The IVP Bible Background Commentary by Keener, Craig S. -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Page Copyright Dedication Contents Preface and Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations How to Use This Commentary The Need for a Cultural-Historical Commentary Gospels Matthew

1:1-17 The Background of Jesus 1:18-25 The Birth of Jesus 2:1-12 The Pagan Seekers 2:13-15 Egypt and a New Exodus 2:16-18 Herod’s Slaughter: A New Captivity 2:19-23 The Nazarene 3:1-12 Jesus’ Forerunner 3:13-17 Jesus’ Accreditation by God 4:1-11 Jesus Overcomes Israel’s Tests 4:12-17 Foreshadowing the Preaching to Gentiles 4:18-22 Examples of Repentance 4:23-25 Examples of Kingdom Authority 5:1-12 The Beatitudes, or Blessings 5:13-16 Real Discipleship 5:17-20 The Law Enforced 5:21-26 Anger as Murder 5:27-30 Lust as Adultery 5:31-32 Remarriage as Adultery 5:33-37 Integrity, Not Oaths 5:38-42 Nonresistance 5:43-48 Beyond Nonresistance 6:1-4 Secret Charity 6:5-15 Secret Prayer 6:16-18 Secret Fasting 6:19-24 Don’t Seek Possessions 6:25-34 Don’t Worry About Possessions 7:1-5 Reciprocal Judgment 7:6-12 Imitating God’s Gifts 7:13-27 The Two Ways 7:28-29 Response of the Masses 8:1-4 Touching the Unclean: Leprosy 8:5-13 A Non-Jew’s Faith 8:14-17 Messiah the Healer 8:18-22 Jesus’ Demands 8:23-27 Lord of Nature 8:28-34 Lord over Evil Spirits 9:1-8 Authority to Forgive and to Heal 9:9-13 A Physician for Sinners 9:14-17 Appropriate Fasting 9:18-26 Touching the Unclean: Blood and Death 9:27-34 Healing Blind Eyes 9:35-38 More Laborers Needed 10:1-4 Sending the Twelve 10:5-15 The Mission 10:16-23 Promise of Persecution 10:24-33 Comfort in Persecution 10:34-39 The Cost of Discipleship 10:40-42 Receiving Christ’s Messengers 11:1-19 More Than a Prophet: The Forerunner 11:20-24 Judgment on Cities 11:25-27 God’s Revelation 11:28-30 The True Sabbath 12:1-8 Food on the Sabbath 12:9-14 Healing on the Sabbath 12:15-21 The Spirit-Anointed Servant 12:22-37 Blaspheming the Spirit 12:38-45 A Demonized Generation 12:46-50 Jesus’ Real Family 13:1-9 The Sower, the Seed and the Soils 13:10-23 The Sower Explained: Understanding the Word 13:24-30 The Story of Wheat and Tares 13:31-33 The Stories of Mustard Seed and Leaven 13:34-35 Secret Teachings 13:36-43 The Final Separation of Wheat and Tares 13:44-46 The Kingdom’s Value 13:47-50 The Final Separation of Good and Bad Fish 13:51-52 Scribes for the Kingdom 13:53-58 Dishonor at Home 14:1-12 Herod Executes John 14:13-21 Feeding the Five Thousand 14:22-33 Walking on the Water 14:34-36 Healings at Gennesaret 15:1-20 Human Tradition Versus God’s Word 15:21-28 Mercy on the Canaanites 15:29-31 Lame, Crippled, Blind and Mute Healed 15:32-39 The Second Feeding 16:1-4 No Sign but Jonah’s 16:5-12 Evil Yeast 16:13-20 The Christ and the Rock 16:21-28 Redefining Messiahship 17:1-13 The Glory Shines Again 17:14-23 Inadequate Faith for Exorcism 17:24-27 The Children Are Exempt 18:1-6 Offending the Children 18:7-14 Offenders of the Powerless 18:15-20 Disciplining Offenders 18:21-35 Forgiving the Forgivers 19:1-12 Grounds for Divorce 19:13-15 Blessing the Kingdom’s Children 19:16-22 The Price Was Too High 19:23-29 A Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Kingdom 19:30–20:16 The Last and the First 20:17-19 Jesus as the Last 20:20-28 The Greatest Is the Servant 20:29-34 Taking Time for the Blind 21:1-11 The Meek King 21:12-17 Challenging the Temple Aristocracy 21:18-22 The Power of Faith 21:23-32 The Right Authority 21:33-46 The Evil Tenants and the Benevolent Landowner 22:1-14 Honor the King’s Son—or Die 22:15-22 Caesar and God 22:23-33 The God of the Living 22:34-40 The Greatest Commandments 22:41-46 David’s Lord 23:1-12 Serve More Humbly Than Pharisees 23:13-28 Woes to the Hypocrites 23:29-39 Killing the Prophets 24:1-3 Introduction to the Judgment Discourse 24:4-14 Coming Events 24:15-22 The Events of 66–70 24:23-28 Beware of False Messiahs 24:29-31 Final Signs 24:32-35 Certainty of the Coming 24:36-44 Uncertainty of the Time of His Coming 24:45-51 Watchful Servants 25:1-13 Watchful Bridesmaids 25:14-30 Making Use of the Interim Time 25:31-46 Judging Sheep and Goats 26:1-16 How Much Is Jesus Worth? 26:17-30 Betrayal and Death in the Passover 26:31-46 The Other Betrayers 26:47-56 Completion of the Betrayal 26:57-68 Jesus’ Trial 26:69-75 Peter’s Final Betrayal 27:1-10 The Other Betrayer’s Remorse 27:11-26 The Messiah or the Revolutionary 27:27-44 Executing the King of the Jews 27:45-56 The King’s Death 27:57-61 Jesus’ Burial 27:62-66 Making Sure He Stayed Buried 28:1-10 The First Witnesses of the Risen Jesus 28:11-15 The Final Subversion 28:16-20 Jesus’ Final Orders

