John: 2-Volume Set

Hands down the best commentary I have ever used!

One of the more pastor friendly commentaries on John. A good mix of heart and head.

Excellent.

All as desired.

I love this series of commentaries, but it takes cheap shots at modern worship that I do not appreciate, such as this one, supposedly anchored in John 4:24:"According to one study, the number of churches using video grew 625 percent from 1999 to 2004, with 29 percent of churches in America now showing video at least once a month. The problem with drama, comedy, and video is not merely that they are new and innovative, but that they are in opposition to the Bible’s teaching about worship. Since the medium always dictates to the message, this shift has led to an emphasis on emotionally appealing stories in the place of proclaimed sacred truth."

The Reformed Expository Commentary is a series that aims to provide a fresh exposition of the Biblical text for today's generation. In the series introduction the series editors (Phil Ryken & Richard Phillips) lay out the four fundamental commitments in this series. They are: 1) To be biblical - that is to pay careful attention to the text and exposit the Scriptures. There is less focus on the original language and structure and more focus on the story that the passage is telling.2) Unashamedly Doctrinal - this series approaches the text from a Reformed perspective, as found in the Bible.3) Redemptive-Historical - this means that they believe in the unity and continuity of the Bible, and interpret it in a Christ centered approach for all of Scripture.4) Practical - by applying the truths found in the Scriptures to contemporary challenges in life.Just a brief comment on aesthetics. This Commentary also looks great. While this isn't a huge selling point, and certainly not a reason to chose one commentary over another, I must say that this one looks really nice on the bookshelf, especially when you have more than one in the series.The most recent release in this series is a two-volume commentary on John by Richard Phillips (Senior Minister at Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC). John's Gospel is quite possibly the most read of all of the gospel accounts, and is common evangelistic material. Phillips speaks to this when he states that the reader will "soon realize that it is far more than a human composition: only God the Spirit could have written in such profound simplicity, such accessible depth, and such arresting beauty. Countless readers have had their objections to Christianity abashed in light of this inspired testimony to Christ himself, exclaiming with the temple guards, 'No one ever spoke like this man!'" Phillips is a skilled expositor/pastor making him an excellent writer to guide readers through the depths of truth found in John's gospel account.Phillips sound exposition can be seen in his writing on John 1:1-3. In confronting Arian and Jehovah's Witness heresies that claim Jesus to be godlike, but not God Phillips states that "if the Word already was in the beginning, then either he must have been with God or he must have been God. John teaches both. His second statement is that 'the Word was with God.' This tells us that the Word is a person who has a relationship with God." Phillips continues, "we see that John wants us to understand not only the eternity of the Word but also the personhood of the Word. The Word is a person, the companion of God himself. This warns us agains another perennial heresy, namely, that which denies the distinct personhood of the various members of the Trinity." There is no doubt that the Trinity is a truth that our finite minds cannot fully grasp, "but verses such as this cause us to believe it." In these few short pages Phillips opens up the first three verses of this book and shows how damaging they are to heresies that attack Christ deity and the Trinity. This is no doubt John's goal. As Phillips says, "as we begin his Gospel, John wants us to first realize Christ's deity and his relationship to God the Father, insisting on Jesus' divine sonship for our salvation. Jesus is God the Executor doing the will of his Father, God the Ordainer, within the perfect harmony of the Trinity."Why is it so important that Jesus is known as the Word made flesh? "Because Jesus is the living Word of God, and because God never changes, then God always was and is like Jesus - always Christlike! God is holy, the way that Jesus is shown to be holy in this Gospel. God is compassionate and caring, sovereign and mighty, just as Jesus reveals in this book. But most of all, Jesus reveals God's love for us." This is a wonderful truth to meditate on: that the Word being made flesh allows us to see God's character on display in a Person. Phillips blesses the reader by pointing out this truth.Phillips continues the outstanding work that this series is known for. I have been blessed by Phillips work in the past in this series and his contribution here will no doubt bless many believers.I received a digital copy of this book from P&R Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This review is of the first chapter of each volume.

Note: This review is based only on the first chapter of each volume.Richard Phillips has finally published an expository preaching commentary on John. After reading his book, Jesus the Evangelist, I was looking forward to see how he will expound on the whole gospel of John, and now it has come.As with every commentaries within the Reformed Expository Commentary Series, this is no exception. Phillips handles the text carefully, each verse is explained and expounded, and he does not skim over the text, unlike many preachers today who are pretty fond of doing this. He patiently explains difficult and hard verses unhurriedly, allowing the readers to join in the conversation, and think along with him.Richards shows the readers how he does his exegesis by explaining his how he derives his point from the verse. It is truly expository preaching, with at least one or two applications for each sermon. I anticipate that this commentary would certainly be of help for preachers who wishes to preach through the whole of the gospel of John, and also for readers who wishes to have a devotional reading of the bible passage in a systematic way.Rating: 4 / 5Disclaimer: I was given this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I purchased these two volumes and started to read a chapter each morning along with the relevant bible passage. I am just reaching the end of Volume One and what a joy it has been thus far. This series by P & R is quite outstanding, and this latest addition certainly comes up to the mark. Every chapter offers clear bible exposition, clear and memorable illustrations, and challenging application. I have learnt so much - even about familiar passages. For example, the three 'musts' in John 3 - "you must be born again", "the Son of Man must be lifted up" and "He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease" Challenging, thoughtful and beautifully written - a joy for anyone who wants to learn the true message of the Gospel. I can also highly recommend Mr Phillips' expositions of First Samuel and Hebrews in the same series. Buy it, read it and be greatly blessed.

Brilliant. Food for the soul.