EEC Ephesians

Ephesians

In this commentary on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, S.M. Baugh identifies the main theme as “unity in the inaugurated new creation.” He then walks the reader through the indicative first part of the letter, which sets forth various aspects of the Christian faith, and the imperative second part, which calls readers to a lifestyle based on these truths. Along the way, Baugh examines ancient sources to provide a first-century perspective, while also interacting with recent scholarship and ultimately asking what this letter means for the modern-day believer.

Evangelical Exegetical Commentary series

The Evangelical Exegetical Commentary (EEC) series is a premier biblical commentary rooted in the original text of Scripture. Incorporating the latest in critical biblical scholarship and written from a distinctly evangelical perspective, each comprehensive volume features a remarkable amount of depth, providing historical and literary insights, and addressing exegetical, pastoral, and theological details. Readers will gain a full understanding of the text and how to apply it to everyday life.

672 pages

Usually full-length commentaries devote much of their space to surveying and evaluating the secondary literature -- a useful but rarely a fresh or exciting venture. Baugh's commentary is different. Every page reflects years of exacting study of primary sources -- classical literature, inscriptions, the first-century historical context (especially the history of Ephesus, gleaned from both archaeological and documentary evidence), coupled with a profound commitment to biblical theology. This does not mean he spends so much time on the historical and literary contexts that he fails to study the letter itself: far from it. Rather, Baugh's impressive learning is in service of understanding Ephesians. Baugh's comments are invariably measured, judicious, the product of informed and careful scholarship, lightly worn. Mercifully, the excellent scholarship comes in readable prose, making this a thoroughly interesting and stimulating work. This is now unquestionably the best technical commentary on Ephesians.

—D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

S. M. Baugh is the exegete’s exegete and this commentary is pure gold. Turning first to controversial passages I’ve preached or written on before, I discovered, sure enough, that I had more work to do! He doesn’t just give us his answers, but shows us his work by thorough attention to ancient sources, contexts, literary practices, and engagement with the history of Christian interpretation. For the pastor-scholar intent on mining the mystery revealed in Ephesians, this commentary is indispensable.

—Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California