Grace in Galatia: A Commentary on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians (Socio-Rhetorical Commentary | SRC)

by Ben Witherington III

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 1998

Overview

In Grace in Galatia, Witherington analyzes the whole of Galatians as a deliberative discourse meant to forestall the Galatians from submitting to circumcision and the Jewish law. The commentary features the latest discussion of major problems in Pauline studies, including Paul’s view of the law and the relationship between the historical data in Galatians and in Acts. The narrative character of Witherington’s work allows it to remain exceedingly accessible. The commentary again includes “Bridging the Horizons” sections which point to the relevance of the text for believers today. Grace in Galatia will be of special value to pastors and general readers as well as students and scholars.

Contents

Top Highlights

“I would suggest that the singular here suggests the unity and unifying nature of these qualities as opposed to the divisive effects of the traits listed in the vice list.⁶⁰ The singular also suggests that Paul expects all of these traits to be manifested not only in any Christian community but in any Christian life, not love in one person, peace in another and so on. Whatever else one can say, it appears certain that Paul is not talking about natural traits or abilities or talents here, but rather qualities produced in the life of the community by the Spirit.” (Page 408)

“In short, there is no reason either in Galatians or in Acts to assume that Paul evangelized north Galatia.” (Page 6)

“Thus the verb δικαιόω is used forensically and relationally by Paul to indicate the status or standing in relation to God of a person who is in Christ.” (Page 174)

“In closing this part of the discussion it is important to note that everything in Galatians suggests that the majority, perhaps the vast majority, of Paul’s Galatian converts are Gentiles not Jews, otherwise all these arguments about not submitting to circumcision would not be on target.” (Page 7)

“there is no clear evidence even in Acts that Paul ever evangelized the cities of the northern part of Galatia.” (Page 5)

Endorsements

Witherington’s lucid and thoughtful commentary is driven by the text rather than by some overarching theory about Paul or his opponents. The result is that Paul’s own concern in the letter emerges clearly—to proclaim the end of the Mosaic law and the powerful presence of the new era.

—Frank Thielman, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

A new style of commentary on Galatians that is both soundly based yet involved with the latest currents in biblical scholarship. This book is a testament to what can be achieved by a critic who is willing to balance scholarly discipline with cultural and exegetical imagination.

—Philip Esler, St. Mary’s College, University of St. Andrews

A work characterized by clarity of vision regarding the critical, historical, and theological issues involved…and by a crispness and vividness of language in setting out the message of Galatians in contemporary form. This commentary will undoubtedly have a long and useful life, capturing the interest and hearts of many.

—Richard Longenecker, McMaster Divinity College

Product Details

• Title: Grace in Galatia: A Commentary on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians
• Author: Ben Witherington III
• Series: Socio-Rhetorical Commentary Series
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 1998
• Logos Release Date: 2008
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. N.T. Galatians › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. Galatians › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Bible. N.T. Galatians › Socio-rhetorical criticism
• ISBNs: 9780802844330, 0802844332
• Resource ID: LLS:SORHET69GA
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:04:50Z

About Ben Witherington III

Ben Witherington III (PhD, University of Durham) is Jean R. Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. A prominent evangelical scholar, he is also on the doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University in Scotland. Witherington has written over forty books, including The Jesus Quest and The Paul Quest, both of which were selected as top biblical studies works by Christianity Today. His other works include The Indelible Image, Women and the Genesis of Christianity, The Gospel Code, A Week in the Life of Corinth and commentaries on the entire New Testament. He also writes for many church and scholarly publications and is a frequent contributor to Patheos and Beliefnet. Witherington is an elected member of the prestigious Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, a society dedicated to New Testament studies. He is a John Wesley Fellow for Life, a research fellow at Cambridge University and a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Society of Biblical Literature, Society for the Study of the New Testament and the Institute for Biblical Research. He previously taught at institutions like Ashland Theological Seminary, Vanderbilt University, Duke Divinity School and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. An ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church and a popular lecturer, Witherington has presented seminars for churches, colleges and biblical meetings around the world. He has led numerous study tours through the lands of the Bible and is known for bringing the text to life through incisive historical and cultural analysis. Along with many interviews on radio and television networks across the country, Witherington has been seen in programs such as 60 Minutes, 20/20, Dateline and the Peter Jennings ABC special Jesus and Paul—The Word and the Witness