The Comprehensive New Testament? Any Experienced Comments?

[JohnABarnett]

Has anyone used The Comprehensive New Testament, and if so, have you found it useful in your NT Textual Criticism Workspace?

 

https://www.accordancebible.com/store/details/?pid=CNT

 

https://www.amazon.com/Comprehensive-New-Testament-T-Clontz/dp/0977873714/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522681130&sr=8-1&keywords=comprehensive+new+testament

[Daniel Francis]

Was not sure if I should respond or not... I do have it have not used it a lot, it's notes are a nice quick way to see important variations (as well as some of the more minor ones). It reminds me slightly of the NKJV with it's translation notes might be a good comparison (although it is just bare minimal companion of the received text with 'NU text') but this is far broader including which modern translations favour which choices...

 

“But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you as well.”

(Matthew 6:33 The Comprehensive New Testament)

https://accordance.bible/link/read/CNT#Matt._6:33

 

Matthew 6:33

Alx/Byz[the kingdom of God], Minor[omits of God (ASV, JNT, NAS, NAU, NET, NIV, NJB, RSV, TLB)], Minor[the kingdom of heaven]; Alx/Byz[his righteousness], Minor[omits his (NET, NLT, ~TLB)], Alt[without textual foundation God’s righteousness (~NJB)].

 

 

T. E. Clontz and J. Clontz, The Comprehensive New Testament (Notes), Accordance electronic ed. (Clewiston: Cornerstone Publications, 2008), paragraph 379.

https://accordance.bible/link/read/CNT_Notes#379

 

I do not usually do extensive study in Textual Criticism. For satisfying my curiosity I usually find Comfort more useful even though I am not one who reads greek.

 

Matthew 6:33

 

TR NU τὴν βασιλείαν [τοῦ θεοῦ] καὶ τὴν δικαιοσύνην αὐτοῦ

“the kingdom of God and his righteousness”

L W Θ 0233 ƒ1,13 33 Maj syr

KJV NKJV NRSV ESV NEB REB NAB NLT HCSB

variant 1/WH την βασιλειαν και την δικαιοσυνην αυτου

“the kingdom and his righteousness”

ℵ (itk) copsa,bo Eusebius

RSV NRSVmg NASB NIV TNIV NJB NLTmg HCSBmg NET

variant 2 την δικαιοσυνην και την βασιλειαν αυτου

“the righteousness and his kingdom”

B

none

 

variant 3 την βασιλειαν των ουρανων και την δικαιοσυνην αυτου

“the kingdom of the heavens and his righteousness”

Clement

none

variant 4 την βασιλειαν του θεου

“the kingdom of God”

245

none

 

Normally, the testimony of later manuscripts such as L W Θ 0233 ƒ1,13 33 Maj should not be given more weight than the testimony of Alexandrian manuscripts such as ℵ and B, neither of which include a modifying phrase after “kingdom.” Metzger’s argument (see TCGNT) that Matthew almost always used a modifier after “kingdom” is a strong one. But it could be for this very reason that later scribes added “of God” or “of the heavens.” If either of these expressions were originally in the text, why would the scribes of ℵ and B delete them? Since this cannot be adequately explained, the first or second variant more likely reflects the original text. These readings emphasize the need for people to seek the kind of righteousness Jesus described in the Sermon on the Mount as a prerequisite for entering the kingdom.

 

Philip W. Comfort, New Testament Text and Translation Commentary, Accordance electronic ed. (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008), 18-19.

https://accordance.bible/link/read/Comfort_Text_Commentary#1087

 

-dan

Edited April 2, 2018 by Daniel Francis

[Solly]

John, if you have a test passage, I could set up a workspace with the Comprehensive NT matched with some texts you prefer for a comparison. A few screenshots could give you the flavor of the Comprehensive text vs other English texts.

 

Shalom,

Joseph

[JohnABarnett]

(Back from the doctor. Met a fine, experienced cardiologist whose son is pastoring a young church of 500 people. Nice to know that the guys who's looking after my heart has a son who is looking after the hearts of other people.)

 

As is my habit, I failed to give the full picture. Sorry if I put you to too much trouble, Solly. You are always SO happy to help.

 

I do already have this resource, I was kinda hoping to get comments from somebody who's used it enough to indicate how valuable (or not) it is. I was setting up a NT Textual Criticism workspace, considering which English version to include (I include one in most every workspace), and noticed that it was produced specifically as an English translation that reflects important text critical variants.  

 

A tip o' the cap to you, and I hope we can talk at some point before too long. Got your message.

Edited April 2, 2018 by JohnABarnett

[mgvh]

• IMO... the NET Bible notes will alert you to most important variants and give balanced opinions on the best readings. (That's why I require the NET Bible for my students. Both the tc = text critical and tn = translation notes are generally very good. The sn = sense notes are more of a mixed bag.)

If you want a somewhat more complete list of variants but without commentary, the new Tyndale House GNT notes are very nice.

If you want a bit more, the UBS edition will be helpful, and you have commentaries by Metzger and Omanson to accompany the decisions.

If you want a fuller listing of the variants, then you need the NA28

If you want just about everything, then you need to look at the CNTTS resource.

[Alistair]

 

• IMO... the NET Bible notes will alert you to most important variants and give balanced opinions on the best readings. (That's why I require the NET Bible for my students. Both the tc = text critical and tn = translation notes are generally very good. The sn = sense notes are more of a mixed bag.)
• If you want a somewhat more complete list of variants but without commentary, the new Tyndale House GNT notes are very nice.
• If you want a bit more, the UBS edition will be helpful, and you have commentaries by Metzger and Omanson to accompany the decisions.
• If you want a fuller listing of the variants, then you need the NA28
• If you want just about everything, then you need to look at the CNTTS resource.

 

That's an excellent summary. Dr. J. should do a podcast on these resources exactly as you have laid it out.

[ukfraser]

and you have commentaries by Metzger and Omanson to accompany the decisions]

I just wondered whether you rate comfort or not as it is often listed as a comparison to Metzger and has been listed above.

[JohnABarnett]

Thanks for the comments, guys. I do have UBS5 w/ apparatus, NET Bible Notes, and Metzger's commentary.]

 

I used the most recent 20% off sale to get Metzger, deciding on his book instead of the Omanson. I preferred it because some years ago (I refuse to say how many!) I did take a semester of Textual Criticism. The description of Omanson made it seem like it was aimed more at people who have no such training.

 

I wasn't aware of the CNTTS-- looks like it's worth considering. It's not that expensive. Wished I had known about it, I would have bought it with Metzger.

 

Thanks again, all.

[mgvh]

Well, I became motivated enough to do a survey of text critical resources in NA28, UBS5, THGNT, Metzger, Comfort, Omanson, NET, and more.

HERE is my blog post for all the details.

[JohnABarnett]

Super article, mgvh. Really appreciate your doing that.