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• Hearing God in scripture
• 1 Corinthians
• Jesus Christ and the cross
• Gifts of wisdom; human divisions
• Servant apostles
• Immorality? Lawsuits?
• Marriage
• Preach the gospel in all that you do
• Learn from Israel
• appropriate behavior in the assembly
• Gathering as a Christ's body at the table
• Spiritual gifts
• Love is the greatest gift
• Worship that edifies
• Final instructions and salutations ; 2 Corinthians
• The father of compassion
• Authentic ministry
• Treasures in jars of clay
• Ministers of reconciliations
• Pure joy in Christ
• Sowing generously
• Paul defends his ministry
• Paul's suffering
• God's grace
• Concerns for the Corinthian church.

Do you want a deeper, more fulfilling way of Bible study? Do you want to know God through Scripture-not just to know the teachings, but to have a relationship with the Teacher? Perhaps you want to begin daily Bible reading, but need guidance. Or you need a guide for family Bible study. Or your small group Bible study needs revitalizing. This meditative commentary is for you. There are many commentaries on the books of the Bible and workbooks for Bible study, but this series is different. It employs the classic Christian method of "holy reading" to help you hear the voice of God. Holy reading involves slowly engaging a short passage of Scripture, listening closely, reading repeatedly, praying the words, and perhaps sharing with fellow believers. God will bless us, our families, and our churches if we take the time to be still, listen, and do his word. Paul's Corinthian correspondence is a valuable resource for helping resolve issues facing believers today. Living in the dynamic power of the cross of Christ continues to produce a life of righteousness, peace, and generosity--individually and in communities of faith.

• Story of 1-2 Kings
• 1-2 Kings in the canon
• Distinctive features of 1-2 Kings
• Critical issues of authorship and date
• Problem of chronology
• Theology of 1-2 Kings
• Approach of this commentary
• Text and commentary.

The books of 1 and 2 Kings cover the history of Israel from the last days of the united kingdom under David to the eventual fall of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Within these books, the deuteronomic code - 'doing what is right in the Lord's sight' - provides a framework by which monarchic history is measured. In the kings' cultic failures lies the apostasy of the nation and its eventual exile. This apostasy centres on Israel's commitment to worship YHWH exclusively, and to worship according to deuteronomistic norms within the Jerusalem temple as the locus of YHWH's covenant presence. To safeguard the kings' commitments, YHWH's prophets loom large in 1 and 2 Kings: they herald YHWH's purposes, warn of his judgment for apostasy and woo his people back to the full experience of covenant life. Lissa M. Wray Beal's commentary examines the successes and failures of monarchy in the divided kingdoms. It works with the final form of the biblical text and pursues historiographical, narrative and theological questions, including the relation of each chapter's themes to biblical theology. While it focuses on theological and narrative concerns, the commentary gives due attention to complex historical issues. --From publisher's description.

The books of 1 and 2 Kings cover the history of Israel from the last days of the united kingdom under David to the eventual fall of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Within these books, the deuteronomic code - 'doing what is right in the Lord's sight' - provides a framework by which monarchic history is measured. In the kings' cultic failures lies the apostasy of the nation and its eventual exile. This apostasy centres on Israel's commitment to worship YHWH exclusively, and to worship according to deuteronomistic norms within the Jerusalem temple as the locus of YHWH's covenant presence. To safeguard the kings' commitments, YHWH's prophets loom large in 1 and 2 Kings: they herald YHWH's purposes, warn of his judgment for apostasy and woo his people back to the full experience of covenant life. Lissa M. Wray Beal's commentary examines the successes and failures of monarchy in the divided kingdoms. It works with the final form of the biblical text and pursues historiographical, narrative and theological questions, including the relation of each chapter's themes to biblical theology. While it focuses on theological and narrative concerns, the commentary gives due attention to complex historical issues. --From publisher's description

• 1 Peter
• Introduction
• Outline of 1 Peter
• Called by God to holiness (1 Peter 1)
• Stones, sojourners, and slaves (1 Peter 2)
• Conduct at home and in the world (1 Peter 3)
• The end of suffering (1 Peter 4)
• Closing advice from Peter the elder (1 Peter 5)
• Bibliography.

