Galatians

by N. T. Wright

Overview

The first major biblical commentary from the pen of N. T. Wright 

While full of theological import, Paul’s letter to the Galatians also captures and memorializes a significant moment in the early history of Christianity. This commentary from N. T. Wright—the inaugural volume of the CCF series—offers a theological interpretation of Galatians that never loses sight of the political concerns of its historical context. With these two elements of the letter in dialogue with each other, readers can understand both what Paul originally meant and how his writing might be faithfully used to respond to present questions. 

Each section of verse-by-verse commentary in this volume is followed by Wright’s reflections on what the text says about Christian formation today, making this an excellent resource for individual readers and those preparing to teach or preach on Galatians. The focus on formation is especially appropriate for this biblical letter, in which Paul wrote to his fellow early Christians, “My children—I seem to be in labor with you all over again, until the Messiah is fully formed in you!”

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802825605
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	05/25/2021
Series:	Commentaries for Christian Formation (CCF)
Pages:	439
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

N. T. Wright, one of the most highly respected biblical scholars in the world today, is research professor emeritus of New Testament and early Christianity at the University of St. Andrews and senior research fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He is the author of over eighty books, including Simply Christian, Surprised by Hope, Paul and the Faithfulness of God, and The New Testament in Its World.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction to Galatians
     The Situation in Galatia
     Paul’s Answer
     Commentaries and Christian Formation
Galatians 1:1–17
     Translation
     Introduction
     Apostleship and the Gospel (1:1–5)
     Another Gospel? (1:6–9)
     The Story So Far (1:10–17)
     Conclusion
Galatians 1:18–2:10
     Translation
     Introduction
     First Jerusalem Visit: A Happy Relationship (1:18–24)
     The Second Visit: Standing Firm (2:1–10)
     Conclusion
Galatians 2:11–21
     Translation
     Introduction
     Peter in Antioch (2:11–14)
     The Great Transformation (2:15–21)
     Conclusion
Galatians 3:1–14
     Translation
     Introduction
     The Spirit and Faith (3:1–5)
     Abraham and the Covenant (3:6–9)
     The Curse of the Law (3:10–14)
     Conclusion
Galatians 3:15–29
     Translation
     Introduction
     The Unbreakable Covenant (3:15–18)
     Why Then the Law? (3:19–22)
     Under the Paidagōgos (3:23–25)
     Abraham’s One Family (3:26–29)
     Conclusion
Galatians 4:1–11
     Translation
     Introduction
     The New Exodus (4:1–7)
     Don’t Go Back to Slavery! (4:8–11)
     Conclusion
Galatians 4:12–5:1
     Translation
     Introduction
     True Friends and False Friends (4:12–20)
     Two Women, Two Families, Two Covenants, Two Mountains (4:21–5:1)
     Conclusion
Galatians 5:2–26
     Translation
     Introduction
     The Warning and The Challenge (5:2–12)
     Love and the Spirit (5:13–26)
     Conclusion
Galatians 6:1–18
     Translation
     Introduction
     Closing Exhortations (6:1–10)
     Final Warnings and Example (6:11–18)
     Conclusion

What People are Saying About This

Scot McKnight

"Tom Wright is a gift to the church today. In this series, Christians who are just learning about their faith will experience new discoveries and fresh views on life, and seasoned Bible readers will find themselves challenged to reconsider old perspectives. It deserves to be in the homes of all Christians."

Editorial Reviews

Frank J. Matera in Interpretation
“This is a strong commentary that has launched this series on a good trajectory, and I hope other volumes will succeed as well, for it is the kind of commentary that theological students and pastors will find helpful for their own formation and the formation of the church.”

Calvin Theological Journal
“You cannot dive into [Wright’s] chapters to resolve some exegetical problem. You have to keep up with him and see how his long argument is unfolding. And when you do, you see Paul in a new light, and Galatians will never look quite the same.”

Religious Studies Review
“This work will take its place as a clear distillation of Wright’s main project for reinterpreting Paul and Judaism.

From the Publisher

"Tom Wright is a gift to the church today. In this series, Christians who are just learning about their faith will experience new discoveries and fresh views on life, and seasoned Bible readers will find themselves challenged to reconsider old perspectives. It deserves to be in the homes of all Christians."

Scot McKnight