Mark

1:1-15 Introduction of the One Who Brings the Kingdom 1:16-20 Downward Mobility and Jesus’ Call 1:21-28 Authority over Demons 1:29-34 The Healer’s Popularity 1:35-39 Prayer Alone 1:40-45 Cleansing a Leper 2:1-12 Healed and Forgiven 2:13-17 A Tax Gatherer Follows 2:18-22 The Right Time to Fast 2:23-27 The Right Use of the Sabbath 3:1-6 Healing or Killing on the Sabbath 3:7-12 Increasing Popularity 3:13-19 Commissioning Twelve Representatives 3:20-30 Jesus Raids Satan’s House 3:31-34 Jesus’ Real Family 4:1-20 The Parable of the Sower and Four Soils 4:21-25 Accountability for the Word 4:26-32 A Microcosm of the Future Kingdom 4:33-34 Secret Teachings 4:35-41 Lord of Creation 5:1-20 Overpowering a Legion of Demons 5:21-43 Healing a Girl and an Outcast Woman 6:1-6 Jesus’ Rejection in His Hometown 6:7-13 Traveling Representatives of Jesus 6:14-29 The Politician Murders the Prophet 6:30-44 A Shepherd Feeds His Sheep 6:45-52 Walking on Water 6:53-56 Crowds Seek Healing 7:1-23 True and False Religion 7:24-30 A Gentile Woman’s Faith 7:31-37 A Deaf-Mute Healed 8:1-13 Feeding the Four Thousand 8:14-21 Disciples Still Blind 8:22-26 Blindness Half-Cured 8:27-30 The Disciples Half-See 8:31–9:1 Jesus Explains His Messianic Mission 9:2-13 Glory on the Mountain 9:14-32 Insufficient Faith for Exorcism 9:33-37 The Greatest Is the Child 9:38-41 Turning Away a True Believer 9:42-50 The Penalty for Turning a Believer Away 10:1-12 Divorce Forbidden 10:13-16 Images of the Kingdom 10:17-31 A Rich Man and the Kingdom 10:32-34 Third Passion Prediction 10:35-45 The Greatest Is the Servant 10:46-52 Stopping for a Blind Beggar 11:1-11 Jesus Enters Jerusalem 11:12-25 The Temple and the Tree: Judgment Coming 11:27-33 By Whose Authority? 12:1-12 The Greedy Tenant Farmers 12:13-17 Caesar and God 12:18-27 Sadducees and the Resurrection 12:28-34 The Love Commandments 12:35-37 David’s Lord 12:38-44 The Pious Poor and Their Religious Oppressors 13:1-4 Setting of Jesus’ End-Time Discourse 13:5-8 Not Yet the End 13:9-13 Sufferings to Expect Before the End 13:14-23 The Prerequisite for the End 13:24-27 The End of This World 13:28-31 The End Is Imminent 13:32-37 The Time of the End Is Unknown 14:1-11 Anointed for Burial 14:12-26 The New Passover and the Betrayer 14:27-31 Other Betrayers Predicted 14:32-42 Watchmen Asleep 14:43-52 The Betrayal 14:53-65 The Sanhedrin’s Miscarriage of Justice 14:66-72 Peter’s Denials 15:1-15 Pilate and the King 15:16-20 Hailing the King 15:21-32 The Crucified King 15:33-41 The Death of the King 15:42-47 The Burial of the King 16:1-8 The Women at the Tomb 16:9-20 The Commission (An Appendix)

