First Corinthians: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching

Richard Hays has written a book that is very scholarly and also very easy to understand. This is a great resource for a pastor/preacher or simply for anyone interested in historical background/commentary for 1 Corinthians. I used different commentaries for 1 Corinthians during my theology course and I have to admit that this was the best one.

You cannot go wrong with Richard Hays. I wish that he writes more commentaries like this one.

This commentary has helped to clarify certain aspects of the letter that we think we understand but have previously failed to see through the lens of culture and time.

Actually pretty good.

Hays is careful in thought and precise in expression; a delightful combination! The early Corinthian community shard many similar issues today's church and so its study is immensely practical.

Great help in Bible study for anyone seeking to learn more about the NewTestament, the writings of Paul, Christian faith. Highly reccomend it for ministers and teachers

Clear, concise and easy to read. One of the best commentaries that I have ever read. I am glad I bought it.

I am gravely disappointed in Amazon. They tried to pass off the paperback copy to me at the hardcover price and thought I wasn't going to notice the difference in prices. I CHOSE THE MORE EXPENSIVE HARDCOVER BECAUSE I DO NOT LIKE PAPERBACK, SO THEREFORE I KNEW THE PRICES AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BOTH OF THEM!!! I had to demand a refund of the difference!!! Not happy at all!!!

Great book and quality interpretation

Superb Commentary. Put to use straight away for next Sunday's Sermon. These are a great resource for teachers and preachers.

Book as expectations.

As a prelude to this review I should say that I am a lay speaker at church. I am not a theologian, but have read numerous books of theology. I am not an exegete and not familiar with Greek or Hebrew, but when I have to speak, I go to extra special care to ensure that I understand context, language and message. I take forever to put together a 45 minute message. I should also add, as a secondary prelude, that I have little time for those who do not appreciate how complex it is for laymen, living in the 21st century, to appreciate and understand written works of the era of the ancient church, including biblical works. In my understanding, while there is a hard core to Christianity that perhaps is best reflected by something like the Apostle's creed (or some of the early predivision creeds), there are few doctrinal convictions that are "so simple that anyone can get them". Old texts just do not work that way for modern readers.Which is why I appreciate so much Richard Hays' commentary on First Corinthians. There is something to appreciate about a scholar who has a grasp of the text and the time and context of the text and is able to communicate them to readers in a way that is cohesive, structured and interesting. The reading is straightforward. Which doesn't mean that the matter is as well. Hays goes to great lengths to discuss problems in interpretation, one of the nicest examples of this is in his discussion of the first few verses of chapter 7, where Paul discusses marriage. There is much to be said regarding the understanding of context and time to appropriately understand meaning and Hays is careful not to impose strong conclusions, but to help guide the reader in making interpretations of text.Perhaps on the down side, I would have appreciated a bit more reflexion that goes beyond the text. Not that such ideas should be considered as equal to interpretation of scriptural text, but something more of the history of the Corinthian church, where some ideas that historians have regarding Paul's relationship with them might be considered in the context of interpretation. But this is a small negative comment. This book has become a model for me regarding how theologians and academics might communicate difficult interpretative material to theological laymen. Richard Hays has to be commended for the unusually rare skill he has demonstrated throughout this commentary.

book in very good shape and arrived in good time. Just getting into it now. Will take with me to Florida to read through the winter and discuss with my friend. Thank you.