John MacArthur

John MacArthur was an American pastor, theologian, and author whose ministry profoundly shaped modern evangelicalism. Serving as senior pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, from 1969 until his death in 2025, he was best known for his unwavering commitment to the faithful exposition of God’s Word. Through his pulpit, writings, and the Grace to You media ministry, MacArthur modelled verse-by-verse preaching marked by clarity, conviction, and reverent submission to Scripture.

He founded The Master’s Seminary and The Master’s University to train future pastors and teachers in sound doctrine and rigorous biblical study. His MacArthur Study Bible and the multi-volume MacArthur New Testament Commentary series remain enduring resources for those who seek careful exegesis joined with pastoral application.

Throughout more than five decades of ministry, MacArthur stood as a steadfast defender of biblical inerrancy, the sufficiency of Scripture, and the centrality of Christ in all preaching. His faithfulness as an expositor, coupled with his courage to speak truth in an age of compromise, earned him a place among the most influential Bible teachers of his generation. Even in controversy, his work consistently pointed believers back to the text of Scripture as the final authority for faith and life.

Author: John MacArthur

John MacArthur

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Matthew 8-15

Mid-levelBusy pastors, General readers, Pastors-in-trainingUseful supplement

8.4Author: John MacArthur Bible Book: Matthew Series: MacArthur Commentary On The New Testament Publisher: Moody Publishers Type: Expositional, Expository (Mid-Level) Theological Perspective: Baptist, Broadly Evangelical, Reformed

Summary

John MacArthur’s Matthew 8–15 continues his expositional journey through the first Gospel, covering a rich and diverse section of Jesus’ ministry. These chapters highlight Christ’s authority over sickness, storms, demons, sin, creation, and even the traditions of men. MacArthur approaches each passage with clear conviction, verse-by-verse consistency, and a pastoral desire to press the truth upon the heart.

This volume is written for teachers, pastors, and serious lay readers who want help understanding the flow of Matthew’s argument and the weight of Jesus’ words. The exposition is steady, doctrinally clear, and focused on practical obedience. MacArthur gives special attention to discipleship, faith, the cost of following Christ, and the escalating opposition from the religious leaders.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We value the reliability and clarity MacArthur brings to the text. His exposition excels in drawing out key theological themes—Jesus’ absolute authority, the nature of true faith, the contrast between genuine discipleship and empty religion, and the compassion of Christ for the broken. These themes are handled with conviction and pastoral warmth, making the commentary particularly useful for sermon preparation.

MacArthur’s treatment of the miracle narratives is especially helpful. He avoids sentimentalism and instead emphasises what these signs reveal about the identity of Jesus as the promised Messiah. He is also strong on passages that confront hypocrisy, legalism, and unbelief, which makes this volume valuable for shepherding Christ’s people toward genuine obedience.

While the commentary does not engage deeply with technical scholarship or linguistic debates, its strength lies in clear, consistent, and faithful exposition. Pastors who want clarity, doctrinal stability, and practical application will find this volume a valuable companion. Those needing detailed technical insight will want to supplement it with more academic works.

Closing Recommendation

We gladly commend *Matthew 8–15* as a dependable, pastorally rich exposition of these formative chapters in Matthew’s Gospel. It is especially well suited to pastors and Bible teachers preparing to preach through the miracles, parables, and controversies that fill this portion of Scripture.

If you want a clear, convictional guide that keeps Christ central and calls believers to genuine discipleship, this volume will serve you well.

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Matthew 1-7

Mid-levelBusy pastors, General readers, Pastors-in-trainingUseful supplement

Summary

John MacArthur’s *Matthew 1–7* opens the New Testament’s first Gospel with his characteristic verse-by-verse exposition. This volume covers the infancy narrative, John the Baptist’s ministry, the temptation of Jesus, and the whole of the Sermon on the Mount. Written for pastors, teachers, and everyday Christians, it aims to make the text clear, doctrinally sound, and pastorally applicable.

