R. T. France’s The Gospel of Matthew, (NICNT; Eerdmans, hb., 1169 pp.) will be a new standard. France, who wrote a shorter commentary on this gospel 20 years ago (in the Tyndale series), has been one of the most prominent evangelical scholars on the gospels and now in his retirement he has given us this magisterial treatment. A must have. Within the gospel of Matthew, J. I. Packer’s Praying the Lord’s Prayer (Crossway; pb., 120 pp.- previously published as part of Growing in Christ) is classic Packer, good devotional, practical reading that will richly benefit preaching. Banner of Truth has published the first English translation of John Calvin’s Sermons on the Beatitudes (hb., 114 pp.) rendering the sermons into modern English and formatting the text for easier reading. Mark (IVPNTC; hb., 351 pp.) by Ronald Kernaghan is fine, but not as good as Garland’s earlier NIV Application Commentary.
Teaching Acts: Unlocking the Book of Acts for the Bible Teacher (Christian Focus; pb., 300 pp.), by David Cook is a really helpful volume, with good advice for preaching. The introduction discusses how attention to structure can help in preaching. The sixth and final volume of Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ Studies in the Book of Acts has now been published. Titled Compelling Christianity it includes sermons on texts in the eighth chapter of Acts. Lloyd-Jones’ sermons are always worthwhile and the publication of these sermons is a blessing.
Paul Barnett’s commentary on Romans (Christian Focus; pb., 383 pp.) has been reprinted. It is a good readable, theological exposition which will be very helpful in sermon preparation. He also has a brief summary of the “New Perspective on Paul” which is helpful. Kent Hughes’ Philippians (Crossway; hb., 240 pp.) is the next volume in the Preaching the Word series and continues the careful exposition seen in his previous volumes. Philip Graham Ryken’s 1 Timothy in the Reformed Expository Commentary series (P&R, hb., 312 pp.) is a helpful volume. As in the other volumes of this series, this commentary consists of sermons from a clear Reformed perspective preached one each passage of the book. While one will need other commentaries to access the latest scholarship, these sermons are good models of interpretation and application of the text for the church.
Ben Witherington’s Letters and Homilies for Hellenized Christians, Vol. 1: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on Titus, 1-2 Timothy and 1-3 John (IVP, hb., 623 pp.) is an odd combination of letters to be considered together. Witherington contends their social and religious contexts were similar. This commentary is more academic but has helpful analysis.