David E. Garland, 2 Corinthians, vol. 29, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999).
Many regard Garland’s commentary as the best commentary on 2 Corinthians, and we agree! This commentary is simply fantastic. While Garland’s commentary is classified as a “pastoral commentary,” we found it to be more technical than the technical commentaries on 2 Corinthians. Indeed, it is quite long for a pastoral commentary (500+ pages). Garland is a good writer, he is very quotable, and he cites the ancient sources extensively. He has an excellent grasp of the historical context of Greco-Roman culture, and this gives the interpreter fresh insights into the battle Paul was facing with the false teachers in Corinth.
Colin G. Kruse, 2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 8, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987).
This is a very solid commentary. Kruse is one of our favorite commentators in general.
Paul Barnett, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997).
We like Barnett as a commentator, and others give his commentary on 2 Corinthians high praise. However, Garland’s commentary was far better. Barnett focuses more so on grammar, syntax, and sentence diagramming. Personally, we don’t take a lot from this process of sentence diagramming, though others might. Barnett also lacked the historical research that makes Garlands commentary so strong.
Murray J. Harris, “2 Corinthians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Romans through Galatians, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 10 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976).
Harris is considered an expert on 2 Corinthians, and this is a good introductory commentary. Harris also wrote a 600-page technical commentary on 2 Corinthians as well.
James is an elder at Dwell Community Church, where he teaches classes in theology, apologetics, and weekly Bible studies.
