Osborne New Testament Commentaries

The events in the book of Acts changed our world forever. Following his account of Jesus' life and ministry in his Gospel, Luke recounts the formation of the early church in Acts. And while the apostles appear to be at the center of this narrative, all of their work is done through the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. In every chapter in Acts, we see Spirit-empowered apostles sharing the gospel reality of the risen Christ to the ends of the earth. In “Acts Verse by Verse”, Grant Osborne guides readers through these crucial events in history. He shows us that by sending his Holy Spirit, the risen and exalted Lord was acting through the apostles, and through us today-to transform human history. Osborne skillfully explains the significance of these events and shows us how we can draw inspiration from them today.

While the apostle Paul was in prison, he wrote to the Colossian Christians to help them maintain their focus on the lordship of Jesus against the claims of false teachers that had snuck in among them. At the same time as he sent this letter to the wider church, he also sent a short letter to his friend and coworker Philemon that displays Pauâl p0 s (B9 ss masterful skill at conflict resolution. In Colossians & Philemon Verse by Verse, Grant R. Osborne carefully and accessibly makes sense of these two important letters, while at the same time drawing on his years of scholarly research on the New Testament. The result is a clear exposition of Colossians and Philemon, explaining what they meant in their first-century setting and what they mean today. --

After the Apostle Paul returned from his first missionary journey, he heard that a certain group of legalistic Jewish Christians had infiltrated the churches he had established. These false teachers were teaching that new Christians had to be circumcised and follow the Old Testament law in order to be truly saved. Paul, realizing the gospel was at stake, wrote this letter in response. In “Galatians Verse by Verse”, experienced New Testament scholar sets forth Paul's laser-focused argument: Jesus is not only the Messiah; he came to inaugurate a new era in salvation history. In this new era, Christians are not made right with God by obeying the law; justification is by faith alone. This frees believers to live their lives not trying to earn salvation, but instead joyfully keeping in step with the Spirit. Pastors, Bible study leaders, and invested laypeople will all benefit from Osborne's careful reading of the text and commitment to making sense of the New Testament without scholarly jargon.

In Ephesians Verse by Verse, Grant R. Osborne offers a clear exposition of this letter that takes seriously both its first-century context and what it means for us today.

John is at once the most complex and the easiest to understand of all the Gospels. If we want a seeker or new believer to read something that is both clear and filled with the gospel and good basic theology, we give them the Gospel of John. And if we want to study an incredibly deep theological masterpiece that stretches the brightest mind, we open the Gospel of John. It is the most evangelistic account of Jesus' life and ministry, and it also gives the mature Christian deep theological truths to chew on. In “John Verse by Verse”, respected New Testament scholar Grant R. Osborne invites the reader to become caught up in the dramatic masterpiece of the Fourth Gospel. He writes, ""If I were teaching a course in college or seminary on creative writing, John's Gospel would be set alongside Shakespeare as models of brilliant characterization and plot."" It is perhaps Osborne's favorite book of the Bible, and enthusiasm for it shines on every page.

The letters to the Thessalonians are a hidden gem of the New Testament. Paul's letters to the church in Thessalonica are often considered two of the less important of his letters, but they were written to an important city and a church facing important issues. In addition to addressing the issue of Christ's return and the problem of people who refused to work, these letters model a truly loving relationship between a pastor and a congregation. In “1 & 2 Thessalonians Verse by Verse”, respected New Testament scholar Grant R. Osborne shows readers that in a culture demanding that everyone participate in the worship of the Roman Empire's gods, the Thessalonians desperately needed resources that would help them withstand the pressure to conform. These letters provide us with a thrilling example of affection among believers in extremely hard times and help us see how that affection can make severe trials bearable.

Even though he was writing from prison, the Apostle Paul's gratitude and joy leaps off the page in his letter to the Philippians. He writes to Christians in a Greek city that he visited on his second missionary journey to thank them for their partnership with him, and also to encourage them to maintain unity in the face of forces that were trying to divide them. In “Philippians Verse by Verse”, Grant R. Osborne draws on years of examining the text to offer a clear explanation of what this book meant to its original audience and what it means today. In spite of sometimes dire circumstances, readers too may experience joy, encouragement, and fellowship if they remain focused on what God has done for them in Christ.

James's letter is famous for its practical wisdom and its heart for gospel transformation reflected in action. James is like Proverbs in the New Testament, but written as a letter, reflecting the New Covenant of Christ. It advises believers facing cultural challenges in the diaspora how to approach practical issues like trials and suffering, the proper use of the tongue, and poverty and wealth from a worldview shaped by Christ. Stated simply, it teaches believers about living life in God's world by God's rules. In “James Verse by Verse”, the late Grant R. Osborne invites readers to delve into this uniquely structured, immensely practical book. James is all about what early Christians called ""the Way"" and, as such, holds a unique place in the New Testament. This commentary will help modern readers embrace James as a distinctively Christian letter, full of wisdom for everyday life.