The Expository Times

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New Testament Commentaries: III. Epistles and Revelation

C.K. Barrett
The Expository Times 1954; 65; 177
DOI: 10.1177/001452465406500606

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 177

New Testament Commentaries

III. Epistles and Revelation
BY THE REVEREND C. K. BARRETT, B.D., THE UNIVERSITY, DURHAM

The Pauline Epistles. (I use the traditional title summary of this long and difficult book can be
without prejudice to questions of authorship.) given in this article. All that can be said is that
On the Greek text of Romans the only available the book is a commentary, and not (as seems
commentary in English is that of W. Sanday and sometimes to be supposed) an individual or party
A. C. Headlam (LC.G. [1st ed., 1895, several manifesto ; and that to read it must be reckoned
subsequent editions and reprints]). This is still an essential part of a theological education.
valuable: careful, accurate, and full. But it is i Corinthians is one of the most important and

inevitably out of touch with modem Pauline most difficult books in the New Testament and it
study, and not altogether satisfactory. There is unfortunate that there is no entirely satisfactory
exists, however, no substitute for it, and the English commentary on it. A. Robertson and
information it affords can be supplemented by A. Plummer (LC.C. [19II]) do not always give the
means of several more recent commentaries based student the information he needs ; J. Moffatt
on the English text. Of these, three in particular (M.N.T.C. [1938]) to some extent makes up the
call for mention. C. H. Dodd’s M.N.T.C. E’932] deficiency, but many of the problems in i
has proved its value over twenty years. It is Corinthians arise directly out of the Greek text
frankly based upon a psychological approach to and it is here that the student most needs help.
Paul and his theology, an approach which is If he can read French and German he will get it.
perhaps less popular to-day than when the book J. Weiss’s commentary (Meyey [1910]) is a classic,
was written ; but it reveals all Professor Dodd’s and it can be brought up to date by means of the
well-known lucidity and power and is undoubtedly latest edition (by W. G. Kummel) of Lietzmann’s
the best exemplification of the method it employs. excellent book (H.N.T. [4th ed., 1949]). Like
K. E. Kirk’s Rosnans [Iq37] is one of the most all Lietzmann’s work this is quite first-rate.
thorough volumes in the Cl. B. The commentary W. Bousset in S.N.T. is still to be consulted.
itself is comparatively slight but it is supplemented J. H6ring’s commentary was the first volume to
by a long introductory chapter on the main appear in the new series planned by Delachaux
ideas of the Epistle. More recently Anders and Niestl6 (see first article), and an excellent
Nygren’s commentary on Romans has been piece of work. The introduction is slight, but the
translated out of Swedish and published by the notes admirable. It ought not to be forgotten
S.C.M. Press [1952]. Dr. Nygren expounds Paul that Karl Barth’s The Resurrection of the Dead
on the eschatological basis of his thought, a (Eng. tr., Hodder and Stoughton [1933]), though
fascinating and fruitful method. This is an mainly concerned with ch. 15, contains also a
admirable book. very illuminating exposition of the whole Epistle.
Hans Lietzmann’s Romans (H.N.T. [4th ed., On 2 Corinthians A. Plummer contributes two
1933]) is a model of what a philological and historical commentaries, in LC.C. [1915] and C.G.T. [1903].
commentary should be. No more useful reference They are useful, though hardly inspiring. H. L.
book exists. Lagrange (lltudes Bibliques [1922]) Goudge’s 2 Corinthians (W.C. [1927]) is an
is also very sound. Older, but a very good piece admirable theological commentary, and R. H.
of theological writing, is J. Denney’s exposition Strachan’s book (11~1.N.T.C. [1935]) is very useful ;
in E.G.T. The commentaries in S.11T.T. and but they do not provide the full-scale critical
V.T.D. are by Adolf Julicher and Paul Althaus commentary which is much to be desired. The
respectively ; each is characteristic of its period commentary by Lietzmann referred to immediately
and author, and each is well worth reading. above covers 2 Corinthians as well as i Corinthians ;
One more commentary on Romans must be and there is an excellent commentary by H.
mentioned-that by Karl Barth (Eng. tr. by Windisch (lvleyer [1924]).
E. C. Hoskyns [Oxford University Press, 1933J). With Galatians we reach the great series of
It is now well known that the publication of the Pauline commentaries written by J. B. Lightfoot
first German edition of this book (in 1918) was a (see below on Philippians, Colossians, and
turning-point in the theological history of this Philemon). Though nearly a hundred years old
century ; it would perhaps be not too much to they are still so valuable that New Testament
say in the history of Christendom. Clearly no students may well wish that the hope of a Durham

