The First Epistle of Peter (New International Commentary on the New Testament) (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God's chosen ones, sojourners of the diaspora in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2whom father God chose..." (more)
Key Phrases: parenetic tradition, baptismale dans, disobedient spirits, Jesus Christ, Grand Rapids, New Testament (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Peter David's study on I Peter is part of The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Prepared by some of the world's leading scholars, the series provides an exposition of the New Testament books that is thorough and fully abreast of modern scholarship yet faithful to the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; 2nd edition (August 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802825168
• ISBN-13: 978-0802825162
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #175,826 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A decent commentary in series that deserves slightly better, February 18, 2000

By	Tom McCort (St. Louis) - See all my reviews

The NICNT series has some very distinguished volumes (most notably Fee on 1 Corinthians), and most of them represent a good value for most pastors. Davids' volume on 1 Peter is a good volume, but not a great one. I am a pastor currently preaching through 1 Peter and I find that Davids' work is always reliable, but not especially incisive. It seems to me that the author did not have quite enough time to put into the commentary as he might have liked (he admits as much in the preface), and so we are left with a decent contribution, but not one of my top choices on 1 Peter. I am sorry to say this, since I am such of fan of the NICNT series as a whole. Davids work suffers in comparison with other available commentaries on 1 Peter: Grudem in the TNTC series is less than half the price, written with more verve, and almost as long; Kelly's 30 year old work in the BNTC series is still my top choice for overall value (it covers 1 & 2 Peter, and Jude for less $ than Davids); Michaels commentary in the Word series sells for about the same price as Davids, but it is at least twice as full, giving much more detail (sometimes too much)and has some really excellent exegesis of the Greek text; Achtemeier's more recent contribution to the Hermenia series is the fullest yet, but also the most expensive by far (twice as much as Davids or Michaels). While being a fine work, it does not break new ground, and is no more insightful that Michaels. In conclusion, I would like to see Davids' volume on 1 Peter revised in the near future and have about 50-75 pages added and more interaction with recent authors. If this is done, and the price remains the same, Davids may be in the running.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 1 Peter commentary by Davids, February 4, 2005

By	William Steck "Bill" (Dearborn) - See all my reviews

I recently read the 1 Peter commentary by Davids. The text is quite readable. He presents opposing viewpoints well and fairly. He lets you know the likely best interpretation of controversial phrases and verses. My only criticism is that I wish he had spent a little more time on 1 Peter 3:21. Overall though, I learned a lot reading this book. Despite the fact that I have read 1 Peter in the Bible well over 20 times, my understanding of that book is now greatly enriched. You won't regret buying Davids commentary.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Penetrating insights, November 18, 2007

By	Q. S. F. Tertullian "David" (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews

This review will address three authors' work on Peter and Jude: Kistemaker, Schreiner, and Davids.

Kistemaker's commentary in the New Testament Commentary series begun by Hendriksen was published in 1987. Kistemaker, a professor at Reformed Theological Seminary, is well known for his contributions to approximately half of this series. His work is the most pastorally oriented of the three here, and is easy to read. Each paragraph of text is presented in a separate section, followed by the text of individual verses with exposition, followed by (as needed) separate sections on "Doctrinal considerations", "Practical considerations", and/or "Greek words, phrases, and constructions". This format is a little scattered, but allows for ease of use across a wide spectrum of readers. Kistemaker is practical, but has less depth than Schreiner or Davids. The current printing is packaged with James and 1-3 John, as well, which makes for a mighty unwieldy volume. I recommend instead finding a reasonably priced used version with just Peter and Jude, unless you're investing in the entire set.

Thomas Schreiner is a professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and author of the Peter & Jude Commentary in the New American Commentary series. Schreiner is also author of the well-regarded BECNT entry for Romans, as well as a volume on Paul's theology. This commentary was written in 2003, and has a clean layout, albeit with smaller print than the other works here. Schreiner's work is solid, and his theology sound, but his writing is not the most engaging. The NIV text is presented one paragraph at a time, then exposited verse-by-verse preceded by verse numbers in bold. The Greek, which he utilizes frequently, is transliterated into English in the running commentary.

Peter Davids is a professor at St. Stephen's University, and has also authored the commentary on James in the New International Greek Testament Commentary series. His work on 1 Peter is in the New International Commentary on the New Testament series (1990), with 2 Peter and Jude in the Pillar New Testament Commentary series (2006). Like his James commentary, he begins with useful discussions of the theology of the letter, broken down into categories such as "Suffering", "Scripture", "God", etc. His work is surprisingly useful for pastors. He in general has a more academic tone, but then breaks forth into a very practical, insightful discussion of, say, "revolutionary submission" in 1 Peter 3. The Pillar volume has a less pastorally-oriented feel, but that is likely due partially to the different subject material provided by Peter and Jude in these letters. Due to the 2 volumes, his works are more thorough than Schreiner or Kistemaker, but of course are more expensive. The format is generally similar to the NAC, although the NIC volume does provide the actual Greek text in the footnotes.

Comparison: Any of these three authors' works would be a worthwhile purchase for the pastor, seminarian, or generally informed reader. All are presented with the NIV text, but interact with the underlying Greek text. Kistemaker and Schreiner are somewhat more conservative theologically than Davids. Those without a seminary education will likely find Kistemaker the most accessible. Students working on their thesis will probably prefer Davids' delving into more detail. Schreiner has the best blend of virtues for those who can afford only one volume at this time.

Kistemaker: 4 stars
Davids: 4.5 stars (1 Peter), 4 stars (2 Peter/Jude)
Schreiner: 4 stars