewardship, moral purity, and how to have successful relationships. Here, Jim Newheiser guides the reader through all the main aspects of the teaching of Proverbs while also emphasizing how these great, life-transforming truths are rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ecclesiastes has much to say to any thinking person who seriously questions the meaning and purpose of life, especially in a universe that has little or no place for the God who created it. The writer leaves no stone unturned as he pursues his quest: philosophy, power, politics, pleasure, and education are all carefully explored. Here is a man who appears to have everything—yet discovers that he has nothing. Ecclesiastes is a book meant to be read and digested—resonating with the sense of despair felt by many trapped in a materialistic world where time is rapidly running out—yet continually offering glimpses of hope, before unveiling the true meaning of life that can only be found in a living relationship with God.

Why do bad things happen to good people? Can suffering serve any good purpose? Why me? These are real questions that many wrestle with today—and that Job wrestled with thousands of years ago. The book of Job is a historical biography of Job, “a blameless and upright man,” one justified by faith in the sight of God. This commentary traces his spiritual journey through tragic bereavement and illness, and helps us find solutions to these and other questions, showing us that sickness and suffering are not inevitably linked to personal sin.

The book of Isaiah is a tale of two cities: the Jerusalem Isaiah knew, and the Jerusalem that he saw. We’re introduced to both in the opening five chapters of this volume. Andrew Thomson guides you through the layout of Isaiah, taking in the more familiar “landmarks” like Isaiah 53, as well as less celebrated areas of the prophecy. Isaiah compels you to be awed by the holiness and justice of God, and his power and plan. He wants you to see the glory of God and to anticipate his final salvation, and most of all, he wants you to trust God. Isaiah aims not just to inform, but to inspire—repeatedly directing your thoughts to the coming Deliverer.

Ezekiel, a much-neglected Old Testament prophet, speaks across the centuries in this straightforward and down-to-earth explanation of his message. Clearly written, with no punches pulled as far as contemporary application is concerned, this is just the sort of help needed by those who might otherwise find the book difficult to understand.

“The LORD roars from Zion and thunders from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds dry up, and the top of Carmel withers.” So begins the prophecy of Amos. Why does the Lord roar? What had led to such abuses of privilege on the part of the people of Israel in that day? What happens when God’s holiness is offended and when his voice is ignored? Michael Bentley competently leads us through the prophecy, opening it up and applying it powerfully and relevantly to readers today.

Is God responsible for natural disasters? Some would say that he punishes us by sending storms and floods. In Joel’s time, Judah was suffering the after-effects of a severe plague of locusts. Joel was in no doubt that God had sent the locusts to chastise the people of Judah for their sinful lifestyles, an indication of the coming “great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Speaking of the judgment that would fall first on God’s own people and then on all the nations of world, Joel called everyone to repent. This book seeks to relate these long-ago events.

Think Jonah, think whale. Or should we? Actually no. The whale, or great fish, merely appears among the list of supporting cast, along with the worm which appears later in the account. Instead, the book is about the character of God. It shows us something of his burning holiness, something of his powerful and detailed ordering of events, and something of his tender mercy.

In this easy-to-read guide, you will learn many things about how God controls nature, governs history, and shows remarkable grace to a city of people who hardly seem likely candidates for his mercy.

In Nahum’s prophecy, we see the Lord’s involvement in history as the ultimate judge and king. It deals with the difficult subject of God’s righteous wrath against sin, which is practically demonstrated in the book of Nahum as his vengeance revealed in Nineveh’s overthrow. Yet even in this, the grace and mercy of God in salvation shines through to bring hope to his people. Here is a guide to help the reader gain an understanding of this difficult subject and to see its relevance to the twenty-first century.

When did you last hear a sermon based on a passage from the prophecy of Zephaniah? This is one of the most neglected books in the whole Bible. It was delivered and written after many years of silence from God. The northern kingdom of Israel, or Ephraim, had already been deported by Assyria, never to return. The prophecy of Zephaniah was to be the last given before Judah, the southern kingdom, was taken away into Babylon for 70 years of exile. Here is an easy-to-read treatment of the prophecy which draws clear lines of practical application from the situation to our fast-paced modern life, especially showing how the prophecy points to the only hope of salvation from God’s judgment: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

What makes the book of Haggai especially interesting is that he was one of the last three prophets of the Old Testament period to receive God’s revelation before the coming of Christ. He was a man with a single message for the people of his day, and he preached it with unparalleled persuasive force and power. That message was concentrated on the need to rebuild the temple, which had been neglected for many years. By the time Haggai appeared on the scene, the people had become dispirited and had lost interest in the rebuilding project. But he knew that its restoration was essential as the outward sign of the covenant, and of the Lord’s presence with his people.

