This volume is a collection of commentaries on nine New Testament letters: First Peter, Philippians, Colossians, First Thessalonians, Second Thessalonians, First Timothy, Second Timothy, Titus and Jacob (James). The interpretation and comments are based upon The New Testament, God's Message of Goodness, Ease and Well-being Which Brings God's Gifts of His Spirit, His Life, His Grace, His Power, His Fairness, His Peace and His Love, translated by Jonathan Mitchell. The text of each of these letters is given and the meanings of the verses are explained, giving the significances of the tenses of the Greek verbs that are used, presenting consideration of the multiple functions of the noun cases in prepositional phrases where there is no expressed preposition, and citing other New Testament passages that might have relevance to the verse being discussed.

This second volume, in a series of commentaries on New Testament letters, covers 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Judah (Jude), Hebrews and Galatians. The interpretation and comments are based upon The New Testament, God's Message of Goodness, Ease and Well-being Which Brings God's Gifts of His Spirit, His Life, His Grace, His Power, His Fairness, His Peace and His Love, translated by Jonathan Mitchell. The text of each of these letters is given and the meanings of the verses are explained, giving the significances of the tenses of the Greek verbs that are used, presenting consideration of the multiple functions of the noun cases in prepositional phrases where there is no expressed preposition, and citing other New Testament passages that might have relevance to the verse being discussed. The translation itself is expanded and amplified, and presents multiple renderings of many phrases, clauses and verses. My conclusions reflect this expanded translation, and take into consideration the semantic range of many Greek words. Additional potential lexical meanings are parenthetically inserted into the text of the translation, along with variant manuscript readings. I have given much attention to the significance of the Greek verb tenses and to the functions of the noun cases, rendering the different ways that each of them could be translated within its context. Each verse is presented in bold face with alternate renderings parenthetically given in light face. The main guides for interpreting the original works are the translation and the context, together with careful attention given to the culture and historical setting of the people to whom these letters were written. A concise introduction begins the comments on each letter. I make references to other New Testament letters and to the four gospels, as well as occasionally citing Old Testament passages that relate to the context. Other commentators' quotes, as well as insights from friends, are also cited. In short, this work is intended to shed new light based upon a correct understanding of the Greek texts within the perspective of the local life situations and their larger, first century contexts. Equally important, the intent is to serve as a catalyst for critical thinking regarding the impact of these letters upon our lives today. In addition to these commentaries, six topical studies have also been included. Sample passages of the NT translation and of the first volume in this series of commentaries, Peter, Paul and Jacob, can be found at the Jonathan Mitchell New Testament website.

Special Features of This Translation Multiple possible translations of the Greek text are presented: 1 Cor. 13:7, Love] continuously covers all mankind; it is habitually loyal to all humanity; it constantly has an expectation for all mankind; it is continuously remaining under and giving support to all people. (or, since "all" can also be neuter: It progressively puts a protecting roof over all things; it is habitually trusting in, and believing for, all things; it is continually hoping in or for all things; it keeps on patiently enduring all things.) Contrasting readings from other New Testament manuscripts are presented: John 3:13, "Furthermore, no one has ascended (or: stepped up) into the heaven (or: atmosphere) except the One descending (or: stepping down) from out of the midst of the atmosphere (or: heaven): the Son of Mankind (the Son of the human; Humanity's Son; the Son of man) - the One continuously being (or: constantly existing) within the midst of the heaven (or: atmosphere). with p66 & 75, Aleph, B and others: And yet not even one person climbed up into heaven (or: the sky), if not that one at one point descending from out of the midst of heaven (or: the sky) - the Human Being.] Expanded renderings of the Greek verb tenses are presented: Rev. 22:20, The One continuously testifying these things is saying, "Yes, I am continuously (or: habitually; repeatedly; or: presently) coming quickly (swiftly; promptly) " Amen (So be it; It is so; Count on it). Be continuously (or: repeatedly) coming, Lord Jesus Optional functions of noun and adjective cases (which determine which English preposition to use), and which the context allows, are presented: Rom. 8:24, For in the expectation and with hope we are suddenly made whole and healthy (or: You see, by the expectation we are delivered and saved; For, to expectation we were at one point rescued; To be sure, we were kept safe for the expectation) Now expectation (or: hope) being continuously seen (or: observed) is not expectation (or: hope), for who continues hoping in expectation for what he also constantly sees (or: observes)? From the Introduction: This is a work that seeks to give the reader some involvement in the process of translating by presenting a range of semantic meanings of significant Greek words in the midst of the text. Expansions and amplifications are placed in parentheses. Other optional renderings of either phrases or sentences are made parenthetical and come after the word "or," followed by a colon. 1 Corinthians 7:19 provides an example: The circumcision is nothing, and the uncircumcision is nothing - but to the contrary what matters is the] observing and keeping of the goals implanted from God (or: of the impartation of the finished product within, which is God; or: God's inward directives to His] end). Jonathan Mitchell has an MA in Anthropology He began study of New Testament Greek in 1962