ACCORDING to the introductory advertisement, Tom Wright, alias Bishop N. T. Wright, has written 80 influential books, at least one of which features this letter, sent to several of the little Christian Greek-speaking communities of what is now Western Turkey.

This commentary springs from a course of lectures delivered first at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and later as a summer school in Houston, Texas. It is a joy to read, full as it is of Wright’s vigorous and muscular style; the opening hymn is entitled “A shout of praise”. We, God’s people, are God’s artwork, described several times as a small working model of God’s new creation in all its rich variety.

In the first half of the commentary, the fulfilment of God’s plan is laid out with glowing — indeed, the whole book glows — expansion of the principal biblical texts such as Isaiah, Psalms 8 and 110, and the hymns and doxologies of the letter. These form the background to the author’s (probably St Paul’s) vision of Christianity. In the second half, the effects of God’s grace are outlined with special attention to conversion, call, and commission, with particular attention to a sweep of thought about marriage in the Kingdom of the Messiah.

The self-giving love of spouses is the image, or, rather, the mystery of the love of the Messiah for his Church. This analysis of the vision of Christ’s relationship to the Church gives an inspiring model for the Christian life in all its splendour and many of its earthly practicalities.

Fr Henry Wansbrough OSB is a monk of Ampleforth, emeritus Master of St Benet’s Hall, Oxford, and a former member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission.

The Vision of Ephesians: The task of the Church and the glory of God
Tom Wright
SPCK £13.99
(978-0-281-09065-5)
Church Times Bookshop £12.59