Lewis Donelson contributes this volume on the Epistles of Peter and Jude in the New Testament Library (NTL) series. As with other volumes in the series, this commentary takes a critical approach in its exegesis. With these epistles being some of the more challenged in the New Testament, that critical outlook protrudes more distinctly.

After a wide-ranging bibliography, we are served a brief introduction to the three letters together. The author sees a connection as Christians in conflict, which is a reasonable proposition.

Next, 1 Peter gets its own introduction. He denies Petrine authorship completely. More helpful are sections on the letter’s recipients and the theme of persecution.  After a discussion of date, he returns again to authorship this time suggesting pseudonymity. He doesn’t see much literary structure before offering his outline. There’s more theology before some brief comments on text and translation.

Each periscope in the commentary proper gives an overview of the passage, his translation, detailed exegetical notes, commentary on each verse, and a few concluding paragraphs. The exegesis is always on the critical side while there is robust theology.

Jude and 2 Peter follow a similar pattern for both Introduction and commentary. Both the critical outlook and commentary quality remain throughout.

Of the critical commentaries I’ve seen on these letters, this is the most in-depth, clear, and theologically helpful. For that perspective, this commentary is the one I’d recommend!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.