For your private individual home studies and Life Group Bible studies our “Connection” library has some wonderful resources in print and dvd format. There is a wide selection of commentaries by well schooled, gifted and knowledgeable authors and in a series of articles I would like to introduce you to some of those that I have found particularly helpful. First up is David Pawson, widely respected as an international writer and speaker. He has written 80 books, produced 300 teaching videos and made over 1500 audio recordings. His works are recent and up to date in their application.   (He died in May 2020).

David Pawson: Unlocking the Bible
A unique overview of the whole Bible.

David Pawson in the above mentioned publication provides excellent background material to the various Books of the Bible, together with a brief overview of the complete book I highlight just three commentaries.

Ephesians.
In setting the background to this book he describes the city of Ephesus providing us with a picture of a city very large in Paul’s day. Being strategically positioned, it was a center of commerce and finance. It had a theatre capable of seating 24,000 people. It had a huge landmark in the form of an enormous pagan temple measuring 140 by 80 metres, which was dedicated to a black meteorite that fell on Ephesus and was shaped as an idol to be worshiped, named Diana and Artemis to the Greeks. This kind of background information I found so helpful in trying to understand something of what Christians of that period must have faced and been up against and why Paul chose to write to them.

In sharing the contents of the book he, for example says, “A study of the Ephesians would not be complete without looking at predestination. It is a theme that is especially prominent in the first chapter and is a subject often misunderstood”. He provides some very interesting insight about this subject. Referring to the structure of the letter he says ” The first half is about our relationship to God in Christ and the second is about our relationship to others in the Lord. When Paul writes about our relationship to others in God, he uses the word “Christ” but when he writes about our relationship with each other he uses “Lord”. It is “Christ” who gives us our relationship to God and it is the “Lord” who governs our relationship with each other”. ( I had never thought about it, in this way before)    He concludes his notes on Ephesians with these words, “This Letter to the Ephesians is probably the clearest predestination of Christian doctrine and duty, belief and behaviour, theology and ethics, in all of Paul’s epistles. Probably its emphasis on unity is a major factor in its popularity in this ecumenical era. Though it is important to note the parallel concern for truth and integrity”. [All told it is just 13 pages of reading which will enrich your study of this book]

Jude
I love his summary of this book, which he refers to it as “the most neglected book in the New Testament” and he goes on to say why. It is because its content is strange, suspect, severe and sharp and it is only when you read the detail of his summary that you will realize why he makes these points known. Partly summarized, Jude’s purpose for writing in this manner, to quote Pawson is, “Jude is like a surgeon wielding a knife to cut out the cancer in the body of Christ. Hence some of his language is strong, as he condemns evil teaching. Again it is a mere 16 pages of reading that will make you want to study this book in more detail, for Jude’s writing is very relevant to our churches of today.

Ezekiel
I share with you some of Pawson’s notes on the Book of Ezekiel, as he comments on all the books in the Bible, both the Old and New Testament. His opening statement, I initially found a quite bold and threatening one. “Ezekiel shows a side of God’s character that few find appealing” then he goes on to say “The prophet speaks of God’s judgement. His summary once again provides a background to the book, enlightening us about the man, Ezekiel, himself. How it is best to read this book  He provides some important historical events that set the scene, for the book and how Ezekiel will deliver his Godly prophecy about the fall of Jerusalem. Ezekiel has to deliver this message n six different ways.(Read about it on pages 624-625) it is most intriguing and stated so clearly. Like most commentators he provides an outline to the content of this book and concludes with the statement, “Why should Christians read Ezekiel?” To find out why, read what he has to say, it is very enlightening  His closing statement is, “The book reminds us that God’s reputation is at stake in his people. This is why He will restore them, because He has to vindicate His name. (Makes one think deeply as a Christian, does it not) This book’s summary is a bit of a longer read, approximately 24 pages, but I found it to be of great help before plunging into the study of the book as a whole.

Unlocking The Bible comes in one bound copy containing all the books of the Bible. But if you find the size of the book a bit daunting, remember there is a dvd presentation using the same material in a single dvd disc for each book, all are available from our Connections Resource Centre.