Lord’s Library editors created this guide to the best Philemon commentaries available to help you narrow your search.
The Book of Philemon is a brief epistle that illustrates the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in transforming hearts. Written by the Apostle Paul, this personal letter to Philemon highlights themes of grace and the unity found in Christ. Through the story of Onesimus, a runaway slave, and his return to his master Philemon, Paul demonstrates how the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross creates a new identity among believers.
As it is written in Philemon 1:10-11: “I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me.”
Whether you are a teacher, preacher, or somewhere in between, choosing one of the best Philemon commentaries means gaining enhanced exegesis and in-depth analysis with your Bible study. There’s also the benefit of academic or scholarly observations attached if you are one who likes to go the “collegiate route.”
Narrowing your options for the best title, but with a discerning eye, can be hard to do. And that’s why we’re here to tell you that you’ve found the right place if you Googled for a list of the best Philemon commentaries. It’s the perfect collection of books if you want the focus that historical context, notes, cross-references, and reference study tools bring.
To simplify your search, we’ve conducted a meta-analysis of the best Philemon commentaries currently available on Amazon. Our carefully curated list features titles that cater to a variety of readers, categorized into the most popular, top-rated, and best-value options to help you make a fast and surefire decision. Each book entry includes detailed information directly from the publisher as well, offering a clear view of what each commentary represents.
We believe this structured approach ensures you can quickly identify the best Philemon commentaries that align best with your study goals and preferences.
Note: We only included the best Philemon commentaries with 4.5 stars or better ranking and a minimum of 75 reviews.
The Best Philemon Commentaries
Most Popular: Insights on Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary)
Author/Publisher: Charles R. Swindoll
From the publisher: “The 15 volume Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary series draws on Gold Medallion Award–winner Chuck Swindoll’s 50 years of experience with studying and preaching God’s Word. His deep insight, easygoing style, and humor bring a warmth and accessibility not often found in commentaries.”
Top-Rated: Colossians and Philemon MacArthur New Testament Commentary
Author/Publisher: John MacArthur
From the publisher: “Join John MacArthur as he explains each verse in a way that is both doctrinally precise and intensely practical. Taking into account the cultural, theological, and Old Testament contexts of each passage, MacArthur tackles interpretive challenges and fairly evaluates differing views, giving the reader confidence in his conclusions.”
Best Value: Colossians and Philemon: An Introduction and Commentary (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries Book 12)
Author/Publisher: N.T. Wright
From the publisher: “Colossians presents a picture of Christ who is ‘the firstborn over all creation’ and has disarmed and triumphed over the powers and authorities. The letter also appeals to its readers to seek humble maturity, a maturity not possible apart from the person and work of Jesus Christ. N. T Wright’s stated goal is to “give the text back to the reader uncluttered by a mass of glosses.”
The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon (The Pillar New Testament Commentary)
Author/Publisher: Douglas J. Moo
From the publisher: “Informed, evangelical, methodologically astute, and displaying a careful balance between good scholarship and pastoral concern — earmarks of the Pillar New Testament Commentary series as a whole — Moo’s Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon will offer insights to a wide range of readers, from teachers and students, to pastors and parishioners, to scholars and laypersons.”
Exalting Jesus in Colossians & Philemon (The Pillar New Testament Commentary)
Author/Publisher: Dr. R. Scott Pace
From the publisher: “Exalting Jesus in Colossians & Philemon is part of the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series. Edited by David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida, this commentary series, to include 47 volumes when complete, takes a Christ-centered approach to expositing each book of the Bible. Rather than a verse-by-verse approach, the authors have crafted chapters that explain and apply key passages in their assigned Bible books.”
Colossians, Philemon (NIV Application Commentary)
Author/Publisher: David E. Garland
From the publisher: “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.”
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