2 Timothy Commentary Question

I'm needing a good technical commentary on 2 Timothy. I have Word Biblical already (for 2 Timothy), plus I'm in the process of getting NICNT (for 2 Timothy). I'm debating whether I should get Heremenia, Anchor, or both (only on 2 Timothy). What are your recommendations?

Thanks!

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Mark Barnes

I'm needing a good technical commentary on 2 Timothy. I have Word Biblical already (for 2 Timothy), plus I'm in the process of getting NICNT (for 2 Timothy). I'm debating whether I should get Heremenia, Anchor, or both (only on 2 Timothy). What are your recommendations?

Personally, specifically for 2 Timothy I'd go for one of:

NIGTC by George W. Knight
ICC by Howard Marshall

If you can't/won't get these, then buy Anchor over Hermeneia. The Hermeneia volume on Timothy is very dated (and wasn't particularly good in the first place).

Nathan Parker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798071#Comment_798071

I'm needing a good technical commentary on 2 Timothy. I have Word Biblical already (for 2 Timothy), plus I'm in the process of getting NICNT (for 2 Timothy). I'm debating whether I should get Heremenia, Anchor, or both (only on 2 Timothy). What are your recommendations?

Personally, specifically for 2 Timothy I'd go for one of:

NIGTC by George W. Knight

ICC by Howard Marshall

If you can't/won't get these, then buy Anchor over Hermeneia. The Hermeneia volume on Timothy is very dated (and wasn't particularly good in the first place).

Sounds good. I have NIGTC and will be using it as well. I'm afraid to use ICC volumes in case my seminary balks at any of them. The contents of Anchor did look better than Hermeneia, plus I definitely want the later of the two volumes, so sounds great. Thanks for the info!

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798073#Comment_798073

I'm afraid to use ICC volumes in case my seminary balks at any of them.

My first reaction "you're kidding aren't you?" ... quality scholarship is quality scholarship regardless of where it is published; junk is junk even when published by a reputable publisher.

Mark Barnes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798073#Comment_798073

I'm afraid to use ICC volumes in case my seminary balks at any of them.

Why would they?

The older ICC volumes are extremely dated, but the newer ones (in the NT, at least) are certainly fit for purpose — Davies and Allison on Matthew, Barrett on Acts, and Cranfield on Romans are all first-rate. Marshall on the Pastorals is perhaps not quite that good, but it's still very worthwhile.

Nathan Parker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798077#Comment_798077

I'm afraid to use ICC volumes in case my seminary balks at any of them.

Why would they?

The older ICC volumes are extremely dated, but the newer ones (in the NT, at least) are certainly fit for purpose — Davies and Allison on Matthew, Barrett on Acts, and Cranfield on Romans are all first-rate. Marshall on the Pastorals is perhaps not quite that good, but it's still very worthwhile.

Good point, and I'll look into the newer ones. It'd be the older ones they'd possibly "balk" at. If it's old enough to be "public domain" or near public domain, generally it's considered unacceptable unless I use it sparingly and cite new resources with it.

Nathan Parker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798076#Comment_798076

I'm afraid to use ICC volumes in case my seminary balks at any of them.

My first reaction "you're kidding aren't you?" ... quality scholarship is quality scholarship regardless of where it is published; junk is junk even when published by a reputable publisher.

Mark helped clarify it a little bit and gave me something else to look into. The newer ones I could definitely use. The older volumes they'd either "balk" at or I could possibly pull off using them sparingly as long as I balance them with newer resources as well.

They're on this "current" kick and basically stated "if it's old enough to be public domain or near public domain, it's unacceptable". I understand that current scholarship should be incorporated into papers, but personally, I believe a balance is needed. There is still plenty that can be gained from older resources.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798078#Comment_798078

If it's old enough to be "public domain" or near public domain, generally it's considered unacceptable

Oops guess the Bible is out ... it is certainly old enough to be "public domain" [;)]

DAL

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798083#Comment_798083

Marshall is good, but I think he doesn't believe Paul is the author...he's good, nonetheless!

DAL

Nathan Parker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798083#Comment_798083

If it's old enough to be "public domain" or near public domain, generally it's considered unacceptable

Oops guess the Bible is out ... it is certainly old enough to be "public domain"

Hee hee! One way they've "gotten" around that argument is they put please use a "modern" Bible in your papers. My response was, "Aww, we can't use the KJV that Paul and the Apostles carried with them?" ;-)

DAL

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798087#Comment_798087

Pete used KJV and Paul used the more improved ASV (1901) 1901 was when it was discovered

DAL

Nathan Parker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798096#Comment_798096

Pete used KJV and Paul used the more improved ASV (1901) 1901 was when it was discovered

DAL

That's right. I thought I had those mixed up. ;-)

Roy

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798079#Comment_798079

I think I'd find a different seminary. Since when is TRUTH ever dated?

Nathan Parker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798099#Comment_798099

I think I'd find a different seminary. Since when is TRUTH ever dated?

I only have a couple more semesters after this one before I graduate. I don't know what is really up with them lately. Previously, the recommended suggestion for commentaries was "purchase the biggest Logos Base Package you can receive". They recommended Platinum minimum. Now they're saying please only use current technical commentaries. Since I haven't been able to spend the $$$$ on what it'd take to buy every recommended series they want me to use, I've been trying to just get the volumes I need to complete my assignments with, and even then, my shopping cart to complete this semester is almost $600.

