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Commentary Reviews for the Corinthian Epistles

First Corinthians

Barrett, C. K., BNTC, Hendriksen
This is a good commentary, but it is much more important to a student than to a Pastor.




Blomberg. Craig, NIVAC. Zondervan
By a Conservative Baptist professor who scolds non-charismatic interpreters in his introduction. (John felt scolded, but has been told that he over reacted). It is helpful in a number of places.




Bruce, F. F., NCB, Eerdmans (on both epistles)
If only it was not so brief, it would be great, but what we have is good.




Collins, Raymond F, Sacra Pagina, Liturgical
This is a large Catholic work.




Fee, Gordon, NICNT, Eerdmans
This is a very good work. He occasionally makes an unusual choice. Those of a charismatic persuasion will like it even more. Alain thinks that he dropped the ball on 1 Cor 14:34-36 when he declared it to be non-Pauline (which supports his egalitarian views.)




Garland, David, BECNT, Baker
Even though Garland is also Southern Baptist, John might agree with Thistleton more often. This is a very good commentary.




Hays, Richard, INT, WJK
John has decided not to buy it unless he finds a great deal. Many recommend it highly,




Johnson, Alan, IVPNTC, Intervarsity
It seems to be well written. John has not decided how much it adds to the discussion




Kistemaker, Simon, NTC, Baker
He is reformed and helpful.




Morris, Leon, TNTC, Eerdmans
This is a very good value for the Pastor.




Robertson, a & Plummer, A, ICC, T & T Clark
This has much un-translated materiel. I would not buy it unless your Greek is very good. It is not a first choice any way. John did not find it helpful for sermon preparation.




Soards, Marion, NIBC, Hendrickson
Pastor John passed at this time.




Thistleton. Anthony, NIGTC, Eerdmans
This is an outstanding commentary. John considers this one of the best in his library. It is very full, but you would still want another voice in your ear. As expected, it is strong in the exegesis of the Greek text and it is also very detailed.




Witherington, Ben, Conflict and Community in Corinth: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary, Eerdmans
This is a very helpful book. It is a helpful compliment to Thistleton and others. Ine would stoll eant a more traditional commentary.




John's Picks
1. Thistleton
2. Garland
3. Fee
4. Witherington, Kistemaker, Johnson, or Morris

Alain's Picks for Students and Scholars.
1. Thistleton
2. Fee
3. Garland
4. Witherington

Second Corinthians

Barnett, Paul, NICNT, Eerdmans
This is John's standard work. It is enjoyable to read!




Barrett, C. K., BNTC, Hendriksen
This is a good commentary, but it is much more important for a student than a Pastor.




Belleville, Linda, IVPNTC, Intervarsity
It is very helpful.

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Bruce, F. F., NCB, Eerdmans (on both epistles)
If only it was not so brief, but what we have is good.




Furnish, Victor P., AB. Doubleday
John passed on this one, but you may need to use it in the library. Alain notes that it is good for Greco-Roman backgrounds




Garland, David, NAC, B & H
This is another book that has been on John's Christmas list for several years. Everything that I have read from this author is helpful.




Hafeman, Scott, NIVAC. Zondervan
John has read the intro and looks forward to his next trip through the epistle.




Harris, Murray J., NIGTC, Eerdmans
John waited for this commentary for over 20 years. He is happy. The same author's work in the EBC is superseded by this volume.




Hughes, Phillip E., NICNT, Eerdmans
This was the best choice 20 years ago for the evangelical pastor. It is still a helpful volume. He gives more theology than most.




Kistemaker, Simon, NTC, Baker
He is helpful and reformed.




Kruse, Colin, TNTC. Eerdmans
John has not used it, but others do recommend it.




Martin, Ralph A., WBC, Nelson
It is a good technical commentary, but I expect that Harris will keep this one on the shelf. Alain notes that it is good for a history of interpretation




Thrall, Margaret, ICC (revised), T & T Clark
She is a moderate evangelical. It can be very heavy going. Use it in a library before you invest in it.




