David A. DeSilva

One of the era's premier commentaries on the letter to the Hebrews.

No one will consider the author's commentary to be "brief," as the Hebrews author asks his audience to bear with his "brief" exhortation. The commentary is wide-ranging but does focus on its theme: socio-rhetorical.

The "rhetorical" part features deSilva's continual reference to the various forms of rhetoric in use in the Greek world with ample quotations from Aristotle and others, all to display just how elevated the Hebrews author's Greek rhetoric proves to be.

The "socio" part involves well and deep researched understanding of the letter in a first century Greco-Roman milieu. deSilva provides plenty of evidence to buttress his major patron-client thesis, that the Hebrews author exhorts his audience to behave as if they were the clients of God the patron, replete with references from Seneca and others about the nature of the patron-client relationship. He is sensitive to the honor-shame dynamic in ancient society.

deSilva particularly excels at embracing the ambiguities inherent in the letter's situation: the author and audience know each other, but we do not know who they are in specifics. For instance, deSilva, of all the commentaries I read, brought out how the audience is expected to know and feel affinity for Timothy, and that is a major strike against the Jerusalem hypothesis, and much more in favor of Italy, Asia Minor, Greece, or somewhere else more firmly within the Pauline circle. And yet deSilva does well at not imposing a framework based on assumptions of audience and author, but allows the substance of the letter to inform its purpose: to encourage Christians who were starting to grow weary to persevere, always expressing gratitude to God for all He has done for them (and thus the title).

The author's exegesis is valuable. He is very much in conversation with the other commentators on Hebrews. His modern applications are uncomfortably apt.

It's a major endeavor to read and absorb this commentary, but it deserves its standing. If you are interested in Hebrews, or preaching/teaching through it, this is an essential read.… (altro)

A robust analysis of the social-scientific context of the Hebrews letter by a foremost scholar of the letter of the Hebrews.

A lot of the material in this book is consistent with deSilva's commentary on Hebrews (Perseverance in Gratitude); in this work he addresses the matter more on a topical basis and in some greater depth in some subjects.

He first approaches the author and audience of Hebrews and attempts to assess the matter based on what is found in the substance of the work. deSilva is notable for his skepticism regarding the audience being purely Jewish Christian based on the text strongly reflecting the Greco-Roman world of patron/client relations, the polished rhetoric of its author, and the association/connection with Timothy, which marks the work as in the Pauline circle, itself never based in Jerusalem, and ministering to Jewish Christians but also widely to Gentile Christians. He also notes the skillful rhetoric used by the author as one very well trained in Greek rhetorical style. deSilva reinforces all of these conclusions with deep quotations of Greek works of rhetoric and style.

The rest of the work addresses the socio-rhetorical strategy of the Hebrews author in light of his goal of encouraging Christians to endure in the faith despite weariness and social pressure to conform to societal standards. He wishes to negate the social power of shame by emphasizing the greatness of what God has done in Christ. He uses Hebrews 6 as a way of setting forth the patron/client model relation between God the patron, Christians the client, and why Christians must not forsake their Patron but continue to glorify and honor him, and how turning away from the Patron will lead to loss of salvation (and deSilva does take Hebrews 6:4-6 very seriously as written). He also describes how the Hebrews author does well at encouraging the audience to maintain their identity as God's people and to uphold their commitment to each other.

A good complement to any study of the letter to the Hebrews, even if one is also reading deSilva's commentary.… (altro)

Summary: A historical novel exploring the religious and cultural context of Ephesus during the reign of Domitian c. 90 AD.

The latest installment in the IVP Academic A Day in the Life Series acquaints us with the religious and cultural context during the reign of Domitian, around 90 AD. Like other books in the series, David deSilva uses a historical fiction approach centering around Amyntas, a prosperous Christian landowner in a context becoming increasingly hostile to Christians, who were considered atheists because they did not join in the worship of the pantheon of deities, from local deities to the cult of the Roman Emperor Domitian.

