The ensuing work represents the modification of a dissertation presented to the University of Cambridge in 1971 for the degree of Ph.D. The revision has been made after a number of years in a small but lively country parish in New Zealand, so that in some sense it gathers up three stages of activity: the original exegetical labour, practical Christian involvement, and further theological reflection.

Presumably every author senses the limitations of his work as he is about to send it off to be fixed in print. That is especially so in this case. Up until my appointment as a lecturer in biblical studies (subsequent to the completion of the typescript for this book) I had always regarded myself essentially as a practising parish minister who had had some lucky breaks in which to indulge in his favourite hobby! That meant, however, a sense of being exposed on several flanks. The suggestions of the fourth chapter, which really required an expertise in church history, philosophy and linguistic theory, as well as some knowledge of the bible and theology, have been made especially tentatively.

At every stage of the work I have incurred a deep indebtedness to many people. As do all his students, I owe to Professor C. F. D. Moule an especial tribute for his insights and skill in the supervision of the original work.