A Commentary on the Letters of John

"Though not the first to identify the Epistles with an intra-Jewish dispute, Olsson develops his own view with meticulous attention to the text of the Epistles, arguing that they should be read in reverse order. This has the effect of describing the process of the schism reported in 1 John. Serious readers of the Epistles will benefit greatly from this persuasive and insightful work."

--John Painter, Professor of Theology, Charles Sturt University



"Few if any commentaries can match the fullness of Olsson's multifaceted approach to the Johannine Letters. Here is a virtual mine of information of every kind, from historical to theological, from literary to sociological, that bears on the understanding and interpretation of these fascinating documents of the early church. For those who seek to know the Johannine Letters, this is the essential resource to have."

--Donald A. Hagner, Emeritus Professor of New Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary



"Birger Olsson's major commentary on the Johannine Epistles locates these distinctive New Testament writings at the end of the first century within a Judaism struggling to find itself following Rome's destruction of Jerusalem. . . . This is not a commentary for timid readers but one that will reward in deepened insight with each reading. Highly recommended."

--Robert W. Wall, Professor of Scripture and Wesleyan Studies, Seattle Pacific University