The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commmentary [SRC]

Ben Witherington III is Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, and is on the doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University, Scotland. Witherington has twice won the Christianity Today best Biblical Studies book-of-the-year award, and his many books include We Have Seen His Glory: A Vision of Kingdom Worship and socio-rhetorical commentaries on Mark, Acts, Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians, and 1 and 2 Thessalonians. He writes a blog at patheos.com and can also be found on the web at benwitherington.com.

Scot McKnight
— North Park University
"Every time Ben Witherington writes a commentary, I buy it. Why? Because few can explain the rhetoric of a New Testament book as clearly as Ben, few can match the theological awareness of Ben, few canvass scholarship as completely as Ben, and fewer yet can combine rhetoric, theology, scholarship, and piety as well as Ben."

Darrell Bock
— Dallas Theological Seminary
"A solid commentary, a sane introduction, and a superior integration of these letters historically and culturally. The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians is Witherington at his best. Anyone with questions about how these letters function and who wrote them would do well to start and finish here."

Craig A. Evans
— Acadia Divinity College
"Ben Witherington's rhetorical approach to the letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians sheds important new light on questions that have puzzled and divided interpreters for generations. Fresh and insightful throughout, this reader-friendly commentary strongly supports Pauline authorship by clarifying the distinctive features of these interesting letters and the various circumstances of their respective recipients. Highly recommended!"

Matthew Levering
— Ave Maria University
"With a deeply pastoral heart and an equally deep mastery of historical-critical research into the first-century world, Ben Witherington offers a new commentary on Philemon, Colossians, and Ephesians. Readers will discover here the riches that historical scholarship offers to insight into the realities of faith. Whether tackling difficult topics such as Paul on slavery, or defending Pauline authorship of Ephesians, or applying Paul's words to contemporary problems faced by Christians, Witherington consistently shows his love for Jesus Christ, whom he seeks to encounter in truth."

Todd D. Still
— Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University
"A commentary that is at once traditional and novel, academic and accessible. . . All who turn to this socio-rhetorical treatment of Philemon, Colossians, and Ephesians will return with fresh insight into and enhanced appreciation for these later Pauline letters."

Review of Biblical Literature
"A very welcome addition. . . . Eminently helpful and refreshing, especially for pastors and theological students."
 
The Journal for the Study of the New Testament
"This is a carefully written and readable commentary grappling with both rhetorical and social issues. . . . Well-worth reading."
 
Bibliotheca Sacra
"Witherington continues to produce fine commentaries that provide context-sensitive interpretations of New Testament books that meet needs of both scholars and other motivated Bible students."
 
Restoration Quarterly
"I commend this commentary to serious preachers, college students, and other readers interested in Pauline studies."