Journal: Priscilla Papers
Volume: PP 24:3 (Summer 2010)
Article: Book Review: 1-2 Corinthians "By Craig S. Keener" "Cambridge University Press, 2005)"
Author: Virginia Gray

Book Review: 1-2 Corinthians By Craig S. Keener Cambridge University Press, 2005)

Virginia Gray

Virginia Gray lives with her husband, Brad, in Boxboro, Mass. She has two sons, James and Charles. She holds Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Her article “The Way More Fully” appeared in the Spring 2006 issue of Priscilla Papers.

Craig Keeners 1-2 Corinthians is a wonderfully engaging and easily read commentary on Paul’s letters to the Corinthians. It is tightly packed with documented information from ancient sources on the historical/social/cultural setting of Corinth in Paul’s time. This information enables the reader to understand more clearly the intentions behind Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, underlining how the cultural emphasis on rhetoric in Paul’s time shaped his writings.

Craig Keener holds a Ph.D. from Duke University and is a Professor of New Testament at Palmer Seminary (Wynnewood, Pennsylvania). He has authored several award-winning books, such as his commentary on John (Hendrickson, 2004), Paul, Women, and Wives (Hendrickson, 1992), and his commentary on Matthew (Eerdmans, 1999). Published by Cambridge University Press, 1-2 Corinthians is one of eleven volumes in a series entitled the New Cambridge Bible Commentary. Cambridge University Press claims to publish “the finest academic and educational writing from around the world. As a department of the University of Cambridge, its purpose is to further the University’s objective of advancing knowledge, education, learning, and research.” The New Cambridge Bible Commentary series attempts to elucidate biblical writings through careful study of the texts in the original languages and through an understanding of the historical/ cultural circumstances of these writings.

1-2 Corinthians covers the two epistles passage by passage and clarifies Paul’s seamless line of thought as he is writing these letters. It acquaints the reader with the various problems faced by the church in Corinth of Paul’s day and how Paul responded to those issues. Highlighted sections called “A Closer Look” explain the historical/cultural background of various problematic issues. For example, he explains why Paul placed such emphasis on the necessity of the collection of monies that the Corinthian church was to send to the church in Jerusalem. The collection was important “to establish unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians, a tangible offering of reconciliation that he hoped that even the more conservative elements in the Jerusalem church would recognize (Rom 15:25,31)” (138).

Other highlighted sections, “Bridging the Horizons,” tackle hotly...