Luke

1:1-4 The Literary Preface 1:5-25 The Angel and the Priest 1:26-38 The Angel and the Girl 1:39-56 Miracle Mothers Meet 1:57-66 The Birth of John 1:67-80 Zechariah’s Prophecy 2:1-7 Journey to Bethlehem 2:8-20 The Real King’s Birth 2:21-40 The Infant and His Witnesses 2:41-52 The Boy in the Temple 3:1-6 Introduction of John 3:7-20 John’s Preaching 3:21-22 Jesus’ Sonship Declared 3:23-38 Jesus’ Ancestry 4:1-13 Tested in the Wilderness 4:14-30 Preaching in His Hometown Synagogue 4:31-37 Preaching in Capernaum’s Synagogue 4:38-44 Popularity Increases 5:1-11 Fishers of People 5:12-16 Cleansing a Leper 5:17-26 Healing a Paralytic 5:27-32 Partying with Sinners 5:31-39 Partying or Fasting? 6:1-5 Lord of the Sabbath 6:6-11 Lawful to Do Good 6:12-16 Choosing the Twelve 6:17-26 Blessings and Woes 6:27-38 Treat Others Mercifully 6:39-45 True and False Teachers 6:46-49 Right and Wrong Foundations 7:1-10 A Pagan’s Amazing Faith 7:11-17 Interrupting a Funeral 7:18-23 Encouraging John 7:24-35 Vindicating John 7:36-50 The Pharisee and the Sinful Woman 8:1-3 The Women Disciples 8:4-15 The Sower, the Seed and the Soils 8:16-18 Accountability for the Word 8:19-21 Jesus’ True Family 8:22-25 Master of Winds and Sea 8:26-39 Subduing the Demonic Legion 8:40-56 Death and the Flow of Blood 9:1-6 Authorizing the Twelve 9:7-9 John Returned? 9:10-17 Mass Feeding 9:18-27 The Cost of Following the Real Messiah 9:28-36 A Taste of Future Glory 9:37-43a Delivering a Demoniac 9:43b-50 Qualifying Misconceptions of Glory 9:51-56 Jerusalem via Samaria 9:57-62 True Discipleship 10:1-16 Authorizing the Seventy(-two) 10:17-24 The Real Cause for Joy 10:25-37 Loving One’s Neighbor 10:38-42 The Woman Disciple 11:1-13 Jesus on Prayer 11:14-26 Who Is Satan’s Real Vassal? 11:27-36 The Genuinely Blessed 11:37-54 Denouncing Religious Colleagues 12:1-12 Sound Speech and the Day of Judgment 12:13-21 Materialism and Hell 12:22-34 The Unimportance of Possessions 12:35-40 Ready for His Coming 12:41-48 For Ministers Too 12:49-53 Bringer of Division 12:54-59 Signs of the Times 13:1-9 Repent or Perish 13:10-17 Healing on the Sabbath 13:18-30 The Nature of the Kingdom 13:31-35 Lament of the Rejected Lover 14:1-6 Healing on the Sabbath 14:7-14 Instructions to Guests and Hosts 14:15-24 The Ultimate Banquet 14:25-35 The Cost of Following Jesus 15:1-2 Sinful Friends 15:3-7 The Lost Sheep 15:8-10 The Lost Coin 15:11-32 The Lost Son 16:1-13 The Unfaithful Steward 16:14-18 The Radical Demands of the Law 16:19-31 The Rich Man and the Poor Man 17:1-4 Proper Relationships 17:5-10 The Faith of Servants 17:11-19 A Samaritan’s Gratitude 17:20-37 The Nature of the Impending Kingdom 18:1-8 God the Faithful Judge 18:9-14 The Pharisee and the Tax Gatherer 18:15-17 The Kingdom Is for Children 18:18-30 Sacrificing Wealth for the Kingdom 18:31-34 Jesus’ Impending Suffering 18:35-43 Healing a Blind Suppliant 19:1-10 A Tax Gatherer’s Repentance 19:11-27 Making Use of the Delay 19:28-40 The Royal Entrance 19:41-44 Jerusalem’s Doom 19:45-48 Transforming the Temple 20:1-8 On Whose Authority? 20:9-18 Judgment on Evil Leaders 20:19-26 Both Sides of the Coin 20:27-40 God of the Living 20:41-44 David’s Lord 20:45–21:4 The Powerful and the Weak 21:5-7 Introduction to the Discourse on the Future 21:8-19 Imminent Sufferings 21:20-24 The Fall of Jerusalem 21:25-38 Be Prepared 22:1-13 Preparing the Passover 22:14-23 Eating the Passover 22:24-30 Exaltation of the Servants 22:31-38 Preparing for the Betrayal 22:39-46 The Prepared and the Unprepared 22:47-53 The Betrayal 22:54-62 Peter’s Denials 22:63-71 The Decree of the Sanhedrin 23:1-12 Accusations Before Pilate and Herod 23:13-25 Pilate and the Crowds 23:26-32 Road to the Cross 23:33-43 On the Cross 23:44-49 Jesus’ Death 23:50-56 Jesus’ Burial 24:1-12 The First Announcement 24:13-35 The Emmaus Appearance 24:36-43 The Nature of Jesus’ Resurrection 24:44-53 The Final Commission

