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The "Be" Commentary
Be Free (Galatians): Exchange Legalism for True Spirituality
Fully grasp the meaning of the Good News as you realize that God desires your freedome, not your bondage to a list of man-made "do's" and "dont's."
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1975
278 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
About the author
Warren W. Wiersbe
662 books412 followersWarren W. Wiersbe, former pastor of the Moody Church and general director of Back to the Bible, has traveled widely as a Bible teacher and conference speaker. Because of his encouragement to those in ministry, Dr. Wiersbe is often referred to as 'the pastor's pastor.' He has ministered in churches and conferences throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Central and South America, and Europe. Dr. Wiersbe has written over 150 books, including the popular BE series of commentaries on every book of the Bible, which has sold more than four million copies. At the 2002 Christian Booksellers Convention, he was awarded the Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Dr. Wiersbe and his wife, Betty, live in Lincoln, Nebraska.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 28, 2017
I just loved this study. I did it with my husband and it’s one of the best ones we’ve done on Galatians.
April 11, 2012
Wiersbe's studies Be Provocative and Be Enlightening, always. I don't know if he wrote the questions at the end of the chapters or if someone else did, but sometimes the wording could have been more explicit. We spent some time in our men's group trying to figure out if similar but different phrases were intended to have different meanings, or if they meant the same thing and were being used for variety's sake. Wish I could think of a specific example of that, but I can't.
This study was written in 1975, and it might be a bit dated. I think today the problem in the American church is not so much legalism as anything-goesism. But if you study Galatians you pretty much have to talk about legalism, and it's a monster that always threatens to return. It might even be present in forms that aren't evident to us.
This study was written in 1975, and it might be a bit dated. I think today the problem in the American church is not so much legalism as anything-goesism. But if you study Galatians you pretty much have to talk about legalism, and it's a monster that always threatens to return. It might even be present in forms that aren't evident to us.
February 16, 2025
2025 Reread
This was still a great read. The commentary is easy to read and not too wordy. A short, quick book on Galatians and legalism. I really enjoyed it and it is definitely a book I can see reading again.
“Prayer is to the spiritual life what breathing is to the physical life, and if you stop breathing, you will faint.”
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Be Free was such a good nonfiction read! The subject matter was strong and powerful. I can see myself rereading it and this time reading it slowly, along with reading Galatians. I look forward to reading more of this author's books!
This was still a great read. The commentary is easy to read and not too wordy. A short, quick book on Galatians and legalism. I really enjoyed it and it is definitely a book I can see reading again.
“Prayer is to the spiritual life what breathing is to the physical life, and if you stop breathing, you will faint.”
---
Be Free was such a good nonfiction read! The subject matter was strong and powerful. I can see myself rereading it and this time reading it slowly, along with reading Galatians. I look forward to reading more of this author's books!
July 20, 2023
Great book for a Bible study-
Read
January 27, 2020Years ago I owned most of Wiersbe's "Be Series" in print. I got rid of the collection in one of my moves, and I often regret some of the radical downsizing. Wiersbe's books are perfect for personal or group Bible study. His writing still speaks to Christians today. I read a chapter each day, although I read a couple of chapters on a couple of days, of the Galatians volume. Wiersbe frames everything from the historical context in which Paul wrote the letter. The Galatian Christians, influenced by the Judaizers, became too legalistic. Paul reminds them of the freedom in Christ they enjoy. I enjoyed revisiting this volume in my daily quiet time.
March 7, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this commentary on the book of Galatians and got smacked square between the eyes on a few things, which is exactly what a Bible commentary should do. I have 2 very minor complaints - the first is that due to the name of the book, I expected it to be more of a Christian living book than a commentary, even though the word commentary is on the cover itself. Don't be misled - this is truly a commentary on Galatians. And secondly, any time word usage or Bible quotes were included, they were in the King James version (the old King James at that). Since I was using the NIV to read Galatians through with this study, it threw me off and pulled me out of the study a bit. But if you don't mind using the KJV (or can easily maneuver back and forth) and would like to delve deeper into Paul's letter to the Galatian churches, this is an excellent resource!
