William Barclay

‘The sun has one splendour and the moon another splendour and the stars another splendour’ It was when he was in Ephesius in AD 55 that Paul, learning that things were not all well in Corinth, wrote to the church there. This was to be his call to one of the greatest and most cosmopolitan cities of the ancient world; a rebuke and an instruction and a call for unity within the Church. William Barclay guides the reader through these letters and the story they tell, showing how The Letters to the Corinthians, perhaps more than any of Paul’s other writings, reveals the character of the man, his passion, humility, strength and zeal. These epistles are both a heartfelt appeal to the people of Corinth and a fierce defence of the Christian church.

'Go into all the world and preach the goodness.' The Gospel of Mark shows us the reaction of the people to Jesus’ ministry. While making clear Jesus’ divinity, in Mark’s account we also see a very human and even emotional Jesus. The Gospel of Mark is regarded by some as perhaps the most realistic of all the gospels. William Barclay delves with fascination into the questions that fill this gospel and into this joyous account of the life and teachings of Jesus. He offers us insightful new perspective on some of the more difficult passages in Mark’s Gospel. It is commonly agreed that Mark was the first gospel to be written and Barclay’s interpretation opens its ancient teachings to Christians in the modern world.

‘Jesus took bread and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said’ “Take, eat, this is my body”.’ Matthew is written in a rhythmical and often poetic prose. It is the gospel best suited for public reading, and, as a result, it is probably the best known: It tells the story of Christ’s infancy; the Sermon on the Mount; the parables of the wheat and the tares; the sheep and the goats; and the Resurrection. William Barclay’s insightful commentary brings freshness to these familiar passages and uncovers the vivid depth of meaning often lost in translation and repetition. In this second volume examining the Gospel of Matthew, discover again the miracles, the parables and the Resurrection of Jesus. William Barclay's world-renowned down-to-earth New Daily Study Bible commentaries - including his own translations of the New Testament texts - have inspired millions of people across the generations 'to know better their Bible, their God and their Saviour'.

The Gospel according to Luke has been called the loveliest book in the world. As a Gentile, Luke has the distinction of being the only New Testament writer who was not Jewish. He was a doctor by profession - compassionate and kind, he saw people as they truly were. Luke saw men and women and loved them all for who they were. A gospel of distinct characteristics, Luke is all-inclusive - it is the Gospel for the Gentiles, the Gospel of Prayer, the Gospel of Women, the Gospel of Praise and the Gospel of the Poor. Millions of people, worldwide, love William Barclay's endlessly fascinating ability to unlock and reveal the meaning of the New Testament in our daily life. Barclay breaks down the barriers to the ancient past, enabling the modern reader to understand fully what was really said in the New Testament. Familiar stories are given a startling twist that many readers say they find thrilling because they are brought face-to-face with the characters and the action. Another reason for their thrilling impact is simply that people are inspired by a truly great writer. With his wonderful communication skills and down-to-earth enthusiasm, Barclay brings hidden details into full view, enriching our appreciation of the entire New Testament and changing and deepening the meanings of many well-known stories.

And he said to them, ‘Follow me’. When Jesus called upon Matthew, as he sat in his office where he collected customs duty, Matthew got up and followed him and left everything behind him except one thing – his pen. Matthew was to become the great chronicler of Christ’s life and teachings and, though it is now widely accepted that he did not write the gospel itself, the influence of Matthew’s record is undeniably felt throughout. This first volume of William Barclay’s thoughtful study of the Gospel of Matthew brings startling insights into Jesus’ early life and teaching. Journey with Barclay and re-discover the baptism of Jesus, the Sermon on the Mount and the challenges of discipleship. William Barclay's world-renowned down-to-earth New Daily Study Bible commentaries - including his own translations of the New Testament texts - have inspired millions of people across the generations 'to know better their Bible, their God and their Saviour'.

“For Barclay, everything to do with faith was important. There was no first and second league of engagement with Scripture or with God. It is as if he is so constantly excited by the subject matter that he hopes to infect the reader with his own sense of wonder at the riches which the Word of God has to offer.” - from the Foreword by John Bell So fundamental to our faith and our relationship with God, prayer can be both public and private, communal and individual. Many learn to pray by listening to others, but how many turn to the Bible to understand what it is we do when we pray? These insights reveal the remarkable real meaning of prayer, its power and its purpose. Cutting through all the commercialism and superficiality that are increasingly typical of the great Christian events and themes, the Insights series brings the Bible vividly to life. With his wonderful communication skills and down-to-earth enthusiasm, Barclay brings hidden details into full view, enriching our appreciation of the entire New Testament and changing and deepening the meanings of many well-known stories.

World-renowned for his thought-provoking Daily Study Bible series, William Barclay is one of the best-loved commentators on the Bible. His brilliant communication, down-to-earth approach and sheer enthusiasm inspire spirituality and faith among his readers. Over 17 million people worldwide have bought The Daily Study Bible series, in many languages. Markedly different from "Matthew", "Mark" and "Luke", "John" lacks the pithy phrases that the other three gospels possess. William Barclay reveals why, for many Christian people, the Gospel according to "John" is the most precious book of the "New Testament". It is the book on which, above all, people feed their minds and nourish their hearts, and in which they rest their souls.

“He who follows me will not walk in darkness, but he will have the light of life.” The Gospel of John is, for many Christian people, the most precious book of the New Testament. Markedly different from the other gospels, John avoids the pithy phrases that identify the others. John’s thorough and winning, yet confrontational, style is part of the reason that this gospel is considered to be so important within the New Testament. In this second volume of commentary on John, William Barclay explores this gospel’s implicit statements and clarifies meaning. Often referred to as the spiritual gospel, it is the book on which, above all, people ‘feed their minds and nourish their hearts, and in which they rest their souls’. William Barclay's world-renowned down-to-earth New Daily Study Bible commentaries - including his own translations of the New Testament texts - have inspired millions of people across the generations 'to know better their Bible, their God and their Saviour'.

Money and wealth were as much an obsession in Biblical times as they are today, be it taxes, overturning tables in the temple, passing through the eyes of needles or forty pieces of silver, we all think we are familiar with what the Bible has to say on the subject. But it's just not that simple. Barclay's translations shed new light on the real meanings behind these oft-told stories and his contextual, cultural and historical observations get right beneath the skin of the people represented. This book is part of a fantastic series and Insights Money has an inspiring Foreword by Sally Magnusson.

People know the often-told story of Easter so well that it is hard to hear or feel afresh the deep spiritual meaning of what Easter really means. William Barclay goes right back to the original Biblical texts and translates them, providing surprising and fascinating insights along the way. Readers are guaranteed to find new insight and a fresh understanding of a story that they thought they knew. This book is one of a series and each title will have an introduction by one of today's most valued writers. The Foreword to Insights Easter is written by Diane Louise Jordan.

People know the words of the Lord's Prayer by heart. With the words repeated so often, the freshness and meaning begins to disappear. William Barclay goes right back to the original Biblical texts and translates them, providing surprising and fascinating insights along the way. Readers are guaranteed to find new insight and a fresh understanding. This book is one of a series and each title will have an introduction by one of today's most valued writers.

People know the often-told story of Christmas so well that it is hard to hear or feel afresh the joy of the meaning of Christmas. William Barclay goes right back to the original Biblical texts and translates them, providing surprising and fascinating insights along the way. Readers are guaranteed to find new insight and a fresh understanding of a story that they thought they knew. This book is one of a series and each title will have an introduction by one of today's most valued writers. Insights Christmas has a Foreword by Nick Baines, Bishop of Bradford.

William Barclay devotes two chapters to each of the seven churches addressed in the book of Revelation. One chapter characterizes the ancient city and the other comments on John's message to the members of that community. This reissue of an older Westminster Press title makes a welcome addition to the highly popular William Barclay Library series. The William Barclay Library is a collection of books addressing the great issues of the Christian faith. As one of the world's most widely read interpreters of the Bible and its meaning, William Barclay devoted his life to helping people become more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

William Barclay explores the doctrine of the Holy Spirit as presented in the Old Testament, the Gospels and the book of Acts. This reissue of an older Westminster Press title makes a welcome addition to the highly popular William Barclay Library series. The William Barclay Library is a collection of books addressing the great issues of the Christian faith. As one of the world's most widely read interpreters of the Bible and its meaning, William Barclay devoted his life to helping people become more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

Originally published as a series of essays in The Expository Times (a journal for preachers), William Barclay illuminates six key passages from the New Testament. This reissue of an older Westminster Press title makes a welcome addition to the highly popular William Barclay Library series. The William Barclay Library is a collection of books addressing the great issues of the Christian faith. As one of the world's most widely read interpreters of the Bible and its meaning, William Barclay devoted his life to helping people become more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

Concerned that the celebration of the Lord's Supper had become a "ritual rather than a reality," WIlliam Barclay set forth his ideas on the biblical foundation of the sacrament, the history of its form and interpretation in the church, and its meaning for today. This reissue of an older Westminster John Knox Press title makes a welcome addition to the highly popular William Barclay Library series. The William Barclay Library is a collection of books addressing the great issues of the Christian faith. As one of the world's most widely read interpreters of the Bible and its meaning, William Barclay devoted his life to helping people become more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

William Barclay discusses the distinctive viewpoints of the writers of the books of the New Testament and their interpretation of the significance of the gospel. This reissue of an older Westminster Press title makes a welcome addition to the highly popular William Barclay Library series. The William Barclay Library is a collection of books addressing the great issues of the Christian faith. As one of the world's most widely read interpreters of the Bible and its meaning, William Barclay devoted his life to helping people become more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

William Barclay, one of the most beloved of all authors, speaks on one of the most cherished books of the Bible--the Psalms. This unique collection of devotional studies is written in the same distinctive style as Barclay's interpretation of the New Testament in the Daily Study Bible. Each exposition is written not so much as a commentary but as a meditation, making The Lord is My Shepherd ideal for both devotional reading and serious Bible study. The William Barclay Library is a collection of books addressing the great issues of the Christian faith. As one of the world's most widely read interpreters of the Bible and its meaning, William Barclay devoted his life to helping people become more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

This volume is a collection of meditations fostering Christian discipleship drawn from The Daily Study Bible. The meditations focus on God's love for the world, our responsibility to care for one another, and being a faithful witness to God. The William Barclay Library is a collection of books addressing the great issues of the Christian faith. As one of the world's most widely read interpreters of the Bible and its meaning, William Barclay devoted his life to helping people become more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.