Second Corinthians Paperback - 2013

From the rear cover

Critically Acclaimed Commentaries from Today's Top Scholars

In this addition to the projected eighteen-volume Paideia commentary series, respected New Testament scholar Raymond Collins examines cultural context and theological meaning in Second Corinthians.

Paideia commentaries explore how New Testament texts form Christian readers by:

- Attending to the ancient narrative and rhetorical strategies the text employs
- Showing how the text shapes theological convictions and moral habits
- Commenting on the final, canonical form of each New Testament book
- Focusing on the cultural, literary, and theological settings of the text
- Making judicious use of photos and sidebars in a reader-friendly format

"Collins's impressive scholarly achievements and vast teaching experience are evident in his commentary on 2 Corinthians. He deftly leads his readers through Paul's most challenging text. In addition to highlighting Paul's rhetorical strategies, Collins offers a lucid exposition of the apostle's defense of his ministry and his determination to help the Corinthians to embrace God's mysterious way of exhibiting power through weakness. I will strongly recommend that my students read this commentary, which continues the level of excellence set by its predecessors in the Paideia series."
--Thomas D. Stegman, SJ, associate professor of New Testament and Professor Ordinarius in the Ecclesiastical Faculty of Boston College School of Theology and Ministry

"Collins writes in a beautiful and fluent style that is really reader-centered. He provides the necessary background information, cultural as well as literary. Yet most attention is given to Paul's sometimes tricky reasoning and ideas. Collins's theological reflection on specific topics is profound. He provides helpful sidebars that clarify the divisions of Paul's text or deal with specific textual difficulties and concepts. All this makes his work even more attractive. I very much recommend this commentary as a safe guide to those who want to get a first responsible acquaintance with this part of Paul's Corinthian correspondence as well as to those who are driven to serious study of this notably complex and intriguing Pauline text."
--Jan Lambrecht, SJ, professor emeritus, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium