John Painter

Commentary on James and Jude as part of the Paideia series, thus focusing on rhetorical styles, theological issues, and making sense of the text in context.

The substantive commentary on James is quite good; the author's conclusion of a later date seems strange in light of his conviction and emphasis of the early Jesus material upon which James draws. The author handles James 2 as well as can be expected from Evangelicals and on the whole does well at showing how James, rooted in the OT and Jesus' teachings, exhorts Jewish (and Gentile) Christians toward greater faithfulness.

The commentary on Jude makes good sense of the text and understands it in terms of Jude in the 60s-80s in Palestine, making good sense of the textual critical issues and the extra-Biblical sources Jude uses. Comments and applications are most sensible and honor Jude's intentions with his letter. A quite excellent commentary on Jude.

As with the whole commentary series, the influence of Greco-Roman philosophy, rhetoric, etc. has value in consideration but might be a bit too much in light of the Jewish background of the New Testament. Nevertheless, since most have not been trained in a good understanding of Greco-Roman rhetoric and philosophy, it's useful for consideration.

Still generally worthy of consideration in terms of understanding James and Jude.

**--galley received as part of early review program… (mehr)