One of a set of commentaries on the New Testament. Dark blue hardbacks with a nice library binding. Some reference to Greek words but written primarily for the student who has not studied the Greek Language.
One of the best commentaries written for the book of 1 Corinthians. Barrett, as for all the authors of commentaries in this series, prepared his own translation of the book for this commentary, and his text is included. His facility with the Greek language is one of the main reasons for using this work. Many commentaries are simply expository, but Barrett gets to grips with textual criticism and translation issues, and there are definitely surprises on that score in 1 Corinthians.
Another reason this is a great work is that Barrett, whilst taking a view on the text, will happily discuss and consider other views. The reader is not being told how to interpret 1 Corinthians. Readers are given the information and the context, and then can arrive at their own view. Again, this is typical of this whole series of commentaries, of which this one is a fine example.
1 Corinthians is a very interesting letter, but also much misunderstood. Using this commentary can help achieve better understanding, although Gordon Fee's commentary may be even better on that score.
Love not merely does not seek that which does not belong to it; it is prepared to give up for the sake of others even what it is entitled to.
Love does not seek to make itself distinctive by tracking down and pointing out what is wrong; it gladly sinks its own identity to rejoice with others at what is right.