Reading Galatians, Philippians, and 1 Thessalonians
Overview
Charles Cousar interprets three letters of Paul, each of which shows the apostle in a different light. In Galatians, Paul contends for the gospel against a group of Jewish-Christian missionaries who have come into the congregations. In Philippians, Paul addresses his favorite community in intimate terms to offer thanks for a gift they have sent him and to urge them to maintain unity in the face of opposing forces. The first letter to the Thessalonians is written to encourage the congregation in that city to lead lives worthy of the gospel. The commentary traces the movement of the letters, paragraph by paragraph, and pays particular attention to the literary character of the writing and to the theological implications of the text for the church today.
Top Highlights
“‘Christ has freed us’ is in the aorist tense, suggesting a particular point in past time, no doubt the crucifixion” (Page 91)
“For many reasons, Galatians, at least in general, is more aptly described as an example of deliberative rhetoric than of judicial rhetoric. The aim of the letter is more to persuade the Galatians of the invalidity of circumcision than to defend Paul and his apostleship.” (Page 5)
“the letter is best read primarily (though not exclusively) as an example of deliberative rhetoric” (Page 4)
“A third (and the most plausible) interpretation understands 2:6–8 as the narrative of the incarnation, as with the first option, but at the same time discerns in these verses the story of Adam in Genesis 1–3, as with the second option.” (Page 154)
“But for readers familiar with other Pauline letters, the replacement of the prayer of thanksgiving or blessing with a statement of astonishment and rebuke is noteworthy since it only happens in Galatians.” (Page 24)
In a day when the scorching heat of overdone and multivolume commentaries wither their readers into exhaustion, Cousar’s commentary offers instead the gentle light that guides readers into pastures of discovery and onto the shores of invigoration. Critically aware and theologically sensitive, this commentary will lead its readers into the best of modern scholarship as well as back to the verities of a former generation. Readers of this commentary will find what the writer wanted of his letters: good news about Jesus Christ!
—Scot McKnight, Karl A. Olsson Professor, Religious Studies, North Park University
Charles Cousar’s illuminating treatment of these letters will come to the aid of all who look for a clearly written and theologically sensitive approach to these letters. He is abreast of modern issues regarding the Apostle, yet he is able to present his interactions with unobtrusive scholarship.
—Ralph P. Martin, Distinguished Scholar in Residence, Fuller Theological Seminary
- Title: Reading Galatians, Philippians, and 1 Thessalonians
- Author: Charles B. Cousar
- Series: Reading the New Testament Commentary Series
- Publisher: Smyth & Helwys
- Publication Date: 2001
- Pages: 235
