Iain M. Duguid Books

These commentaries are designed to help the reader of the Bible understand what the text says and what it means. The Introduction to each book gives a concise but thorough treatment of its authorship, date, original setting and purpose. Following a structural Analysis, the Commentary takes the book section by section, drawing out its main themes, and also comments on individual verses and problems of interpretation. Additional Notes provide fuller discussion of particular difficulties. In the new Old Testament volumes, the commentary on each section of the text is structured under three headings: Context, Comment and Meaning. The goal is to explain the true meaning of the Bible and make its message plain. THE SONG OF SONGS This Old Testament book, 'the best of songs', has fascinated and perplexed interpreters for centuries. We hear the passionate melody of romantic love, and are confronted by erotic imagery - but whose love is described? Is it a couple's love for each other, God's love for his people, or a poem that speaks to love in all its dimensions? Iain Duguid's commentary explains how the Song is designed to show us an idealized picture of married love, in the context of a fallen and broken world. It also convicts us of how far short of this perfection we fall, both as humans and as lovers, and drives us repeatedly into the arms of our true heavenly husband, Jesus Christ.

“A battle manual for every Christian.” ― Sinclair B. Ferguson The Christian life is a battle. We are in a daily struggle against the world, sin, and Satan. But God didn’t leave us to fend for ourselves. He gave us his own armor―armor that Jesus has already worn on our behalf all the way to the cross. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is now at work inside of us. This book unpacks each of the pieces of spiritual armor Paul describes in Ephesians 6, inviting us to take up the armor each day, all while resting in the finished victory of Christ and the assurance that our strength for the battle comes from him.

To many of us, Song of Songs is a puzzling book. Often we’re not sure whether we should read it as romantic poetry or as allegory, and an answer either way raises new questions. Why is a love poem a whole book of the Bible? If it’s allegorical, what are we to make of the imagery used? And if we’re not married or dating, should we be reading this book at all?As a part of Scripture, Song of Songs is God-breathed and useful to instruct all Christians, single or married, divorced or widowed, straight or struggling with same-sex desires. Pastor-scholar Iain Duguid steers a middle way between allegorical and literal approaches, showing that this book’s celebration of the love between a man and woman can not only shape our thinking about human relationships but also give us profound insight into the love that Christ has for his bride, the church.

Exploring the themes of redemption and repentance, this book delves into the biblical story of Jonah to reveal God's heart for sinners and saints alike. Iain Duguid emphasizes that salvation is ultimately God's work and encourages readers to confront their own tendencies to flee from Him. Through a thorough examination of Jonah's journey, the author invites a deeper understanding of divine grace and the universal call to return to God.

Zephaniah warned of judgment and spoke of hope: God is both Judge and Refuge from judgment. Haggai declared that God's presence in his people's midst would bring blessing. And Malachi reminded straying people that God would not abandon those who feared him, despite their sin. Practical, devotional, and expositional, this commentary delves into the ways these three prophets point us to Christ's suffering, God's forgiveness, and glories to come.