15 New Testament Words of Life

In 15 New Testament Words of Life, biblical scholar Nijay Gupta explores some of the most important New Testament words:

• Righteousness
• Gospel
• Forgiveness
• Life
• Cross
• Faith
• Grace
• Fellowship
• Hope
• Salvation
• Peace
• Religion
• Holiness
• Love
• Witness

These are familiar terms in the Christian vocabulary, but many don’t know the original background and theological importance of these words, and how they can be life-giving for Christian faith and life today. To access the deep meaning of these words in the theological vocabulary of the New Testament writers, Gupta discusses each word within a key text and interprets it in three contexts:

• Canonical—how the New Testament is grounded in the Old
• Literary—the meaning developed within the key text
• Historical—the Jewish and Greco-Roman world of the first century

For those first hearers of the gospel who chose to follow Jesus, these words were the words of life, and they can be once again for Jesus-followers in the modern world. With Gupta’s skilled guidance, readers will find their engagement with the New Testament revitalized as they begin to understand how these inspiring ancient words can still be captivating, thought-provoking, and worldview-shaping words for real life today.

While the New Testament is full of depth and complexity, its most important ideas have a profound simplicity to them. In this collection of word studies, Nijay Gupta explores foundational themes in New Testament theology, but in a very accessible way. If you're looking to deepen your understanding of some of the most essential concepts in Christian belief, this book is for you!

—TIM MACKIE, cofounder of the Bible Project

"Not only does Nijay Gupta define important New Testament terms and illustrate their significance for today, he also models a strategy for how a Bible reader might approach the exploration of biblical ideas. 15 New Testament Words of Life is an introduction to New Testament theology that invites readers to study the Bible by investigating key concepts that frequently appear in books, sermons, and even casual conversations. Gupta’s scholarship and cultural awareness combine to make the work a necessary resource for preachers, teachers, and all other curious Bible readers. I am eager for my students to read it."

—DENNIS R. EDWARDS, Associate professor of New Testament, North Park Theological Seminary

"Nijay Gupta has provided the church and its pastors with a remarkable resource. Wearing his deep learning lightly, he winsomely portrays how the New Testament writers draw on the...read more...