An Outstanding Commentary for Pastor, Teacher, or Student of the Scriptures!
The theological contributions are significant. The volume provides a robust, contemporary defense of the classic Reformed understanding of the gospel. In an age of theological confusion, the clarity with which these commentators articulate the doctrines of justification, sanctification, the work of the Spirit, and the sovereignty of God is both refreshing and necessary. Pastors will find a wealth of sermon material here, not just in the form of exegetical insights but also in the form of well-crafted theological formulations and apt applications.
The commentary is particularly strong in its biblical-theological approach. Both authors consistently connect their exegesis of Paul to the broader storyline of Scripture. They show how the gospel is the fulfillment of Old Testament promises and how Paul’s arguments are deeply rooted in the soil of Israel’s Scriptures. This modeling of biblical theology is one of the volume’s most valuable contributions, equipping readers to read the whole Bible with greater christological focus.
The ESV Expository Commentary: Romans-Galatians is an outstanding resource that admirably achieves the goals of the series. Robert W. Yarbrough and Frank Thielman have produced commentaries that are exegetically sound, theologically rich, and pastorally sensitive. They offer a clear and compelling exposition of the heart of the Christian faith from a broadly Reformed perspective.
Who is this commentary for?
Pastors and Preachers: This volume should be on the shelf of every pastor who preaches through Romans or Galatians. It provides a reliable guide to the text, a solid theological framework, and a wealth of applicational insight.
Bible Study Leaders and Teachers: The commentary is accessible enough for lay leaders, providing them with the background and understanding needed to teach these complex books with confidence.
Seminary Students: Students will find this a helpful example of expository commentary that bridges the gap between the technical world of academic exegesis and the practical world of church ministry.
Serious Christians: Any believer who desires to go deeper in their understanding of the gospel will benefit immensely from a careful reading of this volume.
An FB user writes……”Today, I spent the whole Saturday morning, working hard out in this summer heat, pouring this concrete path, carefully making sure every inch was smooth and perfect. Took a short break, came back, and boom, this turtle had taken its sweet time strolling through like it was making a VIP entrance. At first, I was pretty upset, knowing I’d have to redo the whole thing. But as I looked at those little tracks, I couldn’t help but laugh I guess I learned something important today: no matter how slow you are, you can still leave a big mark… and I don’t know if I should redo it or leave it as a piece of art. Nevertheless, I found the turtle and washed him off good, no worse for the wear, on my newly poured concrete sidewalk.”
FRIENDS……..We are all leaving our “mark” in the world for others to see, some admire, some follow and some question. I hope whatever mark we leave it will be one others can not only find good in, but something that might inspire them to be better people by doing all they can to ‘brighten the corner’ where they live in kindness, compassion and love for all regardless of who they are. It’s true, life can make us ‘better or bitter’ people depending upon how we make our choices, depending on ‘our walk.’
Genesis 5 says, “Enoch walked with God…” Moses told God’s people in Deut 10, “What does the LORD your God require of you? Only to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul..” Of course, this is impossible without the power and person of Christ in control of our lives. Like the Emmaus Road believers, Jesus walked with them and He wants to walk with us as we walk together in friendship and fellowship.
“If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased,” according to Maya Angelou. This quote emphasizes the importance of making a lasting impact on the world, suggesting that a life well-lived involves creating something that endures beyond one’s own existence.
“Leave a mark, but not a scar.”
God has a special purpose for each of us being here now….Others are watching our footprints so walk well my friends……
What Does Beauty for Ashes Mean? Beauty for ashes, or “a crown of beauty instead of ashes,” is a scriptural promise detailed in Isaiah 61. Where it had been customary to don sackcloth and sit in ashes during times of grief and repentance, Isaiah announces that God has sent him to proclaim good news for the poor, freedom for prisoners, and comfort for the brokenhearted.
He is describing the heart of the One who cleanses the ash from our lives and clothes us in the beautiful gift of salvation. The One who forgives our iniquities and remembers our sins no more (Hebrews 8:12).
The ashes of grief, shame, and disgrace are exchanged with the reward of an everlasting covenant with God (Isaiah 61:8). Through Isaiah, God tells his people that “all who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed” (Isaiah 61:9).
And although you and I aren’t returning from exile in Babylon, God knows we experience all forms of exile, darkness, and trouble because he gave us free will to choose him or our sinful nature.
His promise here of beauty for ashes is the very life in his breath. He speaks in Isaiah 61, to assure us that no destructive force in our lives is greater than his plan to redeem it all.
That receiving his gift of salvation is akin to donning a glorious robe and bejeweled crown…not for our own glory, but to reflect the beauty of the provider.
The same power that grows “oaks of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:3) out of dirt, is the power God has to exchange our hopelessness with hope.
Gill’s Exposition of the Bible describes that Isaiah 61:3 is “a beautiful play on words” showing the people of Zion that their habit of putting on sackcloth and ashes (Esther 4:1-3; Job 2:8) is destined to be replaced by something marvelous. Gill continues:
“Christ gives his mourners the beautiful garments of salvation, and the robe of his righteousness, and the graces of his Spirit, and his gracious presence, together with his word and ordinances…all which, as they are ornamental to his people, they yield them joy, peace, and comfort: and this is a beauty that is not natural to them, but is of grace; not acquired, but given; not fictitious, but real; is perfect and complete, lasting and durable, and desired by Christ himself, who gives it.”
What Is the Context of Isaiah 61:3? In this article, Rich Brown explains why the people in Zion were mourning, and why the prophet Isaiah stepped up to share good news.
Much like we do worldwide, the people of Zion were mourning the “good old days” of past generations and bemoaning the work of rebuilding the temple after returning to Jerusalem from Babylon. What they’d lost felt too unbearable to envision a new beginning.
