The New Interpreter’s Bible is considered one of the best multi-volume Bible commentaries released in the last 20 years. Incorporating a wide range of scholars from various religious traditions, this set represents a truly ecumenical endeavor. With commentary and reflections from top scholars like N.T. Wright, Walter Kaiser, and Walter Brueggemann, this set will help you go further in your study of Scripture. Until August 7 you can save 20% by pre-ordering The New Interpreter’s Bible (12 vols.). Pre-order today before the price goes up!
Better understand the Bible’s meaning
Some commentaries are meant to be exhaustive, giving you a lot of information and letting you do the hard work to sort through it and find ways to apply it—whether it be citing it in your research or gaining insight into Christian living. Others are reflective and thoughtful, but may not comment on the original text or go too deep into interpretive issues. The New Interpreter’s Bible represents the best of both worlds, seeking to provide you with the meaning of the text while drawing out application for discipling and preaching. What follows is a showcase of some invaluable observations from two top New Testament scholars.
Romans 1:18-32
Paul’s critique of Jewish and Gentile mores dominates his argument in Romans 1-2. N.T. Wright notes that Paul’s argument is not chiefly against the Gentiles alone but also incriminates the Jews as well, contrary to scholars who believe that 1:18-32 is written against the Gentiles and the contents of chapter 2 against the Jews. Wright comments on 1:24-27,
“‘God gave them up’ [is a] repeated phrase [which] carries scriptural echoes from Ps 81:12. This psalm is itself a hymnic telling of the exodus narrative, warning of idolatry, bemoaning the fact that Israel has not heeded the warning, and appealing for the people to return to YHWH. Thus, again, Paul’s surface text describes paganism, but the subtext quietly includes Israel in the indictment.” (New Interpreter’s Bible, 10:433)
Wright discusses Paul’s revision of the worldview of the Wisdom of Solomon which drives his argument in this pericope. (NIB, 10:429) God’s judgment over both Jew and Gentile means that the church finds itself in the risky position to exclude and embrace sinners. (NIB, 10:434-5)
Acts 15:15-18
The Jerusalem Council is the first ecumenical council of the Church. Brought about by controversies among Jewish and Gentile Christians, the apostles and leaders of the church were forced to reckon with the fact that Gentile believers were turning to the Lord in droves. Robert Wall discusses James’s scriptural reference, Amos 9:11-12, and the two changes that James makes to drive his point home: (1) μετὰταῦτα is substituted for ἐντῇἡμέρᾳἐκείνῃ from the Septuagint text, highlighting the timing of Amos’s prophecy which is taking place after the church’s mission to the Jews and Gentiles. (NIB, 10:218-9) and (2) the Masoretic Text states that Israel’s restoration comes after reclaiming the land of Edom. However, James quotes the LXX text which declares that the restoration of Israel means that “all other peoples may seek the Lord.” In other words, when Israel enters into her possession, so will the Gentiles. (NIB, 10:219) Wall helps readers to see how James restructures and reinterprets Israel’s sacred writings to allow for the Gentiles to become the people of God.
Even better in Logos
When you purchase the New Interpreter’s Bible, not only do you have access to the content of this series, you are able to maximize its effectiveness using the power of Logos Bible Software.
- Using the Passage Guide, Logos compiles the resources in your library relevant to the study of your passage. Simply type your passage into the Passage Guide search box and Logos automatically retrieves what you need to better interpret your passage, including the commentary found in the New Interpreter’s Bible.
- The Exegetical Guide breaks down the text of Scripture for you, allowing you to study the Bible word-by-word. Open up a new window with the text of the New Interpreter’s Bible alongside the Exegetical Guide and you will have two powerful resources to help you go deeper into the Word.
- Kick start your sermon study by making use of the Sermon Starter Guide. Logos gathers all of the sermons, commentaries, media, outlines, and more in one place so that you begin crafting quality sermons and feed your congregation God’s Word. When you click on a resource, it opens directly to the text of Scripture that you searched for in the Sermon Starter Guide. This feature makes it simple to gather thoughts from the Reflections portions of the New Interpreter’s Bible, helping you to better interpret passages of Scripture and apply them to your church.
The New Interpreter’s Bible (12 vols.) will be available for download August 7, which means that this discounted price is going away soon! Get this discount before it’s gone: pre-order the New Interpreter’s Bible today!