Thorough as a student of Greek, R. C. H. Lenski interprets St. Paul’s First and Second Epistles to the Corinthians with meticulous exegetical research while providing an original, literal translation of the text. With his conservative Lutheran perspective, he is unwavering in his high view of Scriptural authority, probing deeply and passionately—arguing his conclusions masterfully. Beyond exegesis, he provides linguistic and textual analysis, historical background such as information on the author, date, time of writings, authorial intent, chief themes, and much more. Often addressing difficult text, evading nothing, Lenski evaluates multiple interpretations before choosing one in particular. The Lenski Commentary, therefore, will introduce you to a range of interpretations and viewpoints, allowing you to see how other interpretations relate to one another, and will provide the context as to why he has settled on a particular viewpoint.
A great work of exegesis, every page the result of long meditation, based on rich scholarship, warm with holy reverence for the Word of God.
—Moody Monthly
Lenski is one of the most helpful commentators on the New Testament you'll find — especially for his knowledge of the original Greek text. No serious exegete should neglect his insights.
—The Discerning Reader
The treatment is exhaustive; it seems that nothing has been overlooked or omitted.
—The Lutheran
My favorite New Testament commentary is that of R.C.H. Lenski. I smile whenever this scholar stabbed the “chiliasts” or those who reject infant baptism; yet I profit greatly from his sane and spiritually sensitive exposition. You do not have to be a Greek scholar to benefit from Lenski.
—Warren W. Wiersbe, A Basic Library for Bible Students
A conservative, very extensive and generally helpful exposition based upon an exegesis of the Greek text. Armenian in doctrine, maintains a rigid approach to Greek grammar, and follows an amillennial interpretation of eschatology. Exceedingly helpful background material and abounds in good preaching values.
—Cyril Barber, The Minister's Library
R. C. H. Lenski a distinguished Lutheran scholar and commentator, studied for the ministry at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. Upon earning his Doctor of Divinity, he became Dean of the seminary. He was a former professor at Capital Seminary (now Trinity Lutheran Seminary) in Columbus, Ohio, where he taught in the fields of exegesis, dogmatics, and homiletics. His numerous books and commentaries are written from a conservative perspective.
“Paul significantly calls this the work ‘of the Lord.’ He has instituted this work, and all of it belongs to him personally. This is the work of the gospel, the work of filling our own hearts and our lives with the truth, the power, and the light of the gospel and the hearts and the lives of as many others as possible. This is the work of the church which has places and tasks for every one of us. Its nature is spiritual throughout. This significant genitive ‘of the Lord’ should correct the so-called ‘church work’ of many who busy themselves with worldly tasks in the churches, with mere humanitarian ‘social service’ and a hundred other things with which the Lord and the gospel are not concerned.” (Page 754)
“The two ideas are clearly distinct, yet they are also closely related, for a faith that is empty and rests on empty air is for that very reason also of no use whatever.” (Page 655)
“Yet even now it is clear that the Corinthians and we could do ourselves no greater harm than to let those who despise and spurn the gospel alter that gospel and make it something that pleases them.” (Page 55)
“By doing this Paul strikes home directly at the Corinthians who thought that they, too, could preserve their relation to Jehovah while, pretending to make use of their liberty, they ate, drank, and amused themselves at idol celebrations.” (Page 397)
“The astonishing thing is that such a divine treasure, God’s own presence of grace, the ultimate of what is heavenly, absolutely priceless, beyond the value of all rubies and diamonds of earth, should be placed into such wretched vessels and be kept in them so long. One would expect that this treasure would be entrusted only to vessels of the highest value, be placed where they and their treasure are only admired and are ever handled with utmost care and reverence. But see what God has done! Yet this is his way with this treasure as 1 Cor. 1:26–29 shows. He sent his own Son into our flesh, permitted him to be born in a stable, in a paltry village, in lowliest surroundings, him in whom all the Godhead dwelt bodily (Col. 1:15–19; 2:9). Astounding, yet a fact.” (Page 974)