Evaluation

Overall Score: 8.6/10

A substantial and pastorally alert evangelical commentary that serves careful preaching of Ephesians.

Publication Date(s): 2010

Pages: 704

ISBN: 9780310243724

Faithfulness to the Text: 9/10

We are consistently anchored in Paul’s wording and flow, with careful attention to structure and context.

Christ Centredness: 9/10

We are helped to preach Ephesians as a celebration of God’s saving work in Christ and its implications for the church.

Depth of Insight: 9/10

We gain sustained help with complex theological themes without losing the letter’s pastoral aim.

Clarity of Writing: 8/10

The explanations are clear for a technical work, though they require focused reading.

Pastoral Usefulness: 8/10

We are well served in translating rich theology into faithful, church shaping proclamation.

Readability: 7/10

Best used in deliberate stages alongside the text rather than read quickly.

Summary

At a Glance

Length: 704 pages
Type: Exegetical (Technical)
Theo. Perspective: Broadly Evangelical
Overall score: 8.6 / 10
Strength: Strong integration of theology, exegesis, and church focused application.
Limitation: Depth and detail demand time and disciplined use.

We find Arnold’s Ephesians to be a careful, wide ranging, and pastorally alert technical commentary that takes the letter’s theological depth seriously without losing its ecclesial heartbeat. The work combines close attention to Paul’s language with a strong sense of the letter’s purpose, helping us see how praise, prayer, doctrine, and exhortation are woven together.

We are especially helped by the way Arnold handles the letter’s cosmic scope. Ephesians lifts our eyes to God’s eternal purposes in Christ, yet it never floats above the realities of church life. The commentary keeps pressing us to see how election, redemption, unity, holiness, and spiritual warfare belong together in Paul’s vision for the people of God.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own this commentary if we want serious exegetical help with a letter that is often loved but lightly handled. Ephesians is rich, dense, and doxological. Arnold helps us slow down, trace the argument, and handle long sentences and layered themes with care. That discipline matters if our preaching is to reflect Paul’s intent rather than our favourite emphases.

We also benefit from the way the commentary engages the letter’s spiritual and pastoral dimensions. Ephesians speaks directly to questions of identity, unity, holiness, and opposition. Arnold’s work helps us preach these themes with theological depth and pastoral realism, guarding us from vague generalities or speculative readings.

We should note that this volume asks for time and concentration. It is not a quick reference tool. Yet when used early in preparation, it strengthens our confidence in the text and supports preaching that is God centred, Christ exalting, and oriented toward the building up of the church.

Closing Recommendation

We strongly recommend Arnold’s Ephesians for pastors and teachers who want a substantial evangelical technical commentary that does justice to the letter’s theological reach and pastoral purpose. It is particularly valuable for sustained series preaching, where careful attention to structure and emphasis is essential.

As a next step, see the Bible Book Overview for Ephesians, browse Top Recommendations, or use the Reformed Commentary Index for a fuller shelf.

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