• 2 Peter
• Introduction
• Outline of 2 Peter
• Conversional knowledge of Jesus Christ and the demand for character development (2 Peter 1:1-11)
• Peter's "testament" and a defense of parousia, prophecy, and "the Master" (2 Peter 1:12-2:3a)
• The certainty of judgment (2 Peter 2:1-22)
• Reminders, encouragements, and defenses (2 Peter 3:1-18)
• Bibliography.

• Jude
• Introduction
• Outline of Jude
• The Epistle Jude
• Bibliography.

"The primary goal of the Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary series is to make available serious, credible biblical scholarship in an accessible and less intimidating format. A visual generation of believers deserves a commentary series that contains not only the all-important textual commentary on Scripture, but images, photographs, maps, works of fine art, and drawings that bring the text to life. Each volume of the Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary series features a CD-ROM, which expands the uses and capabilities of the Commentary even more"--Publisher description

• Preface; Introduction; 1 The Deuteronomistic History; 2 The Shiloh Tradition; 3 The Ark Narrative; 4 The Rise of the Monarchy; 5 The Reign of Saul; 6 The Story of David; 7 The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7); 8 The Succession Narrative; 9 The Samuel Appendix (2 Samuel 21-24); Index of Main Passages Discussed; Index of Subjects; Index of Authors; A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; P; R; S; T; U; V; W; Z.

A comprehensive introduction to the critical issues raised by scholarship on both books of Samuel. The often intricate problems are dealt with clearly and engagingly; the chapters deal with the Deuteronomistic History, the Shiloh tradition, the Ark narrative, the rise of the monarchy, the reign of Saul, the story of David, the Davidic covenant, the Succession Narrative and the Samuel appendix. A first-rate guide for students, with annotated bibliographies and indexes.

• 1 Thessalonians
• Paul's words of beginning (1 Thess. 1:1-10)
• Paul's words of endearment (1 Thess. 2:1-16)
• The theme of friendship (1 Thess. 2:17-3:10)
• Paul's words of instruction (1 Thess. 3:11-4:12)
• Paul's words of comfort (1 Thess. 4:13-5:11)
• Paul's closing words: A code of ethics for artisans (1 Thess. 5:12-22)
• Paul's final words: A prayer of blessing (1 Thess. 5:23-28).

• 2 Thessalonians
• The writing of the Second Letter: Author, style, and setting
• The opposition in Thessaloniki (2 Thess. 1:1-12)
• A preview of the end (2 Thess. 2:1-17)
• Pray and work (and in that order!) (2 Thess. 3:1-18).

"First and Second Thessalonians explore the first-century Mediterranean world in which the Apostle Paul writes to the community of faith in Thessaloniki. It is a complex dialogue among the Thessalonian believers, the young missionary Paul, and the readers who would follow through the centuries. Known as the Thessalonian Correspondence, these writings give us a wide window into this ancient environment where Paul lived, worked, and taught. What community fears, joys, or trauma gave rise to his words? What were the social and cultural experiences of this community of new believers? How did they understand the life of faith? How did they manage issues of life and work, faith and profession? These letters also help us, the twenty-first-century readers, understand Paulþs perspectives on leadership, ethics, community life, and death. These letters encourage and challenge us, as they encouraged and challenged the community in Thessaloniki, to live faithfully and lovingly with one another as we go about our work and worship ... the primary goal of the Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary series is to make available serious, credible biblical scholarship in an accessible and less intimidating format. A visual generation of believers deserves a commentary series that contains not only the all-important textual commentary on Scripture, but images, photographs, maps, works of fine art, and drawings that bring the text to life. Each volume of the Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary series features a CD-ROM, which expands the uses and capabilities of the Commentary even more"--Publisher description

