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17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Paul Barnett has soaked himself in 2 Corinthians for more than 30 years. The commentary is not only the result of his keen mind and scholarly ability, it comes from his love for this great epistle.
2 Corinthians is a NT book that has many purple (oft-quoted) passages but is rarely studied as a whole. A lengthy defence of Paul's apostleship (marked not so much by success as by suffering, which Paul considers the true mark of apostleship), the letter and commentary make for essential reading for pastors, who often find their pastorships often under attack for the same reasons Paul had his apostleship under attack.
Barnett is a true and wise guide into this must debated letter.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
'The 'peddlers', by their counter-mission against Paul, are actively attempting to bring the people under a covenant whose members historically had been veiled from the glory of God that was to be revealed.' p 194 - Paul, to the contrary, made the claim of his ministry that 'by the open statement of the truth' he refused 'to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word' (2 Cor 4:2). Barnett brings much needed clarity to the repercussions of incomprehension: 'Nonetheless, his words 'and even if our gospel is veiled', concede that not all discern a revelation in Paul's ministry.' p 215
Paul Barnett is a compelling expositor as the heart of his scholarship repeatedly displays a healthy orthodoxy. Added to which, this immense undertaking satisfies the curiosity level of the majority of Christians who come only as seekers of truth. Barnett's soundness restores balance to the melee of indigestible commentaries that have found fertile soil in a biblically illiterate age.
Paul's opening benediction to God (1:3-7) regarding the twin realities of suffering and divine deliverance from life-threatening perils in Asia produced a hard-won experiential knowledge of godly comfort deep within the soul of the apostle. Through the repetition of the word 'comfort' the apostle 'writes of the faithfulness of God to His promises and to His people.' p 66 Paul tied 'the God of all comfort' (1:3) in to the blessing of the gift of the Spirit (1:21-22), completing the trinitarian unity by way of a subtle reminder to the Corinthians that the Holy Spirit's major occupation is to comfort God's people in Christ (1:4-5).
Citing Barnett, Sinclair B Ferguson attaches great importance to preserving the integrity of all ministers called by God: 'No more poignant or instructive description of the work of the minister of the gospel exists than Paul's 'defensive excursus' in 2 Cor 2:14-7:4.' Feed My Sheep, ed. Don Kistler p 101 'As such,' Barnett continues, '2 Cor 2:14-7:4 may be included with Paul's other 'pastoral letters' in their applicability to ministers of the gospel.' p 145 What becomes clear from the general tendency of this section, receives an even more emphatic distinction in the construction of the text of 5:20, where 'we are ambassadors for Christ', 'in His stead' has in view those called to the ministerial office, and not congregants. Paul is heavenly bidden, 'constrained' (4:15) [Gk: sunecho; 'hard pressed', Phil 1:23] by the love of Christ, as he bears this message from God to men.
