1 Corinthians: (A Paragraph-by-Paragraph Exegetical Evangelical Bible Commentary - BECNT)

Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament

by David E. Garland

Paul's first letter to the Corinthians is one of the most important epistles in the New Testament. David Garland's thoughtful new commentary draws on extensive research and engages the best of contemporary scholarship while providing a readable study that will be accessible to thoughtful readers as well as students, pastors, and scholars. After considering the context of the letter and the social and cultural setting of Corinth, Garland turns to his exegetical work. An introduction to each major unit of thought is followed by the author's own translation of the Greek text. In the course of his verse-by-verse commentary, he incorporates references to other ancient writings that help explain particular aspects of Paul's meaning or provide information on the social and cultural context. He also refers to the work of other commentators and provides extensive notes for further reading and research.

Genres: Reference, Theology, Biblical Studies, Christian, Christianity

896 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2003

About the author

David Ellsworth Garland (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is associate dean for academic affairs and William M. Hinson Professor of Christian Scriptures at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University. He is the author of numerous books, including award-winning commentaries on 1 Corinthians and Mark.

Reviews

[Collin Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the most thorough commentary I have ever read. 774 pages of text on just 1 Corinthians.

At times historical context was a big focus over top of the theological meaning and often Garland is just regurgitating a myriad of different commentaries. It was hard to get his own thoughts.

It was still helpful in many ways in a deep dive through 1 Corinthians. I will probably continue to use it as a reference.

One thing I appreciated was his constant uncovering of the “wisdom of the cross” lifestyle found in chapter 1 and weaved throughout the rest of the book. I’m my opinion 1 Corinthians should be regarded as a “wisdom” book just like proverbs because of this overarching theme.

[Lucas Dorminy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very helpful commentary with plenty of good insights on difficult passages. As with any commentary, I had to go elsewhere for help on the more controversial sections of 1 Corinthians, but still a solid and overall worthwhile commentary.

[Ryan Rench · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Garland and Fee weekly, and started the series with Thiselton but dropped him after a while. I also read after several preachers—Baptist and non-Baptist alike—and came away from the book so refreshed by the study! By the end of my series through 1 Corinthians, Garland became my favorite commentator of all that I was reading. Readable, conservative, and in-depth on every text without getting bogged down or trying to rewrite the text. Fee's commentary is the go-to on this book, but Garland wasn't afraid to contradict him and show where and why Fee might be overstating his points.

[Matthew Bonzon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good resource.
I wish it was a tad bit more theological.

[Matthew Rawlings · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dated but reliable commentary. I strongly disagreed on a number of points but Garland always provides solid resources.

[Jon Pentecost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe the best resource I used in preaching 1 Corinthians. Garland pays careful attention to the argument not just of particular passages, but the overall argument of the letter.

Used in preaching 1 Corinthians in 2023, 2024.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I taught a Sunday-morning Bible class on First Corinthians last fall and used this commentary as my primary reference. I was looking for an accessible, mainstream commentary that provided a survey of current scholarship in addition to the author’s views. Garland’s work fit the bill perfectly.

The outline of the book is easy to follow. It begins with an overview essay. Garland outlines 1 Corinthians into 12 major sections. Each major section gets its own, smaller, introduction. Then for each smaller subsection, Garland provides a very brief introduction, a translation, his commentary, and some closing notes. Bold-faced marginal notes allow the reader to quickly locate the exposition of any given verse.

Garland’s exegesis is very thorough and very clear. I cannot recall coming away confused from any part of the book. At those points where his views differ from the scholarly mainstream, he outlines his thoughts and objectsions with equal doses of clarity and humility.

Much of his thinking is based around his assessment that the major faultlines within the Corinthian congregation were social or socio-economic, not theological. Their behavior was sometimes scandalous, sometimes bordering on scandal. Paul’s response is not so much to correct them doctrinally, but to ensure that their behavior doesn’t become an offense, internally or externally.

[Ryan Linkous · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great commentary on 1 Corinthians. Garland does a great job handling multiple contemporary perspectives and bringing in both Jewish and Greco-Roman backgrounds material. He is willing to say "We don't really know what this means" (and perhaps he should say it more often than he already does). He takes a few dogmatic stands (ex. the Corinthians do not question Paul's apostleship and hence there is no conflict between Paul and the Corinthians) which require constant reminding because the text seems to suggest otherwise.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing quite as brutal as reading a commentary from beginning to the end, but it is for class, and it is a pretty readable one.

Good resource to have on your shelf. Technical but readable. Engages the original language, but still usable for those who don't know them.

[Cbarrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent commentary. Baker Exegetical Commentary has an easy to read layout. Garland definitely unpacks a lot in this commentary.

[Frank Peters · Rating 2 out of 5]

Portions were outstanding, but Fee was much more readable and interesting.

[Steve Hemmeke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encyclopedic - covers most theories on every passage.
Format also helps glean the main point and application, too.
Solid for sermon preparation.