• Machine generated contents note: 1. Timothy
• Introduction to 1 Timothy
• Salutation, 1:1-2
• Church Leader's Life and Teaching, 1:3-20
• Prayer and Behavior in the Household of God, 2:1-15
• Character Traits for Leaders in the Household of God, 3:1-16
• Leader's Duties in the Household of God, 4:1-16
• Managing the Church as the Household of God, 5:1-6:10, 17-19
• Final Instructions for Timothy, 6:11-16, 20-21
• 2. Timothy
• Introduction to 2 Timothy
• Salutation, 1:1-2
• Thanksgiving, 1:3-5
• Paul as a Model for Timothy in Christian Ministry, 1:6-18
• Faithfulness and Endurance in Christian Ministry, 2:1-13
• Timothy as Teacher in Contrast to Unhealthy Teachers, 2:14-3:9
• Ingredients of Timothy's Ministry, 3:10-17
• Final Charge to Timothy, 4:1-5
• Paul's Final Testimony, 4:6-8
• Final Instructions, 4:9-18
• Final Greetings, 4:19-22
• Titus
• Introduction to Titus -- ^ Salutation, 1:1-4
• Appointment of Church Leaders, 1:5-9
• Opponents, 1:10-16
• Family Relationships in the Church, 2:1-10, 3:1-2
• Confessional Statement on God's Grace, 2:11-15
• God's Transforming Work in Christ and in the Holy Spirit, 3:3-8
• Final Exhortations and Warnings, 3:9-11
• Personal Instructions, 3:12-14
• Final Greetings, 3:15
• Outline of 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus
• Essays
• Authorship
• Authenteo
• Chiasm
• Christology in the Letters to Timothy and Titus
• Conscience
• Contextualizing the Gospel
• Ecclesiology
• Eschatology
• Faithful Sayings
• Godliness
• Hapax Legomena
• Hermeneutical Issues
• History of Interpretation
• Holy Spirit in the Letters to Timothy and Titus
• Honor and Shame
• Household Behavior
• Names for God and the Imperial Cult
• Order and Historical Sequence of the Letters to Timothy and Titus -- ^

This twenty-second volume of the Believers Church Bible Commentary series sets forth recent scholarship on Paul's instructions to Timothy and Titus. Christian theology and ethics are applied to the political, philosophical, religious, and cultural issues that early Christians faced as the church reached out in mission in Ephesus and on the island of Crete. This commentary also shows how the themes in 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus have been interpreted and applied in the history of the church, especially the believers church. The interpretive process includes both a vertical reading of each book separately and a horizontal reading of the themes found in all three letters. --From publisher's description.

• Titus
• Epistolary salutation 1:2-4
• Titus's charge 1:5-9
• The problems Titus faces 1:10-16
• What Titus must teach 2:1-10, 15
• The nature of the Gospel 2:11-14
• Further exhortations and encouragement 2:15-3:3
• Further theological justification 3:4-8a
• A rhetorical epilogue 3:8b-11
• Final instructions and benediction 3:12-19.

• 1 Timothy
• Epistolary salutation 1:1-2
• Opening exhortation 1:3-11
• Thanksgiving/exhortation 1:12-17
• Why Timothy must teach these things 1:18-20
• Instructions for the household of God 2:1-3:13
• Why Paul writes: A purpose statement and theological foundation 3:14-16
• The charge to Timothy 4:1-16
• Faithfully pastoring different groups in the household of faith 5:1-6:2
• The charge continued 6:3-10
• The good fight 6:11-16
• A brief refrain 6:17-19
• The final charge and benediction 6:20-21.

• 2 Timothy
• Greetings and prayers 1:1-7
• Encouragement and challenge 1:8-14
• An autobiographical note 1:15-18
• Exhortation and illustration 2:1-7
• The centrality of Jesus Christ 2:8-13
• Timothy's charge and the household of faith 2:14-26
• Warnings about the future/present 3:1-9
• Paul's example and the promise to the faithful 3:10-13
• The nature and purpose of sacred scripture 3:14-17
• A final charge in these times 4:1-5
• The Pauline model 4:6-8
• Personal instructions 4:9-15
• Final encouragement, greetings, and benediction 4:16-22.

