Craig Keener is one of the world’s greatest New Testament scholars, if not the greatest of our time.
In 2021, Keener released a new commentary entitled 1 Peter: A Comprehensive Cultural & Contextual Bible Commentary on 1 Peter.
The book is meaty and comprehensive. It’s so good that I’ve used it as a source for my revised and expanded version of The Untold Story of the New Testament Church, which is forthcoming.
The writing is excellent and the insights are great. And is always the case with Keener, the scholarship is superb.
This is a great description from the publisher:
Leading New Testament scholar Craig Keener, one of the most trusted exegetes working today, is widely respected for his thorough research, sound judgments, and knowledge of ancient sources. His four-volume magnum opus on Acts has received high praise from all quarters.
This commentary on 1 Peter features Keener’s meticulous and comprehensive research and offers a wealth of fresh insights. It will benefit students, pastors, and church leaders alike.
“Every interpreter of 1 Peter will want this commentary on their shelf.”
This commentary on 1 Peter features meticulous and comprehensive research and offers a wealth of fresh insights.
“Keener has done us all a great service by his careful evaluation of 1 Peter, taking us systematically through all aspects of the letter, not least its disputed authorship. This is a book which will assist anyone seriously interested in coming to grips with this particular epistle.”
—Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury
“Keener employs the massive encyclopedia of ancient Greek and Roman literature, philosophy, and religion from his work on Acts to provide a broader cultural context for words, images, and possible overtones in each phrase.”
—Pheme Perkins, Boston College
“This commentary provides more than just an interpretation of 1 Peter: it is a thorough immersion in its discourse, rhetoric, history, imagery, theology, and meaning potential. I commend this work to any serious student of 1 Peter and beyond.”
—Shively T. J. Smith, Boston University
“Keener presents a wealth of primary sources relevant to the historical, cultural, and lexical background of 1Peter. Written with clarity from the mind of a scholar and the heart of a pastor, every interpreter of 1 Peter will want this commentary on their shelf.”
—Karen H. Jobes, Wheaton College (emerita)
“Keener’s commentary provides wonderful access to both Jewish and Greco-Roman primary sources. An important new resource for students of 1 Peter.”
—Ruth Anne Reese, Asbury Theological Seminary
“Keener’s genius is on full display in providing the church and the academy a commentary that is very accessible while engaging with primary and secondary literature and seminal works on Petrine scholarship. This commentary is a must-read for anyone who studies, preaches, teaches, and does research on 1 Peter.”
—Abson Joseph, Wesley Seminary
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