December 19, 2019
I've read a dozen of Wiersbe's commentaries on the Bible and while they were all excellent, this one stands out above the others. This may be because I spent many years of my Christian life trusting in outward actions to measure my spiritual maturity. I am still learning what it means to live in God's grace. This is an excellent tool for studying this important doctrine.
April 16, 2020
Be Free (Galatians): Exchange Legalism for True Spirituality by Warren Wiersbe is a commentary or study guide to read alongside the New Testament book of Galatians.
Paul wrote a rather strongly-worded letter to the Galatians with none of his usual thanksgiving and commendation for his readers. That’s because the Galatians were confusing law and grace.
The first Christians were Jewish and were quite stunned when Gentiles became believers. There was a lot of confusion at first about whether Gentile believers had to follow the same practices as the Jews (see Acts 10, 11, and 15).
The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will. (Acts 15:6-11).
The initial confusion was understandable. But some, called Judaizers, persisted in teaching that Gentile believers must keep the OT law, especially the Jewish rite of circumcision. Paul insisted this was trusting in works, not grace, and we’re not saved by works.
It wasn’t that circumcision was good or bad in itself. Paul mentions bringing Titus, a Gentile believer to Jerusalem with no thought of having him circumcised (Galatians 2:1-5). But later in Acts 16:1-3, Paul had Timothy circumcised. Was Paul being inconsistent? No, Timothy was half Jewish, half Greek, and Paul wanted to bring him along on his missionary journeys. As a part Jewish man, Timothy would never have been accepted or listened to by the Jews without being circumcised. So in his case, circumcision was a matter of not being a stumblingblock to those he wanted to minister to. (John Piper goes into this more here.) The difference was that neither Paul nor Timothy were trusting in circumcision as a means to salvation or to earn favor with God. The Judaizers were.
So Paul argues against law and for grace, appealing to the Galatians personally, doctrinally, and practically. They were in danger of teaching false doctrine, of forsaking and perverting the gospel. It was serious enough for Paul to write as he did.
I won’t go into all the details or Wiersbe’s outline here. But Wiersbe makes application to our day. Probably few of us are tempted to observe Jewish law for salvation as the Judaizers were. But we can easily lapse into trusting in the rules or standards of whatever faith group we’re a part of instead of trusting Christ alone for salvation.
Here are a few other quotes.
Paul wrote a rather strongly-worded letter to the Galatians with none of his usual thanksgiving and commendation for his readers. That’s because the Galatians were confusing law and grace.
The first Christians were Jewish and were quite stunned when Gentiles became believers. There was a lot of confusion at first about whether Gentile believers had to follow the same practices as the Jews (see Acts 10, 11, and 15).
The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will. (Acts 15:6-11).
The initial confusion was understandable. But some, called Judaizers, persisted in teaching that Gentile believers must keep the OT law, especially the Jewish rite of circumcision. Paul insisted this was trusting in works, not grace, and we’re not saved by works.
It wasn’t that circumcision was good or bad in itself. Paul mentions bringing Titus, a Gentile believer to Jerusalem with no thought of having him circumcised (Galatians 2:1-5). But later in Acts 16:1-3, Paul had Timothy circumcised. Was Paul being inconsistent? No, Timothy was half Jewish, half Greek, and Paul wanted to bring him along on his missionary journeys. As a part Jewish man, Timothy would never have been accepted or listened to by the Jews without being circumcised. So in his case, circumcision was a matter of not being a stumblingblock to those he wanted to minister to. (John Piper goes into this more here.) The difference was that neither Paul nor Timothy were trusting in circumcision as a means to salvation or to earn favor with God. The Judaizers were.
So Paul argues against law and for grace, appealing to the Galatians personally, doctrinally, and practically. They were in danger of teaching false doctrine, of forsaking and perverting the gospel. It was serious enough for Paul to write as he did.
I won’t go into all the details or Wiersbe’s outline here. But Wiersbe makes application to our day. Probably few of us are tempted to observe Jewish law for salvation as the Judaizers were. But we can easily lapse into trusting in the rules or standards of whatever faith group we’re a part of instead of trusting Christ alone for salvation.
