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Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching
First Corinthians: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching
A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching is a distinctive resource for those who interpret the Bible in the church. Planned and written specifically for teaching and preaching needs, this critically acclaimed biblical commentary is a major contribution to scholarship and ministry.
299 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1997
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About the author
Richard B. Hays
51 books103 followersRichard Bevan Hays was an American New Testament scholar and George Washington Ivey Professor Emeritus of New Testament Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. He was an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 6, 2025
This commentary served my present purposes to study 1 Corinthians. There are a number of disagreements I have with the book, such as Hays' over-emphasis of the context of sophism in Corinth. Here, Hays sees sophism behind every problem in Corinth to the complete exclusion of any kind of over realized eschatology, and there are some points in the letter where his insertion of this context feels forced.
However, by far the most problematic are some of the liberal assumptions of Hays throughout. He simply has no qualms saying that Paul's argument is weak, even borderline contradictory at times, to the point of assaulting the Scriptures. He does something similar with certain moral issues in the book, guided by his own faulty moral foundation, which (unfortunately) become evident in his later years.
Hays' Echoes of Scripture in the Letter of Paul is absolutely superb. However, readers of Hays will have to spit out a lot of bones in reading this commentary, and I'm not sure if the meat is worth it over other options.
However, by far the most problematic are some of the liberal assumptions of Hays throughout. He simply has no qualms saying that Paul's argument is weak, even borderline contradictory at times, to the point of assaulting the Scriptures. He does something similar with certain moral issues in the book, guided by his own faulty moral foundation, which (unfortunately) become evident in his later years.
Hays' Echoes of Scripture in the Letter of Paul is absolutely superb. However, readers of Hays will have to spit out a lot of bones in reading this commentary, and I'm not sure if the meat is worth it over other options.
June 25, 2021
Really enjoyed it. The writing was clear and helpful, and it gave me a much bigger appreciation and love for this letter.
July 10, 2019
I planned on studying a couple sections from this commentary for research purposes, but I ended up reading the entire volume. Dr. Hays' keen insights opened up 1 Corinthians in new and amazing ways, giving me an increased appreciation for the Apostle Paul's pastoral care and masterful rhetoric. In fact, this commentary has provided a paradigm shift for my understanding of Paul, and 1 Corinthians might now be my favorite New Testament book.
August 12, 2019
I loved this book. I have 5 commentaries on 1 Corinthians and this one is my favorite. Hays is critical and should be read cautiously. Nonetheless, he more often than not hit the nail on the head and his writing style kept me interested. Highly recommended.
March 4, 2018
Richard B. Hayes has given us in this commentary on First Corinthians one of the best volumes in the Interpretation Bible Commentary series. Though I often turn to this series to grasp the critical angle on a book of the Bible, I found this one to be more conservative than several I’ve seen in that series. Mr. Hayes is a captivating writer and that is a pleasant bonus in any commentary.
The Introduction begins with an explanation of setting. When he describes the city of Corinth, he feels that it is not as wild as some writers say. He believes it had only the normal vices of any seaport city. In describing the occasion of the letter, he feels it springs from two factors: a report from “Chloe’s people” that contained alarming news and a letter from the Corinthians themselves asking for clarification on several matters. He explained Paul’s background with the group and the socioeconomic diversity in the congregation. He feels the Corinthians had issues that Paul turns to theological ideas. The section on unity and structure is a little weak as well as the arbitrary comment about certain texts being altered or added. He sees as the major theological themes as Christology, apocalyptic eschatology, embodied existence, the primacy of love, and the transformation of power and status through the cross. His last section is on the major focal points of the commentary. After a brief outline, he jumps into the commentary itself.
The commentary is thoughtful and well done. Take for example the passage of I Corinthians 5:1-13. Because that passage censures the incestuous behavior of someone in the Corinthian church with his mother-in-law, many struggle with the passage or rob it of its urgency. The author stuck to the text but didn’t dodge any of the issues involved. He defended the concept of church discipline. As I said, this book is more conservative than many in the series.
