By Paul Henebury on
2 Corinthians
Commentaries
Books
Series - Commentaries
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The book of 2 Corinthians is probably my favorite book of the NT—at least this week. But whatever week it is 2 Corinthians will always be at or near the top of my list. It is filled with purple passages and infused with hope. It was the first book I preached through when I came to my present congregation. Here are my picks for the top commentaries on this great epistle:

  1. Paul Barnett – Barnett is a fluid writer with wide background knowledge and theological acumen. This is a work of depth, conveying the argument with surprising ease. This is the NICNT volume. Barnett’s contribution The Message of 2 Corinthians is also very good.
  2. George H. Guthrie – An exegetical study which imparts the structure of the epistle very well.
  3. Murray J. Harris – The massive NIGNT contribution. This detailed exegesis of the letter may be too much for the busy pastor, but Harris pulls out all the stops. For thorough study of 2 Corinthians this work must be read. I like that he rejects theories of the epistle as composite.
  4. Victor Paul Furnish – Somewhat liberal slanted Anchor Bible work, but not so much as to spoil the it. This commentary has greatly helped me grasp Paul’s theology in the letter. The presentation is a bit clunky, but the material is very solid.
  5. David E. Garland – As expected from this author, a very competent all round treatment.
  6. Ralph P. Martin – Martin was tainted with liberalism, but was quite evangelical nonetheless. An excellent writer and suggestive exegete.
  7. Scott J. Hafemann – The NIVAC contribution by a respected biblical theologian. Definitely worth getting.
  8. Philip Edgcumbe Hughes – This one used to be at the top of many a list on this epistle. It is still a great purchase as Hughes was a good thinker. I used it extensively when I preached through 2 Corinthians.
  9. Simon Kistemaker – This one doesn’t get much love, but it is a really good commentary. Because of the quality above it it is not essential, but it is worth reading.
  10. Colin G. Kruse – From the Tyndale series, this is a very competent replacement for the Leon Morris volume (which is good).

Outside the Top Ten there are fine works to be found. Robert Gromacki is basic but not throw-away. Lenski is Lenski, a little pedantic but turns his exposition into suggestive thoughts for the preacher. The old volume by William Plummer is still useful. If you can obtain the old study by Jean Hering you will profit from it. B. J. Oropeza wrote a large work called Exploring Second Corinthians: Death and Life, Hardship and Rivalry. I haven’t read it, but I like some of Oropeza’s work so I include it here with that proviso. Finally, Charles Hodge, F.F. Bruce, and definitely John Barclay in the Eerdmans Bible Commentary should be grabbed off the shelf of a used book store.

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