LET’S STUDY EPHESIANS
By Sinclair B. Ferguson
Banner of Truth. 224 pages. £7.25
ISBN 0851519075
This is the latest offering from the Let’s study… series from Banner of Truth. They are aimed at the ‘ordinary Christian’, not the scholar, and have two basic aims — understanding the Bible’s message and applying its teaching.
In my view, it is ideal for personal devotions or individual study. Each chapter takes a few verses of Ephesians (using the ESV) and makes helpful comments about the text in four or five pages. Having used it myself over the past few weeks, I have appreciated his insights. It is also very well written, which is a great bonus. It would give the Bible study leader a good start in preparation although I think they would need more detailed analysis than the scope of this commentary allows (as would the preacher).
Personally, I would have liked more detailed application. Sinclair makes the point that the first section of Ephesians is indicative rather than imperative. I accept this, but I still felt that there was room for more detailed and stirring application to heart and life. Also, I am not a great fan of the ‘Study Guide’ in books like these as they seem to ask questions about the commentary rather than directing the reader back to God’s Word itself.
Despite these minor reservations, I would recommend it as a thoughtful and helpful exposition of Ephesians.
