First Corinthians

by Joseph A. Fitzmyer

This new translation of First Corinthians includes an introduction and extensive commentary that has been composed to explain the religious meaning of this Pauline epistle. Joseph Fitzmyer discusses all the usual introductory problems associated with the epistle, including issues of its authorship, time of composition, and purpose, and he also presents a complete outline. The author analyzes the epistle, pericope by pericope, discussing the meaning of each one in a comment and explaining details in the notes. The book supplies a bibliography on the various passages and problems for readers who wish to investigate further, and useful indexes complete the volume. First Corinthians will be of interest to general readers who wish to learn more about the Pauline letters, and also to pastors, college and university teachers, graduate students studying the Bible, and professors of Biblical studies.

Genres: Christianity, Biblical Studies

660 pages, Hardcover

First published December 11, 2007

Reviews

[James Stroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a bible student closer to conservative Protestantism (some might say "fundamentalism"), I recommend this commentary to any serious student. I have Dr. Fitzmyer's commentary on Romans, and these Pauline commentaries are well-organized, useful exegetical tools. They offer a good translation, as Dr. Fitzmyer is apparently not in love with "dynamic equivalent" translational theories, preferring to leave something to comment on rather than try to put the commentary in the translation. He also will offer transliteration in his comments. This commentary is more exegetically thorough than David Garland or Gordon Fee, without getting bogged down in too much detail. True, there is not much application, but those who prefer commentary that sticks close to the text, examing legitimate interpretive options and allowing the reader to make exegetical decisions and applications, will find it worthwhile. Fitzmyer can show a refreshing independence, for example, in refusing to jump on the 7:1 bandwagon which insists that Paul must be quoting the Corinthians and refuting them. Conservative Protestants will not always agree with Fitzmyer, but isn't anybody else out there getting a little tired of Gordon Fee, Douglas Moo, D.A. Carson, et al.? This is one of the best on 1 Corinthians.