Colin Kruse – 2 Corinthians Commentary – Q & A

Colin G. Kruse is the author of the 2 Corinthians commentary in the Tyndale New Testament Commentary series. Dr. Kruse (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is senior lecturer of New Testament at Melbourne School of Theology. Besides journal articles on the New Testament, Old Testament and the Dead Sea Scrolls, Kruse has authored several books including Paul, the Law and Justification and New Testament Models for Ministry: Jesus and Paul. He has also written the Tyndale New Testament Commentary on 2 Corinthians and the Pillar New Testament Commentary titles The Letters of John and Paul’s Letter to the Romans.

7 Questions on 2 Corinthians in the TNTC Commentary Series

Recently, Dr. Kruse kindly agreed to answer my questions about his 2 Corinthians commentary. Readers will learn how the commentary came to be, why it’s unique among other commentaries on 2 Corinthians, and how the project edified him personally.

1. What previous research and/or personal interests led you to this project and helped prepare you to write this commentary on 2 Corinthians?

When doing research for my PhD thesis (Jesus, Paul and Ministry), work on 2 Corinthians was an important part, and this proved valuable when I was asked to write the Tyndale commentary on 2 Corinthians.

2. Who is the intended audience for this commentary? Would it benefit pastors? professors? students? lay Christians in the local church?

The commentary is intended primarily for lay Christians and university students, but theological students working on the exegesis of 2 Corinthians have told me they have found it a very easy introduction to the letter’s interpretation, themes and theology.

3. What is unique about this commentary? What contribution does it make to studies of 2 Corinthians?

The commentary charts a clear, plausible course through the maze of the literary history of Paul’s correspondence with the Corinthian Christians. This should enable readers to understand the overall message of the letter, as well as its “purple passages.” Additional notes provide fuller discussion on particular difficulties as well as major themes.

4. What section or passage of this commentary was particularly memorable to research and write? Why?

Memorable areas of research for me were identifying and trying to understand the motivation of Paul’s opponents, and lessons to be learnt from the way the apostle responded to them.

5. What personally edified you in writing this commentary, increasing your affections for Christ?

Like many other commentators on 2 Corinthians, I found Paul’s teaching on the coincidence of human weakness and divine power in ministry to be both edifying and encouraging.

6. Besides your commentary, what are your top recommended books (commentaries or otherwise) on 2 Corinthians?

Among the many good commentaries available, I would strongly recommend those by Barnett [NICNT], Harris [NIGNT], Hafemann [NIVAC], Seifrid [PNTC], and Thrall [ICC]. Very helpful, too, is Bray’s Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture volume on 2 Corinthians.

7. What’s next for you? What project are you currently working on? How can people follow your work and ministry?

I am currently checking the page proofs for my revised and expanded version of the Tyndale commentary on the Gospel of John, due for release in July 2017. I am also working on a manuscript for the volume on 2 Corinthians in the Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament series.

Own Colin Kruse’s 2 Corinthians commentary

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