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Acts: The Christian Standard Commentary
The Christian Standard Commentary is part of The Christian Standard Commentary (CSC) series. This commentary series focuses on the theological and exegetical concerns of each biblical book, thoughtfully balancing rigorous scholarship with practical application. This series helps the reader understand each biblical book’s theology, its place in the broader narrative of Scripture, and its importance for the church today. Drawing on the wisdom and skills of dozens of evangelical authors, the CSC is a tool for enhancing and supporting the life of the church. The author of The Christian Standard Commentary is Patrick Schreiner.
- GenresNew Testament
352 pages, Hardcover
Published September 1, 2022
17 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 27, 2023
I have very mixed views about this commentary. Overall, I found it very helpful in studying Acts. Schreiner is sensitive to more allusions and more observations than many, making this a good resource to build on for the discerning reader.
From my memory, there are numerous references and quotations from Bede and Chrysostom which shed light on particular passages. Finally, he interacts with Parsons, Keener, and Dunn quite a bit.
However, there are several problems I had with this commentary.
(1) Schreiner's goal seems not to have been interpreting Acts so much as making numerous observations. The effect this has is that he presents many ideas, but does not develop them into a cohesive reading of the book as a whole. Aside from his Trinitarian observations (which are largely obvious and overall not very illuminating) and some of his "contemporary applications" (more on that later), he does not really commit to an overall reading of the book.
(2) Schreiner pays a tithe in this book to the gods of postmodernism and multiculturalism. He seems to have been eager to please more liberal readers, and the commentary suffered for this in many ways. Some parts of it are downright silly and insult the intelligence of his readers. For example, interpreting Peter's raising of Tabitha, Schreiner remarks, "Peter's presence declares an unmistakable truth: women matter." (316) In other areas of the book, he replaces Jewish-Gentile relations with modern-day "race relations" and "minority-oppressor" dynamics. Finally, Schreiner commonly described acts of the Church community in liberal terminology, using words like "progressive" to describe things like generous giving and having everything in common. Here he betrays most of all his ignorance of the progressive program.
(3) Schreiner has a very weak theology of war. This is evidenced most in the commentary where Schreiner would pit the program of the Church against the program of Israel (a mistake). It seems Schreiner believes the Church was all about pacifism. In reality, I think Schreiner simply hasn't observed how war has been transfigured in the New Testament (or how similar Acts is to Joshua!).
(4) Related to 3, Schreiner does not have much of a historical-covenantal context for the book of Acts. Any allusions or observations he makes connecting Acts to the OT are for him only literary ("cool!"). One will not find an eschatology developed from the OT and the gospels undergirding interpretation of Acts, which I believe is both unavoidable and essential.
If I ever teach or preach on Acts, I will consult this commentary primarily for its many connections to OT Scripture.
From my memory, there are numerous references and quotations from Bede and Chrysostom which shed light on particular passages. Finally, he interacts with Parsons, Keener, and Dunn quite a bit.
However, there are several problems I had with this commentary.
(1) Schreiner's goal seems not to have been interpreting Acts so much as making numerous observations. The effect this has is that he presents many ideas, but does not develop them into a cohesive reading of the book as a whole. Aside from his Trinitarian observations (which are largely obvious and overall not very illuminating) and some of his "contemporary applications" (more on that later), he does not really commit to an overall reading of the book.
(2) Schreiner pays a tithe in this book to the gods of postmodernism and multiculturalism. He seems to have been eager to please more liberal readers, and the commentary suffered for this in many ways. Some parts of it are downright silly and insult the intelligence of his readers. For example, interpreting Peter's raising of Tabitha, Schreiner remarks, "Peter's presence declares an unmistakable truth: women matter." (316) In other areas of the book, he replaces Jewish-Gentile relations with modern-day "race relations" and "minority-oppressor" dynamics. Finally, Schreiner commonly described acts of the Church community in liberal terminology, using words like "progressive" to describe things like generous giving and having everything in common. Here he betrays most of all his ignorance of the progressive program.
(3) Schreiner has a very weak theology of war. This is evidenced most in the commentary where Schreiner would pit the program of the Church against the program of Israel (a mistake). It seems Schreiner believes the Church was all about pacifism. In reality, I think Schreiner simply hasn't observed how war has been transfigured in the New Testament (or how similar Acts is to Joshua!).
(4) Related to 3, Schreiner does not have much of a historical-covenantal context for the book of Acts. Any allusions or observations he makes connecting Acts to the OT are for him only literary ("cool!"). One will not find an eschatology developed from the OT and the gospels undergirding interpretation of Acts, which I believe is both unavoidable and essential.
If I ever teach or preach on Acts, I will consult this commentary primarily for its many connections to OT Scripture.
January 14, 2026
Enjoyed this commentary overall, Schreiner presents Acts as a unified narrative very well and supplements the text in a good way.
I would have liked some more detail in certain areas and often found myself using the footnotes to answer my questions.
But overall this commentary presents the book well.
I would have liked some more detail in certain areas and often found myself using the footnotes to answer my questions.
But overall this commentary presents the book well.
October 16, 2022
This latest release in the Christian Standard Commentary (CSC) series is the first to replace an author from the NAC that the CSC is replacing. To be honest, I was surprised to see the John Pohill work replaced as I had enjoyed using it in the past. In the author’s preface where he mentioned the type of commentary Pohill and others had written, he laid out his desire to especially focus on “the narritival and theological content of Acts with an eye toward the ecclesial.” I only had to start reading before I realized that he was on to something.
He begins the introduction by telling us of the main proposals for the “theological heart” of Acts. From there he develops quite convincingly this theme as our Triune God sharing with us. He traces the big picture through the Father, the Son, the Spirit, the Word, salvation, the church, and witnessing. Now that’s what I call getting the big picture. The Trinitarian perspective is brilliant and undoubtedly correct.