John

1:1-18 The Word Becomes Flesh 1:19-28 John’s Witness to the Jewish Leaders 1:29-34 John’s Witness to His Disciples 1:35-39 John’s Disciples Follow Jesus 1:40-51 The Disciples Witness Too 2:1-11 Jesus’ First Sign 2:12-25 The Raising of a New Temple 3:1-8 Conversion as Birth from Above 3:9-21 The Revealer from Above 3:22-36 The Witness and the Son 4:1-6 Jesus Travels Through Samaria 4:7-26 A Gift for a Samaritan Sinner 4:27-42 Reaping Among the Samaritans 4:43-54 Faith and Healing in Galilee 5:1-9a Healing at Bethesda 5:9b-18 Betrayal on the Sabbath 5:19-29 Jesus’ Relation to the Father 5:30-47 Jesus’ Witnesses 6:1-15 A New Passover Meal 6:16-21 Lord of the Sea 6:22-29 Proper Motives 6:30-59 Jesus as the New Manna 6:60-71 Perseverance and Apostasy 7:1-9 The Unbelief of Jesus’ Brothers 7:10-36 Divided Opinions 7:37-39 Rivers of Water 7:40-52 The Division Deepens 7:53–8:11 The Woman Taken in Adultery 8:12-29 Accepting the Witness of the Light 8:30-47 Debating Parentage 8:48-59 Greater Than Abraham 9:1-12 Healing the Blind 9:13-23 Interrogating the Witnesses 9:24-34 Excommunicating a Disciple 9:35-41 The Seeing and the Blind 10:1-21 Shepherd, Sheep and Robbers 10:22-42 In the Temple at Hanukkah 11:1-16 Announcement of Lazarus’s Sickness 11:17-37 Comforting the Mourners 11:38-44 Raising Lazarus 11:45-57 The Religious People Plot to Kill Jesus 12:1-11 Mary’s Gratitude, and Dying to Live 12:12-22 The World Follows 12:23-34 Jesus’ Death Approaches 12:35-50 Belief and Unbelief 13:1-11 Footwashing 13:12-20 The Meaning of Footwashing 13:21-30 The Betrayer’s Mission 13:31-35 Glory and Love Defined 13:36–14:1 Following to the Cross? 14:2-7 Where Jesus Is Going, Enigmatic Version 14:8-17 Revealing the Father Clearly 14:18-31 Jesus’ Coming and Revealing 15:1-8 Dwelling in the Vine 15:9-17 Abiding in Love 15:18–16:4 The World’s Hatred 16:5-15 The Spirit’s Witness 16:16-33 Seeing Jesus Again 17:1-5 Jesus Reviews His Mission 17:6-19 Jesus Prays for His Disciples 17:20-26 Jesus Prays for Future Disciples 18:1-11 The Betrayer Arrives 18:12-27 At the House of Annas 18:28-38a Jesus Before Pilate 18:38b–19:3 Pilate Meets the Masses 19:4-16 Politics over Justice 19:17-22 The Crucifixion 19:23-37 Jesus’ Death 19:38-42 Jesus’ Burial 20:1-10 The Discovery 20:11-18 The First Appearance: Mary Magdalene 20:19-23 Appearing to Other Disciples 20:24-31 Appearing to Thomas 21:1-14 Appearing in Galilee 21:15-23 Two Commissions 21:24-25 Attestation of Witnesses

