Ralph P. Martin, Bible scholar and author of numerous studies and commentaries on the New Testament, died Feb. 25 in Southport, England. He was 88.

Martin was professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary and associate professor in biblical studies at the University of Sheffield. He also taught at the Graduate School of Theology of Azusa Pacific University.

Martin’s Carmen Christi dissertation established him as an authority on Phil. 2:5-11. In 1997, it was reissued by InterVarsity Press (IVP) as A Hymn of Christ. He also served as co-editor of IVP’s Dictionary of Paul and His Letters and Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments.

“Martin’s graciousness and moderation in dealing with sensitive issues of New Testament criticism is a model that calls for reflection and emulation in our increasingly polarized environment,” said IVP Senior Editor Dan Reid.

Among other titles, Martin wrote Philippians in the “Tyndale New Testament Commentaries” series (Tyndale House Publishers); and Mark: Evangelist and Theologian (Zondervan) and Worship in the Early Church (Wm. B. Eerdmans). He also served as editor of several titles in the “Word Biblical Commentary” set (Thomas Nelson).

Grateful for Martin’s “rich legacy,” Zondervan Editor in Chief Stan Gundry said he would be remembered “as a gentleman, a scholar and a true Christian brother.”

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