The New Testament Library Series (15 vols.)

The first New Testament Library volume to focus on a Gospel, this commentary offers a careful reading of the book of Mark. Internationally respected interpreter M. Eugene Boring brings a lifetime of research into the Gospels and Jesus into this lively discussion of the first Gospel.

This new, authoritative commentary on the Gospel of Luke epitomizes the New Testament Library series. Combining scholarly rigor and theological insight, John T. Carroll not only focuses on the Gospel text but also makes frequent reference to Luke’s second volume, the book of Acts, to show how the two writings work together to present a full picture of the life of Christ and the work of the apostles. In addition, Carroll includes several illuminating notions about special topics in Luke’s Gospel: a comparison of the birth announcements to Mary and Zechariah, an examination of the role of women, a discussion of wealth and poverty, and insights on the reign of God and the Roman Empire.

This commentary traces Paul’s theology as it unfolds in his letter to the church at Galatia, and illuminates how the Galatians likely received and comprehended it. The author asks readers to imagine themselves as silent witnesses to Paul’s dictation of the letter and to observe, through a historical perspective, how Christians at Galatia might have understood Paul’s words.

Even though it was written some two millennia ago, Ephesians still speaks to Christians today in themes quite familiar to the modern reader. In a predominantly Gentile context, the Christian community needed to be reminded of the priority of Israel and the astonishing work of reconciliation that God willed to accomplish in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This new volume in the highly acclaimed New Testament Library series reveals the great theological promises of Ephesians while discussing issues of context, authorship, and style.

Together, these two letters show much of Paul’s vital passion for the church and the bonds that held early Christians together in their faith.

The letter to the Colossians offers great insight into the faith, life, and problems of the early Christian church. Understanding this letter to be one of Paul’s prison epistles but aware of the differences between this and his other writings, Jerry Sumney shows how the church struggled with expressing its new faith in the diverse settings of the Greco-Roman world. Paying special attention to the ways of forgiveness and salvation through the power of Christ, this fine commentary shows Colossians’ expansive Christology and expectant eschatology.

The Pastoral Epistles present difficult questions for the modern interpreter, including such matters as their authorship, literary characteristics, and social orientations. Raymond Collins carefully leads the reader through the texts of these three documents, attending to the flow of the pastor’s thought and locating it within the Jewish and Hellenistic culture of his day.

This volume of the New Testament Library offers a thorough and careful commentary on the complicated book of Hebrews, showing its meaning within the context of ancient culture and the theological development of the early church. Written by one of the leading New Testament scholars of the present generation, Luke Timothy Johnson, this commentary offers remarkable insights into the Hellenistic, Roman, and Jewish contexts of the book of Hebrews.

The New Testament’s three letters attributed to John have always provided remarkable theological riches for the Christian tradition, including the assertion “God is love.” Each letter shows how an early Christian author responded to threats against authority by recourse to the correct teachings of the faith and a proper understanding of the relationship between Jesus and God. Together, these letters argue for a bond of unity among believers, based on fidelity to the truth of God.

The book of Revelation is one of the most complicated in the New Testament. The book calls for a prophetic reaction to the world and uses some of the most violent language of the entire Bible. Brian Blount’s commentary provides a sure and confident guide through these difficult and sometimes troubling passages, seeing Revelation as a prophetic intervention and at the same time an awe-inspiring swirl of frightening violence and breathtaking hope.

First published in 1968—and out of print since the 1980s—Victor Paul Furnish’s treatment of Paul’s theology and ethics has long been regarded as the key scholarly statement and most useful textbook on Paul’s thought. Now, Theology and Ethics in Paul is available once again as part of the Westminster John Knox Press New Testament Library. Featuring a new introduction from Richard Hays, this timeless volume is as relevant in this century as it was in the last.

This volume surveys the scholarly work that has been done concerning the book of John. Biblical scholar J. Louis Martyn also provides his own reading of the fourth Gospel.

This volume brings together numerous publications that range across the New Testament canon and encompass a variety of forms, from thematic essay to commentary, from close exegesis to homily. All these studies highlight Paul Meyer’s characteristic attention to detail, skilled argument, and engaging prose.

Paul Minear’s classic work identifies and explicates 96 images for the church found in the New Testament. First published in 1960, this volume has been used in seminary classes for over 30 years. Its rich discussions of the many images and metaphors make this book a splendid resource for students and pastors.

John Howard Schutz’s milestone analysis of Paul’s authority shaped a generation of thought about Paul. This insightful work continues to be relevant to Pauline scholarship.