This commentary is designed to serve readers by demonstrating the continuing intellectual and practical viability of theological interpretation of the Bible.

Figures of the classical church such as Augustine, Calvin, Luther, and Wesley interpreted the Bible theologically, believing Scripture as a whole witnessed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Modern and postmodern interpreters of the Bible questioned this premise. But in recent decades, a critical mass of theologians and biblical scholars has begun to reassert the priority of a theological reading of Scripture.

The SCM Theological Commentary series enlists leading theologians to use and encourage a doctrinal interpretation of scripture. The central premise of this series being that doctrine provides a structure and cogency for understanding the scriptures that has been one constant throughout the history of Christianity and is therefore a practice well worth returning to and re-establishing.

This commentary, like each in the series, is designed to serve the church, aiding preaching, teaching and study groups, as well as theological scholars and students.