We know hardly anything about Haggai as an individual, but he was surely an inspiring preacher, succeeding in getting the people enthused for the work, and having the temple completed and dedicated in 516 BC.

The Jewish people had been called by God to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem after their years of captivity in Babylon. After starting well, they laid the work aside. But then they heard a voice that emphasized the sufficiency of God for his people. That voice, belonging to Zechariah, was never more encouraging and stimulating than when it proclaimed the coming Christ and the glories awaiting those who trust him. Zechariah’s prophecy still speaks today with power to those who are deeply discouraged and sorely distressed. Its message of Christ medicates every ill and lifts every heart.

It was a depressing time. Priests and people, both of whom who had been enormously blessed by God, were shuffling through their religion, muttering all the while about how burdensome it was. Questioning God’s love, dishonoring his name, sighing over his service, breaking his laws and doubting his promises—these were the orders of the day. A wake-up call was needed, and God provided it through Malachi. This man was no cuddly teddy bear. Through a series of candid dialogues, he called his people to see themselves as God saw them and to return to him. His message of sin and return rises from the pages of this short prophecy to challenge and assure us as well.

The theme of Matthew’s Gospel is Jesus and what it means to follow him as his disciples and serve him as our King. The scope of Matthew’s Gospel is vast: in his opening verse, Matthew takes us back to Abraham, and in his closing verse, he takes us all the way forward to the close of the present age. Matthew offers us a view of life and of the world that is grounded in God’s plan and purpose, focused in the coming of Jesus and worked out in the ongoing work of the church. The first book in the New Testament has a fitting place in the center of the bible, linking the two parts together.

The Gospel of Luke makes remarkable reading. It introduces us to many people the other Gospels don’t mention; it shows the compassion of Jesus in a special way; it is the only Gospel written by a Gentile. Let Gavin Childress guide you through its message in easy stages, and there is plenty to think (and talk) about in the discussion points at the end of each chapter.

Right at the end of his Gospel, John tells us why he wrote it: that we may “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing [we] may have life in his name.” John therefore filled his Gospel with carefully selected evidence to encourage our belief in Jesus. In this detailed yet easy-to-read commentary, Andrew Paterson examines the eyewitness evidence John provided concerning Christ’s power and authority. Paterson shows us that John wanted this evidence to result in more than intellectual assent to these truths. The purpose of John’s Gospel is to result in “life” through faith in Christ.

John-Michael Wong provides valuable insight on the book of Acts, pointing out the contributions of individuals and community in the growth of the Church. This easy-to-read volume is solidly grounded in Scripture and offers explanation of the text, as well as application. Wong writes in an uplifting and inviting style that will help the general reader, as well as pastors.

Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth is full of practical relevance to the church of our day. How should people live in the light of a surrounding immoral culture? What should be the church’s response to blatant sin on the part of its members? How should the giving and stewardship of the church be administered? What happens after a person dies? How should spiritual gifts be exercised and what is the place of love in all this? Derek Prime provides a succinct treatment of these topics, and, in it all, he points to the centrality, prominence, and glory of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

In this commentary, author David Campbell identifies the key themes of the book of Galatians. He offers solid exposition and application, making this a useful aid for pastors and teachers, as well as those seeking to understand Galatians and how to incorporate its message to daily life. Written in an encouraging and accessible style, this volume provides necessary questions on themes of false doctrine and salvation for Christians today.

Like Paul’s letter to Rome, his letter to the church in Ephesus serves as an invaluable exposition of the Christian gospel. In Ephesians, the apostle has the opportunity simply to explain the riches of the good news, to unfold how the grace of God works in the lives of his people, and to give some basic moral principles. In this commentary, Kurt Strassner conveys the apostle Paul’s sheer joy in the riches of the gospel, and provides challenging practical application for Christian living in today’s world.

