The Letters of John (The Pillar New Testament Commentary

by Colin G. Kruse

Based on the latest text of the NIV, this updated commentary reflects the most current scholarship.

This updated and revised Pillar commentary seeks to clearly explain the meaning of the letters of John to teachers, pastors, and general readers looking for a reliable and trusted resource for personal study. Colin Kruse introduces the important issues involved in interpreting the Johannine letters, gives verse-by-verse comments, and provides extensive discussion of major theological themes, including the real humanity of Christ, atonement, the role of the Spirit, Christian assurance, koinōnia, Christian love, and eternal life. 

The Pillar New Testament Commentary, designed for serious readers of the Bible, seeks above all to make clear the meaning of the text of Scripture as we have it. Writers of the PNTC volumes interact with the most important, informed contemporary debate yet avoid undue technical detail. Their ideal is a blend of rigorous exegesis and exposition, scholarship and pastoral sensitivity, with an eye alert both to biblical theology and to the contemporary relevance of the Bible.

465 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2020

About the author

Colin G. Kruse (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is senior lecturer of New Testament at Melbourne School of Theology. In the twenty years following his ordination into the Anglican ministry, Kruse gained practical experience in parishes in Australia and the U.S. along with five years of missionary service as a theological lecturer in Indonesia. Besides journal articles on the New Testament, Old Testament and the Dead Sea Scrolls, Kruse has authored several books including Paul, the Law and Justification and New Testament Models for Ministry: Jesus and Paul. He has also written the Tyndale New Testament Commentary on 2 Corinthians and the Pillar New Testament Commentary titles The Letters of John and Paul's Letter to the Romans.

Reviews

[Will Cunningham-Batt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used this for a preaching series on 1 John. There were many helpful nuggets along the way and Kruse often makes good exegetical decisions, but a tighter grasp of the letter as a whole would have given greater weight to his comments. In many cases, he claims a particular verse is difficult to interpret and goes on to merely summarise the contents of the verse. I didn't read the sections on 2-3 John.

[Jacob O'connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more academic commentary in my recent study of 1 John. It was helpful.