Bill Anderson

I'm needing a good technical commentary on 2 Timothy. I have Word Biblical already (for 2 Timothy), plus I'm in the process of getting NICNT (for 2 Timothy). I'm debating whether I should get Heremenia, Anchor, or both (only on 2 Timothy). What are your recommendations?

Thanks!

I know you're looking for a technical commentary, but I thought I'd throw in that John Stott's commentary in the Bible Speaks Today series is excellent. Sometimes he discusses technical issues at a level the ordinary reader can grasp.

Nathan Parker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798105#Comment_798105

I'm needing a good technical commentary on 2 Timothy. I have Word Biblical already (for 2 Timothy), plus I'm in the process of getting NICNT (for 2 Timothy). I'm debating whether I should get Heremenia, Anchor, or both (only on 2 Timothy). What are your recommendations?

Thanks!

I know you're looking for a technical commentary, but I thought I'd throw in that John Stott's commentary in the Bible Speaks Today series is excellent. Sometimes he discusses technical issues at a level the ordinary reader can grasp.

Sounds good. I'll look into it, and even if I can't cite it in papers, it may be good reading for me to better understand passages.

My favorite author is Butler, and personally, I could use him almost exclusively for understanding passages, but this is a seminary paper, so I have to go technical for the professors.

Nathan Parker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798099#Comment_798099

The NIGTC by George Knight III my go-to. There are two critical volumes which will represent distinct voices should not be missed, though:

The Eerdmans Critical Commentary (ECC) volume: https://www.logos.com/product/7451/the-first-and-second-letters-to-timothy-volume-1-and-2. This is a massive volume that deserves a seat at the table. I was impressed by the very thorough Philemon volume in this series (nearly 600 pages!) by Barth and Blanke.

My other recommendation is Anchor Yale volume by Luke Timothy Johnson: https://www.logos.com/product/41480/the-first-and-second-letters-to-timothy.

Hi Jonathan! Missed seeing you in classes this semester since they pushed back Greek and Hebrew until Summer. Hope to see you in Summer Greek and Hebrew!

I will be using NIGTC in my paper for sure. I have Anchor on my list to get. I'll look at ECC as well. Glad you chimed in so I can hear from a fellow student.

DAL

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798099#Comment_798099

I think I'd find a different seminary. Since when is TRUTH ever dated?

I know what you mean, but the way I see it, Truth is never dated, but Bible "versions" are mainly due to changes or evolution of language. After all, why use KJV words such as: "unicorn" (Job 39:9-12), "wh0re" (Revelation 17:15), "piss" (2 Kings 18:27) or "dumbass" (2 Peter 2:16) when they don't sound so proper anymore

DAL

Dan Francis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798111#Comment_798111

Anchor is a great value right now as it's on for $19.99

-dan

Clifford B. Kvidahl

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798133#Comment_798133

Towner's NICNT is excellent, but nothing is as good as Marshall's ICC.

If your seminary balks at Marshall's ICC, remind them that Towner had a hand in helping Marshall with that volume.

Cliff

Randall Thompson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798133#Comment_798133

Just recently finished Timothy in Anchor Yale Commentary by Luke Timothy Johnson....Really enjoyed it, and highly recommend it. Somewhat conservative, which surprised me, somewhat, for this series.

Rick Brannan (Logos)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798071#Comment_798071

Yes, what Mark said:

Personally, specifically for 2 Timothy I'd go for one of:

NIGTC by George W. Knight

ICC by Howard Marshall

I also echo what he says about Hermeneia; the Pastorals volume is dated and not very helpful. I also was not overly impressed with the Quinn & Wacker's Eerdmans Critical Commentary volume. Overall, I'd order my preference as:

ICC by I. Howard Marshall
NICNT by Philip Towner
NIGTC by Knight
Anchor by L. Timothy Johnson (but rank it higher if you're interested in references from Greek & Latin Fathers)
WBC by Mounce

Also, don't forget about the Exegetical Summaries, these are helpful and often, I think, overlooked. The 2 Tim volume in this series is solid.

Doug Mangum (Lexham)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798134#Comment_798134

When I was working on the Lexham Bible Guides for the Pastorals, I found Towner in NICNT to be very helpful. Marshall's ICC volume was good, too. For Greek technical stuff, I relied on NIGTC, too.

Roy

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798111#Comment_798111

I can and do agree that older versions can be and many are (out?) dated language wise.

I guess I am really responding to the newer breed of "Critical" thinkers, theologians and authors who, when it comes to explaining and expounding on the scriputres simply (as I see it) go off the deep end.
The first thing that comes to mind when I read some of things they (the critical thinkers) have to say is this:

Romans 1:21-22 (HCSB)
²¹ For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. ²² Claiming to be wise, they became fools.

Well, I won't hijack this thread. Just wanted to agree with you and clarify my original comment.

Nathan, May God Really Bless you in your studies. Stick it out, then go do something GREAT! for the kingdom. [:D]

Nathan Parker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/798324#Comment_798324

Thanks for the info everyone! NICNT is on my list to get as well, and I have Word as well.

Thanks for the encouragement as well Roy! I appreciate it!