Paul for Everyone: 2 Corinthians

For those unfamiliar with Wright's "______ for Everyone" series, they are a series of commentaries on the New Testament books by Bishop Wright based on his extensive historical scholarship. He provides his own translation (based on his study of the source languages) which is a very engaging paraphrase. The text is divided up into chronological topic-based segments, followed by a 2-3 page sermonette/commentary based on that section. In this volume, Wright describes how 2 Corinthians is a book about dealing with sorrow and adversity in the Christian life. Paul is writing to comfort the Corinthian church, and defend himself against various denigrators of him and his ministry, going so far as to "speak like a fool" in his own defense against the "super apostles." Wright does a good job of evoking what Paul's ministry experience was like, with his daily concern for all the churches, navigating carefully between admonishing the Corinthians and encouraging them, and making preparations for a relief collection for Jerusalem. Along the way, we get many interesting insights into the first-century world of Paul, including hidden contemporary nuances of the text. For example, Paul's oath in 2 Cor. 11:30-33 about being let down over the Damascus wall in a basket is a satirical, almost comic upside-down self-parody of one of the highest Roman awards for valor, for the first soldier over the wall in an attack. And his account of being taken up to the third heaven, where he saw things too great to tell, is a contrast with the false teachers who speak of their special visions in order to impress the people. Paul was a human like us, and faced adversity and sorrow even with all his revelations and insights. Wright shows how Paul exemplifies for us how God's grace is sufficient for us, God's power perfected in our weakness.

NT Wright - scholar, bishop of Durham, Colbert Report veteran - is publishing a new series of "light" commentaries..the "for Everyone" series, under the appropriately Common nomer "Tom Wright" (they started out with "NT Wright" and moved later to just "Tom" on the covers). You will rarely get a better, easier reading, more accessible commentary that is helpful both for preachers and laity. Passages are broken down into devotional-length analysis and comment, with a small bit of application as sort of "starter dough" for the reader. DONT use this to write your thesis. DO use this to be more effective at explaining scripture, leading a small group, or engaging other in dialogue regarding Pauline literature.

Tom Wright (aka N T Wright)is the most insightful and unique conservative scholar to come along. He has shared with us his great gift of, not only his theology, but his whimsical writing, anectdotes, story telling and of course the most important of all correct interpretation and translation of the text itself. Wright is not only a theologian, but is as much a historian. I recommend the entire everyone series from him. You will not regret buying these easy to read, entertaining, and remarkably insightful books. Wright gets Paul and this work on 2 Corinthians is proof of it. There is much here to commend, but let me just talk about on insightful aspect of this book In 2 Corinthians 4:13 Paul quotes from Psalm 116:10 a simple little line of "I believe and therefore I spoke." Wright sees behind this quote a text that Paul had personally been ministered to from. It is this Psalm that carried him though when he felt in chapter 1 that he had the death sentence passed upon him. Wright takes the time to quote the entire Psalm and show briefly how Paul worked it in. The only problem with the Everyone Commentary series is that they leave you wanting Wright to explore even deeper with you the ramification of something like this in Paul. This commentary is a brief read that will leave you with a greater grasp on the life of Paul and on 2 Corinthians.

I read commentaries. I read many different types of books but I actually sit down and read commentaries. But this little book and all the others Wright has written in his series is a shear delight to read. If you are looking for something to replace the old Barclay commentaries you have found it. Wright is one of the brightest Biblical scholars on the planet. I often read his sholarly writings. So it is really something to find these small but profound, entertaining and enlighting books. His personal translation of the the verses he is commenting on is better than any present version I have read. I hope the publisher decides to give us a Wright translation of the NT!!! Purchase them all - you will not regret one of them.

N.T. Wright is among the very best Biblical scholars in the world. His genius is evident in how clearly he brings Paul's letters alive for us today. Remember, this stuff isn't rocket science. The enduring truth of Paul's theology and counsel has always been meant for EVERYONE.