The Crossway Classic Commentaries:
Galatians: Martin Luther
1, 2, 3 John:
John Calvin/Matthew Henry
Two more additions to this Classic Commentary Series, edited by Alister McGrath and J.I. Packer, aim to make the work of great men of God in the past available for today's believers.
'Why bother with the past?' some may respond impatiently. Surely the great need is to be contemporary?! Yet as I read these men expounding and applying the living and enduring Word of God, I am struck by how relevant and up-to-date they are.
I welcome the clutter-free format of this series. No wading through pages of background information is demanded. A brief introduction is followed by commentary based on the NIV translation. Each text or phrase is printed in bold type, followed by the author's succinct comments. The editors' work is to be commended. Galatians is based on Luther's original 41 lectures in Latin! Yet even in translation, the reader feels the great Reformer's passion and energy as he expounds the crucial subject of justification by faith alone. Alongside this emphasis on doctrinal correctness, we find Luther making many personal and devotional points of application. How refreshing!
Calvin is a great help in guiding us through what Packer terms 'the pastoral logic' of John's First Epistle. The style is less vibrant than Luther's, but we gain much from Calvin's characteristically clear exegesis. Matthew Henry's warm commentary on John 2 and 3 typifies the Puritan emphasis upon exact exegesis and relevant application. So we find his writing reflecting the main themes of these letters, both warning - 'How sound in judgment and caution the Christian should be!' and encouragement - 'The communion of saints should be maintained by all methods and their communion should produce mutual joy.'
These commentaries are valuable in themselves (making the ideal Christmas present!) but they could also be useful as easy introductions to the writings and characters of great men of God in the past.
