Galatians: A Theological Exposition of Sacred Scripture (Concordia Commentary | CC)

by A. Andrew Das

Publisher:

Concordia Publishing House

, 2014

Overview

Paul’s fiercely passionate letter to the Galatians offers a rare glimpse into the early history of the emerging Christ-believing movement. Paul is seething with righteous indignation over the events at Galatia even as he conveys his hope that the Galatians might be coaxed back to the true gospel.

The Galatians’ young faith was grappling with issues that would prove to be a watershed. Do gentile Christians need to adopt Moses’ Law and be circumcised as Jews in order to worship the God of the Jewish Savior? Or does Baptism incorporate every manner of person—without distinction—into Christ? Does faith alone suffice for salvation? Across the divide of 2,000 years of time and cultural space, the letter to the Galatians is an authoritative witness to the Catholic Gospel of salvation by grace alone, for all people alike.

With Logos Bible Software, this volume is enhanced with cutting-edge research tools. Scripture citations appear on mouseover in your preferred English translation. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Powerful topical searches help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Tablet and mobile apps let you take the discussion with you. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Affirms inerrancy and authority of Scripture
• Includes lengthy introductory material concerning structure, chronology and occasion of the epistle
• Helpful excurses on textual and historical issues

Contents

• The Necessity of a Critical Methodology for Mirror-Reading
• The Galatians and the Rivals as Reconstructed from the Letter
• A Return to Paganism?
• Partial or Comprehensive Law Observance
• The Rivals’ Use of Scripture and Paul’s Response
• The Rivals as Christ-Believing Jews
• Naming the Rivals at Galatia
• The Attraction of the Rivals’ Message
• Paul’s Apocalyptic Message and Its Reception
• Galatia
• Northern, Ethnic Galatians as the Addressees
• Southern, Provincial Galatians as the Addressees
• Concluding Reflections
• Modern Approaches: John Knox’s Chronology as a Case Study
• Critique of Knox’s Approach
• An Acts 15/Galatians 2:1-10 Conference Visit Equation?
• The Dating of Paul’s Letter to the Galatians on the Basis of Acts
• The Species of Rhetoric and the Letter’s Arrangement
• Rhetorical Theory versus Epistolary Theory
• The non-Application of Rhetorical Theory to Letters
• Paul’s Level of Training in Rhetoric
• Epistolary Theory
• Concluding Reflections
• Epistolary Prescript
• Paul’s Apocalyptic Worldview
• “Christ”: Messianic Title or Proper Name? A Third Option?
• The One Gospel and Its Servant
• The Divine Gospel and an Autobiography of Reversal
• Call or Conversion?
• Modern Perspectives on Conversion
• The Extent of Paul’s Arabian Ministry
• The Jerusalem Conference
• The Conflict at the Meal in Antioch
• The Issue at Antioch
• What Was at Stake at Antioch (and at Galatia)
• The Spirit, the Abrahamic Blessing, and the Law’s Curse
• An Inheritance in Christ and Not the Law
• Covenant in Galatians 3:15-18 in Biblical Perspective
• Potential Allusions in Galatians 3:19 to Leviticus 26:46 and Exodus 34:29
• “Added” in Galatians 3:19: The Second Giving of the Law at Baal-Peor?
• No Longer Slaves but Sons!
• The Metaphorical and Social Context of Galatians 4:1-7
• The Elements of the Cosmos
• Paul’s “Pathos”
• A Tale of Two Birthing Movements
• Stand Firm in Freedom
• Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
• The Spirit versus the Flesh
• Flesh versus Spirit: Sharpening the Contrast
• Sowing and Reaping from the Spirit
• Epistolary Closing: The Cross versus Circumcision

Top Highlights

“‘There is little reason to conclude that Deut. 21:22–23 was the definitive word for interpreting crucifixion and that Jews would generally have seen Jesus to be cursed because he was crucified.’²⁷⁴ For Jews, the issue with Jesus would simply have been the shameful crucifixion itself. This was an unexpected end for a Messiah figure.” (Pages 326–327)

“Rarely, however, did they think that a person must obey God’s Law perfectly to be saved.” (Page 15)

“Paul regularly contrasts, then, a righteousness by faith and a righteousness by deeds.^b Saving righteousness is clearly a gift of God bestowed on the basis of Christ’s completed work. Abraham and David were justified forensically precisely because they were sinners. Righteousness was ‘reckoned’ to them on the basis of faith. Paul cites the final clause of Ps 143:2 later in Gal 2:16. In Ps 143:8, 11, 12 God is steadfast, righteous, and merciful in spite of the psalmist’s own unworthiness.⁶² The clearer forensic sense of the verb ‘justify’ (δικαιόω) surely influences the meaning of the cognate noun ‘righteousness’ (δικαιοσύνη) in texts where the words are used together (e.g., Gal 2:15–21; also 5:4–5).” (Page 245)

“Paul is not claiming that the Galatians witnessed Jesus’ death on the cross. He simply preached the message of Christ crucified so vividly in his words and life that they could envision it. In 2:20–21, the immediately preceding verses, Paul eloquently describes how the crucified Christ now lives in Paul. The apostle likely embodied the message of the crucified Lord: ‘The paradox of the Pauline gospel is that the crucified Christ whom Paul proclaimed was also the risen Christ who was living in Paul.’⁷⁰ God revealed his Son ‘in’ Paul (1:16), and the apostle closes the letter with reference to the marks of Jesus that he bears on his body (6:17; see also the commentary on 4:13).” (Page 287)

Praise for the Print Edition

Andrew Das takes us systematically through each of the questions that scholars debate about this letter, which was born in controversy and which has been a focal point of controversy ever since. By the abundance of information he offers, clearly organized for our comprehension, he challenges us to join in the task of reconstructing that ancient controversy, and thus in the labor to understand what the text may, even now, mean.

—Wayne A. Meeks, Woolsey Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, Yale University

Massively researched with careful and clear exposition of the text and key critical issues: this will be an invaluable resource for all those grappling with Paul’s presentation of his gospel in Galatians.

—Christopher Tuckett, emeritus professor of New Testament studies, University of Oxford, England

Product Details

• Title: Galatians
• Author: A. Andrew Das
• Series: Concordia Commentary
• Publisher: Concordia Publishing House
• Print Publication Date: 2014
• Logos Release Date: 2015
• Pages: 808
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. N.T. Galatians › Commentaries
• Resource ID: LLS:CONCOM69GA
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-03-06T18:10:43Z

About A. Andrew Das

A. Andrew Das is the Niebuhr Distinguished Chair and professor of religious studies at Elmhurst College in Illinois. He is the author of several books, including Paul, the Law, and the Covenant.