Acts

1:1-5 Preparing to Go 1:6-11 Coming and Going 1:12-14 The Prayer Meeting 1:15-26 Replacing an Apostate Apostle 2:1-4 The Proofs of Pentecost 2:5-13 The Peoples of Pentecost 2:14-21 The Prophecy of Pentecost 2:22-40 The Preaching of Pentecost 2:41-47 The Power of Pentecost 3:1-10 Healing in His Name 3:11-26 A Preaching Opportunity 4:1-12 Arraigned by the Temple Authorities 4:13-22 God’s Authority Rather Than the Hierarchy’s 4:23-31 Praise in the Face of Persecution 4:32-37 Continuing Revival 5:1-11 Addressing Sin in the Camp 5:12-16 Miracles Increase 5:17-32 Arrested Again 5:33-42 A Pharisaic Moderate’s Support 6:1-7 The Seven Distributors of Charity 6:8–7:1 Stephen Arraigned 7:2-7 The Abraham Narrative 7:8-16 The Joseph Narrative 7:17-34 The Moses Narrative 7:35-41 A Rejected Savior Like Moses 7:42-50 God’s View of the Temple 7:51-53 Stephen’s Climax 7:54–8:4 The First Martyr 8:5-13 The Conversion of Samaria 8:14-25 Apostolic Ratification of the Samaritan Conversions 8:26-40 Conversion of an African Official 9:1-9 Jesus Arrests Saul 9:10-19a Ananias’s Mission 9:19b-31 Confrontations in Damascus and Jerusalem 9:32-43 Continuing Miracles Through Peter 10:1-8 Cornelius’s Vision 10:9-16 Peter’s Vision 10:17-23a Receiving the Gentiles 10:23b-33 Cornelius Receives Peter 10:34-43 Peter’s Message 10:44-48 Saved Gentiles 11:1-18 Called to Account 11:19-30 The Ministry at Antioch 12:1-24 Peter’s Deliverance 12:25–13:3 Antioch Sends Out Missionaries 13:4-12 The Proconsul of Cyprus Believes 13:13-52 Sermon in Pisidian Antioch 14:1-7 Opposition in Iconium 14:8-20a Preaching at Lystra 14:20b-28 Consolidating the Work 15:1-5 The Controversy 15:6-11 Peter’s Response 15:12-21 James’s Response 15:22-35 The Church’s Decree 15:36-41 Returning to the Mission Field 16:1-5 Spreading the Word 16:6-10 The Spirit’s Guidance 16:11-15 A Response in Philippi 16:16-22 Exorcisms and Economics 16:23-40 Prison Ministry 17:1-9 Turmoil in Thessalonica 17:10-15 Response at Berea 17:16-20 Entering Athens 17:21-31 Before the Areopagus Council 17:32-34 Response of the Intellectuals 18:1-11 The Church in Corinth 18:12-17 Gallio’s Refusal 18:18-23 Paul Returns Home 18:24-28 Apollos’s Enlightenment 19:1-7 The Spirit Poured Out in Ephesus 19:8-12 Word Spreads in Ephesus 19:13-20 The Inadequacy of Magic 19:21-22 Changing Course 19:23-41 Artemis and Economics 20:1-6 To and from Greece 20:7-12 Resuscitation at Troas 20:13-17 Continuing the Journey 20:18-35 Paul’s Farewell Speech 20:36–21:6 The Affection of Paul’s Friends 21:7-16 Agabus’s Prophecy 21:17-26 Paul’s Jewish Identity Affirmed 21:27-36 Riot in the Temple 21:37–22:2 Paul and the Tribune 22:3-21 Paul’s Speech in the Temple 22:22-29 Examining Paul 22:30–23:10 Before the Sanhedrin 23:11-22 The Plot Against Paul 23:23-32 The Commander’s Countermeasures 23:33–24:9 The Hearing Before Felix 24:10-21 Paul’s Defense Before Felix 24:22-27 Felix’s Procrastination 25:1-12 Hearing Before Festus 25:13-22 Festus and Agrippa II 25:23–26:1 The Hearing Before Agrippa Begins 26:2-11 Paul’s Pious Background 26:12-23 The Risen Christ Calls Paul to the Gentiles 26:24-32 The Court’s Evaluation 27:1-8 The Voyage to Rome Begins 27:9-19 The Crisis at Sea 27:20-44 The God of Safety on the Sea 28:1-10 Miracles on Malta 28:11-16 Journey to Rome 28:17-31 Paul, Jews and Gentiles in Rome

New Testament Letters Romans

1:1-7 Introduction 1:8-17 Paul’s Thanksgiving 1:18-23 Willful Idolaters 1:24-32 Other Pagan Deeds 2:1-11 No Partiality 2:12-16 Stricter Judgment 2:17-24 Disobeying the Law 2:25-29 True Judaism 3:1-8 God’s Justice: Why Then Israel? 3:9-18 Proof from Scripture 3:19-31 The Law and Righteousness 4:1-22 Abraham Made Righteous by Faith 4:23–5:11 The Believer Declared Righteous 5:12-21 A Common Heritage in Sin and Righteousness 6:1-11 Dead to Sin 6:12-23 Free from Sin, Servants of Righteousness 7:1-6 Dead to and Freed from the Law 7:7-13 Sin Unfairly Exploited the Law 7:14-25 The Struggle of Human Effort Under the Law 8:1-11 People of the Spirit Versus People of the Flesh 8:12-17 Led by the Spirit 8:18-27 Birth Pangs of a New World 8:28-30 God’s Eternal Purpose 8:31-39 God’s Triumphant Love 9:1-5 Israel’s Rightful Place 9:6-13 Not Saved by Ethnic Descent 9:14-18 God’s Choice in Moses’ Time 9:19-29 God Chooses Gentiles 9:30–10:4 Israel’s Wrong Righteousness 10:5-10 Two Approaches to Righteousness 10:11-21 Salvation for All Peoples 11:1-10 Always a Remnant 11:11-14 Provoking Israel to Jealousy 11:15-24 The Jewishness of the Christian Faith 11:25-32 The Coming Salvation of Israel 11:33-36 Praising God’s Wisdom 12:1-8 Serve One Another 12:9-21 General Parenesis 13:1-7 Submission to Civil Authorities 13:8-10 Fulfilling the Law 13:11-14 Waking for the Dawn 14:1-23 Don’t Be Divided over Foods or Holy Days 15:1-13 Christ as a Minister of Ethnic Reconciliation 15:14-33 Paul as a Minister of Ethnic Reconciliation 16:1-2 Letter of Recommendation for a Minister 16:3-16 Greetings to Friends in Rome 16:17-20 Concluding Exhortation 16:21-24 Greetings to the Church in Rome 16:25-27 Closing Benediction

