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1-3 John. By Robert W. Yarbrough. BECNT. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008, xix + 434 pp., $39.99.
Yarbrough highlights six features intended to distinguish his work on the Johannine letters from other commentaries: (1) his presupposition about the historical accuracy of Jesus' earthly ministry; (2) his application of computer aids; (3) his additional notes dedicated to text-critical discussions; (4) his interaction with the most recent commentaries on the Johannine letters; (5) his incorporation of material from commentators of the past with the help of the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Vol. 11: James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude [ed. Gerald Bray; Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2000]); and (6) his consideration of culturally diverse thinking that extends beyond Western civilization (pp. ix-xiii). His distinctions are a tall order, with Yarbrough achieving primarily numbers one through four. As for numbers five and six, he favors interaction with Reformers Calvin (66 references) and Luther (23 references), and his discussions about other cultures are merely sprinkled in a little here and a little there. In fact, the subject and author indexes indicate clearly Yarbrough's slim follow-through for numbers five and six.
Nevertheless, Yarbrough excels in meeting the expectations of the series. Like other commentaries in the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament series, 1-3 John blends scholarly depth, exegetical detail, and attention to critical problems (p. vii). The commentary divides into three sections: 1 John (pp. 3-325), 2 John (pp. 329-60), and 3 John (pp. 363-87), with each book being translated, interpreted exegetically with a critical eye, and discussed in a systematic manner.
The section on 1 John begins with an introduction in which Yarbrough argues for the textual certainty of the letters (pp. 3-4), apostolic authorship for the letters (pp. 521), a historical and geographical setting around Ephesus (pp. 16-21), a sevenfold literary structure for 1 John (pp. 21-25), and the significance of John's letters (pp. 2528). Consequently, Yarbrough finds "it plausible to interpret his [John's] letters within the general time and setting ascribed to him by biblical and patristic sources" (p. 15). Immediately following this well-articulated understanding for 1 John is the exegesis of the letter.
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