Commentaries on Romans and 1-2 Corinthians (Ancient Christian Texts)
Overview
Ambrosiaster (“Star of Ambrose”) is the name given to the anonymous author of the earliest complete Latin commentary on the thirteen epistles of Paul. The commentaries were thought to have been written by Ambrose throughout the Middle Ages, but their authorship was challenged by Erasmus, whose arguments have proved decisive. Here for the first time Ambrosiaster’s commentaries on Romans and the Corinthian correspondence are made available in English translation, ably translated and edited by Gerald L. Bray. The commentaries, which serve as important witnesses to pre-Vulgate Latin versions of Paul’s epistles, are noteworthy in other respects as well. Ambrosiaster was a careful and thoughtful interpreter, with little use for allegory, though he employed typology judiciously. Writing during the pontificate of Damasus (366–384), he is a witness to Nicene orthodoxy and frequently comments on themes related to the Trinity, the consubstantiality of the son, the problem of the unbelief of the Jews and the nature of human sinfulness. He had a keen eye for moral issues and often offers comments that reflect his knowledge of how the church had changed from the time of the apostles to his own day. This commentary offers a rich repository of insight into the thinking of pre-Reformation church leaders for the leaders and teachers of the church today.
Top Highlights
“To prepare here means to let each one know what he will be in the future.” (Page 79)
“Yet Paul did not say that God is generous to those who believe in him, but to those who call upon him. Once a mind has put its faith in him, it will not cease to implore him, because it has been taught by the Lord to pray without ceasing. In the Gospel of Luke, for example, it says that we must always pray because of our enemy, who is subtle and cunning.5 However, forgiveness of sins is given only to those who believe. It follows therefore that someone who has been consecrated by prayer will be set free from evil and be able to receive what God has promised to those who are watchful with all their heart.” (Pages 84–85)
“The one who, in the time of the law, was thought to be only an angel and the leader of the Lord’s army, was revealed as the Son of God, and then it was said with thanksgiving: You are God and we did not know it. This therefore means that it was he who appeared to the patriarchs as God, and was afterward incarnated, although he was not recognized by everyone.” (Page 21)
“He sums up by saying that nothing should be done in church if it has no purpose.” (Page 188)
“want to persuade people that there is nothing wrong in doing them.” (Page 15)
- Title: Commentaries on Romans and 1-2 Corinthians
- Author: Ambrosiaster
- Series: Ancient Christian Texts
- Publisher: IVP Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2009
- Logos Release Date: 2017
- Era: era:nicene
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. N.T. Romans › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. 1 Corinthians › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. 2 Corinthians › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9780830897230, 9780830829033, 0830897232, 0830829032
- Resource ID: LLS:ACT66RO
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T19:05:27Z