Abstract
The latest volume in the New Cambridge Bible Commentary series follows the general format and level of previous volumes in this series. In particular, there is a concern to engage newer approaches that have emerged since the publication of the original Cambridge Bible Commentary of the 1960s and 1970s. Reese embraces that task. Her engagement with newer approaches and perspectives comes to the fore in the introduction in the section entitled ‘Setting, Power and Majority-Minority Relationships’ (pp. 5–10). In particular, she examines the power-dynamics that prevailed between inhabitants in Asia Minor and the Roman overlords. In interrogating this relationship, Reese states that ‘what we have learned from majority-minority relations in the twenty-first century can help us understand 1 Peter more fully. One of the realities of minority culture is that they must live in two worlds and understand two languages. Minorities live within the cultural context of their minority community’ (p. 8). Reese leverages these modern heuristic tools to prise deeper insights from the text of 1 Peter in regard to the lived realities of the recipients of the letter.
In many ways Reese adopts traditional understandings concerning the author and date of the letter. She argues for Peter as the author and sees the letter as being written ‘after the time when Nero began to persecute Christians (65 ce) and before his death in 68 ce’ (p. 19). Particularly helpful is the section on the theology of Peter for orienting readers to the meaning and themes of the text. Here she discusses the letter’s christology, its proto-Trinitarianism, perspectives on salvation, and the ethical vision of the letter (pp. 35–44). This material will generate further discussion concerning the rhetorical purpose of the letter.
The commentary section (pp. 52–313) rightly occupies the bulk of the book. The comments are primarily on the English text, although reference is made occasionally to transliterated Greek words or phrases. The use of sections highlighted in grey introduces either background material in the ‘A Closer Look’ blocks, or addresses contemporary application in the ‘Bridging the Horizons’ sections at the of various units. These latter sections will be of use to preachers or bible study leaders looking to make the text relevant to their own situations. Reese has a particular interest in the relationship between 1 Peter and various themes in the Hebrew Bible, such as exodus, exile, or glory.
There is much packed into the mid-length, yet highly accessible commentary. It is written in a clear manner, which will assist readers in coming to terms with the message of 1 Peter.