An interesting chapter in the history of the nascent church in Corinth, which I was not aware of, was the hype surrounding the enigmatic man in the church of Corinth who had somehow 'wronged' Paul. 'While the man was not actively supported by a majority of the Corinthians, nonetheless, he was not directly opposed to them nor subject to any expression of displeasure on their part, nor, least of all, the congregational discipline appropriate to the circumstances.' p 381 Through this man's opposition, Paul's position was rendered impossible, adds Barnett, and the apostle had to withdraw from Corinth to write the 'severe letter' which most likely was directed at the Corinthian's infatuation with this mysterious figure. Barnett thinks that their reaction to the 'severe letter' may have left Paul feeling 'chastened'. When Titus brought him news to the opposite effect, this brought Paul much joy and much needed relief. This, then, was the occasion for writing the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, or at least chapters 1-9. FF Bruce added:
'He explains that his one reason for sending Titus instead of coming back himself was his desire not to cause them further pain. He urges them to forgive the offender because his desire for disciplinary action against him was due to no personal resentment, but to resolve to test the church's love and obedience. Now that they had satisfied him on that score, they should extend full friendship and fellowship to the offender; otherwise the dejection which he was suffering as a result of their unconcealed disapproval might be his undoing - and theirs.' Paul p 275
Titus' return, however, brought more alarm for the apostle. This was the occasion for writing chapters 10-13, the second major division within the letter, with Paul's sole reference to the 'false apostles' stated in 11:13. Paul was concerned to avoid the slightest appearance of a breach between his gentile mission and the Jerusalem church. Pressed as he was, however, in defense of his apostleship, Paul and Barnett expend precious ink on 2 Cor 11:23-33. Here Paul drew a striking contrast for the Corinthians between his ministry and that of the super-apostles (11:5; 12:10), who commended themselves and foisted their demands for payment upon the gentile converts, most likely an accepted practice, but nonetheless engineered by their own superior speech. Matthew Henry did nothing to assuage their wounded pride: 'The false apostles desired to make a fair show in the flesh, to make a figure in the world; but Paul did not do so. He knew how to want and how to be abased.' Their custom of commending themselves by writing introductory letters of commendation for each other was not foreign to Paul, who, as unregenerate Saul, had followed this practice in Acts 9:2 when he 'asked letters'. Paul addressed the tension they brought to his apostolic ministry by comparing the pedigree of the super-apostles to that of his own. Barnett states the mock presumption of Paul was intended to confound their triumphalist rhetoric. In what Barnett terms 'Paul's Fools Speech', Paul petitions the Corinthians to 'yet as a fool receive me', and not on grounds of his Jewishness. In contrast to their boasting, Paul's pure proclamation of the gospel was prioritized by Christ-centered preaching.
Says Barnett: 'Indeed, his 'I am better' controls the list of weaknesses following, including the climax, the 'thorn in the flesh' (12:9).' p 538
Paul Barnett is a compelling expositor as the heart of his scholarship repeatedly displays a healthy orthodoxy. Added to which, this immense undertaking satisfies the curiosity level of the majority of Christians who come only as seekers of truth. Barnett's soundness restores balance to the melee of indigestible commentaries that have found fertile soil in a biblically illiterate age.
Paul's opening benediction to God (1:3-7) regarding the twin realities of suffering and divine deliverance from life-threatening perils in Asia produced a hard-won experiential knowledge of godly comfort deep within the soul of the apostle. Through the repetition of the word 'comfort' the apostle 'writes of the faithfulness of God to His promises and to His people.' p 66 Paul tied 'the God of all comfort' (1:3) in to the blessing of the gift of the Spirit (1:21-22), completing the trinitarian unity by way of a subtle reminder to the Corinthians that the Holy Spirit's major occupation is to comfort God's people in Christ (1:4-5).
Citing Barnett, Sinclair B Ferguson attaches great importance to preserving the integrity of all ministers called by God: 'No more poignant or instructive description of the work of the minister of the gospel exists than Paul's 'defensive excursus' in 2 Cor 2:14-7:4.' Feed My Sheep, ed. Don Kistler p 101 'As such,' Barnett continues, '2 Cor 2:14-7:4 may be included with Paul's other 'pastoral letters' in their applicability to ministers of the gospel.' p 145 What becomes clear from the general tendency of this section, receives an even more emphatic distinction in the construction of the text of 5:20, where 'we are ambassadors for Christ', 'in His stead' has in view those called to the ministerial office, and not congregants. Paul is heavenly bidden, 'constrained' (4:15) [Gk: sunecho; 'hard pressed', Phil 1:23] by the love of Christ, as he bears this message from God to men.
