What do you think?
Rate this book
Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching
First, Second, and Third John: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching
This careful and thoughtful book unlocks the door to the theological and ethical treasures contained in the Epistles of John. It is an invitation to a journey of discovery, from the well-known and familiar to the less familiar but rewarding.
- GenresReference
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 1991
21 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 10, 2023
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” 2 Timothy 3:16 I disagreed with the author on minor differences in the first half. The second half was absolute nonsense as he states that he sees no point to 2 and 3 John. Really? Are you God? Didn’t think so. I won’t be bothering with this author again.
October 22, 2020
D. Moody Smith's short commentary on the Epistles of John is insightful and a helpful companion to both teachers and preachers alike. Smith draws from the best that Johannine scholarship has to offer and makes it easily accessible in this work (he doesn't even include any footnotes, so as to not take the focus away from the text itself). Most helpful is Smith's discussion about background, historical context, and setting, especially revolving around the First Epistle. Understanding what is happening "behind the scenes" gives modern readers much more of an ability to grasp what the author of these Epistles is saying and what significance it may still have for us today.
August 3, 2018
Moody Smith delivered this commentary on the Epistles of John in the Interpretation Bible Commentary series. You may have noticed his name showing up in the literature on the Gospel of John so he was a natural choice to tackle the Johannine Epistles in the series. As you are probably aware, this series is known for its critical outlook and its homiletical/theological contributions. Though a thinner volume than I expected, it succeeds in reaching the aims of the series. Probably his background on John made him able to say much in fewer words.
He offers a somewhat breezy introduction to these epistles. Even where I could not agree with his conclusions, there was an evident love for these epistles which always raises the value of a commentary to my mind. In the unusual buildup within this introduction, I was beginning to believe he was going to suggest that the Apostle John himself was the writer. That was a surprise because it would not be typical in this series. As it turned out, he closely followed the well-known critical scholar, Raymond E. Brown, and his well-known thesis of the Johannine school or community. Though some of us have never bought into that theory, even critical scholarship has backed away from it in recent years. He does share some good information on how the same person could have written the gospel and these epistles, but his conclusions in my judgment on the impossibility of John himself as the writer fell flat.
He also discussed the audience and purpose of the letters, had some discussion of the composition and structure of these letters that also reminds one of Raymond Brown’s positions, and the use of these letters in the church. From there, he discussed interpretation and shared a few good insights along the way. The final two sections that describe the commentary itself and biological reflection were of less value.
Though it was somewhat brief and guided by some of the earlier critical conclusions mentioned, his exegesis was well done. There are reports that he plans a more substantial volume on these epistles in the future. Overall, I would label it a solid volume in the style I have come to expect from this series.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
He offers a somewhat breezy introduction to these epistles. Even where I could not agree with his conclusions, there was an evident love for these epistles which always raises the value of a commentary to my mind. In the unusual buildup within this introduction, I was beginning to believe he was going to suggest that the Apostle John himself was the writer. That was a surprise because it would not be typical in this series. As it turned out, he closely followed the well-known critical scholar, Raymond E. Brown, and his well-known thesis of the Johannine school or community. Though some of us have never bought into that theory, even critical scholarship has backed away from it in recent years. He does share some good information on how the same person could have written the gospel and these epistles, but his conclusions in my judgment on the impossibility of John himself as the writer fell flat.
He also discussed the audience and purpose of the letters, had some discussion of the composition and structure of these letters that also reminds one of Raymond Brown’s positions, and the use of these letters in the church. From there, he discussed interpretation and shared a few good insights along the way. The final two sections that describe the commentary itself and biological reflection were of less value.
Though it was somewhat brief and guided by some of the earlier critical conclusions mentioned, his exegesis was well done. There are reports that he plans a more substantial volume on these epistles in the future. Overall, I would label it a solid volume in the style I have come to expect from this series.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
April 30, 2024
Overall a fairly solid commentary. I’m not sure I agree with Smith’s dismissive analysis of the recipient of 2 John,however. Given that elsewhere in 1 and 3 John the author(s) are clear in referencing the church, the fact that Smith does not even seem to entertain the possibility that the Elder is writing to a female leader of a household or faith community when he uses the unusual terms “elect lady” and “ elect sister” is suspect.
April 30, 2015
I have quite a few books in the Interpretation series of Bible Commentaries, which are meant for teaching and preaching. I have been working my way through this slim volume as part of my preparation to preach a sermon on an upcoming Lectionary passage.
D. Moody Smith offers some really good insights into the text and context of I John (which is my focus now). There are several good examples for preaching and teaching; I note especially the author's emphasis on acceptance of God's love as the only foundation for living a life in Christ. After fleshing this out, the author contends with the challenge, therefore, that we must love all the members of our faith community as God loves us.
I also found the discussion about the relationship between the Johannine Gospel and the First Epistle to be intriguing; for example, the similarities between the prologues to both texts is convincing.
This is more a vignette than a review, but I do think that this commentary can make a substantial contribution to the preacher's or teacher's preparation to share this letter with God's people. Anything that helps one to dig deeper -- to experience more than the (modern) unfamiliarity with a repetitious work that takes it from "boring at first reading" to "challenge for transformational living" -- gains my deep respect.
D. Moody Smith offers some really good insights into the text and context of I John (which is my focus now). There are several good examples for preaching and teaching; I note especially the author's emphasis on acceptance of God's love as the only foundation for living a life in Christ. After fleshing this out, the author contends with the challenge, therefore, that we must love all the members of our faith community as God loves us.
I also found the discussion about the relationship between the Johannine Gospel and the First Epistle to be intriguing; for example, the similarities between the prologues to both texts is convincing.
This is more a vignette than a review, but I do think that this commentary can make a substantial contribution to the preacher's or teacher's preparation to share this letter with God's people. Anything that helps one to dig deeper -- to experience more than the (modern) unfamiliarity with a repetitious work that takes it from "boring at first reading" to "challenge for transformational living" -- gains my deep respect.
May 5, 2020
Just First John this time. Dr. Smith is amazingly thorough. Though have to admit that sorting out from his thoroughness how to preach and teach without going into overkill is hard for me.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews