Description
Book SynopsisIlluminating the historical situation that led Paul to write his Letter to the Galatians, this commentary pays careful attention to the rhetorical structure of this letter and its theological message. It also provides a fresh translation of Galatians, notes on each verse of the text, and a commentary of the letter.
Trade ReviewIt would make a worthy addition to anyone’s personal library.
The Australian Biblical ReviewMatera’s commentary on Galatians was the first to appear in the Sacra Pagina series. His introduction addresses the classical background issues that relate to Galatians, foremost being the identity of those against whom Paul writes. . . . The commentary sections are balanced and offer careful exegesis from a historio-critical perspective.
The Expository TimesMatera has written a clear, straightforward, and convincing commentary.Internationale Zeitschriftenschau . . .
Uniquely explained and scholarly presented, this presentation of the meaning of the Letter to Galatians, as one of the most influential of the New Testament, should be powerfully relevant to contemporary peoples.Emmanuel
Table of ContentsCONTENTS Editor's Preface ix
Preface xi
Abbreviations xiii
Introduction I. The Crisis at Galatia 1
II. Paul's Response to the Crisis at Galatia 11
III. The Identity of the Galatians 19
IV. Galatians Today 26
V. Bibliography 33
Translation, Notes, Interpretation INTRODUCTION:
GREETING AND STATEMENT OF ASTONISHMENT (1:1-10)
The Greeting (1:1-5) 37
A Statement of Astonishment (1:6-10) 44
I. THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL (1:11-2:21)
Paul's Gospel Not of Human Origin (1:11-12) 52
Paul Received His Gospel through a Revelation (1:13-17) 57
The Jerusalem Church Did Not Commission Paul (1:18-20) 65
Those in Judea Glorified God because of Paul (1:21-24) 65
Paul Defended the Truth of the Gospel at Jerusalem (2:1-10) 71
Peter Betrayed the Truth of the Gospel at Antioch (2:11-14) 84
We Are Justified by the Faith of Jesus Christ (2:15-21) 92
Excursus: Galatians and the Acts of the Apostles 105
II. THE CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE (3:1-5:12)
The Spirit Did Not Come through Legal Works (3:1-6) 111
The People of Faith Are Abraham's Descendants (3:7-14) 117
The Law Does Not Annul the Promise (3:15-20) 125
The Law Is Not Opposed to the Promise (3:21-25) 134
Those in Christ Are Abraham's Descendants (3:26-29) 141
Do Not Return to the Period of Your Minority (4:1-11) 148
Become As I Am (4:12-20) 158
Expel the Children of the Slave Woman! (4:21-31) 167
Avoid Circumcision! (5:1-12) 179
III. LIVING BY THE SPIRIT (5:13-6:10)
Love Fulfills the Law (5:13-15) 192
Walk by the Spirit (5:16-26) 198
Fulfill the Law of Christ (6:1-10) 212
THE CONCLUSION (6:11-18)
The Conclusion (6:11-18) 224
Indexes Selected Scriptural Quotations 234
Other Literature 243
Index of Authors 245
Index of Subjects 248
Supplemental Bibliography 251