Millions of believers think they are “spiritual” because of what they don’t do—or because of the leader they follow—or because of the group they belong to. The Lord shows us in Galatians how wrong we are—and how right we can be if only we would let the Holy Spirit take over.
When the Holy Spirit does take over, there will be liberty, not bondage—cooperation, not competition—glory to God, not praise to man. The world will see true Christianity, and sinners will come to know the Savior. There is an old-fashioned word for this: revival.
Here are a few other quotes.
We must never forget that the Christian life is a living relationship with God through Jesus Christ. A man does not become a Christian merely by agreeing to a set of doctrines; he becomes a Christian by submitting to Christ and trusting Him (Rom. 11: 6).
We not only are saved by grace, but we are to also live by grace (1 Cor. 15: 10). We stand in grace; it is the foundation for the Christian life (Rom. 5: 1–2). Grace gives us the strength we need to be victorious soldiers (2 Tim. 2: 1–4). Grace enables us to suffer without complaining, and even to use that suffering for God’s glory (2 Cor. 12: 1–10). When a Christian turns away from living by God’s grace, he must depend on his own power. This leads to failure and disappointment. This is what Paul meant by “fallen from grace” (Gal. 5: 4)—moving out of the sphere of grace and into the sphere of law, ceasing to depend on God’s resources and depending on our own resources.
God revealed Christ to Paul, in Paul, and through Paul. The “Jews’ religion” (Gal. 1: 14) had been an experience of outward rituals and practices, but faith in Christ brought about an inward experience of reality with the Lord. This “inwardness” of Christ was a major truth with Paul (2: 20; 4: 19).
Ever since Paul’s time, the enemies of grace have been trying to add something to the simple gospel of the grace of God. They tell us that a man is saved by faith in Christ plus something—good works, the Ten Commandments, baptism, church membership, religious ritual—and Paul made it clear that these teachers are wrong. In fact, Paul pronounced a curse on any person (man or angel) who preaches any other gospel than the gospel of the grace of God, centered in Jesus Christ (Gal. 1: 6–9; see 1 Cor. 15: 1–7 for a definition of the gospel). It is a serious thing to tamper with the gospel.
Justification is an act of God; it is not the result of man’s character or works. “It is God that justifieth” (Rom. 8: 33). It is not by doing the “works of the law” that the sinner gets a right standing before God, but by putting his faith in Jesus Christ.
September 1, 2014
I always find Wiersbe expository books to be worth my read. This study of Galatians reminds us that salvation is by God's grace alone. Observing any rituals or specials days does not make us acceptable to God. The takeaway from this book is good works do not get us to heaven. Christian deeds shows that we are followers of Christ.
January 26, 2016
I think this is probably the best Wiersbe bible commentary I have read so far. His exposition is undoubtedly helped by the focus and clarity of Paul's challenging words to the church in Galatia. Wiersbe's words are Spirit and bible led, and very personally challenging too.
December 21, 2015
Solid exegesis on the entire book of Galatians. Excellent for personal study. Like listening to a sermon series. A challenge and wake up call both to individual Christians dealing with each other and also to the legalists infiltrating churches today.
December 6, 2016
This is good book for new Christians as well as a review and refresh book for older ones. However, I would say that this book was aimed for older adults in the 30s-50s range. I felt like it could have supplied more application questions.
July 31, 2017
Thought provoking and convicting
This commentary was not only thought provoking, but also convicting. Every church today needs to read and study the book of Galatians for I fear we are following the same path Paul warned about. Worth every penny!
This commentary was not only thought provoking, but also convicting. Every church today needs to read and study the book of Galatians for I fear we are following the same path Paul warned about. Worth every penny!
October 29, 2009
I am 3/4 through this book. I am using it for personal bible study. It is very easy to use as a study guide, I take notes for future reference.
August 23, 2012
Dr. Wiersbe helps in a clear, concise manner, to understand the meaning and content of the Scriptures. Always enjoy reading his commentaries.
March 11, 2025
This is the text for my class in Galatians. Preview classes at Northeastern Baptist College! Woohoo!
March 4, 2014
It was very deep and way over my head.
October 25, 2014
A very well structured biblestudy of Galatians. I liked the way he gave a good overview of the book and then went deeper. I enjoyed it.
September 29, 2015
A very useful companion to my Bible reading...giving me lots of helpful background information and a clearer understanding of what Paul meant when he wrote this letter to the Galations.
August 4, 2022
Great Series!
I wish I had read this along with the Galatians Study that I did a while ago. It would have been very helpful to decipher some of the more confusing passages.
Legalism can cause such painful division between believers (even within the same family or congregation). Faith is not about a bunch of rules. It is about a deep and abiding relationship with our Creator.
This is the third book that I have read in this series.
I received this book FREE from the author, publisher, distributor, or other source. My only obligation is to provide a fair and honest review
I wish I had read this along with the Galatians Study that I did a while ago. It would have been very helpful to decipher some of the more confusing passages.
Legalism can cause such painful division between believers (even within the same family or congregation). Faith is not about a bunch of rules. It is about a deep and abiding relationship with our Creator.
This is the third book that I have read in this series.
I received this book FREE from the author, publisher, distributor, or other source. My only obligation is to provide a fair and honest review
February 27, 2021
This is one of the best commentaries I've read on the book of Galatians. I put tabs on many pages to be referred to later. I learned the difference between legalism and grace. Mr. Wiersbe makes clear what was going on when Paul wrote this letter, and how it applies to not only the church back then, but to us.
July 6, 2021
Commentary
I like this series of commentary. Its already long time ago I read this series and not yet completed it (this series have 50 books). And now I got a chance to download this book for free in the Kindle.
The commentary here not hard to understand, also very practical. It has doctrines, but the theology here quite easy to understand for ordinary people.
I like this series of commentary. Its already long time ago I read this series and not yet completed it (this series have 50 books). And now I got a chance to download this book for free in the Kindle.
The commentary here not hard to understand, also very practical. It has doctrines, but the theology here quite easy to understand for ordinary people.
June 5, 2023
One of the best christian books Ive ever read. I am gratefull that the US literature politics have accepted include some titles to my homeland, Argentina, where I discovered that paulist interpretations have a true way of being materialized ;), since its outreach was intended for people have time to think for themselves, which is the aim of the book, I guess.
May 22, 2025
The Warren Wiersbe BE Series is an excellent commentary series for the serious student of the Bible and anyone who just wants a readable, down to earth explanation of the Books of the Bible. Wiersbe breaks each chapter or section of chapters down into manageable pieces for a sermon series or bible study. Questions for each chapter make this a good resource for group bible study as well.
February 25, 2020
These are great Bible studies by Warren W. Wiersbe. In this BE series Mr. Wiersbe teaches in a way so that a newer Christian can learn and understand some basics, and a more mature Christian can dig deeper, learn, and be reminded of things we may have forgotten.
January 13, 2021
It always astounds me how God has books prepared in advance for what I’m dealing with or what I need to learn.
Warren Wiersbe has done a brilliant job again. I especially enjoyed chapter 8. So much revelation!
Warren Wiersbe has done a brilliant job again. I especially enjoyed chapter 8. So much revelation!
March 1, 2021
Great tool to study the book of Galatians. I have read a few of Wiersbe's 'Be' commentaries and I appreciate how he contextualizes scripture without taking away from the power and truth of The Gospel.
June 3, 2022
I am so thankful for Wiersbe’s knowledge and the way he teaches! He explained legalism in a way that gave me deeper understanding. It was greatly encouraging. And the end tied up so well as Paul finishes with the last verse “Grace to all in our Lord Jesus Christ!” GRACE!
April 21, 2025
Great study as usual from Wiersbe
I really enjoy the Wiersbe commentaries. Easy to read, biblical truth presented in a deep and meaningful way that is easy to apply to the heart and daily living.
I really enjoy the Wiersbe commentaries. Easy to read, biblical truth presented in a deep and meaningful way that is easy to apply to the heart and daily living.
April 26, 2018
Really great for reading alongside personal study time. I like the way he writes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews