Peter S. Williamson
Daniel J. Harrington, SJ , Weston Jesuit School of Theology
William S. Kurz, SJ , Marquette University
Frank J. Matera , Catholic University of America
George Montague, SM , St. Marys University
Copyright Page
2017 by Kelly Anderson and Daniel A. Keating
Published by Baker Academic
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakeracademic.com
Ebook edition created 2017
Ebook corrections 10.29.2018
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-0659-3
Printed with Ecclesiastical Permission
Most Reverend Earl Boyea, Bishop of Lansing
December 7, 2015
The nihil obstat and imprimatur are official declarations that a book is free of doctrinal or moral error. No implication is contained therein that those who have granted the nihil obstat or imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
Except as otherwise specified, Scripture versification and quotations are from the New American Bible, revised edition 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2011
Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations labeled NJB are from THE NEW JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright 1985 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc. Reprinted by permission.
Scripture quotations labeled NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Endorsements
The Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture richly provides what has for so long been lacking among contemporary scriptural commentaries. Its goal is to assist Catholic preachers and teachers, lay and ordained, in their ministry of the Word. Moreover, it offers ordinary Catholics a scriptural resource that will enhance their understanding of Gods Word and thereby deepen their faith. Thus these commentaries, nourished on the faith of the Church and guided by scholarly wisdom, are both exegetically sound and spiritually nourishing.
Thomas G. Weinandy, OFM Cap , United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
This could be the first commentary read by a pastor preparing a text and could be read easily by a Sunday school teacher preparing a text, and it would be an excellent commentary for a college Bible class.... The Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture will prove itself to be a reliable, Catholicbut ecumenically open and respectfulcommentary.
Scot McKnight , Jesus Creed blog
The Word of God is the source of Christian life, and the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture is an ideal tool for living our faith more deeply. This extraordinary resource feeds both the mind and the heart and should be on the shelf of every committed Catholic believer. I highly recommend it.
Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap , Archbishop of Philadelphia
When the Scripture is read in the liturgy, it is heard as a living voice. But when expounded in a commentary, it is too often read as a document from the past. This fine series unites the ancient and the contemporary by offering insight into the biblical textverse by verseas well as spiritual application to the lives of Christians today.
Robert Louis Wilken , University of Virginia
There is a great hunger among Catholic laity for a deeper understanding of the Bible. The Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture fills the need for a more in-depth interpretation of Scripture. I am very excited to be able to recommend this series to our Bible Study groups around the world.
Gail Buckley , founder and director, Catholic Scripture Study International (www.cssprogram.net)
Contents
Cover
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Endorsements
Illustrations
Editors Preface
Abbreviations
James
Kelly Anderson
Introduction to James
Outline of James
Greeting (1:1)
Trials and Joy (1:211)
Gods Desire for Our Life (1:1227)
Faith and Love (2:113)
Faith without Works (2:1426)
The Destructive Power of the Tongue (3:118)
Lover of the World or Lover of God (4:110)
Exhortations against Pride (4:115:6)
Patient Perseverance (5:711)
Final Instructions (5:1220)
First, Second, and Third John
Daniel Keating
General Introduction to First, Second, and Third John
Introduction to 1 John
Outline of 1 John
First Movement: Walk in the Light (1:52:27)
Walk in the Light and Do Not Sin (1:52:2)
Keeping the Commandments and Loving the Brothers and Sisters (2:317)
Antichrist and Denial of the Truth (2:1827)
Second Movement: Walk in Righteousness (2:284:6)
The Children of God (2:283:10)
Loving One Another in Truth (3:1124)
Test the Spirits (4:16)
Third Movement: Walk in Love (4:75:12)
Walking in Love (4:721)
Faith as the Foundation of Love (5:112)
Summary and Conclusion (5:1321)
Introduction to 2 John
Outline of 2 John
Opening Greeting (1:13)
Core Exhortations (1:411)
Closing Greeting (1:1213)
Introduction to 3 John
Outline of 3 John
Opening Greeting and Commendation (1:14)
Requests and Recommendations (1:512)
Closing Greeting (1:1315)
Suggested Resources
Glossary
Index of Pastoral Topics
Index of Sidebars
Back Cover
Illustrations
Figure 1. James the Just
Figure 2. Woman distributing bread to the poor
Figure 3. Angel preventing the sacrifice of Isaac
Figure 4. Job
Figure 5. Farmers pausing for prayer
Figure 6. Map of Ephesus and its surroundings
Figure 7. The amphitheater in Ephesus
Figure 8. Baptistery at the Basilica of St. John in Ephesus