1 & 2 Peter and Jude : A Critical & Exegetical Commentary

This is a phrase-by-phrase commentary & exposition of the New Testament books of 1 & 2 Peter and Jude. This commentary is in use as a college textbook, yet is suitable for the lay church member. The author seeks to harmonize the teachings of these NT books with other relevant NT scripture. The epistles of Peter & Jude provide Christians with guidance on how to rightly respond to suffering, trials and persecution; provide instruction to church leaders on how to shepherd the congregations under their care; offer inspired teaching regarding God's intended consummation of history; and respond to those who criticize the Christian doctrine presented by Jesus and His apostles.

This commentary is conservative, evangelical Christian in its outlook, yet skillfully examines the Scriptures from multiple theological viewpoints. The book includes Introductory Studies for each of the three NT epistles, covering authorship, date of writing, original target audience of the letter, historical background out of which the letter was written, and the original author's purpose for writing the letter. This commentary presumes the God-inspired nature of all Biblical writing, and so helpfully examines the original language in which the epistles were written.

This volume continues the author's series of commentaries on the books of the New Testament written from the unique standpoint of the Restoration Movement, a position which allows him to approach Scripture with no special theological doctrine or dogma to defend and explicate. This approach provides an unhindered freedom to listen to what the Holy Spirit would tell us within the pages of the Sacred Scriptures. By deliberately employing the time-honored grammatico-historical method of interpretation, the Word of God is allowed to impress upon our minds the intent the Divine Author had in mind.

The epistles of Peter and Jude can play a key role in the 21st century church's attempt to correct the cultural drift and to arrest the slide into gnostic-like New Age ideas that have become part of the average man's worldview. The religion taught by Jesus and His apostles is still the "grace of God" - "stand firm in it!" and "contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints!" Included in this commentary is a fully annotated bibliography of other commentaries on these NT books so that readers are encouraged to continue their own study of the teachings of Peter and Jude.

The author is Professor Emeritus of the New Testament at Central Christian College of the Bible (Moberly, MO).