"The letters of 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus have been grouped together and referred to as the Pastoral Epistles because they are addressed to individuals charged with the oversight of certain churches and, therefore, share common subject matter. These letters give us an intriguing glimpse into events in the life of the Apostle Paul and the early church that is found nowhere else in the New Testament. As such, they offer the possibility of increasing our knowledge of the history of Paul's life and ministry and the early history of Christianity in general ... the primary goal of the Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary series is to make available serious, credible biblical scholarship in an accessible and less intimidating format. A visual generation of believers deserves a commentary series that contains not only the all-important textual commentary on Scripture, but images, photographs, maps, works of fine art, and drawings that bring the text to life. Each volume of the Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary series features a CD-ROM, which expands the uses and capabilities of the Commentary even more"--Publisher description

• Cover Page ; Title Page ; Copyright Page ; Dedication ; Commentary Editors ; Table of Contents ; General Editors' Preface; Author's Preface; Abbreviations; Bibliography; Table of Sidebars; INTRODUCTION; A. The Pastorals as a Literary Unit; B. Authorship;
• 1. Paul as the Assumed Author; a. Internal Claims; b. External Claims;
• 2. Challenges to Pauline Authorship; a. The History of the Debate; b. Internal Issues; (1) Vocabulary and Style; (2) Themes; (3) Social Location; c. Opponents; d. Church Organization;
• 3. Concluding Thoughts on Authorship; C. The Pastorals within Paul's Life and Ministry.

• D. Purpos
• e1. The Challenge of Opponents;
• 2. Qualified Leaders;
• 3. Personal Concerns; E. Recipients;
• 1. Timothy;
• 2. Titus; F. Literary Genre and Rhetorical Features;
• 1. Advisory Letters;
• 2. Philophronetic Letters; G. Major Theological Themes in the Pastorals;
• 1. God as Savior;
• 2. Sound Doctrine;
• 3. The Ethic of Godliness; COMMENTARY; FIRST TIMOTHY; I. Epistolary Prescript and Salutation (1 Timothy 1:1-2); II. Paul's Charge to Timothy about the False Teachers in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3-20); A. The Problem of False Teachers and False Doctrine (1:3-7); B. The Purpose of the Law (1:8-11).

• C. Paul's Positive Example of the Truth of the Gospel (1:12-17)D. Paul's Charge to Timothy (1:18-20); III. Behavior and Leadership within God's Family (1 Timothy 2
• :1- 3:16); A. Prayer for the Salvation of All People (2:1-7); B. The Faithful Witness of Men and Women (2:8-15); C. Qualifications for Overseers (3:1-7); D. Qualifications for Deacons (3:8-13); E. The Theological Basis for Being the Family of God (3:14-16); IV. Instructions to Timothy about the False Teachers (1 Timothy 4:1-16); A. The Nature of the Heresy (4:1-5); B. The Vital Connection of Godliness to Timothy's Mission (4:6-10).

• C. Timothy's Personal Qualifications for Effective Ministry (4:11-16)V. How to Deal with Various Groups in the Church (1 Timothy 5:1-6:2); A. Honoring Those within the Family of God (5:1-2); B. Advice about Widows (5:3-16);
• 1. Widows in Need (5:3-8);
• 2. Instructions for Young Widows (5:9-15);
• 3. Women's Responsibility for Widows (5:16); C. Support of Elders (5:17-25); D. Instructions to Slaves (6:1-2); VI. Final Instructions (1 Timothy 6:3-21); A. Recognizing and Dealing with the Opponents' Love of Money (6
• :3- 10); B. Encouragement to Timothy to Keep the Faith (6:11-16).

• C. Commands to Rich Believers (6:17-19)D. Final Charge to Timothy (6:20-21); SECOND TIMOTHY; I. Opening Salutation (2 Timothy 1:1-2); II. Thanksgiving for Sincere Faith (2 Timothy 1:3-5); III. Exhortation for Timothy to Embrace Paul's Way (2 Timothy 1:6-2:13); A. Paul as a Model of Faithfulness (1:6-14);
• 1. Let the Breath of God Inflame You (1:6-7);
• 2. Paul's Assurance in the Gospel (1:8-12);
• 3. Imitate Paul's Example (1:13-14); B. Examples of Disloyalty and Loyalty (1:15-18); C. Endurance in Suffering (2:1-13);
• 1. Three Examples of Dedication to a Cause (2:1-7).

• V. 1. 1 Chronicles 1-2 Chronicles 9 Israel's place among the nations
• v. 2. 2 Chronicles 10-36 guilt and atonement.

