The third volume to appear of the Ancient Christian Commentary covers three of St Paul’s shorter epistles. It follows the established format. The Biblical text is divided into short paragraphs. Summaries of patristic comment are provided for the paragraph as a whole, followed by translations of comments on each verse.
Dr Edwards in his short introduction describes his principal commentators and examines their approach to the three epistles, concluding with a discussion of patristic exegetical method. These epistles were much cited in various controversies of the early church and details of the principal figures and movements involved are contained in a useful glossary.
Among the major figures, Augustine, Jerome, John Chrysostom and Origen feature the most strongly. Much of the commentary is provided by three less well‐known figures, Ambrosiaster, Marius Victorinus and Theodoret. Shorter extracts are taken from a wide variety of both Greek and Latin commentators.
Readers unfamiliar with patristic literature will appreciate the selection of writers presented to them and their understanding will benefit from the pointers Dr Edwards provides. Patristic scholars will welcome the variety of commentary which has been brought together in one place and original sources have been clearly cited.
This is a worthy contribution to a series which will prove its value to scholars, preachers and general readers.