Next, he takes on narrative, genre, Lucan concerns, and structure and imparts much meaningful material along the way. There are even some helpful graphs provided. He ends with traditional introductory issues and has conservative conclusions.
The commentary proper is at once well researched and well written. Despite the expertise, I think pastors and Bible students can score a winner in this volume.
Count be as won over! This is a real treat.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
He begins the introduction by telling us of the main proposals for the “theological heart” of Acts. From there he develops quite convincingly this theme as our Triune God sharing with us. He traces the big picture through the Father, the Son, the Spirit, the Word, salvation, the church, and witnessing. Now that’s what I call getting the big picture. The Trinitarian perspective is brilliant and undoubtedly correct.
Next, he takes on narrative, genre, Lucan concerns, and structure and imparts much meaningful material along the way. There are even some helpful graphs provided. He ends with traditional introductory issues and has conservative conclusions.
The commentary proper is at once well researched and well written. Despite the expertise, I think pastors and Bible students can score a winner in this volume.
Count be as won over! This is a real treat.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
November 16, 2025
“So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ And he said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to come and sit with him.”
Over the past couple of years, I’ve found my personal reading of the Word felt shallow and lacking deeper clarity/context of the passage. Recently, I’ve begun taking up commentaries as a means to help myself better understand any deeper significance that I may be missing.
I came to this specific commentary not knowing what to expect. Schreiner is by far the most academic author I’ve read, but his work here can be grasped by a lay person with some effort. Each verse/passage is highlighted and summarized for its meaning and significance, with certain areas expounded upon that deserve more time. Summaries for each portion of the narrative before diving into them also make understanding easier.
The best part about this commentary is that he simply states what the passage and text is saying/referring to. He doesn’t get lost in digressions unrelated to the text. For texts that have multiple interpretations, he states the possible viewpoints and the one he agrees with, then moves on. I never felt like he was trying to win a theological argument with the reader.
Some of the negative critiques I’ve read have essentially stated that Schreiner is theologically liberal for his views on diversity and women. While there were a couple of spots where I think Schreiner may have found a deeper meaning in these things than I would have, it never affects his theological framework or provides further implications to the text. In other words, the negative critiques are overblown.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve found my personal reading of the Word felt shallow and lacking deeper clarity/context of the passage. Recently, I’ve begun taking up commentaries as a means to help myself better understand any deeper significance that I may be missing.
I came to this specific commentary not knowing what to expect. Schreiner is by far the most academic author I’ve read, but his work here can be grasped by a lay person with some effort. Each verse/passage is highlighted and summarized for its meaning and significance, with certain areas expounded upon that deserve more time. Summaries for each portion of the narrative before diving into them also make understanding easier.
The best part about this commentary is that he simply states what the passage and text is saying/referring to. He doesn’t get lost in digressions unrelated to the text. For texts that have multiple interpretations, he states the possible viewpoints and the one he agrees with, then moves on. I never felt like he was trying to win a theological argument with the reader.
Some of the negative critiques I’ve read have essentially stated that Schreiner is theologically liberal for his views on diversity and women. While there were a couple of spots where I think Schreiner may have found a deeper meaning in these things than I would have, it never affects his theological framework or provides further implications to the text. In other words, the negative critiques are overblown.
September 6, 2024
See my fuller review at SpoiledMilks (July 29, 2024)
The book of Acts is more than pure history. It is a theological work that shows us how God’s people began life in the new covenant under the reign of the ascended Messiah.
An Eye to the Church
Patrick Schreiner’s commentary focuses on the movement of the narrative and its theological content, as well as how this should shape our ecclesiology (church life). Schreiner doesn’t shy away from grammar, history, or background information so long as they enlighten his exegesis. He wants also to “awaken the imagination of the preacher,” those who stand up in front of congregations to declare the word of the Lord (xiv). This is meant to be useful to the pastor (as well as teachers and even laypeople).
Schreiner also takes a more symbolic/figural approach to Acts. This doesn’t mean he eschews history but that, as he quotes from Johannes Brenz, “even the most minute and unessential thing” in Scripture has a purpose because it is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Schreiner does not give us a commentary on other Acts commentaries. He did not feel the need to rehearse what everyone else has said only to repeat their conclusions.
Schreiner sees geography as delimiting Acts’s structure.
Recommended?
This is the kind of commentary I want to read. Schreiner clearly, enjoyably, and with nuance shows how Acts fits into the story of the Bible. This should be used by all, especially teachers and pastors.
The book of Acts is more than pure history. It is a theological work that shows us how God’s people began life in the new covenant under the reign of the ascended Messiah.
An Eye to the Church
Patrick Schreiner’s commentary focuses on the movement of the narrative and its theological content, as well as how this should shape our ecclesiology (church life). Schreiner doesn’t shy away from grammar, history, or background information so long as they enlighten his exegesis. He wants also to “awaken the imagination of the preacher,” those who stand up in front of congregations to declare the word of the Lord (xiv). This is meant to be useful to the pastor (as well as teachers and even laypeople).
Schreiner also takes a more symbolic/figural approach to Acts. This doesn’t mean he eschews history but that, as he quotes from Johannes Brenz, “even the most minute and unessential thing” in Scripture has a purpose because it is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Schreiner does not give us a commentary on other Acts commentaries. He did not feel the need to rehearse what everyone else has said only to repeat their conclusions.
Schreiner sees geography as delimiting Acts’s structure.
Recommended?
This is the kind of commentary I want to read. Schreiner clearly, enjoyably, and with nuance shows how Acts fits into the story of the Bible. This should be used by all, especially teachers and pastors.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews