The New Testament Use of the Old Testament in Matthew's Gospel

Since I have been studying NT biblical theology on my own, I wanted to balance myself to personally dig deeper one gospel, one Pauline letter, and a general epistle (i.e. Matthew, Romans, 1 John). I have been studying Matthew because of the dominant usage of the Old Testament in his gospel, and find it fascinating how much more explicit Matthew's Gospel polemically argues and reveals that Jesus is indeed the Messiah through OT references.

New Testament scholar Craig Blomberg points out in his explanation of Matthew in the outstanding book, Commentary On the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, "The Hebrew Scriptures - or Christian Old Testament - permeate Matthew's Gospel. Approximately 55 references prove close enough in wording for commentators typically to label them 'quotations,' compared to about 65 [references] for the other three canonical Gospels put together. About twenty of these texts are unique to Matthew. Twelve times Matthew speaks explicitly of a passage or theme of Scripture being 'fulfilled.' In addition to explicit quotations, numerous allusions and echoes of Scripture may be discerned in every part of this Gospel, roughly twice as often as in Mark, Luke, or John. Virtually every major theological emphasis of Matthew is reinforced with Old Testament support, often by the addition of segments of texts to the sources Matthew employed."

I love this stuff! It goes to show you that there is no mistake in Matthew's Gospel to argue and reveal the correct scriptural and soteriological identity of the Messiah. I will post some things about Romans and 1 John later because there are some really cool OT connections in those NT books to assure their audience of the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Studying and Preaching Through the Book of Romans

I have been blessed to have the opportunity to teach through the book of Romans with the "Galatians 6:1 Ministry" at Harvest. On Thursday nights, a men's accountability group comes together to hear the gospel and grow together through Bible study, group time, and prayer. My brother and I were asked several years ago to guest speak at the ministry, and since then, we have loved going there to share the gospel. This year, they asked me to join the teaching rotation. Praise the Lord!


At this moment, "The Group" (as they call the study) is going through the book of Romans one chapter per week. I get the pleasure of teaching multiple times, so I took it upon myself to do a personal study through Romans. Since the letter is theologically packed with truth and fulfillment based on the words and works of Christ, I decided to get two commentaries to assist me. I was encouraged at CBU by my professors to never buy sets of commentaries, but rather buy a set of different commentary books on whatever I am teaching. This way, you build a healthy library and your money it put into your current studies instead of spread out very abroad (even though there is nothing wrong with buying a commentary set!). I have done this and have found it extremely fruitful, resourceful, and wise.

Here are the two commentaries that I decided to buy to assist my studying and preaching through the book of Romans. Both are exegetical commentaries (which I highly recommend). One is a technical approach to the meaning of the text (Schreiner), and the other is more of a biblical theology (Talbert). I have learned so much, and enjoy reading these commentaries as if I was in seminary taking a course on Romans. Good reads always lead to good application!

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
(Romans 15:4)