Galatians (Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching | INT)
Overview
Paul's letter to the Galatians has had an impact on the life and thought of the Christian church far exceeding its modest length. Though less than 150 verses (compared to more than 1000 in Acts, nearly 870 in the Gospel of John, and 303 in Hebrews), it has exercised a profound influence on theologians struggling with the issues of freedom and faith, gospel and law, the Spirit and ethics. In the second century when Marcion developed his controversial canon of NT books, he divided it into two sections: Gospel and Apostle. Galatians, for theological reasons, headed the list in the latter section. During the patristic period commentaries on Galatians seem to have been more numerous than on any other of Paul's letters. The influence of the epistle on Martin Luther is well known. He found it immediately relevant to the situation of the church in the sixteenth century and wrote unquestionably the most influential commentary on the letter. John Calvin took an interest in Galatians, too, but his commentary is less a theological treatise and more a practical exposition of the text.
- Detailed introduction
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Top Highlights
“Then, the law also served as a custodian, one who took care of the children, directed all their activities, and tended to their discipline.” (Page 90)
“We noted in the comments on the passage four features of Paul’s presentation: (1) The Spirit comes in and with the preaching of the crucified Christ. (2) The Spirit is set in radical contrast to the flesh. (3) The Spirit is the power of the new age and thus the source of vitality and mighty works. (4) The Spirit comes to the whole community and not simply to a few, select leaders. The Spirit is identified with the blessing of Abraham which has come upon the Gentiles as a result of redemption in Christ (3:14).” (Page 133)
“The theological excitement of Galatians lies in the radical interpretation Paul makes of the meaning of God’s grace. It is more than a doctrine; it is an experience. At the same time, it is the doctrine which undergirds all that Paul fights for in this letter. The agitators who come into the Galatian congregations are not opposed to the idea that God is gracious. It is just that grace is only part of the story. Faith, the human response to grace, begins a process which circumcision completes.” (Pages 8–9)
“‘You are all one in Christ Jesus.’ Christ’s death as a means of salvation excludes all other means; he creates one community, not many; thus there can no longer be barriers separating otherwise disparate groups. Circumcision implied division between Jew and non-Jew and between male and female. Baptism into Christ means unity.” (Page 85)
“ The Spirit comes in and with the preaching of the crucified Christ” (Page 66)
The Interpretation series from Westminster John Knox Press is clearly established as a rich source for teaching and preaching. They have tapped the talents of a varied and esteemed group of contributors, resulting in what is clearly the essential comprehensive commentary series on the Bible.
—W. Eugene March, A.B. Rhodes Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
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—Brian K. Blount, President and Professor of New Testament at Union Theological Seminary
- Title: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching Galatians
- Author: Charles B. Cousar
- Publisher: John Knox Press
- Publication Date: 1982
- Pages: 158