Timothy D. Sprankle Archives

Matthew

Matthew (Kerux Commentaries), Darrell L. Bock and Timothy D. Sprankle. Kregel Ministry (ISBN: 9780825458255) 2025.

Summary: A Kerux Commentary combining exegesis of Matthew with communication insights for teaching and preaching.

The Kerux Commentary series is designed for pastors and teachers. First, an accomplished exegetical scholar unpacks the literary structure and theme of a text, offering a brief expository overview, verse-by verse discussion of the text, and a theological summary of the text. Then, a skilled preacher focuses in on a “Big Idea” from the exegesis, offers contemporary connections and creative ideas for presentation. This part concludes with a succinct preaching outline and discussion questions. In the case of this volume, New Testament scholar Darrell L. Bock (Dallas Theological Seminary) combines with Timothy D. Sprankle, senior pastor at Leesburg Grace Brethren Church in Northern Indiana.

Like most commentaries, this offers an introductory section. Reflecting its conservative character, it favors Matthean authorship, written for an audience of churches near Judea, and a date prior to the fall of the temple. It notes the prophetic claims of Matthew, which the commentary traces, suggesting an apologetic purpose. Unlike proposals that Matthew draws on Mark and is the source for Luke, this commentary accepts the more traditional proposal of Matthew’s dependence on Mark, a shared source with Luke (some form of the hypothetical Q?) and unique materials to which Matthew had access.

A few highlights from this lengthy commentary. The birth narrative (2:1-23) recognizes God’s providential leading and protection. The temptation passage (4:1-11) highlights Israel’s wilderness history and Jesus qualification to reverse Adam’s sin. Within the Sermon on the Mount, the discussion of 5:21-48 highlights the love that goes beyond the law, that righteousness is about more than being right. The commentary on 8:1-9:38 highlights the three triads of miracles and how they reveal his authority and call for a choice.

Then, as opposition intensifies, Jesus turns to parables (13:1-58). Specifically, disciples are distinguished as those who listen, discovering the power and preciousness of the kingdom. However, opposition continues to intensify as Jesus extends God’s compassion in 15:1-16:12. Then, I appreciated particularly the contrast drawn in the commentary on 19:3-30 between the humility of children and the obstacles wealth create to knowing God.

Finally, we turn to the Passion narratives in Matthew. I loved how the authors connected the healing of the blind in Jericho with the Triumphal entry (20:29-21:11). The commentary shows the intensifying opposition, how Jesus met every challenge. The commentary on the Olivet Discourse (24:1-25:46) both reflects and an awareness of Matthew’s original audience, and the contemporary need to be watchful and about the work of the kingdom. The trial and death narratives focus on Jesus innocence and messianic identity.

The exegetical commentary emphasizes readability over extended discussions of minutiae with lots of Greek text and footnotes. Yet, the engagement with scholarship shows in references to other scholars and the concluding bibliography. Also, sidebars on other Jewish sources relating to a particular text offer good background. However, I found the preaching material less helpful. Although it suggests helpful directions in contemporary application of the text, I thought it could become a substitute for prayer for reflection and exegesis of one’s congregation or audience. Nevertheless, the suggestions of visual media and other creative actions helpful in breaking out of preaching ruts.

In sum, I think many pastors will find this a solid and accessible resource for study, preaching and teaching.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.

Philippians (Kerux Commentaries), Thomas Moore and Timothy D. Sprankle. Grand Rapids, Kregel Ministry, 2019.

Summary: A biblical commentary on Paul’s letter to the Philippians combining exegetical and preaching resources for each passage.

This commentary represents one of the first of a new commentary series published through Kregel Ministry. The approach in the Kerux Commentaries is to pair a biblical scholar and a preaching author, either a pastor or homiletician. The commentary is organized by preaching passages under an overall outline of the book. Following an overview of all the preaching passages and introduction covering typical introductory issues are exegetical and preaching resources for each passage.

Each section includes a brief section on the literary structure and themes of the passage, a short exposition, and then verse by verse exegesis of the passage including renderings of key Greek terms, sidebars on cultural backgrounds (e.g. slaves and servants, saints from Philippians 1:1-8), and the theological focus of the passage. This is followed by Preaching and Teaching Strategies: an exegetical and theological synthesis, the main preaching idea, contemporary connections, a section on creativity in presentation, a summary of preaching points, and then a list of discussion questions and additional resources.

The commentary highlights well some of the key themes in Philippians: the themes of joy, partnership in the gospel, the call to stand together, looking to others interests, highlighting the example of Christ, and the surpassing worth of knowing Christ and dependency upon him. In very readable form the exegetical part of the commentary sets out key textual issues, terms, and background and sums this up well in identifying the theological focus of the passage.

I found the preaching section less helpful. The preaching strategies did flow from exegesis and model this practice making a number of good points and suggested some creative ideas for presentation (e.g. on Philippians 1:27-30 on loyalty to Christ, suggesting use of a kingdom “pledge of allegiance.”). Perhaps it is my own preference to determine the preaching idea and homiletic outline from my own study and not preach someone else’s material, but I found these sections less helpful than the exegetical sections. Still, the preaching author often raised good ideas that “preached” to me, for example, from Philippians 2:5-8, he poses good questions about what it means to climb down the ladder of privilege.

The discussion questions are helpful for those using this commentary with adult education groups or those teaching the passage in a Bible study. The authors also offer an extensive reference section with eighteen pages of contemporary books, commentaries and articles on Philippians.

This commentary strikes a good balance between the highly technical commentaries and the popular commentaries that are often transcribed sermons. This is helpful for pastors and lay teachers who may not have extended time for study but want to give exegetically sound messages. Just don’t plagiarize the preaching material. I might be in the audience!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.