Although this book has been available for several years, preachers, teachers, and students of the Word of God need a reminder of its existence.  I reviewed the Old Testament counterpart in a previous Equip for Ministry.  What is so special about this commentary?  Unlike most commentaries that help the reader understand what a passage of Scripture means, this book gives the background, and the cultural and worldview assumptions of New Testament passages.

We have emphasized the need to understand the context of a passage of Scripture for a long time.  But often we merely read our understanding of the context into the text and never really discover the “historical setting” of the text itself; hence we may miss what the passage is saying.  It is easy to miss the real meaning of a passage and not even realize it.  Serious Bible study and teaching requires an understanding of three contexts:  the original context in which the Scripture was written, the reader’s context because it is God’s Word for our world, and the context of how that Scripture has been understood down through church history.  We could cite many examples of the dangers of not doing this kind of exercise.

While background information is included in most good exegetical commentaries, it is the primary focus in Keener’s volume.  For example, Paul says in I Corinthians 7:1 “…it is good for a man not to marry.”  Why would he say that when God had already said “it is not good that man should be alone.”  Knowing something of the context in which Paul made that statement, and why, will be a key to understanding the passage and then seeking its application for our present moment.

The same is true of Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 2 about the woman’s role in a worship setting regarding learning, teaching, and submission.  The key to understanding that passage is first to see it in its original setting.  What did it mean for the first century readers?  From there we can move to a better understanding of the text without the temptation of merely reading the text from our present situation.

Keener’s commentaries on the Old and New Testaments will be valuable aides to any serious student and teacher of the Word.  It will also be a time saver as you study the Scriptures.

- Charles Dunahoo, CEP Coordinator