Dr. Briones was born and raised in California. After becoming a Christian at the age of 18, he earned a BA in Biblical Studies from Life Pacific University and an MDiv from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He then became convinced of covenant theology at a pub in England and subsequently earned an MA in Theology and Religion and a PhD in New Testament from Durham University under the supervision of John M.G. Barclay.
Dr. Briones has taught Greek, New Testament, Biblical Backgrounds, and Biblical Theology at several institutions, but he most recently served at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia (2019–23) as an Associate Professor of New Testament and before that at Reformation Bible College (2014–19). He has authored Paul’s Financial Policy: A Socio-Theological Approach (T&T Clark, 2014) and co-edited Paul and Seneca in Dialogue (Brill, 2017) and Paul and the Giants of Philosophy: Reading the Apostle in Greco-Roman Context (IVP Academic, 2019). He has also written several essays in edited volumes, such as the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (2nd edition; IVP Academic, 2023), and published articles in peer-reviewed journals, such as New Testament Studies, Journal for the Study of the New Testament, and Catholic Biblical Quarterly. He is currently finishing a commentary on Philemon for the International Theological Commentary series (T&T Clark) and has other book projects in progress: a commentary on Philippians (Crossway), another on 2 Corinthians (Lexham), and a co-written book on the Apocrypha (IVP). All these things are counted as gifts of grace that he hopes will bless the church.
As a churchman, Dr. Briones serves as an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, preaching and teaching whenever possible. He and his wife, Mindy, have four children.
BA in Biblical Studies from Life Pacific University MDiv from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University MA in Theology and Religion at Durham University PhD in New Testament at Durham University
The Society for New Testament Studies (SNTS)
“I earnestly long for students to understand the Scriptures through a deep engagement with the original, from a prayerful posture of humility, and with the main aim of loving God and neighbor. I want students to see Christ (not simply a text about Christ), be conformed into his image (not simply look for information), and not only proclaim the gospel but also embody it, in their homes and in their churches. I desire students to be lovingly dogmatic, winsomely reformed, theologically practical, and passionate proclaimers of Christ as Lord and themselves as his servants. In short, I want students to exhibit the reality of these four words: “to live is Christ” (Phil 1:21).”
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