The Second Epistle General of Peter, and the General Epistle of Jude

Michael Green has done a thorough and yet relatively simple work in this commentary on these sometimes overlooked epistles. It follows closely with Richard Bauckham's exegesis which I consider to be THE standard for study on this work. Unlike Bauckham's work, Green is not steeped so much into the Greek, which may be too hard for the more novice student to digest. Green also does an ample job to support his belief that Apostle Peter is indeed the author of this epistle, which unfortunatley is something Bauckham does not adhere to.I do find it strange that Mr. Green often quotes Calvin for support of his views, but Green's conclusions are decidely Arminian, which is a bigger paradox than that of Green's speculation on election and free-will. Nevertheless, it's a worth-while read and great for pastors and a very nice companion to Richard Baukham's work.

Green has done a good job reviewing the various interpretations and background behind II Peter and Jude, interacting somewhat with the main scholarship, most notably Bauckham, whose commentary is the standard work on these two books but has two strikes against it. His book is highly academic and unsuitable for a popular audience, and it has some questionable historical reconstructions about the authorship of II Peter. Green avoids both these features and spends a good deal of time arguing against Bauckham's thesis while keeping much of his good work intact. His additions beyond what Bauckham has to say are useful pastoral aids in seeing the relevance of such ignored books to present-day Christian life. If you're looking for a scholary commentary, get Bauckham's book and use this as a more pastoral supplement and a source for critique of Bauckham's more critical views. If you're looking for an aid to sermons or Bible studies, Green's book is ideal.