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 178

admirer (‘ ... that many more epistles of St. up-to-date documentary in English, and a useful
Paul might flow from his Lordship’s pen’ !) had tool. In German there are excellent works by
been fulfilled. It may be said at once of all these E. Lohmeyer (Meyer [1928]) and M. Dibelius
commentaries that the scholarship is complete, the (H.N.T. [3rd ed., 1937J), whose volume also deals
insight and particularly the grasp of historical with I and 2 Thessalonians. One of the less
circumstances penetrating and sure, and the style known works of Karl Barth is his Erklarung des
admirably terse. Lightfoot is not out of date, Philipperbriefes (Chr. Kaiser Verlag, Munich
and it is difficult to see that he ever will be ; [1928]).
though, of course, there have been important Lightfoot’s Colossians (JB.1clI’I. C. [1875]) may be
fresh developments in Pauline studies since his briefly mentioned ; it has the qualities of all his
day. This is perhaps the point at which to mention work, and contains a long dissertation on the
that after Lightfoot’s death his lectures and other Colossian Heresy and the Essenes, which, though
notes were brought together in a volume, Notes it may require revision, especially in the light of
on Epistles of St. Paul (Nlacmillan [1895J). the new Palestine texts, still contains much of
There are other excellent commentaries on value. The volume also contains a commentary
Galatians. E. D. Burton’s [1921] is one of the on Philemon. For commentaries by T. K. Abbott,
best volumes in the LC.C., distinguished by a M. Dibelius, and E. F. Scott, see under Ephesiaits.
number of important word studies anticipating There is an excellent commentary (including
the manner of Kittel’s Theologisches Worfenbucla. Philemon) by E. Lohmeyer (Meyer [1930]), and
Smaller commentaries on the English text by A. S. Peake’s is one of the most useful in
C. W. Emmet (Scott [1912J), G. S. Duncan E.G.T.
(M.N.T.C. [1934J), and A. W. F. Blunt (Cl. B. There are several good books on the Tlaessalonian
[1925J) can all be recommended. In German, Epistles. G. Milligan’s [igo8] is entirely worthy
Lietzmann’s Galatians (H.N.T. [3rd ed., 1932]) is to stand beside Lightfoot’s commentaries in the
as good as his Ronzasis and Corinthians, and McM. C. Higher praise could not be offered.
H. Schlier’s commentary (Meyer [1949J) is to be The book is noteworthy as one of the first English
noted. In French there is a short and somewhat commentaries to make full use of the new linguistic
eccentric commentary by Loisy (Nourry, Paris resources made available by the publication of the

[IgI6]), and another by Lagrange (Études Bibliques papyri. J. E. Frame’s commentary (LC.C. [1912])
[IC)I8]). has been described by Lake as ’ a model of what
The best English commentary on Ephesians is a commentary ought to be ’ ; it is indeed very
that of J. Armitage Robinson (1VlcM. C. [1903J). good. J. Moffatt’s contribution to E.G.T. also
This book presents separately a translation and bears witness to its author’s scholarship and
exposition of the Epistle, and the Greek text with power as an interpreter. In German there is the
notes. The former section has been printed volume in H.N.T. by M. Dibelius mentioned
separately, for the benefit of those who do not above under Philippians, and a commentary in
know Greek. A volume in the LC.C. (no date) by N.T.D. by A. Oepke. The latest volume to be
T. K. Abbott treats both Ephesians and Colossians; contributed to the M.N.T.C. is the very useful
it is not so useful as Robinson’s. E. F. Scott exposition of Thessalonians by W. Neil [1950J.
(AI.N.T.C. [1930J) also deals with these two On the Pastoral Epistles we lack an entirely
epistles, and Philemon as well; this book serves satisfactory English commentary on the Greek
to bring Robinson up to date. The same group of text. There are, however, two excellent books on
three epistles is dealt with by M. Dibelius (H.N.T. the English text : by E. F. Scott (M.N.T.C.
[2nd ed., 1927J) in a most useful work, which [1936J) and B. S. Easton (S.C.M. [1948J). The
takes into account contemporary religious material latter has a novel form. After the Introduction,
more fully than the English commentaries, and is Dr. Easton gives, in sections, a translation, a
therefore a particularly valuable supplement to straightforward exposition, and a body of more
them. detailed notes ; and, finally, a series of word-
With Philippians we return to Lightfoot. His studies, which lighten the commentary and
commentary (McM. C. [1868 and many sub- collect a quantity of material in a useful and
sequent editions]) is valuable in itself, and also convenient form. In H.N.T. there is a com-
contains his important dissertation on the Christian mentary by M. Dibelius (2nd ed., 1931). The
Ministry, which is more balanced and more valuable commentaries so far mentioned adopt the usual
than many more recent discussions of the same critical view that these Epistles as they now
subject. M. R. Vincent (LC.C. [1897J) deals with stand were not written by Paul. Two of the most
Philippians and Philemon (a curious combina- recent commentaries, however, do not accept this
tion) ; this book is no longer of importance. view. That of C. Spicq (lltudes
Bibliques [1947J),
J. H. Michael’s (M.N.T.C. [1928]) is the most a long and learned book, is a Roman Catholic