1 Corinthians

1:1-9 Opening Greetings 1:10-17 Christ Not Divided 1:18-25 God’s Wisdom in the Cross 1:26-31 Inversion of Status 2:1-5 Saved by the Cross, Not by Rhetoric 2:6-16 Genuine Wisdom Through the Spirit 3:1-9 Do Not Follow Servants 3:10-20 The Real Test of God’s Servants 3:21-23 All Things Are the Corinthians’ Anyway 4:1-5 Do Not Evaluate Before the Real Test 4:6-13 Apostles Last of All 4:14-21 A Father’s Threat 5:1-5 Discipline for Sexual Immorality 5:6-13 Removing Immorality in the Church 6:1-11 Christians in Secular Courts 6:12-20 The Body Is for God, Not for Immorality 7:1-7 Fulfilling Conjugal Rights 7:8-16 Getting Married Versus Staying Married 7:17-24 Be Content with Present Circumstances 7:25-38 Advice Especially to Virgins 7:39-40 Widows and Remarriage 8:1-13 Food Offered to Idols 9:1-14 Worthy of Support 9:15-27 Paul Sacrifices His Rights 10:1-13 Israel’s History as a Warning 10:14-23 Idol Meat Supports Demons 10:24–11:1 Instructions for the Sake of Others 11:2-16 Head Coverings and Sexual Modesty 11:17-34 Factionalized Fellowship 12:1-3 Qualifying the Gifts 12:4-11 Diverse Gifts 12:12-26 All Members of the Body Are Necessary 12:27-31 Different Gifts Again 13:1-3 Nothing Without Love 13:4-13 What Love Is 14:1-20 Intelligible Versus Unintelligible Speech 14:21-25 Effects on Visitors of Intelligible and Unintelligible Speech 14:26-33 Regulations to Keep Order 14:34-35 Interruptions at Lectures 14:36-40 Final Exhortations on Gifts 15:1-11 Jesus Was Raised 15:12-19 Resurrection of Christ and of Believers 15:20-28 God’s Plan for History 15:29-34 Suffering in Hope of Resurrection 15:35-49 The Nature of the Resurrection Body 15:50-58 The Resurrection Hope 16:1-4 Paul’s Collection 16:5-9 Paul’s Travel Plans 16:10-18 Recommendations and Exhortations 16:19-24 Closing Greetings

2 Corinthians

1:1-7 Opening Greetings 1:8-11 Paul’s Sufferings 1:12-22 Paul Had a Reason for Not Coming 1:23–2:13 Paul Delayed Coming in Order to Spare Them 2:14-17 Witnesses to Christ’s Triumph 3:1-6 Adequacy from God 3:7-18 The Glory of Two Covenants 4:1-6 True Messengers of God’s Glory 4:7-15 Fading Flesh but Enduring Glory 4:16–5:10 The Present and Future Life 5:11-19 Paul’s Ministry of Reconciliation 5:20–6:10 A Plea from Christ’s Suffering Ambassadors 6:11–7:4 Receive Christ’s Ambassadors 7:5-16 Reconciliation Between Paul and the Corinthians 8:1-9 Models of Giving 8:10-15 Give According to What You Have 8:16-24 Envoys for the Collection 9:1-5 Boasting in Advance 9:6-15 Sowing and Reaping 10:1-18 Not Like Paul’s Opponents 11:1-15 Countering False Apostles’ Boasts 11:16-21 Paul’s Apology for Boasting 11:22-33 Boasting in Sufferings 12:1-10 Revelations and Weakness 12:11-18 Paul’s Closing Irony 12:19–13:4 Paul’s Coming to Discipline 13:5-10 True Power and Weakness 13:11-14 Closing Words

Galatians

1:1-5 Introduction 1:6-9 True and False Gospels 1:10-17 Not Revealed by People 1:18-24 Return to Judea 2:1-10 The Jerusalem Council 2:11-14 Confrontation in Antioch 2:15-21 Paul’s Case in Antioch 3:1-5 Consistency with Their Conversion 3:6-14 Abraham’s Blessing and the Law’s Curse 3:15-20 The Law Does Not Annul Abraham’s Covenant 3:21-29 Before Faith Came 4:1-11 Sons, Not Slaves 4:12-20 Paul’s Plea 4:21–5:1 The Hagar-Sarah Analogy 5:2-6 The Real Law 5:7-12 Paul Castigates His Opponents 5:13-18 Fulfilling the Law 5:19-26 Flesh Versus Spirit 6:1-5 Restoring Others Meekly 6:6-10 Providing for Others 6:11-18 Crucifixion, not Circumcision