Amyntas hosts a gathering of Christians in his home. Some community leaders, who are also involved in the various religious cults, including that of the Emperor Domitian, for whom Ephesus has been designated a regional center, collude in a plot to trap Amyntas. They invite him to become a neopoioi for the temple of Domitian. This is a kind of caretaker or trustee position, that on the face of it is an honor and would make him an insider. But it would either compromise him, or "out" him as a Christian, leading to his being ostracized, or worse. A close friend, and then his own son, are beaten up for their Christian beliefs.

A Christian friend from Pergamum suggests that he "go along to get along." After all, "idols don't really mean anything." The contacts he would make, and the influence he would wield, could help the Christians. People from his house church disagree, and even as Amyntas' friend to leave. Amyntas struggles to decide. It becomes more complicated when a letter arrives from the John, in exile on the isle of Patmos.

Through the narrative and sidebars, we learn about the pantheon of gods, and emperor worship, and how Christians worshiped. An underlying theme is the power of imperial Rome and how that power was projected through the imperial cult, and how imperial Rome was a drain on the rest of the empire. Although set two millenia ago, the narrative raises questions about what Christian faithfulness looks like in relation to the competing claims of empire. We are forced to consider what we would do, or perhaps are doing, when faced with the conflicting claims to allegiance of empire, and the kingdom of God. David deSilva portrays the subtle guise in which the temptation may come, the allure of the inner ring, the justifications one may use, and the real consequences of Christian faithfulness many through the ages have faced.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.… (altro)

Summary: An introduction to the books of the Apocrypha, covering matters of content, authorship, date, setting, textual transmission, and theological themes and influence in both second temple and post-second temple Judaism and early Christianity.

For many from Protestant denominations, the collection of books that fall under the title "Apocrypha" are considered ones that "didn't make the cut" and perhaps suspect. However, most of these books are part of the Bibles of two-thirds of all Christians in the world. In his Introduction to this work, David A. deSilva also makes the point that this collection is invaluable in understanding second temple Judaism that is the setting for the ministry of Jesus and Christian beginnings as well as the influence of these writings on the New Testament authors and what they wrote. He also introduces us to the fact that there are different collections (Septuagint, Vaticanus, and Alexandrinus) and the challenges of defining this collection.

This work is an introduction and, like introductions to Old and New Testaments, covers introductory matters like the message of the work, authorship (often difficult to pin down), date, and setting, as well as the textual transmission, and different extant textual traditions. In the cases of Daniel and Esther, he shows how the additions are woven into, and differ from the canonical text. It is helpful, therefore to read this work with a copy of the Apocrypha at hand, preferably the New Revised Standard Version with Apocrypha, which is the version used throughout.

The author explores the distinctive theological themes and influences of particular books. He considers an overall Deuteronomistic theme of the promise of covenant blessing for Israel when they obey, curse when they disobey, and restoration when they return, cry out, and obey Torah. The theme emerges in the prayers, narratives, and precepts found in this collection. In some texts, such as 1 Maccabees, Israel faces a crisis, and faithful Jews experience deliverance. In others, martyrs receive assurance, or potential martyrs are delivered while the apostate or Gentiles face punishment. One can see how these books encouraged post-exilic Jews, particularly under Greco-Roman rule, as well as subsequent generations of Christians.

David A. deSilva states that this is a complete revision involving every chapter, far more consultation with experts in the field, incorporation of the latest scholarship, and an expanded bibliography. His clear summaries of content, theology, influence, and technical introductory matters make this a valuable adjunct for sitting down to read this collection. For those like myself, who have managed to avoid a reading of books that have encouraged Jews and Christians through the ages, deSilva made the case to change that. He neither resolves the canonical issues, nor argues a change, but that we read these works for what we can learn both about Christian origins, and for the encouragement we might derive from them.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.… (altro)