This two-part commentary argues that Chronicles, placed as it is among the 'historical books' in the traditional Old Testament of the Christian church, is much misunderstood. Restored to its proper position as the final book in the canon as arranged in the order of the Hebrew Bible, it is rather to be understood as a work of theology essentially directed towards the future. The Chronicler begins his work with the problem facing the whole human race in Adam-the forfeiture of the ideal of perfect oneness with God's purpose. He explores the possibility of the restoration of that ideal through Israel's place at the centre of the world of the nations. This portrayal reaches its climax in an idealized presentation of the reign of Solomon, in which all the rulers of the earth, including most famously the Queen of Sheba, bring their tribute in acknowledgment of Israel's status (Volume 1). As subsequent history only too clearly shows, however, the Chronicler argues (Volume 2), that Israel itself, through unfaithfulness to Torah, has forfeited its right to possession of its land and is cast adrift among these same nations of the world. But the Chronicler's message is one of hope. By a radical transformation of the chronology of Israel's past into theological terms, the generation whom the Chronicler addresses becomes the fiftieth since Adam. It is the generation to whom the jubilee of return to the land through a perfectly enabled obedience to Torah, and thus the restoration of the primal ideal of the human race, is announced.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• v. 1. 1 Chronicles 1-2, Chronicles 9, Israel's place among the nations
• 2 Chronicles 10-36, Guilt and atonement.

This two-part commentary argues that Chronicles, placed as it is among the 'historical books' in the traditional Old Testament of the Christian church, is much misunderstood. Restored to its proper position as the final book in the canon as arranged in the order of the Hebrew Bible, it is rather to be understood as a work of theology essentially directed towards the future. The Chronicler begins his work with the problem facing the whole human race in Adam-the forfeiture of the ideal of perfect oneness with God's purpose. He explores the possibility of the restoration of that ideal through Israel's place at the centre of the world of the nations. This portrayal reaches its climax in an idealized presentation of the reign of Solomon, in which all the rulers of the earth, including most famously the Queen of Sheba, bring their tribute in acknowledgment of Israel's status (Volume 1). As subsequent history only too clearly shows, however, the Chronicler argues (Volume 2), that Israel itself, through unfaithfulness to Torah, has forfeited its right to possession of its land and is cast adrift among these same nations of the world. But the Chronicler's message is one of hope. By a radical transformation of the chronology of Israel's past into theological terms, the generation whom the Chronicler addresses becomes the fiftieth since Adam. It is the generation to whom the jubilee of return to the land through a perfectly enabled obedience to Torah, and thus the restoration of the primal ideal of the human race, is announced.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• v. 1. 1 Chronicles 1-2, Chronicles 9, Israel's place among the nations
• 2 Chronicles 10-36, Guilt and atonement.

This two-part commentary argues that Chronicles, placed as it is among the 'historical books' in the traditional Old Testament of the Christian church, is much misunderstood. Restored to its proper position as the final book in the canon as arranged in the order of the Hebrew Bible, it is rather to be understood as a work of theology essentially directed towards the future. The Chronicler begins his work with the problem facing the whole human race in Adam-the forfeiture of the ideal of perfect oneness with God's purpose. He explores the possibility of the restoration of that ideal through Israel's place at the centre of the world of the nations. This portrayal reaches its climax in an idealized presentation of the reign of Solomon, in which all the rulers of the earth, including most famously the Queen of Sheba, bring their tribute in acknowledgment of Israel's status (Volume 1). As subsequent history only too clearly shows, however, the Chronicler argues (Volume 2), that Israel itself, through unfaithfulness to Torah, has forfeited its right to possession of its land and is cast adrift among these same nations of the world. But the Chronicler's message is one of hope. By a radical transformation of the chronology of Israel's past into theological terms, the generation whom the Chronicler addresses becomes the fiftieth since Adam. It is the generation to whom the jubilee of return to the land through a perfectly enabled obedience to Torah, and thus the restoration of the primal ideal of the human race, is announced.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

Donald Wiseman's study of the Books of 1 and 2 Kings is part of the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary Series, a series which offers thorough, up-to-date, passage-by-passage commentary on the books of the Old Testament.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)