New Collegeville Bible Commentary: New Testament

The Gospel of Matthew carries important lessons on the formation of community and of Jesus as authoritative Teacher--lessons that helped the early Matthean population relate to both the Jewish and Christian communities of which they were composed. The Gospel According to Matthew provides Gospel text (New American Bible translation) along with Barbara E. Reid's commentary, to aid in the interpretation and use of this Gospel today. As Reid demonstrates, this Gospel continues to bring Vision and hope to Christians throughout the ages. Reid stresses the importance of the Gospel of Matthew as the first book in the New Testament, possibly the first written Gospel, and the one most often used in the early church. Providing both the text and commentary, Reid addresses important questions such as the author's identity and sources, setting and Gospel translation. Sections are The Origins of Jesus (1: 1-4: 11)," "The Beginnings of the Galilean Ministry (4: 12-10: 42)," "The Sermon on the Mount (5: 1-7: 28)," "Varying Responses to Jesus(11: 1-16: 12)," "Jesus and His Disciples on the Way to Jerusalem (16: 14- 20: 34)," "Jerusalem; Jesus' Final Days of Teaching in the Temple (21: 1-28: 15)," "Finale: Back to Galilee; Commission to the Whole World; Jesus' Abiding Presence (28: 16-20)." Also includes discussion questions. Barbara E. Reid, OP, PhD, is professor of New Testament at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She is the author of Parables for Preachers, Choosing the Better Part? , and co-editor of the Collegeville Pastoral Dictionary of Biblical Theology, published by Liturgical Press. She has also published various journal articles on New Testament topics. Also available with Little Rock Scripture Study Set: The Gospel According to Matthew "

The absence of stories of Jesus' birth and infancy, a minimum of Jesus' parables and a resurrection scene without sight or sound of the risen Jesus have tempted readers to shortchange Mark's Gospel. Thanks to the insightful analysis and inspiring reflections of Marie Noonan Sabin, anyone studying this premier Gospel with her guidance will recognize the genius of the original author. Sabin asserts that Mark's Gospel is not an eyewitness account or a work of biography or history. She writes, "What Mark gives us is far richer. He interprets Jesus in the light of the Hebrew Bible, showing Jesus to be not only a teacher of Wisdom but Wisdom itself, calling his followers to an unconventional wisdom, a way of living (and a way of dying) that he himself exemplifies." The cover of this commentary from The Saint John's Bible highlights Sabin's thesis that the transfiguration of Jesus is pivotal to the Gospel: "The scene [9:2-8] overshadows both parts of the Gospel, emphasizing God's creative, transforming, transfiguring power to restore life." Sabin gives special attention to Mark's key words and phrases (e.g., "release," "rise up" or "be raised," "straightway," and "ecstasy") and his pattern of twos and threes. Especially helpful are the summaries at the end of each chapter. Here is a commentary that will restore Mark's prime place among the other two Synoptic Gospels. Marie Noonan Sabin, Ph.D., has taught the Gospel of Mark at Bangor Theological Seminary; an earlier book on Mark, Reopening the Word, was published by Oxford University Press in 2002.

Luke continues to challenge our lives. Focusing on Jesus and his earthly ministry among the early church, Michael, F. Patella, OSB, opens the Gospel of Luke to the 21st-century reader. Patella presents literary, textual, and historical criticism in a readable manner to give readers a solid background for the Lukan Gospel. A brief introduction informs reader of Luke's literary technique, Luke as an evangelist, and other historical data. Chapters are "The Prologue (1: 1-4)," "The Infancy Narrative (1: 5-2: 52)," "Preparation for the Public Ministry (3: 1-4: 13)," "The Ministry in Galilee (4:! 4-9: 50)," "The Journey to Jerusalem (9: 51019: 27)," "The Teaching Ministry in Jerusalem (19: 28-21: 38)," "The Passion (22: 1-23: 56)," "The Resurrection (24: 1-53)." Also includes questions for discussion.

Thought-provoking and understandable, Scott M. Lewis, SJ, breaks the Gospel of John down into manageable sections with commentary vital to new and returning readers. Using themes from John's prologue to provide a focus, Lewis encourages his readers to question and ponder, rather than gloss over, this deceptively simple text. The Gospel According to John and the Johannine Letters offers a brief commentary, incorporating recent scholarship, with a general approach. Ideally suited for Bible study groups as well as individual reflection, it is accessible to abroad range of people.

Dennis Hamm stresses the unity between the Acts of Apostles and the Gospel of Luke. His section-by-section commentary (along with New American Bible translation), based on the best of recent scholarship, will appeal to teachers, preachers and Bible study groups with its non-technical, yet scholarly style. Hamm helps visualize Christianity's growth from Jewish roots and the Church as continuation of God's covenant with Israel. Paying close attention to the use of the Old Testament. Hamm demonstrates how the Acts of the Apostles--first addressed to the early Christian community--speaks to our generation today. Chapters are The Risen Christ and the Restoration of Israel in Jerusalem (1: 1 -8: 3)," "The Mission in Judea and Samaria (8: 4-9: 43)," "The Inauguration of the Gentile Mission (10: 1-15: 35)," and "The Mission of Paul to the Ends of the Earth(15: 36-28: 31)." Also includes maps and discussion questions.

In his thorough, yet concise commentary on Galatians and Romans, Robert Karris, O. F. M. encourages his readers to take a head on approach to reading and interpreting the biblical text. He discusses form and purpose, message, and basic outline to help readers understand Galatians and Romans. With his section-by-section commentary, Karris offers readers of al backgrounds further opportunity to study and reflect on the books of Galatians and Romans. Robert Karris, OFM, ThD, is head of research at The Franciscan Institute of St. Bonaventure University and is past president of the Catholic Biblical Association. He is the author of Jesus and the Marginalized in John's Gospel, and Symphony of New Testament Hymns published by Liturgical Press.

What was originally part of an ongoing dialogue between Paul and the community at Corinth has become vital in today's Christian worship. Maria A. Pascuzzi, CSJ, helps us look at the Corinthian community through Paul's viewpoint, highlighting the struggles and issues of the Corinthian society. Pascuzzi highlights how Paul's attempt to reform this early society can be used to refocus the Christian community today-a community that faces similar struggles. Pascuzzi gives the background of Corinth, its Greek and Roman inhabitants, the development of the Christian community, and the importance of Corinth's location to Paul's ministry.

Vincent M. Smiles provides a fresh look at the early Church and the faith with which they approached their dynamic, diverse community. With a brief introduction to each letter, Smiles brings to light issues such as authorship, dating, and historical situation. Smiles focuses on similarities and contrasts-such as eschatology, ecclesiology and the status of women--within these diverse, yet unified letters. A reading of these letters as partners in a conversation" provides both an understanding and inspiration for today's Christian society: inspiration to meet our challenges in faith with the same creativity as did the early Church. With an understandable, yet comprehensive manner, this commentary will appeal to those interested in the changing early Church and its ancient wisdom. Vincent M. Smiles, PhD, is chair of the Department of Theology at the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University, Minnesota. He is author of The Gospel and the Law in Galatia, published by Liturgical Press.

First and Second Timothy and Titus are designated Pastoral Letters because they deal with leadership and organizational issues of the early Christian community. Probably written after the death of Paul, they nevertheless express what Paul himself would have and could have written to community leaders. Second Timothy gives the greatest amount of biographical material we have about Paul. The Letter to Philemon, a miniature but authentic Pauline jewel, is a masterpiece of persuasion regarding a slave's freedom. Terence J. Keegan's perceptive commentaries on these precious remnants of first century Christianity provide information and insight regarding the gradual growth of the church. There are pertinent lessons here for today's shepherds and their flocks. Terence J. Keegan, OP, serves as the executive vice president and treasurer at Providence College, Providence, Rhode Island.

Who would not relish the opportunity to read two-thousand-year-old letters? These four of the seven catholic letters" are addressed not to any specific church, as are Paul's epistles, but to the church in general. Giving us valuable insights into early Christianity, they insist on the need to join good works with faith, present Jesus' sufferings as the model for enduring persecution and warn against intruders intent on undermining traditional faith and morals. Far from being mere exercises in nostalgia for the "good ol' days," the letters offer principles that have not lost their value for the Church of the third millennium. Patrick Hartin's clarity and conciseness update the Church's earliest struggles to remain faithful to the spirit of Jesus Christ. These are letters for us today, too. Fr. Patrick J. Hartin, PhD, is professor of New Testament at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, and the author of the Sacra Pagina commentary on James and A Spirituality of Perfection: Faith in Action in the Letter of James, published by Liturgical Press.

When is a letter not a letter? When it is the Letter to the Hebrews.

Full of awesome and gruesome scenes that seem to provoke more fear than faith, the Book of Revelation is often read as a roadmap through the doom and gloom of the end time. Correctly understood, however, this grand finale of the New Testament is aloud and clear call to conversion as well as a message of hope and consolation for Christians of every age. Catherine Cory carefully explains the variety of Visions that unfold in kaleidoscopic fashion throughout the book. Scenes from the Old Testament form collages that convey the central theme; namely, that God is in control and evil is being conquered. The breathtaking conclusion resounds with God's promise, Behold, I make al things new. "Cory's lucid style reveals the true message of the Book of Revelation. Catherine Ann Cory, PhD, is an associate professor in the theology department, at the University of Saint Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota.