Includes bibliographical references (pages xxiii-xxxi) and index.

Epistolary opening -- The Word of the cross is the basis for the church's unity -- The Word of the cross is the basis for the church's holiness -- The Word of the cross is the basis for the church's freedom -- The Word of the cross is the basis for the church's worship -- The Word of the cross is the basis for the congregation's hope -- Conclusion.

"The Concordia Commentary: A Theological Exposition of Sacred Scripture is written to enable pastors and teachers of the Word to proclaim the Gospel with greater insight, clarity, and faithfulness to the divine intent of the biblical text. This landmark work will cover all the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments, interpreting Scripture as a harmonious unity centered in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Every passage bears witness to the Good News that God has reconciled the world to himself through our Lord's life, death, and resurrection." "The commentary fully affirms the divine inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture as it emphasizes "that which promotes Christ" in each pericope. Authors are sensitive to the rich treasury of language, imagery, and themes found throughout Scripture, including such dialectics as Law and Gospel, sin and grace, death and new life, folly and wisdom, demon possession and the arrival of the kingdom of God in Christ. Careful attention is given to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek. Further light is shed on the text from archaeology, history, and extrabiblical literature. Finally, Scripture's message is applied to the ongoing life of the church in terms of ministry, worship, proclamation of the Word, Baptism, the Lord's Supper, confession of the faith -- all in joyful anticipation of the life of the world to come. Book jacket."--BOOK JACKET.