The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: 2 Peter & Jude

by Robert Harvey; Grant R. Osborne; Philip H. Towner

Publisher:

IVP

, 2009

Overview

In this volume, Robert Harvey and Philip H. Towner delve into Second Peter and Jude, exploring issues of authorship, canonicity, purpose, and themes, ultimately showing how they relate to the life of the church.

The miracle of forgiveness is perhaps equaled only by the wonder of also being trusted again. That wondrous experience in the life of Simon Peter ultimately produced remarkable letters, full of warning and hope, solemn instruction, and glorious promise. Because of that grace in Peter’s past, his words in the book of 2 Peter are able to strengthen his brothers and sisters in faith—namely, us. Jude follows 2 Peter, yet because of its brevity and difficult message, it is one of the most neglected books of Scripture. Still, it too reflects God’s redemptive story and offers important insight for God’s people.

The Logos Bible Software edition of this volume is designed to encourage and stimulate your study and understanding of these New Testament books. Scripture passages link directly to your English translations and original-language texts, and important theological and exegetical concepts link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. In addition, you can perform powerful searches by topic and find what other authors, scholars, and theologians have to say about subjects like the authorship of 2 Peter, Jude’s use of the book of Enoch, and other important topics.

Key Features

• Designed for those who preach and teach from Scripture
• Passage-by-passage exposition
• Includes background information and discussions on critical issues

Contents

Top Highlights

“Peter’s vision of our future is not limited in any way. As Richard Bauckham comments, ‘eternal kingdom’ here must mean ‘not simply ‘heaven,’ but looks forward to the cosmic reign of God in righteousness in the new heaven and new earth’ (1983:192). Later, Peter will again tie together our obedient growth in virtues with our enjoyment of the cosmic kingdom, asking ‘what kind of people ought you to be?’ and answering, as those who are ‘looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth’ (3:11–13).” (Page 57)

“The spiritual darkness of the world, the Scripture as light and Christians as possessors of light have become familiar themes to us in the New Testament (Lk 16:8; Jn 1:5; 3:19; 8:12; 12:35; 2 Cor 6:14; Col 1:12–13; 1 Thess 5:4–5; 1 Pet 2:9), and they were undoubtedly drawn from similar symbolism in the Old Testament (Ps 119:105, 130; Prov 6:23).” (Page 66)

“This prospect fills this present life with significance” (Page 57)

“Goodness is a word meaning energetic moral excellence. It is not simply an absence of bad habits,” (Page 43)

“Jude reveals the secret that is surely most in need of discovery throughout the church today: that Christians must find the way to be the presence of the suffering and forgiving Christ in the church and in the world far before they don the robes of the judging Lord of the eschaton.” (Page 231)

Praise for the Print Edition

A solid, brief, informed exposition.

—Peter H. Davids, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

A helpful exposition. Harvey provides numerous great quotes from church history and literature illustrating and applying the text.

—Ray Van Neste, Preaching

Pastors and lay teachers will benefit from this clearly written, user-friendly volume for their preparation of preaching and teaching.

—Jang Ryul Lee, Theological Book Review

Product Details

• Title: The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: 2 Peter & Jude
• Authors: Robert Harvey and Philip H. Towner
• Editor: Grant R. Osborn
• Series: IVP New Testament Commentary Series
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press
• Publication Date: 2009
• Pages: 249

About the Authors

Robert Harvey was a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary and a pastor for over 40 years in Iowa, Washington state, and Illinois. He was the founding pastor of Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Warrenville, Illinois, where he served until his retirement.

Philip H. Towner is a dean of the Nida Institute for Biblical Scholarship at the American Bible Society in New York, New York. He is also research professor of New Testament at Ewangelikalna Szkola Teologiczna in Wroclaw, Poland. He has previously served on the faculties of Regent College (Vancouver, BC) and the University of Aberdeen.