Ephesians

1:1-2 Introduction 1:3-14 Praise for Salvation 1:15-23 Prayer for Revelation 2:1-10 Exalted with Christ Above Sin 2:11-22 United in the New Temple 3:1-13 The Mystery of a Unified People 3:14-21 Prayer for Empowerment 4:1-16 One Body, Many Members 4:17–5:2 Living the New Life 5:3-20 More Exhortations 5:21-33 Wives and Husbands 6:1-4 Children and Fathers 6:5-9 Slaves and Masters 6:10-20 Divine Armor 6:21-24 Closing Greetings

Philippians

1:1-2 Introduction 1:3-11 Thanks to God for the Philippians 1:12-26 The Profit in Hardship 1:27-30 Endure in Hope 2:1-11 Be Servants Like Christ 2:12-16 Live Right 2:17-24 The Examples of Paul and Timothy 2:25-30 Epaphroditus’s Sacrificial Service 3:1-16 Righteousness Not from Human Works 3:17–4:1 Judgment and Salvation 4:2-9 Work Together 4:10-20 Paul’s Thank-You Note 4:21-23 Conclusion

Colossians

1:1-2 Introduction 1:3-14 Thanksgiving and Prayer for the Fruit Bearers 1:15-23 The Supremacy of Christ 1:24–2:5 Paul’s Labor for Them 2:6-15 Complete in Christ 2:16-23 Avoid Human Religion 3:1-11 Living Out the Dead Life 3:12-17 Rules for the Christian Community 3:18–4:1 Rules for the Household 4:2-6 Rules Beyond the Community 4:7-18 Closing Greetings

1 Thessalonians

1:1-10 Introduction and Thanksgiving 2:1-12 The Nature of the Apostles’ Coming 2:13-16 Nature and Cost of the Thessalonians’ Reception 2:17–3:10 Longing for His Friends 3:11-13 Paul’s Prayer 4:1-8 Sexual Purity 4:9-12 Behavior Toward One Another and Outsiders 4:13-18 Comfort for the Grieving 5:1-11 Watchfulness 5:12-22 How to Behave Among God’s People 5:23-28 Concluding Words

2 Thessalonians

1:1-12 Introduction, Thanksgiving and Prayer 2:1-12 The Final Rebellion 2:13–3:5 Thanksgiving, Wish-Prayer and Prayer Request 3:6-15 Dealing with Idlers 3:16-18 Conclusion

1 Timothy

1:1-2 Introduction 1:3-11 Scripture Twisters 1:12-17 A Blasphemer’s Conversion 1:18-20 Removing a Blasphemer 2:1-7 Public Prayers for All 2:8-15 Proper Demeanor for Public Worship 3:1-7 Qualifications for Overseers 3:8-13 Qualifications for Deacons 3:14-16 Purpose of Church Administration 4:1-5 Errors of the False Teachers 4:6-16 The Importance of Sound Teaching 5:1-2 Honoring Elders 5:3-16 Honoring True Widows 5:17-25 Treating Church Elders Respectfully 6:1-2 Advice to Slaves 6:3-10 The Error of Materialism 6:11-16 Fleeing the Evil Lifestyle 6:17-19 Instructions for Those Who Are Rich 6:20-21 Final Exhortation

2 Timothy

1:1-7 Introduction and Thanksgiving 1:8-14 Carry on Paul’s Mission 1:15-18 Allies and Opponents in Asia 2:1-13 Persevere 2:14-26 Persevering Versus Deceived Vessels 3:1-13 The Wickedness of the Last Days 3:14-17 Equipped by the Scriptures 4:1-8 Preach the Word 4:9-18 Old Acquaintances 4:19-22 Conclusion

Titus

1:1-4 Introduction 1:5-9 Appointing Sound Elders 1:10-16 Evil Legalists 2:1-14 Sound Doctrine: Right Relationships 2:15–3:8 The Purpose of a Lifestyle Witness 3:9-11 Avoid Divisiveness and Divisive People 3:12-15 Concluding Business

Philemon Hebrews

1:1-14 Christ Greater Than the Angels 2:1-4 Rejecting Christ’s Word 2:5-18 Christ Human, Not an Angel 3:1-6 Christ Greater Than Moses 3:7-19 Rejecting Christ Like Rejecting Moses 4:1-13 Only the Obedient Enter His Promise 4:14–5:10 Christ the High Priest 5:11–6:12 Press Deeper or Fall Away 6:13-20 The Unbreakable Oath to Jesus 7:1-10 The Nature of Melchizedek’s Priesthood 7:11-28 The New Priesthood Supersedes the Old 8:1-5 The Heavenly Tabernacle 8:6-13 The New Covenant 9:1-10 The Old Tabernacle 9:11-22 The Final Blood Offering 9:23-28 A Sacrifice Sufficient for the Heavenly Sanctuary 10:1-18 The True Sacrifice of the New Covenant 10:19-25 The New Worship 10:26-31 The Danger of Apostasy 10:32-39 Confidence in Their Perseverance 11:1-31 Heroes of the Faith 11:32-40 A Summary of Other Exploits of Faith 12:1-3 The Ultimate Hero of Faith 12:4-13 Accepting Suffering as God’s Instruction 12:14-29 Rejecting the Greatest Revelation 13:1-17 Closing Exhortations 13:18-25 Conclusion