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 179

work, and it is, of course, not surprising that view ’ On the Inter-relation of i Peter and other
Dr. Spicqmaintains the authenticity of the New Testament Epistles.’ Almost contempor-
Epistles. But a similar view is maintained by aneously with Dean Selwyn’s book appeared a
Joachim Jeremias (N.T.D. [1947]), who believes commentary by F. W. Beare (Blackwell [1947]).
that the Apostle was responsible for the Epistles, These two books provide an instructive contrast,
though he employed a new secretary. for the authors take opposite views of the author-
For commentaries on Philemon see above on ship and origin of the Epistle. Among smaller
Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. books that by G. W. Blenkin (C.G.T. [1914J) is of
One of Westcott’s few contributions to the great usefulness, and that by C. E. B. Cranfield
McM. C. was his commentary on Hebrews (ist ed., (S.C.M. [i95o]) is both scholarly and simple, and
t889). This is a great book. The detailed exegesis is the best exposition of the English text. There
leaves few questions unanswered, even though is a commentary by H. Gunkel in S.N.T.
some of the guiding principles behind it may now On 2 Peter (and Jude) there is another large
be open to criticism. A second great commentary commentary (McM. C. [1907J) by J. B. Mayor,
is that by J. Moffatt (LC.C. [i924]). Those who and a good contribution by R. H. Strachan to
need smaller books will find excellent though less E.G.T. On the LC.C. volume see under i Peter.
elaborate material in the books by A. Nairne The Joha7m171e Epistles have evoked a number
(C.G.T. [1921]) and A. S. Peake (Cent. B., no of outstanding expositions. A work of funda-
date). Before turning from English books we mental importance for English students of the
may note that W. Manson’s Baird Lecture (Hodder Greek text of the Epistles is that by A. E. Brooke
and Stoughton [1951]) is almost though not quite (LC.C. [IC)I2]). This is a very thorough piece of
a commentary on Hebrews. In German there are work, and eminently satisfactory. It must,
excellent books by H. Windisch (H.N.T. [2nd ed., however, now be supplemented by C. H. Dodd’s
1931]), H. Strathmann (N.T.D. [1947]), and, most commentary (M.N.T.C. [1946]), one of the most
recently of all, O. Michel (Meyer [2nd ed., 19491). brilliant of all modern commentaries, and perhaps
the best of all examples of the value of historical
The Catholic Epistles. A few books deal with the scholarship. By placing the Epistles in the world
Catholic Epistles as a whole. The latest and for of thought in which they originated Professor
critical purposes most useful of these is the new Dodd is able to assess their theological significance
edition (by H. Preisker) of the commentary by in that setting and so to set forth their theological
H. Windisch (H.N.T. [3rd ed., 1951]). Another significance for to-day. But behind Brooke there
German commentary, in a different style, is that lie earlier books which also are well worth reading
by F. Hauck (N.T.D. [1949J). In English the to-day. The casual reader might miss the fact
only book to be mentioned is J.Moffatt’s (M.N.T.C. that The Tests of Life (T. and T. Clark [1909J) by
[1928]), and this does not deal with the Epistles of Robert Law is a commentary on i John. In truth
John. It is slight, but interesting and stimulating it is a most valuable exposition of the Epistle.
as far as it goes. And B. F. Westcott’s commentary (McM. C.
On James there is a commentary (Mclkl. C. [ist ed., 1883J) must not be overlooked. The
[ist ed., 1892]) of almost incredible size by J. B. second edition of Loisy’s commentary on John
Mayor. Old as it is, this book is still of consider- (see second article) contains also a commentary
able value. So is that by J. H. Ropes (I.C.C. on the Epistles. This, though less known, is
[igi6]), which is one of the most important in the perhaps better than that on the Gospel. The
series to which it belongs. Beyond these it is commentary in S.N.T. by O. Baumgarten repays
perhaps necessary to mention only the com- consultation.
mentary by M. Dibelius (Meyer [1921]). For Jude see the commentary by J. B. Mayor
The volume in the LC.C. on i Peter [I90I ; also referred to on 2 Peter. The same author contri-
on 2 Peter and Jude] by C. Bigg is disappointing. buted a commentary on this book to E.G.T.
Fortunately other excellent commentaries exist. Perhaps no book in the New Testament presents
For the first time the work of Hort may be cited, greater difficulties to the commentator than
though only a posthumous fragment on Il-21? Revelation ; yet it has found a surprising number
(McM. C. [1898]). The exact philological scholar- of resolute and able scholars who, if they have not
ship and penetrating interpretation shown in this solved all its problems, offer invaluable help to
torso make one regret the more that Hort left so the student. Again we have a powerful but
much unwritten. The hiatus in the McM. C. has tormenting fragment from Hort (McM. C. [igo8]),
only recently been filled by E. G. Selwyn’s im- based on his lecture notes. It covers only the
portant commentary [ig46]-important not only first three chapters. Again, too, the gap in the
as a learned and lucid exposition of the Greek McM. C. is very ably filled, this time by H. B.
text but also for a long essay setting forth a new Swete [igo6]. Swete on Revelation is perhaps

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180

even better, and less out of date, than Swete conclusion. Readers of the English text find help
on Mark. R. H. Charles’s commentary (I.C.C. in books by C. Anderson Scott (Cent. B., no date)
[1920]) is undoubtedly one of the greatest in the and by M. Kiddle (assisted by M. K. Ross,
series. Charles’s work in collecting, editing, and M.N.T.C. [1940J). The latter is a large and
substantial contribution to the subject. In
translating the ancient Jewish apocalypses is well
known, and of inestimable value ; it culminated German the most important books (and they are
in his edition of the Christian Apocalypse. Charles’ss all good) are by J. Weiss and W. Heitm3Iler
complicated views about the editing of Revelation (S.N.T.), J. Behm (N.T.D.), W. Bousset (Meye~-
are perhaps not likely to stand in their entirety, [igo6]), and E. Lohmeyer (H.N.T. [1926]). In
but fortunately the value of the commentary is such a book as this a multiplicity of commentaries
independent of them. There is another excellent is particularly useful ; no one commentator may
and detailed commentary by I. T. Beckwith have found the truth, but many expositors
(Macmillan Company, New York [igig]), and together can give us different aspects of the
’

J. Mo$att’s brings the E.G.T. to a distinguished many-splendoured thing.’

In the Study
Virginibus Puerisque school, where his weekly allowance was twenty-
five cents. One afternoon some of his chums
All in a Name asked him to treat them to candy, but he said he
BY THE REVEREND CHARLES M. HEPBURN, B.D., couldn’t because he had only six cents.
’

CRIEFF Oh,’ they said to him, ’ walk into the shop

’ ... none other must be
and say who you are and they’ll let you have
name ... whereby we
saved.’―Ac 4 12. anything you like and simply charge it to your
account.’
AFTER a is born a note of it is made in a
baby So in he went, ordered a pound of marshmallows,
register. A short time ago the registrars, whose put six cents on the counter and said he would
work that is, were advised to try to persuade pay the rest again.
parents not to saddle their children with stupid or What is the name ? ’ the shopman asked.
comical names. One baby girl the father wanted ‘ Vanderbilt.’
to be given ’ Bubbles ’ as a name. Once a picture ’ And the first name ? ’ the man asked again.
was painted with the title ’ Bubbles ’ showing a ’ Cornelius.’
bonnie boy with fair curls sitting blowing soap ’ Oh,’ said the shopman, ’ take two pounds of
bubbles. Afterwards that boy, who was at school marshmallows and you can pay whenever you
at Glenalmond, grew up to be an Admiral. Much wish.’ At which Cornelius came out somewhat
to his annoyance his nickname was always amazed.
’ ’
Bubbles ’ thereafter. Most have sensible names, So you see,’ said his chums, ’ you could buy
however. the whole town if you wanted to, if you tell them
There are many names, too, with beauty in your name ; how about buying cycles for us ? ’
them, though the beauty isn’t always seen. There So Cornelius entered another shop, gave his
were Job’s three daughters, who were named, name, and each of his friends got a fine new cycle.
although there doesn’t seem to be anything Not long afterwards Cornelius’ father turned up
beautiful in the names, ’ Jemima, Kezia, and at school, not looking what one would call pleased,
Keren-Happuch.’ But there’s more in them than for the shopman had posted the accounts to him.
we may think. Because a great scholar gives us a Cornelius, I’m afraid, received rather a whacking
translation which shows us their real meaning, and had his pocket money cut down until he paid
namely, ’ Ringdove, Cassia, and Applescent.’ So, all his debts. Such was the way Cornelius Vander-
when we can understand, there is something bilt proved there is sometimes power in a name.
fragrant after all in these names. But, above all, as the Bible says, there is
Or, again, there are people with influential ‘ salvation’ in a name. A name may save us.
names, names with power in them. Among such Naturally not just an ordinary name. No, a
names, for instance, in America are Rockefeller, name that is above all other names, the name of
Roosevelt, Astor, and Vanderbilt, all old and Jesus. Joseph was told, previous to His coming,
famous and usually wealthy American families. ’
And thou shalt call his name Jesus : for he shall
A small boy of one of them had been sent to save his people from their sins.’

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