There are, as you would imagine, some places where I just couldn’t follow his conclusions; especially if those conclusions were based on his unsubstantiated claim of a textual alteration or addition. Still, it’s a vivacious effort. I believe it will make a fine addition to your library.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
The Introduction begins with an explanation of setting. When he describes the city of Corinth, he feels that it is not as wild as some writers say. He believes it had only the normal vices of any seaport city. In describing the occasion of the letter, he feels it springs from two factors: a report from “Chloe’s people” that contained alarming news and a letter from the Corinthians themselves asking for clarification on several matters. He explained Paul’s background with the group and the socioeconomic diversity in the congregation. He feels the Corinthians had issues that Paul turns to theological ideas. The section on unity and structure is a little weak as well as the arbitrary comment about certain texts being altered or added. He sees as the major theological themes as Christology, apocalyptic eschatology, embodied existence, the primacy of love, and the transformation of power and status through the cross. His last section is on the major focal points of the commentary. After a brief outline, he jumps into the commentary itself.
The commentary is thoughtful and well done. Take for example the passage of I Corinthians 5:1-13. Because that passage censures the incestuous behavior of someone in the Corinthian church with his mother-in-law, many struggle with the passage or rob it of its urgency. The author stuck to the text but didn’t dodge any of the issues involved. He defended the concept of church discipline. As I said, this book is more conservative than many in the series.
There are, as you would imagine, some places where I just couldn’t follow his conclusions; especially if those conclusions were based on his unsubstantiated claim of a textual alteration or addition. Still, it’s a vivacious effort. I believe it will make a fine addition to your library.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
March 3, 2019
An in-depth exploration of 1 Corinthians according to the Interpretation commentary format.
The author generally does well at explaining the text in its context, locating the Corinthian Christians in their Greco-Roman context. His reconstruction of a group of well-to-do and more "spiritual" group as those who are often critiqued by Paul is reasonable, and makes good sense of the text in man places (especially the last half of 1 Corinthians 11 and in 1 Corinthians 15). Many of his application points for preaching and teaching are apt.
At some points, though, the author strains credulity. His position on 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 is not nearly as circumspect as most of his other positions. He at least tries to make sense of 1 Corinthians 11:3-16 in context, but has little by means of application.
Overall a good resource to consider when exploring 1 Corinthians.
The author generally does well at explaining the text in its context, locating the Corinthian Christians in their Greco-Roman context. His reconstruction of a group of well-to-do and more "spiritual" group as those who are often critiqued by Paul is reasonable, and makes good sense of the text in man places (especially the last half of 1 Corinthians 11 and in 1 Corinthians 15). Many of his application points for preaching and teaching are apt.
At some points, though, the author strains credulity. His position on 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 is not nearly as circumspect as most of his other positions. He at least tries to make sense of 1 Corinthians 11:3-16 in context, but has little by means of application.
Overall a good resource to consider when exploring 1 Corinthians.
October 12, 2023
An exceptional mid-level commentary on 1 Corinthians. Hays engages critically with the text (perhaps too critically at times) but always comes back to insightful theological themes the teacher/preacher can chew on (even 25ish years after they were first published!).
He takes an apocalyptic view of things which is fresh. Hays is also very cognizant of Paul's engagement with the OT with his typical "echo" intertextual focus. He also engages with other ancient sources (church fathers, the Didache, philosophers, Jewish writings, etc.), which is interesting. Although it's shortish, I didn't feel like he skipped over any tricky passage, and the writing was clear and engaging. Highly recommended!
He takes an apocalyptic view of things which is fresh. Hays is also very cognizant of Paul's engagement with the OT with his typical "echo" intertextual focus. He also engages with other ancient sources (church fathers, the Didache, philosophers, Jewish writings, etc.), which is interesting. Although it's shortish, I didn't feel like he skipped over any tricky passage, and the writing was clear and engaging. Highly recommended!
June 2, 2020
Read for some sermons on 1 Corinthians.
Great quick-access commentary on Paul's first letter to Corinth. Background info was curated to the important stuff.
Hays offers some transparent and lucid bible scholarship.
Offers some of what the Interpretation series does best, a key scholar who hits the highlights in a way that is preaching-accessible.
Great quick-access commentary on Paul's first letter to Corinth. Background info was curated to the important stuff.
Hays offers some transparent and lucid bible scholarship.