Witherington, Ben, Conflict and Community in Corinth: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary, Eerdmans
This is a very helpful book. It is a helpful compliment to Thistleton and others.




Alain's Picks for Students/Scholars
1. Barnett
2. Harris
3. Martin
4. Thrall

John's Picks

1. Harris (NIGTC)
2. Barnett and/or Garland
3. Hafeman
4. Harris (REBC) or Bellville or Kistemaker

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"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal 5:6b

Pastor John C. Blackburn

I've read Blomberg, and I wouldn't say that he scolds non-charismatics. I would say that he scolds anti-charismatics. I would describe Blomberg as non-charismatic but not anti-charismatic. His view is similar to Grudem and Carson's. He's not a cessationist, but he's also not going to endorse much of what goes on in Pentecostal and charismatic churches.

I've seen several reviewers saying that Barnett is very good on biblical theology and not quite as good on Greek exegesis. I would put Garland and Harris above him any day, but I would want to consult him as a third or fourth commentary.

i'm curious if anyone has examined this commentary: http://www.millennium7000.com/Avi/Galatians.htm

if i understand the gist, every time Paul comdemns the law it refers to the Talmud -- whenever it says obey the law, it's Torah -- rather convenient to the Judaizer, if you ask me

thoughts?

I really do not want to comment about it, but it is obviously wishful think to those who crave to have law rather then grace - which is often a means of control and power.



He is clearly speaking of the Mosaic Law

John

_________________
"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal 5:6b

Pastor John C. Blackburn

I have made a few changes in the comments, John

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"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal 5:6b

Pastor John C. Blackburn

Pastor John,
Any chance that you've looked over Thiselton's shorter commentary on 1 Corinthians. I've read about 150 pages of his longer one and just wondered about the shorter. Any idea what he has cut out of the MUCH longer version? I intend actually to buy the longer when its all said and done (as it would appear to be the most exhaustive commentary on 1 Corinthians available...he is also a very able theologian and exegete). Also, I was just wondering (having just noticed) why Galatians comments rankings aren't listed here even though there is some interaction between you and Paco about Galatians commentaries? Blessings to you.

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Anti, you did see, didn't you, that John discussed commentaries on Galatians here and here?

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Gideon,
Yes I was aware of both of those places, but wondered why there is discussion of Galatians still listed here under 1-2 Corinthians (where it appears that at one time Galatians was included). I was simply wondering why those comments hadn't been moved to the appropriate thread. Thank you though...

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Ah, I see. Good point. I have now moved Paco's question and John's response on Galatians commentaries to the appropriate thread.

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Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!

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I have not reviewed Thistleton's shorter work. I usually find such efforts dissapointing, but Bock on Luke and Motyer on Isaiah were both helpful in their shorter efforts.

John

_________________
"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal 5:6b

Pastor John C. Blackburn

I wondered partially because there is an 1100 page difference between the two! At least one of the reviews that I've read mentions that the shorter is more pastoral than the longer (but I was very impressed by the thoroughness and the quality of the longer...at least the portions I've read).

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Everyone is equal at the foot of the cross...just some are more equal than others.
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I think the longer commentary is excellent - though I encountered a new word not infrequently.

I have been out of school for a few years.

John

_________________
"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal 5:6b

Pastor John C. Blackburn

I think an appropriate commentary from a Lutheran perspective is Concordia Commentary on 1 Corinthians. Dr. Lockwood is an Australian Lutheran scholar, having spent 15 years on the mission field teaching pastors in Papua New Guinea. Later (early 1980's) he earned his STM and doctorate at Concordia, St. Louis... I was same age as him, but as a second career guy, I was just working on my MDiv at the time.

Thanks for your insight, I do not have access to these volumes except when I am on vacation - and they are expensive unless you know that it is a book that you really want to own.

John

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"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Gal 5:6b

Pastor John C. Blackburn