As with the rest of the series, the commentary blends careful observation, theological conviction, and a concern for practical obedience. MacArthur focuses on the authority of Christ, the character of true discipleship, and the ethical weight of Jesus’ kingdom teaching. His exposition is straightforward, earnest, and consistently evangelistic.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We appreciate the clarity and directness MacArthur brings to the Gospel of Matthew. His pastoral instincts shine especially in the Sermon on the Mount, where he draws sharp distinctions between genuine and superficial faith. The commentary offers reliable explanations of difficult passages, strong doctrinal grounding, and clear application—qualities that make sermon preparation more confident and focused.

MacArthur’s strength lies not in technical detail or academic debate but in plain, forceful exposition. For pastors who want a clear guide through Jesus’ teaching—especially on topics like righteousness, prayer, the law, anger, lust, giving, and anxiety—this volume offers consistent help. His commitment to the authority of Scripture and the glory of Christ gives the book a refreshing steadiness.

Readers looking for linguistic analysis, historical nuance, or interaction with a broad scholarly spectrum will need to supplement this with more technical works. But those seeking a reliable, conservative, application-oriented exposition will find this volume dependable and pastorally fruitful.

Closing Recommendation

We gladly commend *Matthew 1–7* to pastors and teachers who want a clear, convictional guide to the early chapters of Matthew. It excels in practical usefulness and doctrinal clarity, especially for those preparing sermons or leading Bible studies.

This volume is best used alongside a more technical commentary, but as an expositional companion it remains strong, steady, and focused on Christ’s authority and call to genuine discipleship.

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Romans 9-16

Mid-levelBusy pastors, General readers, Pastors-in-trainingUseful supplement

8.8Author: John MacArthur Bible Book: Romans Series: MacArthur Commentary On The New Testament Publisher: Moody Publishers Type: Expositional, Expository (Mid-Level) Theological Perspective: Baptist, Broadly Evangelical, Reformed

Summary

John MacArthur’s Romans 9–16 in the MacArthur Commentary on the New Testament series continues his long-standing commitment to verse-by-verse exposition rooted in careful textual observation, doctrinal clarity, and pastoral conviction. This volume covers some of the most theologically significant and practically demanding chapters in the New Testament—God’s sovereign purposes, Israel’s place in redemptive history, the call to transformed living, and the shape of Christian community.

MacArthur approaches the text with his characteristic clarity. He moves steadily through each verse, explaining the meaning, drawing out doctrinal implications, and showing how Paul’s teaching shapes the life of the church. Those familiar with his preaching ministry will recognise the same style: straightforward, convictional, and deeply committed to the authority of Scripture.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We appreciate the strength of MacArthur’s exposition in Romans 9–11. These chapters—often considered among the most difficult in the New Testament—are handled with clarity and confidence. MacArthur articulates a robust understanding of God’s sovereignty, election, and mercy, offering readers a clear presentation of the Reformed theological tradition, even if expressed within a Baptist framework. His treatment of Israel’s future is also thoughtful, avoiding sensationalism while maintaining a strong biblical hope.

Equally valuable is his handling of the practical section (Romans 12–16). The commentary offers rich application, pastoral exhortation, and concrete guidance for Christian living. MacArthur excels at showing how doctrine leads naturally to discipleship—how the gospel produces humility, love, service, and unity in the body of Christ.

While this commentary is not academic or technical, that is its strength. It serves preachers, teachers, and ordinary Christians who want clear exposition and pastoral direction. When paired with a more technical resource, it becomes especially powerful, providing both theological clarity and practical grounding for faithful ministry.

Closing Recommendation

We gladly recommend this commentary to pastors, elders, Bible teachers, and believers who want a clear, convictional, and pastorally rich guide to Romans 9–16. It is particularly strong for sermon preparation, discipleship contexts, and personal study.

MacArthur’s work remains one of the most accessible and reliable expository tools for those seeking to understand and teach Paul’s message with clarity and confidence.

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