A Book Review from Books At a Glance
by Michael D. Mock
I am writing this review on January 1, 2026, and surrounding me on social media are resolutions to read the Bible. Not just to read the Bible (an admirable aim, to be sure), but to read it regularly, reflectively, and joyfully. This book by deSilva can help those resolutions come true, most notably when the reader of the Bible turns to the works of the Apostle Paul. For this book, you don’t need a lengthy review as much as a brief encouragement to get a copy. This resource is instructionally enriching, aesthetically pleasing, and for all audiences.
Instructionally-Enriching
When we strive to understand Scripture, context is king. It rules our understanding. It is also the key that unlocks the door to all the rooms of our Father’s house. Studying the words of Scripture and the relation of these words is, of course, both fundamental and vital. Still, oftentimes, understanding Paul’s words, for instance, will be hindered if we don’t know certain references. But the more we know the cultural, societal, historical, linguistic, geographical, and doctrinal/theological facts of a given people in a place, the better we will understand Paul’s words to that people in that place. To the extent that we are limited in this knowledge, we will have murky minds about the meaning of Paul’s message. DeSilva’s work bridges this gap by clarifying and instructing the mind of the reader. His words and the images that fill these pages are well-researched, accurate, and they aim at assisting the reader to know more about Paul’s world, thereby understanding more about God’s world and Word. DeSilva’s stated goal is to “introduce readers to these fruits [of my labor and travels] in regard to the majority of sites associated with the ministry of Paul, as far as this can be known from the Acts of the Apostles and from Paul’s own writings” (xii). In three unequal parts, deSilva explores Paul’s journeys: (1) to sites associated with the start of Paul’s preaching ministry; (2) to the various cities and towns where Paul and company visited and planted churches; and (3) to locales linked to Paul’s final years and days (xii-xiii). This book is packed with information to fill the mind.
Aesthetically-Pleasing
This resource commends itself on many fronts. Its features witness to the quality of the content. In other words, the book isn’t just easy on the eyes; it’s helpful to the mind. But it is also easy on the eyes! The paper quality is a nice, thick, glossy paper that both supports clear black print and highlights the colorful images that are on almost every page. The images are very well done, not blurry at all. To be sure, there’s no substitute for being physically present at all the sites mentioned, but such travels are for the very few indeed. Watching a well-produced documentary makes for a runner-up of a resource. However, more good documentaries need to be produced. This book stands in the gap. If you want to see, for instance, Roman coinage, Paul’s travel plans, statutes, old sites, and hundreds of other memorabilia and cultural products surrounding Paul’s time on earth, this book offers a peek into Paul’s world. The paper is good quality, but if you plan on writing in the book, you will need to pick a writing utensil that won’t bleed. I chose poorly. Don’t be like me. This book pleases the eye, not merely the mind. You will enjoy just flipping through it and stopping on a random page to learn a thing or two.
Audience
This book is for you. I don’t know who you are, but it’s for you. If you have any interest in seeing the context of Paul’s mission and message with greater clarity, this book is for you. Even if you (like me) have beloved Bible software programs, this makes for a delightful addition. I have this book now on my easy-to-reach references shelf, so that whenever I study anything related to Paul’s travels, letters, and ministry in general, I can consult this book. If you are a homeschool parent, you will love having this book at the ready to show your child(ren) as you study beloved passages in the New Testament. If you are a Bible college or seminary student, add this to your resources. If you’re leading a Bible study from Acts or any of the Pauline epistles, this resource will soon be a go-to book to aid your learning and instructing. If you are reading your Bible personally and devotionally, spend some extra time reading the relevant sections in deSilva’s book to gain a clearer vision (both spiritual and physical) of what God is teaching you in his Word. Whenever you’re reading the Bible, and Paul’s passages in particular, deSilva’s book shall be an enduring addition to your study of God’s Word.
Michael D. Mock