An interesting chapter in the history of the nascent church in Corinth, which I was not aware of, was the hype surrounding the enigmatic man in the church of Corinth who had somehow 'wronged' Paul. 'While the man was not actively supported by a majority of the Corinthians, nonetheless, he was not directly opposed to them nor subject to any expression of displeasure on their part, nor, least of all, the congregational discipline appropriate to the circumstances.' p 381 Through this man's opposition, Paul's position was rendered impossible, adds Barnett, and the apostle had to withdraw from Corinth to write the 'severe letter' which most likely was directed at the Corinthian's infatuation with this mysterious figure. Barnett thinks that their reaction to the 'severe letter' may have left Paul feeling 'chastened'. When Titus brought him news to the opposite effect, this brought Paul much joy and much needed relief. This, then, was the occasion for writing the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, or at least chapters 1-9. FF Bruce added:
'He explains that his one reason for sending Titus instead of coming back himself was his desire not to cause them further pain. He urges them to forgive the offender because his desire for disciplinary action against him was due to no personal resentment, but to resolve to test the church's love and obedience. Now that they had satisfied him on that score, they should extend full friendship and fellowship to the offender; otherwise the dejection which he was suffering as a result of their unconcealed disapproval might be his undoing - and theirs.' Paul p 275
Titus' return, however, brought more alarm for the apostle. This was the occasion for writing chapters 10-13, the second major division within the letter, with Paul's sole reference to the 'false apostles' stated in 11:13. Paul was concerned to avoid the slightest appearance of a breach between his gentile mission and the Jerusalem church. Pressed as he was, however, in defense of his apostleship, Paul and Barnett expend precious ink on 2 Cor 11:23-33. Here Paul drew a striking contrast for the Corinthians between his ministry and that of the super-apostles (11:5; 12:10), who commended themselves and foisted their demands for payment upon the gentile converts, most likely an accepted practice, but nonetheless engineered by their own superior speech. Matthew Henry did nothing to assuage their wounded pride: 'The false apostles desired to make a fair show in the flesh, to make a figure in the world; but Paul did not do so. He knew how to want and how to be abased.' Their custom of commending themselves by writing introductory letters of commendation for each other was not foreign to Paul, who, as unregenerate Saul, had followed this practice in Acts 9:2 when he 'asked letters'. Paul addressed the tension they brought to his apostolic ministry by comparing the pedigree of the super-apostles to that of his own. Barnett states the mock presumption of Paul was intended to confound their triumphalist rhetoric. In what Barnett terms 'Paul's Fools Speech', Paul petitions the Corinthians to 'yet as a fool receive me', and not on grounds of his Jewishness. In contrast to their boasting, Paul's pure proclamation of the gospel was prioritized by Christ-centered preaching.
Says Barnett: 'Indeed, his 'I am better' controls the list of weaknesses following, including the climax, the 'thorn in the flesh' (12:9).' p 538
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
There is no question of Barnett's scholarship or of his knowledge of 2 Corinthians. His commentary uses the Greek text, but should be easily accessible to those with no knowledge of Greek.
My main disappointment with this commentary is that it seems to gloss over exegetical questions to get to the so-called "theology." The commentary on individual verses seemed to consist less of actual discussions on the text, and more of springboard discussions into broader theological topics. I found myself frequently thinking, "That might make for a moving sermon, but what does that have to do with 2 Corinthians?"
Coupled with this, when Barnett does make exegetical comments, he sometimes tends to give conclusions without giving reasons. Some examples:
- 3:6--"The letter kills but the Spirit gives life." Barnett states three views in the footnotes, as well as giving his preference. However, he didn't really give any reasons why one option is to be preferred over the others.
- 5:1-10 is apparently about the intervening time between death and resurrection, and the state of the dead during that time. He doesn't really appear to give convincing reasons for why this is the case.
- 5:14--"One died for all, therefore all died." Barnett states his conclusion, but again doesn't really give reasons for why this option is to be preferred over the others.
I could go on, but the point is made.
This is not to say that Barnett's work is a bad commentary. However, there were many places where it could have been much much more than it was. If you looking for a book that specifically focuses on the broad "theology" of 2 Corinthians, then this commentary will probably suit your needs. If you are looking for a book that actually wrestles with the difficult questions, I suggest you look elsewhere.
My main disappointment with this commentary is that it seems to gloss over exegetical questions to get to the so-called "theology." The commentary on individual verses seemed to consist less of actual discussions on the text, and more of springboard discussions into broader theological topics. I found myself frequently thinking, "That might make for a moving sermon, but what does that have to do with 2 Corinthians?"
