Series: Commentaries for Christian Formation

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!”

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