Branch Exposition of the Bible: New Testament
“If you picture the Bible to be a mighty tree and every word a little branch, I have shaken every one of these branches because I wanted to know what it was and what it meant.” — Martin Luther
A great deal of biblical scholarship is written for academics and fails to edify readers or strengthen their Christian ministry. Yet, Christians need to be nourished by the word of God so they can mature in faith and righteousness. Filling this gap, The Branch Exposition of the Bible is a resource for preachers, scholars, and everyday Christians alike, to help open God’s word and shed its light into life, ministry and teaching.
Inspired by the words of the great reformer Martin Luther about shaking every branch of Scripture, and with experience in ministering across Africa, India and the West, Michael A. Eaton helps us understand the meaning of the Bible and taste its fruit. With an Old Testament volume to follow, this exposition of the New Testament accessibly engages with the biblical languages, gives application for our lives, and leads us through each book of the New Testament so that we can meet the resurrected Jesus Christ in the pages of Scripture.
Endorsements
"The Branch Exposition of the Bible is a one-volume New Testament commentary which has three striking qualities vital for contemporary ministry. First, Michael Eaton expounds the books of the New Testament in the context of ministry, rather than the academy. Second, he does not assume the values and knowledge of Christendom, a necessary stance in a non-Christian or post-Christian context. Third, he shows multi-cultural awareness in his interpretation and application. A very useful book for a young Christian, as well as a Bible study leader or preacher." — Peter Adam, PhD, Vicar Emeritus, St Jude’s Anglican Church, Carlton, Australia, Former Principal, Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia
"No one individual can be expected to master all of New Testament interpretation equally well, but what Michael Eaton focuses on the most he masters with great acumen: extracting main points and principles from every passage, which enables a preacher or teacher to move very quickly to how the text needs to be applied in their own context. For details of exegetical controversies one will often need to look elsewhere, but for inspiration and motivation to right belief and practice, Eaton is a reliable, steady expositor." — Craig L. Blomberg, PhD, Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary, Littleton, Colorado, USA
"Michael Eaton was one of those rare biblical scholars whose years of pastoral and preaching experience enabled him to write expositions of the biblical text that are profoundly simple without being simplistic and shallow. In the Langham Preaching programme we have three tests for good preaching: faithfulness (working hard to understand and explain what the biblical author meant), clarity (using good structure to make your own meaning clear), and relevance (showing how the text speaks and applies to our lives today). Michael Eaton passes all three tests with distinction. Having his commentaries on the New Testament collected into this single volume will be an enormous blessing to the church." — Christopher J. H. Wright, PhD, Global Ambassador, Langham Partnership
Michael A. Eaton pastored pioneering, multi-ethnic churches in some of Africa’s biggest and most influential cities, including Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Lusaka, for 40 years. As a young man he sat under the teaching of Martyn Lloyd-Jones at Westminster Chapel, a church he maintained a long-standing relationship with throughout his life. Michael’s doctorate was on the Christian and the Mosaic law. He lectured in theological institutions and had a vibrant preaching ministry in India, the UK, the United States and across Africa. Michael went to be with the Lord in 2017, before The Branch Exposition of the Bible reached publication.