James

1:1-11 How to Face Trials 1:12-18 The Source of Testings 1:19-27 True Religion 2:1-13 No Favoritism Toward the Wealthy 2:14-26 Faith Must Be Lived Out 3:1-12 The Violent Tongue 3:13-18 Peaceable Versus Demonic Wisdom 4:1-12 Choose Between God and the World’s Values 4:13-17 The Pride of the Rich 5:1-6 Judgment on Wealthy Oppressors 5:7-12 Endure Until God Vindicates 5:13-20 Depending on God

1 Peter

1:1-12 Present Testing, Future Hope 1:13–2:3 Live the New Life 2:4-12 Being Built Up as God’s People 2:13-17 Responsibilities Toward the State 2:18-25 Duties of Servants 3:1-7 Wives and Husbands 3:8-12 Be Kind to One Another 3:13-22 Be Prepared to Suffer for Doing Good 4:1-11 Persevere in the New Life 4:12-19 Christians Judged First 5:1-5 Faithful Caretakers of the Flock 5:6-11 Persevere by Grace 5:12-14 Conclusion

2 Peter

1:1-2 Introduction 1:3-11 How to Persevere to Salvation 1:12-21 Peter’s Eyewitness Traditions 2:1-22 Damnation of Immoral Teachers 3:1-7 The Certainty of Coming Judgment 3:8-13 The Timing of the Final Judgment 3:14-18 Preparing for the Final Judgment

1 John

1:1-4 The Basis for True Fellowship 1:5-10 The Reality of Sin 2:1-11 The Moral Test 2:12-14 Exhortations to Different Groups 2:15-17 Do Not Love the World 2:18-27 Discerning the Spirits: The Theological Test 2:28–3:3 Readiness for His Coming 3:4-24 Which Side Are You On? 4:1-6 Testing the Spirits 4:7-21 The Test of Love 5:1-13 Triumph and Life Through Faith in Jesus 5:14-21 Avoiding Sin

2 John 3 John Jude

1-2 Introduction 3-6 Falling from Grace 7-16 Sin and Judgment 17-25 Call to Persevere

Revelation

1:1-3 Title and Apocalyptic Introduction 1:4-8 Epistolary Introduction 1:9-20 The Opening Revelation 2:1-7 Oracle to the Ephesian Church 2:8-11 Oracle to the Church at Smyrna 2:12-17 Oracle to the Church in Pergamum 2:18-29 Oracle to the Church in Thyatira 3:1-6 Oracle Against the Church of Sardis 3:7-13 Oracle to the Church in Philadelphia 3:14-22 Oracle to the Church in Laodicea 4:1-11 John’s Throne Vision 5:1-7 The Passover Lamb and the Scroll 5:8-14 Worshiping the Lamb 6:1-8 The Four Horsemen 6:9-11 The Fifth Seal 6:12-17 The Sixth Seal 7:1-8 The Sealing of 144,000 Servants 7:9-17 The Multitude of Overcomers Before the Throne 8:1-5 Preparing for the Trumpet Plagues 8:6-12 The First Four Trumpet Plagues 8:13–9:11 The Fifth Trumpet Plague 9:12-21 The Sixth Trumpet Plague 10:1-7 The Mysteries of the End 10:8-11 A Bitter Message for the Nations 11:1-13 The Two Witnesses 11:14-19 The Final Trumpet and the World’s End 12:1-6 The Dragon, the Woman and the Child 12:7-17 This Means War 13:1-10 The Worshiped Beast 13:11-18 Enforcing Imperial Worship 14:1-5 Followers of the Lamb 14:6-13 Vindication of the Righteous 14:14-20 Reaping the Earth 15:1-4 Response of the Saints to Their Vindication 15:5–16:1 Preparing the Final Plagues 16:2-11 The First Four Bowls of Wrath 16:12-21 The Final Bowls of Wrath 17:1-5 A Vision of the Prostitute 17:6-18 The Meaning of the Prostitute 18:1-24 A Dirge over Babylon 19:1-10 Praise over Babylon’s Fall 19:11-16 The Final Invasion 19:17-21 The Defeat of the Wicked 20:1-6 The Thousand-Year Kingdom 20:7-10 The Folly of Gog and Magog 20:11-15 The Final Judgment 21:1-8 Promise of the World to Come 21:9-27 The Glory of the New Jerusalem 22:1-5 The New Paradise 22:6-21 Final Announcements

Glossary Maps & Charts

MAP OF JERUSALEM THE NEW TESTAMENT WORLD: A CHRONOLOGY MAJOR FIGURES IN THE HERODIAN FAMILY JEWISH ESCHATOLOGY CHRISTIAN ESCHATOLOGY A CHIASMUS (ACTS 2:22-36)

Old Testament Scripture Index Praise for the First Edition of The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament About the Author More Titles from InterVarsity Press

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