Introducing the updated Africa Bible Commentary, a groundbreaking resource

After years of dedication, teamwork and prayer, a revised and updated edition of the groundbreaking, one-volume Africa Bible Commentary has been released.

The first edition was published by Langham in 2006, almost 20 years ago. It was the first of its kind: a commentary written entirely by African church leaders, for the African church, speaking into the context and written to meet the needs of African pastors, students and church leaders.

The need

Seminary professor and ABC editor Liz Mburu noticed the need for resources like this while she was teaching at a Bible college in Nairobi, Kenya. She used Western resources — the only ones available — and they weren’t resonating with her students. “The Bible is universal. It speaks to everyone, in every culture, at every time, but it doesn’t always address us in the same way.”

Read more: How the Africa Bible Commentary changes lives

The Africa Bible Commentary has been translated into six other languages. It’s a vital resource for hundreds of thousands of pastors, Bible schools and church leaders across the continent. But over the years, the issues facing the church in Africa have shifted.

The second edition of the Africa Bible Commentary, supported by Langham and written by more than 100 theologians across Africa, addresses new issues facing believers and goes deeper on older ones. Authors weave faithful biblical exegesis and interpretation with a contextual understanding of African realities.

“It’s like John Stott’s vision, really, that I’m making mine, to see preachers preaching the Word of God faithfully and strengthening the people of God,” ABC editor Yacouba Sanon said. “We can only do this when our preaching is made contextual. That is when our preachers take into account people’s reality that they live every day. When the Word of God is disconnected from people’s experience and everyday reality, it doesn’t bring changes in their lives.”

Equipping a new generation

The updated Africa Bible Commentary ensures that pastors across Africa, many of whom don’t have formal training or enough resources, are better equipped to serve their congregations and preach the gospel faithfully, relevantly and clearly.

Pastor Kouadio Guillaume is one such example. He oversees nine churches in French-speaking Côte d’Ivoire, where many leaders don’t have formal theological training.

“The commentary doesn’t replace the Word of God. But it is so helpful in expanding and deepening our understanding of His Word through the lens of our African realities,” Guillaume said.

A global impact

The impact will extend beyond the African continent, too, as the church continues to grow exponentially outside of the West. With this commentary, African scholars speak not only to the African church, but also to the wider body of Christ.

After seeing the impact of the Africa Bible Commentary, Langham began working with scholars around the world. Six other ground-breaking regional Bible commentaries in 11 different languages have been published, with more on the way.

The ultimate goal? A global church that is deeply rooted in the Word and leaders who are equipped to preach clearly, faithfully and relevantly.