Book excerpt: The document now called the Second Letter of Clement was not originally a letter; nor was it written by Clement. Rather, it originated as an address to a congregation, and was subsequently preserved among the group of non-canonical writings known as the Apostolic Fathers. Unlike the much-studied First Clement, it is one of the least known of these writings, yet it preserves a fascinating window into the life of early believers. In his new study, William Varner combines a step-by-step commentary with a detailed theological introduction. Drawing on the text’s structure and likely context, he shows that its overall message is that Christians should render a payback to God for his grace shown to them in Christ. The implications of this for the early church community at which it was directed, and for believers today, are momentous.