High Definition Commentary: James

Reviews / Votes

What happens when you take the results of Greek discourse analysis, traditional exegesis, and creative high-tech graphics and apply them all to the Letter of James in order to write a bottom-shelf," highly accessible, succinct commentary? You get this wonderful, little book. It is reliable, easy to read, insightful and convicting all at once!"
--Craig Blomberg, PhD, Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary

"Everyone who reads commentaries on biblical books knows they have different strengths. Some focus on words, others on Greek syntax, others on critical theory, still others on theological reflection--and a few attempt a bit of everything. This High Definition Commentary: James (which follows up on Steven Runge's earlier HD commentaries on Philippians and Romans) reads James through the discipline of discourse analysis. The focus is less on what James says than on how he says it, so as better to appreciate the flow and emphases of what he writes. Runge's earlier volume, Discourse Grammar of the Greek New Testament: A Practical Introduction of Teaching and Exegesis (2010) unpacks his take on this discipline and tells readers how to use discourse analysis as they study the Greek New Testament, but does not do it for them. These HD commentaries do it for them in a readable, simple, helpful way, pitched at those who who want to understand the flow of the argument but whose Greek is minimal (or even non-existent). Readers who depend on visual learning will appreciate the clear and simple graphics; others will happily skip over them. But all will be helped to ponder with fresh eyes some of the easily overlooked elements of what God has given us through his servant James."
--D.A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

"Not many authors are able to produce high-end scholarship while also being able to put the cookies on the lower shelf for everyone's benefit. Steve Runge again shows that he is one such author with this fresh exposition of the letter of James, in an exciting and original commentary series. If you want to grasp the big picture of James, and understand how the picture is put together, this commentary will prove very helpful. Warmly recommended."
--Constantine R. Campbell, Associate Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School