Preface to the First Edition
PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
It is ten years and more since I accepted the invitation of the late Professor Ν. B. Stonehouse to write this volume. I cannot say that I have worked uninterruptedly on this commentary throughout that period. I have had a number of other commitments, and the stress of two moves, one from Australia to England and the other from England back to Australia, did not make for concentrated literary activity. Most of all the demand of the post of Principal of a College that is both a university college and a theological college have restricted the time available for writing. But through all these years the book has been constantly in my thoughts, and I have worked at it whenever I could. As it goes forth, I am conscious of its many shortcomings. But I am conscious also that I have had a great deal of assistance from many quarters.
I have tried to indicate my principal indebtedness in the footnotes. I have learned a great deal from B. F. Westcott's great commentary. And I never forget that my enthusiasm for Johannine studies was kindled in the first instance by Archbishop Bernard's two volumes in the International Critical Commentary series. Of more recent works I have learned most from the commentaries of Sir Edwyn Hoskyns and Professor C. K. Barrett. A host of friends and several classes of students have stimulated and helped me. To all, though I cannot mention them by name, I express my profound gratitude.
Let me also express my appreciation for the courtesy and helpfulness shown me by Professor Stonehouse. I greatly appreciated his invitation to contribute this volume and his understanding when its appearance was delayed. I discussed a few points with him, and this would have been a better commentary had I had opportunity of doing this more often. He was a fine Christian scholar, and I gladly acknowledge my debt to him.
Finally, I am grateful to Stonehouse's successor, Professor F. F. Bruce, for his understanding of my difficulties in completing this work, for the many valuable suggestions he made for its improvement, and for his steady encouragement.
LEON MORRIS