Tom Wright’s new book lets us hear St Paul in theological surround sound

Tom Wright’s new commentary on Ephesians is pastoral and spiritually nourishing, says our reviewer

Tom Wright is no stranger to writing biblical commentaries.

In fact, he has written on every New Testament book in his accessible New Testament for Everyone series.

Now, around two decades later, Wright offers us another commentary on Ephesians – again in a devotional style, yet with fresh perspective. As readable and engaging as this book is, it remains deeply theological, offering readers a renewed vision of Ephesians that reminds the Church of its profound purpose.

In the opening pages, Wright describes Ephesians as a letter that “offers a breathtaking vision of the creator’s purposes for the cosmos, of how those purposes were and are fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah and the holy spirit, and – not least – of the vital role within these purposes that the church is now called to play.” For many, including perhaps Wright himself, Ephesians is a favourite among Paul’s letters. Though brief, Wright refers to it as a “visionary letter.” Throughout, he presents Ephesians as a sweeping narrative of God’s purposes, from creation to new creation. In just a few chapters, Paul offers a stunning overview of the gospel: grounded in the work of Jesus, empowered by the Spirit, and pointing to the day when all things are made new. At the centre of it all is the Church – not a side project, but God’s new humanity, called to reflect his reconciling love in the world.