Sacra Pagina, the excellent New Testament commentary series, is nearing completion on schedule (The Liturgical Press).

Sacra Pagina, the excellent New Testament commentary series, is nearing completion on schedule (The Liturgical Press). Recent volumes include First Corinthians by Raymond Collins ($39.95), Second Corinthians by Jan Lambrecht ($29.95), Colossians and Ephesians by Margaret Y. MacDonald ($39.95), Mark by John Donohue and Daniel J. Harrington ($39.95), 1, 2, and 3 John by John Painter ($39.95), and most recently 1 Peter, Jude, and 2 Peter by Donald P. Senior and Daniel J. Harrington ($39.95). These volumes all reflect the editorial guidelines of the series. Let me take the commentary on the Johannine Letters as an example. After an extended introduction (pp. 1-113) that treats early interpretations and all the questions of introduction, literary form, relationships to other New Testament texts, and so on, Painter gives for each unit of the text a new translation and then, in "Notes," careful discussion of details of the Greek text, followed by a section titled "Interpretation," essentially an essay on the literary form, theological content, and significance of the passage. The Interpretation stands alone; pastors will find this section very helpful in preparing to preach. The authors of these commentaries, all Roman Catholic biblical scholars, are known as meticulous interpreters. Lutheran pastors will find them very helpful aids to preaching and unusually good resources for adult forums on biblical themes. You will not find radical new interpretations; you will find clear, helpful guides to the meaning of the texts. This is an excellent series that deserves wide use. EK