The Good and Beautiful Life

When taken at face value, the Sermon on the Mount is opposed to much of what passes for Christianity today. The lifestyle Jesus prescribes is incompatible with the kind of life most Christians want to live. Church history tells a two-thousand-year-old story of how the sermon has been manipulated, marginalized, and ultimately neutralized. Karl Barth, the twentieth century’s most influential theologian, echoed Martin Luther (the sixteenth century’s most influential theologian) when he said, “It would be sheer folly to interpret the imperatives of the Sermon on the Mount as if we should bestir ourselves to actualize these pictures.”

But according to Jesus, we very much need to “bestir ourselves to actualize these pictures.” (Translation: “we need to make Christ’s teachings a reality in our life”). Jesus says the men and women who do will be like the person who built their house on solid rock. When life’s inevitable storms come, they will not be shaken.

Frequently asked questions about the Sermon on the Mount

Are Matthew 5–7 and Luke 6 reports of the same sermon?

Most scholars believe that what we read in the two gospels are excerpts from a longer sermon Jesus preached on a plateau (Luke’s “plain”) in the hills (Matthew’s “mountain”) above the Sea of Galilee. We can safely assume this because both authors describe large crowds gathering as Jesus preached, and this would take time. If Jesus had only preached what is recorded in the gospels, he would have been done in ten minutes or so, and few would have heard him. But the gospels say the crowds were amazed at the end of his teaching. Matthew and Luke provide condensed versions of a much longer message.

It is also important to remember that Jesus was an itinerant preacher. He traveled from place to place bringing essentially the same message. Good teachers are redundant, and Jesus was the quintessential teacher. Those who traveled with him would have heard the same teachings over and over again. This is why many of the quotes from Matthew’s version of the sermon are found in different settings in Luke’s gospel.

What is the subject/theme of the sermon?

This is one of the most debated questions about the sermon, and there are a wide range of opinions, but when we look at the sermon’s context, we find Jesus preaching a very simple message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matt. 3:2; 4:17). In essence, Jesus said we need to change the way we think about God and our relationship with him. He described a loving and joyous God who invites us to live with him in his kingdom (i.e., under his rule) and enjoy his goodness.

In Jesus’s day, the question in the minds of his listeners was, “How do I get into God’s kingdom? Am I even good enough to get in?” Jesus answers that question in his sermon, but his answer is not to provide a comprehensive social code–that was the Pharisee’s answer. Jesus’s answer was a description of life in God’s kingdom.

Many Christians say they “try to live by Sermon on the Mount,” and numerous teachers define the sermon as a general code of Christian ethics. But history has shown that everyone who has tried to live by that code has failed. Why? Because Jesus’s message cannot be turned into a treatise on day-to-day morality. The fact that his teachings are so extreme should alert the reader that the sermon is not a set of righteous rules and regulations.

So if Jesus’s sermon is not a legalistic code to be scrupulously followed, what is it?

The Sermon on the Mount is a description of the kingdom of heaven and an invitation to the abundant life Jesus promised those who follow him.

Why/how is the Sermon on the Mount relevant to my life today?

The sermon is valuable because we have Jesus, in his own words, explaining who he wants his followers to be (their character) and what he wants them to do (their lifestyle). It is also relevant because those who are God-blessed in today’s world are the same kind of people Jesus called “blessed” 2,000 years ago–men and women who are poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted because of righteousness–these are people Jesus says are blessed.

Next: The Beatitudes

Thousands of commentaries have been written about the Bible, and it’s easy to become confused because these resources are written to various audiences. Choosing the “best” will depend upon the kind of analysis you desire. Commentaries are often divided into three categories:

• Devotional/Introductory–the primary focus is application of the Word and growing in Christ. Lots of “how to” questions are answered.

• Pastoral/Intermediate–these commentaries also contain application but are more information oriented. Some go deep into the history or cultural background of the text, while others pay more attention to linguistics. Lots of “what does it mean” questions are answered. Useful for any Christ follower and especially helpful to those who teach.

• Technical/Advanced–primary value is to teachers and advanced students. Some technical commentaries focus on textual criticism (the reliability of the text), while others address linguistics (the text itself). Lots of minutiae. These commentaries contain Greek text (sometimes transliterated, sometimes not) and require familiarity with Koine Greek to extract their full benefit, but even those with no knowledge of Greek will find these commentaries useful.

My recommendations identify which category each book falls into. Some commentaries overlap; when they do, both categories will be noted (e.g., Pastoral/Technical). The recommendations are listed in order of their helpfulness to Bible students, teachers, and pastors.

Ephesians

A letter with much to say to the church, but good commentaries on Ephesians are few. Below is my short list.

• The best all-around commentary on Ephesians is by Peter O’Brien in the Pillar New Testament Commentary, but it was withdrawn from publication by the publisher and is only available on the secondary market. My top recommendation for available commentaries is by Frank Thielman in the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, (Baker, 2010). Technical/Pastoral. I prefer O’Brien to Thielman, but both are excellent. Doug Moo, one of today’s most respected Bible scholars, had this to say: “Thielman’s Ephesians admirably combines those features that distinguish excellent commentaries on Scripture: breadth of research in both classical and contemporary writings, careful attention to the form and structure of the Greek text, clear writing, and appropriate theological and practical application.” Amen, Dr. Moo. Transliterations and English translations are included alongside the Greek words, and intermediate students will find it very accessible.

• My second recommendation is Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary (Baker Academic, 2002), by Harold Hoehner. Technical. A massive (960 pp.) commentary on the Greek text with an emphasis on linguistics. The text is not transliterated, so familiarity with Greek is essential. Exhaustive (and occasionally exhausting) introduction that goes on for 131 pages and has a good defense of Pauline authorship. If you are looking for help with the Greek text, you will appreciate this resource. If you are looking for help with exposition or theology, you will do better with Thielman and O’Brien.

• A book I recommend to new and developing teachers is by Klyne Snodgrass in the NIV Application Commentary (Zondervan, 1996). Pastoral/Devotional. Introductory material is scant and the commentary is tied to the NIV text, but Snodgrass offers alternate translations when the NIV goes awry. The text is examined pericope by pericope from three perspectives: original meaning, bridging contexts, and contemporary significance. This commentary is easy to read and understand, and it’s a terrific resource if you are new to teaching or unfamiliar with this letter, but it should not be your only book on Ephesians. Couple it with Thielman’s commentary for a more in-depth understanding of Paul’s message.

Did I miss a commentary you are interested in? Drop me a line. These are not the only resources I am familiar with–these are just my favorites.

Next: Recommended commentaries on Philippians.

Thousands of commentaries have been written about the Bible, and it’s easy to become confused because these resources are written to various audiences. Choosing the “best” will depend upon the kind of analysis you desire. Commentaries are often divided into three categories:

• Devotional/Introductory–the primary focus is application of the Word and growing in Christ. Lots of “how to” questions are answered.

• Pastoral/Intermediate–these commentaries also contain application but are more information oriented. Some go deep into the history or cultural background of the text, while others pay more attention to linguistics. Lots of “what does it mean” questions are answered. Useful for any Christ follower and especially helpful to those who teach.

• Technical/Advanced–primary value is to teachers and advanced students. Some technical commentaries focus on textual criticism (the reliability of the text), while others address linguistics (the text itself). Lots of minutiae. These commentaries contain Greek text (sometimes transliterated, sometimes not) and require familiarity with Koine Greek to extract their full benefit, but even those with no knowledge of Greek will find these commentaries useful.

My recommendations identify which category each book falls into. Some commentaries overlap; when they do, both categories will be noted (e.g., Pastoral/Technical). The recommendations are listed in order of their helpfulness to Bible students, teachers, and pastors.

The Gospel according to John

John is a favorite among commentators, and there are several excellent analyses of this gospel, but there are also many that have little value, and I have the books in my library to prove it. Below are two must-have resources and several others worth considering.

• My top recommendation is by Don Carson in the in Pillar New Testament Commentary (Eerdmans, 1990). Pastoral. Despite the number of good resources I have on John’s gospel, this one easily wins my “if I could only have one” contest. Great exegesis combined with a lucid writing style. Carson offers good insights on language, history, and theology, and if I were forced to choose one word to describe his analysis, it would be balanced. If you have any interest in the Gospel according to John, this commentary should be on your bookshelf.

• A second commentary I reach for when studying John’s gospel is the two-volume set by Craig Keener, The Gospel of John: A Commentary, (Hendrickson, 2003). Pastoral. Massive (1636 pages) and delightful. Keener digs deep into the socio-historical background and unearths many treasures that pastors and teachers can polish and use. Jesus lived in a unique culture known as Second Temple Judaism, and Keener provides a terrific window into that time. There is a comprehensive introduction (300+ pages) and a thorough bibliography (almost 200 pages). Highly recommended.

• My third recommendation is by Andre Kostenberger in the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, (BECNT), Baker. Technical/Pastoral. Kostenberger’s overview of John’s gospel is orthodox and detailed. He covers a lot of ground already covered by Carson, but there is still much here to like. One strength is his ability to provide concise summaries of the various scholarly positions on a passage. Very helpful for pastors and teachers with limited time.

• Another recommendation is The Light Has Come: An Exposition of the Fourth Gospel (Eerdmans, 1982), by Lesslie Newbigin. Devotional/Pastoral. A thin but helpful commentary that, as the title suggests, is exposition rather than exegesis. There is little about history or linguistics–Newbigin is all about application. I don’t reach for this book when I want help with a complex passage in John; I reach for it when I want my spirit lifted. Teachers need inspiration, too, and this is a great book to use as a devotional while preaching or teaching the fourth gospel.

  Lagniappe: You can buy the paperback on the secondary market (Amazon, Ebay, etc.) for five bucks or so.

• Another commentary I occasionally use is by Leon Morris in the New International Commentary on the New Testament (Eerdmans, 1971). Technical/Pastoral. Once upon a time this was the premier commentary on John, but 40+ years have passed. It was revised in 1995, but Morris’s work remains in the long shadow of Carson and Keener.

  Lagniappe: J. Ramsey Michaels wrote a new NICNT in 2010 that replaced Morris. It has been favorably reviewed by many, but I find it hard to warm to. The prose is dense and often confusing, and it seems like everything I read in it has already been covered by other commentators.

• A resource I recommend to new teachers is by Gary Burge in the NIV Application Commentary (Zondervan, 2000). Pastoral/Devotional. Burge’s commentary is easy to read and understand, and it is a terrific resource if you are new to teaching or unfamiliar with the fourth gospel. But don’t let it the NIVAC be your only commentary on John. Couple it with Carson or Kostenberger.

Did I miss a commentary you are interested in? Drop me a line. These are not the only resources I am familiar with–these are just my favorites.

Next: Recommended commentaries on the Acts of the Apostles.