Paideia: Commentaries on the New Testament Upgrade Collection (4 vols.)

Professor Perkins has produced a commentary on 1 Corinthians that has the merit of being both learned and concise. She provides readers with a wealth of information about the cultural and historical background of the text without neglecting its theological meaning and significance. This is an ideal commentary for students and pastors seeking a reliable guide to one of Paul’s most important letters.

—Frank J. Matera, Andrews-Kelly-Ryan Professor of Biblical Studies, Catholic University of America

This relatively concise and accessible commentary helpfully situates Paul’s letter in its first-century context through its valuable discussions of key background issues and its generous use of sidebars with quotations of relevant material from ancient sources. Pastors and students will benefit from the contextual focus as well as from Perkins’ informed approach to theological interpretation, even if they reach some different conclusions along the way.

—Roy Ciampa, professor of New Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Pheme Perkins is renowned for her independence of mind and the focus and precision of her thinking. Here she combines these rare qualities in an account of 1 Corinthians that is thoroughly up to date on the best scholarship and elegantly brings its intended readership into the central questions of the letter—cultural, literary, and theological.

—Troels Engberg-Pedersen, faculty of theology, University of Copenhagen

This relatively new series is aimed squarely at students of the New Testament (e.g., seminarians, theology majors, graduate students). The goal is for the reader to understand the context and content of the particular New Testament book under consideration. Rather than present a verse-by-verse exposition, the commentators consider each cohesive segment of the biblical book. All these goals are well accomplished by Pheme Perkins. . . . In her introduction to the letter and in the body of the commentary she provides a thorough exposition of Paul’s theology and its relationship to the wider context of Judaism and the Greco-Roman world. . . . [Provides] the reader with ample quotations from ancient authors and observations about the social, political, and religious context of Paul’s world; these are accompanied by various outlines, maps, and apt black and white photos of pertinent sites. All of this makes this commentary on 1 Corinthians a valuable resource for the intended audience.

—The Bible Today

I can think of no one more qualified than John Painter and David deSilva to write on James and Jude respectively. They have produced an admirable work, both in its scholarly integrity and in its literary clarity. They have adhered to the goal of the Paideia series in not writing a detailed exegetical commentary but rather ‘attending to the cultural, literary and theological settings of the final form of the text’ and bringing out the rhetorical strategies employed. This increases rather than limits the value of the work, allowing for a focus and clarity that might not otherwise be possible. I recommend this work; no future work on these two letters will be complete without using it.

—Peter Davids, visiting professor in Christianity, Houston Baptist University

James and Jude makes an excellent contribution to the impressive Paideia commentary series. John Painter’s commentary on James exhibits all the traits of a master interpreter. The introductory material is rich without being dense or convoluted. The commentary itself is concise and loaded with insight. David deSilva’s commentary on Jude is a gem. Who knew that so much of interest could be extracted from such a brief epistle? Students will benefit greatly from this well-written volume. Veteran scholars are also encouraged to add it to their library.

—Craig A. Evans, Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Acadia Divinity College

Painter and deSilva are to be congratulated for taking their readers and the biblical text seriously. They do not dumb down their discussions, but neither do they make brute historical, linguistic, and sociological facts the centerpiece of what they say. In these pages, thoughtful and practical reflection (‘Theological Issues’) always follows a close analysis of the Greek text (‘Tracing the Train of Thought’). The authors teach that understanding is not an end in itself; they insist that a robust faith is alien in any culture and that it is lived.

—James Riley Strange, assistant professor of religion, Samford University

Duane Watson and Terrance Callan, each of whom has written significantly on Second Peter, team up here to provide a fresh and coherent exposition of both letters—a most welcome contribution to Petrine studies and a valuable tool for reassessing the difficult question of the relationship between the two canonical letters bearing Peter’s name.

—J. Ramsey Michaels, professor of religious studies emeritus, Missouri State University

Duane Watson and Terrance Callan have written a solid, rhetorically informed commentary that fulfills the aspirations of the Paideia series—namely, a work that will be readable, informative, and serviceable for students of the New Testament. Their depth of scholarship on these works, gained from years of study and teaching, is now made accessible in one place. I look forward to recommending this work to my own students.

—Peter H. Davids, visiting professor in Christianity, Houston Baptist University

Watson and Callan’s commentary on 1 and 2 Peter provides a helpful combination of attention to the biblical text, ancient sources and context, and theological issues. This clearly written work will be appreciated by both pastors and students who want to learn more about these biblical texts, the contexts in which they arose, and their theological implications for the church today.

—Ruth Anne Reese, professor of New Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary

In an age of overly large volumes that easily swamp students with detail, Watson and Callan’s tome on the Petrine Epistles offers the best of contemporary scholarship with concise precision. A masterful and complete commentary full of sound and sober interpretive judgment combined with blocks of contextual and theological insights, this accessible text will also aid the busy pastor concerned for faithful biblical exposition.

—Gene L. Green, professor of New Testament, Wheaton College

[Watson] demonstrate[s] a profound understanding of both the text of 1 Peter and the environment in which it came into being. . . . Watson’s entire contribution is engaging and intelligent. Callan’s too, for his exposition of 2 Peter is just as nicely and competently done as Watson’s of 1 Peter. . . . The bibliography which concludes the volume is extensive and up to date and the indices are very complete. . . . This is a quite impressive achievement both in terms of the contents of the book and the way in which that content is presented to the reader. This is a commendable, well written, enjoyable addition to any library.

—Jim West, adjunct professor of biblical studies, Quartz Hill School of Theology