1 Peter

“Craig Keener has done us all a great service by his careful evaluation of 1 Peter, taking us systematically through all aspects of the letter, not least its disputed authorship. His extensive scholarly apparatus only contributes to the clarity of the core text, without ever losing the thread of his arguments. This is a book which will assist anyone seriously interested in coming to grips with this particular epistle.”—Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

“Craig Keener has complemented his massive four volumes on Acts with one nearly as weighty on the brief epistle from the aging Peter in Rome to those in the vast diaspora of provinces in northern Asia Minor. He shows that Paul’s letters and echoes of gospel traditions in the epistle reflect the early formulation of a shared Christian faith. Keener also presents a translation—or ‘articulation’—of 1 Peter that will jar readers into taking a close look at his treatment of semantics and syntax. Admitting that Peter himself was unlikely to be familiar with more than part of the Jewish and early Christian material, Keener employs the massive encyclopedia of ancient Greek and Roman literature, philosophy, and religion from his work on Acts to provide a broader cultural context for words, images, and possible overtones in each phrase.”—Pheme Perkins, Joseph Professor of Catholic Spirituality, Boston College
“Craig Keener’s commentary pays attention to theology and hermeneutics, to history and social description, to literary and genre analysis, and more. Keener provides a compendium of 1 Peter scholarship and possibilities that is both informative and enlightening. This is an exciting project on 1 Peter and one that I highly recommend to be used not only by pastors and laypeople but also in seminary classrooms. This commentary provides more than just an interpretation of 1 Peter: it is a thorough immersion in its discourse, rhetoric, history, imagery, theology, and meaning potential. I commend this work to any serious student of 1 Peter and beyond.”—Shively T. J. Smith, assistant professor of New Testament, Boston University
“Keener presents a fresh translation of 1 Peter and a wealth of primary sources relevant to the historical, cultural, and lexical background of this New Testament letter. Written with clarity from the mind of a scholar and the heart of a pastor, every interpreter of 1 Peter will want this commentary on their shelf.”—Karen H. Jobes, Gerald F. Hawthorne Professor Emerita of New Testament Greek and Exegesis, Wheaton College
“Keener’s commentary provides wonderful access to both Jewish and Greco-Roman primary sources, allowing the text of 1 Peter to be better understood within its first-century setting. The author’s original translation and comments are highly readable and thought-provoking. An important new resource for students of 1 Peter.”—Ruth Anne Reese, professor of New Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary
“Craig Keener offers a fresh and refreshing reading of 1 Peter. Keener’s genius is on full display in providing the church and the academy a commentary that is very accessible while engaging with primary and secondary literature and seminal works on Petrine scholarship. This commentary is a must-read for anyone who studies, preaches, teaches, and does research on 1 Peter.”—Abson Joseph, vice president of academic affairs and professor of New Testament, Wesley Seminary