The long-awaited commentary by Dieter Luhrmann is now available to English-speaking audiences for the first time. It is a profound, succinctly written dialogue with the text that carefully follows the main points of Paul's arguments in his most controversial letter. The author presents a theological interpretation which takes seriously Paul's claims about the gospel and also provides a distinctive outline based on this close reading of the text. Also included are helpful discussions of the competing theologies of Paul and his opponents, a chart on Paul's career, and a map of the Roman world. Luhrmann is a highly acclaimed interpreter of the New Testament. This volume will be a valuable addition to a well-received commentary series.

Known for his studies on the canonical gospels and on Paul, Dieter Luhrmann has also done pioneering work on the apocryphal gospels. This volume presents his essays on new fragments of the gospels of Peter and Mary Magdalene, of the Egerton gospel and of the gospel according to the Hebrews. All essays have been revised and updated, and a new one on the gospel of Thomas in Greek has been added. The work is framed by new studies on the problematic claim for a canon, and on following in the footsteps of Jerome in modern scholarship, showing how deeply it has been inspired by his picture of the apocrypha.