NIV Application Commentary

The NIV Application Commentary (NIVAC) helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in today's context. Most Bible commentaries take us on a one-way trip from the twentieth century to the first century, and along the way involve us in any number of valuable discussions. But sometimes, we feel like something has been left out. While we want to know the background of the biblical text, we also want help determining what it means for today. The creators of the NIVAC series believe that if we remain in the ancient world and don't translate the Bible into our world, the task of biblical interpretation remains incomplete. Thus the NIVAC series provides both the historical-exegetical meaning of the text, while also providing a bridge from the ancient world to the Bible's relevance today.

Furthermore, the format of the NIVAC reflects its content by clearly denoting when it is discussing ancient context, the interpretive process that allows us to understand the text in our own setting, and when it is applying interpretations of the text to our daily life. This obvious nature of the format makes it exceptionally easy for the reader to know exactly where they are in the commentary itself, the interpretive process, as well as in the biblical book. To bring the ancient messages of the Bible into today's world, each passage is treated in three sections:

  • Original Meaning. Concise exegesis to help readers understand the original meaning of the biblical text in its historical, literary, and cultural context.
  • Bridging Contexts. A bridge between the world of the Bible and the world of today, built by discerning what is timeless in the timely pages of the Bible.
  • Contemporary Significance. This section identifies comparable situations to those faced in the Bible and explores relevant application of the biblical messages. The author alerts the readers of problems they may encounter when seeking to apply the passage and helps them think through the issues involved.

In addition to its unique reader friendly format, the NIVAC is directly pinned to the NIV translation of the Bible making it, once again, exceptionally easy for non-specialist readers to follow the thoughts and direction of the commentator. While authors will, at times, work with the original languages full descriptions about any such terminology are given in non-technical language. Moreover, each author fluidly translates complex elements and interpretive matters into language the average lay person can fully understand and easily apply.

This unique, award-winning commentary is the ideal resource for today's preachers, teachers, and serious students of the Bible, giving them the tools, ideas, and insights they need to communicate God's Word with the same powerful impact it had when it was first written.


General Editor: Terry Muck

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