Offers some of what the Interpretation series does best, a key scholar who hits the highlights in a way that is preaching-accessible.
April 23, 2024
Only a few places when I felt like Hays was unnecessarily reaching in order to explain a passage. Aside from that, this commentary was a super helpful aid in understanding 1st Corinthians as one cohesive work. It also contained some thought provoking reflections for Pastors and Teachers after each major section of Paul's thought.
June 6, 2018
Hays is a world class New Testament scholar and noted ethicist. I was so close to giving this 5 stars (I highly recommend it), but Hays does have a few whiffs here and there (in my opinion). But generally speaking, an excellent commentary.
June 10, 2019
Hays is known for revealing the Hebrew scripture references that often lurk behind Paul's writing. This is a superb commentary in the Interpretation series (which is written primarily for preachers, pastors, and teachers.)
December 9, 2021
This is my new favorite commentary on 1 Corinthians among all the plethora on my shelf. It is fairly concise, yet very thorough and with teaching recommendations for each section.
April 12, 2024
This is definitely a condense but in depth commentary. It is pretty easy to read through and I really appreciated the notes for preachers and teachers at the end of each section.
August 20, 2024
Read this for an upcoming class on 1 Corinthians. Great commentary, enjoyed Hays' take on the text.
December 27, 2025
Some commentaries delight in nitpicking minutiae. This commentary is refreshingly practical with summaries of important points for teachers and preachers to emphasize.
October 16, 2016
This is an insightful commentary from a well respected NT scholar. Looking forward to using insights from this book as I teach the Corinthian letters in the near future.
November 11, 2015
I picked up Richard Hays' commentary on 1 Cor, in part, because I was quite taken with his The Moral Vision of the New Testament. The sort of hermeneutic work Hays did there is precisely the kind of work my congregation needed as we set out on a 3 month study of 1 Cor.
His Interpretation commentary on 1 Cor did not disappoint. This is an excellent approach to Paul's letter, balanced in scholarly depth and pastoral usefulness (not to mention readability).
I could say more, but I'll leave you to read the commentary to say it.
My one complaint was the Hays choice not to wrestle deeply with the culture of Corinth, especially in the passages on sex, money, and idol meat. Hays notes the cultural realities, but these notes lack the force of the Corinthians believers' necessary transformation if they were to follow Christ.
A book I'll be happy to return to next time I stumble into 1 Cor.
His Interpretation commentary on 1 Cor did not disappoint. This is an excellent approach to Paul's letter, balanced in scholarly depth and pastoral usefulness (not to mention readability).
I could say more, but I'll leave you to read the commentary to say it.
My one complaint was the Hays choice not to wrestle deeply with the culture of Corinth, especially in the passages on sex, money, and idol meat. Hays notes the cultural realities, but these notes lack the force of the Corinthians believers' necessary transformation if they were to follow Christ.
A book I'll be happy to return to next time I stumble into 1 Cor.
March 23, 2016
Hays is a first-rate NT scholar, but this volume shows him to be refreshingly pastoral. I love the design of the INTERPRETATION commentary series with its explanation of the text followed by a section on Reflection for Teachers and Preachers. Hays' contribution on 1 Corinthians is excellent. Hays does a great job of handling the difficulties of the text with clarity and precision, yet also with brevity and grace. He keeps the focus on the key points and gives excellent advice to pastors for how to handle the text in preaching. This is certainly valuable as a go-to resource for teaching or preaching a passage, but I also recommend reading it from beginning to end as it is more engaging and readable than most other commentaries.
Want to read
August 13, 2016Browsing
April 29, 2013
Quite possibly the best commentary out there on 1 Cor
August 5, 2025
Reread several times. I find Hays' commentary engaging and compelling both as personal devotional material and preparation for preaching.
April 30, 2017
There are a number of different kinds of commentaries on the various books of the Bible. This particular series (Interpretation) is billed as biblical interpretation for preaching and teaching and that it is. The author, Richard Hays, is a top notch New Testament scholar. This book reflects reflects that scholarship without being footnote heavy or technical. To the contrary, Hays writing is clear, readable and convincing. I like the Interpretation series of commentaries. I only wish Hays had done more volumes.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews