Galatians

Word Biblical Commentary #41

by Richard N. Longenecker, Paul the Apostle

The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.

Genres: Reference, Christian, Biblical Studies, New Testament, Nonfiction, Biblical, Theology

442 pages, Hardcover

First published December 11, 1990

About the author

Richard N. Longenecker is Ramsey Armitage Professor of New Testament, Wycliffe College, University of Toronto. He receivec the B.A. and M.A. degrees from Wheaton College and Wheaton Graduate School of Theology, respectively, and the Ph.D. from New College, University of Edinburgh. His principal publications include Paul, Apostle of Liberty (1964), The Christology of Early Jewish Christianity (1970), The Ministry and Message of Paul (1971), Biblical Exegesis in the Apostolic Period (1975), “The Acts of the Apostles” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (1981), and The New Testament Social Ethics for Today (1984).

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't agree with all of what Longenecker argues, but useful for Greek class on Galatians.

[Matthew W · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent academic treatment of Galatians

A great complement to Longenecker’s Romans Commentary in the NIGTC series. The commentary provides a solid understanding of the situation, the letter, the audience, the agitators, the early church, and Paul himself. It is long enough, but not longer than necessary. The translation is excellent and clear. Highly recommended for students and academics, probably less useful than other options for preaching purposes (Wright; Schreiner).

[Радостин Марчев · Rating 4 out of 5]

Коментарът оглавява класацията на bestcommentaries.com за Галатяни - макар че последната обикновено не съвпада със собствената ми оценка. Написан е добре, информирано и информативно, но не винаги достатъчно ясно. Въпреки това на места става прекалено технически, а през цялото време не можех да се освободя от усещането, че пропуска въпроси, които бих искал да адресира.
Със сигурност има много, което може да се научи от него. Със сигурност също няма да стане любимият ми коментар върху Галатяни.

[Jess Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un commentaire qui n'est pas écrit pour être lu d'une traite, plutôt pour être consulté. Mais une mine d'information exceptionnelle (peut être parfois un peu daté) qui profite de son style du format de la série de commentaire auquel il appartient.

Cependant c'est justement l' aspect commentaire qui pèche un peu, on parfois plus l'impression de lire une suite d'informations sur différents sujets qu'un véritable commentaire.

[Ian Minielly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Longenecker provided a wealth of information and much technical use of Greek in his commentary. This makes the commentary much more challenging, but it also provides some insights a less technical commentary might not provide. I did like and enjoy his inclusion of different understanding and interpretations of the text and I think he did a good job and I drew value from his work and would recommend this to someone who wanted more Greek and less "laymen" type discussion on the text.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful in working through the biblical text, summarizing major points of interpretive disagreements, and providing a pathway forward that honors the scholarly work of others. Especially helpful on the "New Perspective" issues.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this commentary! The first few chapters are so rich and deep, I read slowly, wanting to absorb it all! Not a great process for assigned reading, but I thoroughly enjoyed this and I know I will reference it again and again over the years.

[Mark Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

A much more technical commentary than the norm, but very well written and thoroughly researched.

[Jon Pentecost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, careful textual work. More time than helpful spent on comparing the letter with Greek rhetorical methods in my mind.

Definitely the most and most consistently academic commentary I used. Used in preparation for preaching Galatians in 2020.

[Ken Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite commentaries on one of my favorite books of the Bible.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Galatians is one of the most studied books of scripture due to it’s size and contributions to Pauline theology as well as theology as a whole. ILuther while reading this work started a reformation which changed everything and in recent years many debates have arisen from the study of this Pauline epistle.

While there have been some fuller bodied commentaries in recent years there is one that stands out among the rabble as one of the best of the best commentaries dedicated to the study of the Greek of Galatians . The commentary in question is Galatians of the Word Biblical Commentary Series by Richard Longnecker. Longnecker is a prominent scholar who taught at Wycliffe College and McMaster Divinity School for many years and is no stranger to scholarly pursuits yet this is his only foray into this stalwart series.

Galatians beings with the traditional introduction section, it is full bodied and discusses much a the current state of scholarship (the work was produced in 1990), unfortunately due to its age it does not have a good study of the movement known as the New Perspectives on Paul, either in the positive or negative. Yet in his other commentaires he does indicate his agreement with the overall movement.

With regard to the commentary proper Longnecker writes with a considerable knowledge base on the original context and audience, yet this does not inhibit his attention to the modern reader and practical application. This commentary is considered my many scholars to be one of the very best New Testament commentaries in the series, that while brief packs a considerable punch. A pastor will find this volume not only helpful but stimulating. This is not a volume that should be missing from a pastor’s librarian but as with all WBC volumes the format makes the volume hard to read.

This book was provided to me free of charge from Zondervan Publishing in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.

[Peter Mead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the past few weeks I have been reading through this commentary and have been very impressed by Longenecker’s careful attention to the text and consistent reading. The odd quibble, but nothing compared to other commentaries, this really is a must have. In the final section Longenecker introduces the presence of a licentious element in Galatia, which didn't seem necessary when following his argument through the first four chapters. Minor issue. Overall a solid and trustworthy commentary on Galatians. Along with Moo, this would be my go to commentary for this dynamite epistle.

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Galatians by Longenecker is a great commentary for teaching and linguistic analysis. My main gripe is that the WBC series does not footnote their citations and prints full book titles inline with the text of the commentary. If you can patiently trudge through it then one will find it immensely helpful.

[Timothy Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great commentary on Galatians. In depth, incisive, well written, and very helpful in the process of exegesis and exposition. It wasn't my favorite commentary on Galatians, but it is near the top of the list.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite commentary on one of my favorite biblical books.