Incomplete Commentary on Matthew (Opus imperfectum) (Volume 1) (Ancient Christian Texts)

Oden, Thomas C.; Kellerman, James A.

ISBN 10: 0830829016 / ISBN 13: 9780830829019

Published by IVP Academic, 2010

About this Item

Minimal wear. A tiny bit of spotting to top edge of pages. No markings.

Seller Inventory # 012876

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Incomplete Commentary on Matthew (Opus imperfectum) (Volume 1) (Ancient Christian Texts)
• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Publication Date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0830829016
• ISBN 13: 9780830829019
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Bible Commentaries

About this title

Synopsis

In the translator's introduction to this volume, James Kellerman relates the following story:

As Thomas Aquinas was approaching Paris, a fellow traveler pointed out the lovely buildings gracing that city. Aquinas was impressed, to be sure, but he sighed and stated that he would rather have the complete Incomplete Commentary on Matthew than to be mayor of Paris itself.

Thomas's affection for the work attests its great popularity during the Middle Ages, despite its significant missing parts--everything beyond the end of Matthew 25, with further gaps of Matthew 8:11--10:15 and 13:14--18:35. Despite the gaps what remains is quite lengthy, so much so that we offer the work in two volumes, comprising fifty-four homilies. While the early-fifth-century author displays a few Arian propensities in a handful of passages, for the most part the commentary is moral in nature and therefore orthodox and generic. The unknown author, who for several centuries was thought to be John Chrysostom, follows the allegorizing method of the Alexandrians, but not by overlooking the literal meaning. His passion, above all, is to set forth the meaning of Matthew's Gospel for his readers.

Here for the first time this ancient work is made available in English, ably translated by James A. Kellerman and edited by Thomas C. Oden.

Ancient Christian Texts are new English translations of full-length commentaries or sermon series from ancient Christian authors that allow you to study key writings of the early church fathers in a fresh way.

About the Authors

James A. Kellerman (Ph.D., Loyola University–Chicago) serves as pastor of First Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois, and as adjunct assistant professor of Latin at Concordia University–Chicago.

Thomas C. Oden, formerly a professor of theology at The Theological School of Drew University, is general editor of the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture and author of numerous theological works, including a three-volume systematic theology.