Book Review; Comfort's Commentary

Philip Westley Comfort, A COMMENTARY ON THE MANUSCRIPTS AND TEST OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, Grand Rapids MI, Kregel Academic, 2015.

Philip Comfort is well-known for his writings concerning the Greek text. In this latest one he gives a handy aid for anyone who uses the Greek text. It is really a commentary on the variants found in the many New Testament manuscripts, arranged in order of their appearance in the New Testament. However, I found it is more than that. In addition, Comfort has a very helpful introduction. I found it well worth reading. He gives special features of his work:

• He seems to center on 2^nd Century manuscripts, although he does not neglect the others. I personally like this emphasis over some of the other textual mythology. Clearly these would be closer to the originals.
• He brings out the nomina sacra (sacred names). These are special markings in the manuscripts that do not appear in any printed Greek text. In the manuscripts they are presented with special calligraphy to distinguish the names as sacred. He points them out in his commentary—claiming no other commentary does so. He also has a full appendix of the Significance of the Nomina Sacra. This gives this work added value.
• He gives a list of the earliest manuscripts for each chapter of the New Testament (i.e. Matthew 1 = P1).
• He also gives an annotated list of the manuscripts of the New Testament (Chapter 2).

The heart of the book is the running commentary of the Greek text variants—giving his view of the correct one and showing the others. Each has the manuscript information in which they are found. Comfort clearly confesses that in some cases the original reading cannot be determined and gives options for the reader. Another feature of this book is that everything is given in English, so one who is not well versed in the Greek text can still gain valuable information from this work.

This will be a handy reference for any Pastor, student, or a well verse layman who spends time in the study of the Bible. It is compact, organized for quick use, and gives good information in a concise, reader friendly way. Its most valuable contribution is in the area of the Nomina Sacra. It will not likely replace the more standard work of Metzger’s textual commentary, but it will be a pleasant supplemental work to it. It is worth having on your bookshelf for quick reference.

 I received this book free from Kregel Publications for the purpose of reviewing it. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.