Yet, God is always reminding us in his Word that even death is not the end of his eternal creation. His very breath generates life, from any ashes or dust.
Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being (Genesis 2:7).
When Isaiah promises beauty for ashes, he was encouraging us to look ahead. He was reminding us that things of this world will pass, and we need not anguish in our clinging to the beauty we thought once was.
Isaiah was heralding a new covenantal relationship with God. One so radiant, that the truth of it would cause these very people to display God’s splendor. Says Brown,
“In a sense it represented the death of a dream based on collective memory. Human nature being what it is, those hopes were flawed from the beginning. What the people had to do, the prophet counseled, was to build something new…out of that would arise a new covenantal relationship with God.”
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you (Luke 22:20).
What Beauty for Ashes Promises Christians Today Debbie McDaniel illustrates our need for beauty from ashes because life can be riddled with heartache. Our beauty for ashes covenant provides strength to endure. We can trust that God is with us through death, loss, and pain, providing for our needs. Providing a Savior to wash and rebuild our souls.
God’s reach is wide and long and high and deep (Ephesians 3:18). He can carry you in your hopelessness, replacing your pain with purpose — and even joy. May you hold on to the truth of this promise through the words to the song, “Beauty for Ashes,” by Mid-City Worship:
… you give me beauty for ashes And you pull me close to your heart You have turned mourning to dancing… That’s what you do That’s who you are Brand new eyes, brand new hands You have wiped away my past Brand new day, brand new life You have pulled me from the lies
I’m no longer what I used to be I am stronger, because you live in me The old is gone, the new has come I’m alive!
Beauty for ashes defines our hope. Because of Jesus, we no longer sit in the ashes of our own sins or sins against us. He saves, he gives, he loves, he renews.
In the month of May 2025, the 16-year-old from Mountain Brook, AL has found her groove.
11 days from now will mark one year since Lulu lost her left hand and right leg in a vicious attack from a large Bull shark out of Walton County, FL on June 7, 2024.
What Lulu has accomplished, however, this month is amazing……….
Lulu- who returned to school last fall- has completed her sophomore year in high school.
She has earned her driver’s license.
She has greeted golfers and fans at the PGA Champions Tour’s Regions Tradition, displaying an incredible golf swing.
She has thrown a strike as she threw out a first pitch at the SEC Baseball Tournament.
She has pulled herself up on the water with one hand by a speed boat and shown the world what slalom skiing looks like with one leg.
Lulu Gribbin posed for this picture over the weekend, less than 2 weeks before she looks back on June 7th, 2024.
How about we all congratulate Lulu for inspiring the world?
And may this picture help you go into your work week with an extra bounce in your step.
Yes, Lulu Gribbin and her family are practicing, active Christians and she and her family are members of Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church in Mountain Brook, Alabama.
The Lighthouse & the Battleship “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:12)
In the darkest part of a cold, foggy night, a ship’s captain cautiously piloted his warship through the fog-shrouded waters. With straining eyes he scanned the hazy darkness, searching for dangers lurking just out of sight. His worst fears were realized when he saw a bright light straight ahead. It appeared to be a vessel on a collision course with his ship, “What is this?”
To avert disaster he quickly radioed the oncoming vessel. “This is Captain Jeremiah Smith,” his voiced crackled over the radio. “Please alter your course ten degrees south! Over.”
To the captain’s amazement, the foggy image did not move. Instead, he heard back on the radio, “Captain Smith. This is Private Thomas Johnson. Please alter your course ten degrees north! Over.”
Appalled at the audacity of the message, the captain shouted back over the radio, “Private Johnson, this is Captain Smith, and I order you to immediately alter your course ten degrees south! Over.”
A second time the oncoming light did not budge. “With all due respect, Captain Smith,” came the private’s voice again, “I order you to alter your course immediately ten degrees north! Over.”
Angered and frustrated that this impudent sailor would endanger the lives of his men and crew, the captain growled back over the radio, “Private Johnson. I can have you court-martialed for this!
He continued to bark out his order, “For the last time, I command you on the authority of the United States government to alter your course ten degrees to the south! I AM a battleship!”
The private’s final transmission was chilling: “Captain Smith, Sir. Once again with all due respect, I command you to alter your course ten degrees to the north! I AM a lighthouse!”
The Lighthouse in the Fog
Many in today’s world have little respect for authority. We operate as if rules can be (or should be) changed to fit our personal needs and desires. Commercials egg us on: “Have it your way.” In reality, we can’t always have it our way. We have to conform our lives to a higher truth, a higher authority—the Word of God.
God’s truth is like a lighthouse. It’s not going to change to accommodate us or our latest fads or fashions. His truth is from eternity, above time. We are the ones who must change to conform our lives to what God wants for us. We submit to it to be blessed in life. We fight it only to our demise.
JESUS is the Lighthouse. He will always be there for us. He is absolutely dependable. We Christians must conform our lives to His will for us. If He tells us to alter our courses, we have no choice but to obey. That’s what being a disciple is all about. That’s the Blessed Life!
As lighthouses for God, WE are anchored to shine the light of His truth and expose the viral godlessness that is infecting the hearts of men, women, and children alike. But, we can effectively accomplish this by first committing ourselves to pray earnestly and persistently on behalf of our families, friends, and nation as a whole. 🙏 PRAYER FOR TODAY “Father God, we are called and equipped to be faithful bearers of Your light and truth in Christ. Empower us this day to be ‘rich in good works,’ kind in our words and compassionate in our hearts to a lost world shrouded in darkness and fog and headed toward disaster. Thank You for rescuing us through the cross of Jesus. In His Name, Amen!”
David Crews Ph.D. Author & Speaker 