Paul’s letter to the Philippians resounds with joy, and modern readers will have joy in the Lord Jesus if they will only put the teaching of this letter into practice in their day-to-day lives. In this practical and easy-to-read guide to Philippians, readers are helped to open up the letter for themselves. Clear and straightforward teaching is enhanced by additional study and discussion questions, making the book helpful both for individual and group use.

Paul’s letter to the Colossians reveals the greatness of Jesus Christ by dealing with such important subjects as the fact that he is fully God, that he has authority over principalities and powers, and that those who believe in him are liberated from the domain of darkness and complete in Christ. It also touches powerfully and relevantly on practical Christian living in the home and work place. Colossians is a letter for today as it reveals to us the person and work of Jesus and its application to the life of the believer.

Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians breathes love, concern, and care. It deals with practical matters for new believers: repentance, faith, living a transformed life, living happily with other believers in church, awaiting the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and many other points. In Opening Up 1 Thessalonians, Tim Shenton leads us carefully through all the main aspects of the teaching and provides a good number of thought-provoking questions for further study and for discussion and reflection.

Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians is as relevant for us today as it was for first-century Thessalonian believers to whom he wrote. Its three main themes—the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, intercessory prayer, and local church discipline—were addressed to a young church experiencing trouble, discrimination, and harassment because of their commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. Here Ian McNaughton unpacks these themes, demonstrating the timeless importance of each one for encouraging strong and assured hope in the midst of suffering.

1 Timothy is an urgent letter to a young Christian pastor in the thick of ministry and a call to the local church to get on with the job God has called it to do—spreading the good news! Simon Robinson applies this message incisively to modern readers.

2 Timothy is the last letter the Apostle Paul ever wrote, and it contains his final counsel to Christian believers. From his opening words—grace, mercy and peace—to his closing blessing—grace be with you—his letter tersely counsels young Timothy what to do in the light of influences and pressures believers face as they live for God in difficult times. This easy-to-read guide to Paul’s letter may be used for group or individual study.

Think of the issues face by today’s church: establishing a well-functioning eldership, combating false teaching, upholding the importance of sound doctrine, how we are to live as Christian men and as Christian women, appreciating the grace of God in salvation, and looking forward to the coming again of our Lord Jesus. All these, and many other themes, are carefully and practically worked through in this helpful guide which opens up the message of Titus for us today.

The letter to the Hebrews is a challenging document for our multi-faith age, with the book’s stress on the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in his person and work. In its call to come to Jesus “outside the camp,” it reminds us of the need for sacrifice in the Christian church. Yet it is full of the assurance of hope in Christ. In its context and in its relevance for today, Hebrews brings a special word to all who are in danger of losing heart or choosing the easy way in life. This book comes with a spiritual health warning!

Is there any useless religion around today? Do we see evidence of people merely going through the motions of religion, professing faith in Christ without any evidence of it showing up in their lives? If so, these are indications that we need the epistle of James today. Written by the half-brother of Jesus, this letter helps us attack stale, humdrum, useless religion. Among the many practical issues that James deals with are: suffering, the gap between hearing and doing, controlling the tongue, and resisting the world. Roger Ellsworth’s studies in this letter draw out the challenges for us as believers in the twenty-first century—here are lessons we badly need to hear today.

Words are the currency of civilization. They have a powerful effect in daily life by challenging, confronting, or comforting the hearer. Near the end of his life, Peter wrote this letter to first-century Christians, warning them of the danger they were in from those seeking to destroy the church of Jesus Christ with corrosive words. Today, the church is in danger of being marginalized by secular thought and practices. God’s people need to hear what the Spirit is saying through 2 Peter and take to heart its profound message.

2 and 3 John, the smallest books in the Bible, are often unjustly neglected. In this stimulating guide, which includes application and questions for reflection and discussion, Terence Crosby explores a range of topics in the light of what the apostle John had to say in these writings.

The first readers of the book of Revelation were members of seven churches in Asia Minor. These believers were facing difficult and harsh circumstances, so much so that they must have often raised these profound questions: Why are we suffering? Who is in control? Where are things headed? In this book, Roger Ellsworth opens up the message of Revelation, showing how the Lord Jesus sent it to those believers to assure them both that he is in control of all things and that he and his people will finally triumph over all their difficulties. The good news is that this encouraging message applies equally to believers in every age.