Coupled with this, when Barnett does make exegetical comments, he sometimes tends to give conclusions without giving reasons. Some examples:
- 3:6--"The letter kills but the Spirit gives life." Barnett states three views in the footnotes, as well as giving his preference. However, he didn't really give any reasons why one option is to be preferred over the others.
- 5:1-10 is apparently about the intervening time between death and resurrection, and the state of the dead during that time. He doesn't really appear to give convincing reasons for why this is the case.
- 5:14--"One died for all, therefore all died." Barnett states his conclusion, but again doesn't really give reasons for why this option is to be preferred over the others.
I could go on, but the point is made.
This is not to say that Barnett's work is a bad commentary. However, there were many places where it could have been much much more than it was. If you looking for a book that specifically focuses on the broad "theology" of 2 Corinthians, then this commentary will probably suit your needs. If you are looking for a book that actually wrestles with the difficult questions, I suggest you look elsewhere.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Rich in theology ; a little bit poor in biblical content
I have read positive reviews for this commentary, and Carson especially said that "it is rich in its biblical-theological reflection. Read more
Published on July 12, 2006 by Ongkowidjojo
Buy Martin instead
Passable, but not meaty enough; the section on the integrity of 2 Cor. is especially weak. Buy Martin's (Word) commentary instead.
Published on November 30, 1998
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Paul commences his letter formally with a salutation (vv. 1-2) and a benediction (vv. 3-7). Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
apostolic plural, defensive excursus, missionary concordat, eschatological centrality, new covenant ministry, literary plural, local detractors, messianic assembly, explanatory connective, missionary sufferings, changed travel plans, tribulation list, renowned brother, apostolic sufferings, pastoral method, eschatological dualism, genitive absolute construction, overrealized eschatology, false apostles, apostolic minister, covenant minister, previous verse, new covenant people, initial explanatory, apostolic call Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Jesus Christ, Severe Letter, Son of God, Fool's Speech, Holy Spirit, New Docs, Christ Jesus, Spirit of God, Law of God, Acts of the Apostles, Pre-Christian Paul, Previous Letter, Christian Jews, God of Israel, Messiah Jesus, Mount Sinai, Corinthians Paul, Israel of God, Saul of Tarsus, Second Letter, Servant of Yahweh, Christ God, Dio Chrysostom, Elsewhere Paul, First Corinthians New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Paul commences his letter formally with a salutation (vv. 1-2) and a benediction (vv. 3-7). Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
apostolic plural, defensive excursus, missionary concordat, eschatological centrality, new covenant ministry, literary plural, local detractors, messianic assembly, explanatory connective, missionary sufferings, changed travel plans, tribulation list, renowned brother, apostolic sufferings, pastoral method, eschatological dualism, genitive absolute construction, overrealized eschatology, false apostles, apostolic minister, covenant minister, previous verse, new covenant people, initial explanatory, apostolic call Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Jesus Christ, Severe Letter, Son of God, Fool's Speech, Holy Spirit, New Docs, Christ Jesus, Spirit of God, Law of God, Acts of the Apostles, Pre-Christian Paul, Previous Letter, Christian Jews, God of Israel, Messiah Jesus, Mount Sinai, Corinthians Paul, Israel of God, Saul of Tarsus, Second Letter, Servant of Yahweh, Christ God, Dio Chrysostom, Elsewhere Paul, First Corinthians New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
46
books
cite this book:
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- The Social God and the Relational Self by Stanley J. Grenz on 4 pages
- Leading With Love by Alexander Strauch on page 35, page 150, and page 163
- The Hope of Glory: Honor Discourse and New Testament Interpretation by David A. DeSilva on page 140, and Back Matter
- Reading the Letters of Saint Paul: Study, Reflection and Prayer by Carolyn Thomas on page 68, and Back Matter
- Apostle of the Crucified Lord: A Theological Introduction to Paul and His Letters by Michael J. Gorman on page 335, and page 337
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