Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon

This commentary is very thoughtful and accessible even to those who don't have a massive amount of theological study under their belts. I'm using it for a women's Bible study on Philippians, and the scripture and commentary provide a basis for wonderful conversation. We are being challenged intellectually and spiritually. I would recommend this for those looking for a serious study of Paul's letters.

Bishop Wright's commentaries, which is really what this series is (i.e., Paul for Everyone, John for Everyone, Luke fr Everyone, etc.) are a superb gift to the Church. Though one of the finest academic New Testament scholars alive, his commentaries are extremely readable and accessible for the layman. Even though his audience is the layman or woman, his work is rooted in serious thought, scholarship and reflection. He doesn't always try to solve or answer every textual or theological problem but he will always give the basic tools or parameters allowing the reader to make one's own decision. He is quite reliable in his underlying exegesis of the text. His tone is pastoral, hortatory and narrative. I use these commentaries for devotional reading. Highly recommend Dr. Wright and this "Everyone" series.

As a pastor I feel comfortable recommending this commentary and the entire Everyone series to them, because not only are these commentaries excellent scholarly interpretation, but are very readable. N T Wright has the ability to write in a very technical scholarly style or in a manner that everyone can understand and he masterfully demonstrates that fact with the Everyone series. Wright provides a translation of the entire Epistle that starts each section, then he tells an applicable story that leads into his discussion of the meaning of the text. The Prison Letters of Epheisans, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon are all covered in this book. Wright is remarkably consistent in his interpretations of the text. You never feel as though he is guessing at an interpretation, but most of his interpretations seem natural and never forced. What was most impressive for me was how he handled Philemon. It is not a very big book, but he shows that it has very big meaning. If I had to disagree with something it would be his failure to recognize and emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit. I speak as a classical Pentecostal, but there are times when Paul emphasized the Spririt and Wright does very little with this emphasis. He most often uses a lower case "s" for spirit instead of Spirit. I am not sure why he does this and he fails to give an explanation. Wright does have an excellent glossary of terms at the end of this book and every book in the series. The positive features in this book are well worth the five stars that I have given this book and I overwhelmingly recommend this commentary.

Tom Wright is amazing. He changed my Theology in Seminary (in a good way as "N.T." Wright and when he came to speak to Asbury) and now he amazes me with this easy to read and even easier to understand commentary set. I have only bought this one book, but will be saving up (as only a new pastor can) for the entire commentary set. Please find this book. Read page 100-104 about the mind of Christ (Philippians 2.5-11) section and realize how changed your life will be after reading this book. Thank you Tom! and God bless everyone who reads this review. (I hope it encourages you to find it in a librabry or book store, read it, and judge it for yourself)

Tom Wright (the more informal way N. T. Wright addresses himself in his more popular and accessible material) has shown his brilliance once again. He says more in 2 - 3 pages about a major section of Paul's letters than many commentaries say by using dozens of pages. This series is meant to be simple and accessible to the average layman, and yet, because of the author, the insights are profoundly brilliant. I can't think of a better series to use for devotions. Buy any of these -- you will not be disappointed.