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The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians
The Letter to the Galatians proclaims that Christianity was dependent upon nothing but God's free gift of grace, bestowed on all who would accept that gift by faith, Gentile and Jew alike. Because it declares this universality and confutes the Judaizing Christians, the letter is one of the great theological cornerestones of Christianity, according to Dr. Barclay.
219 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1954
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 16, 2025
This was so inspiring and wonderful to dive deep into Scripture and analyze each passage. I really liked that this book includes a lot of history and facts about Roman and Jewish culture during Paul's time. It puts his letters into perspective.
I read a little bit each day, and really enjoyed using this as a devotional book each morning!
I read a little bit each day, and really enjoyed using this as a devotional book each morning!
April 27, 2020
Barclay is one of the best Scripture commentators there is. I especially love the details he brings in about the historical setting.
January 4, 2026
William Barclay was a Scottish theologian who wrote a series of commentaries on the New Testament. In this commentary, he wends his way briefly through the epistles to Galatians and Ephesians. The version I read is a version updated by his son, Ronnie Barclay, who claimed in an introduction that this was mainly to fix masculine language as well as to correctly attribute quotes that his father used. According to Ronnie, his father was proud of that fact that he wrote these commentaries in a single draft without looking anything up.
As someone who has spent his time reading a lot of Tom Wright lately, this sort of commentary is the opposite. Wright generally spends his time sorting out exactly what the New Testament authors were trying to say and can be long winded about it. On the other hand, Barclay quickly breezes through the Scripture, taking one passage at a time and generously quoting Roman and Greek authors to help us understand the ethos of the first century world.
I will say that I found Barclay easier to read than Wright, although there isn't the depth there that is present with Wright. I think Barclay would be more useful for sermon preparation as the stories and quotations could easily be used to flesh out a sermon on these epistles.
I suppose I should mention that while Barclay is known for his theological liberalism (he didn't really believe in the inerrancy of Scripture or miracles like the virgin birth), this is not particularly evident in this commentary. I found it an easy read and it does shed light on these letters from Paul to the churches in Galatia and Ephesus.
As someone who has spent his time reading a lot of Tom Wright lately, this sort of commentary is the opposite. Wright generally spends his time sorting out exactly what the New Testament authors were trying to say and can be long winded about it. On the other hand, Barclay quickly breezes through the Scripture, taking one passage at a time and generously quoting Roman and Greek authors to help us understand the ethos of the first century world.
I will say that I found Barclay easier to read than Wright, although there isn't the depth there that is present with Wright. I think Barclay would be more useful for sermon preparation as the stories and quotations could easily be used to flesh out a sermon on these epistles.
I suppose I should mention that while Barclay is known for his theological liberalism (he didn't really believe in the inerrancy of Scripture or miracles like the virgin birth), this is not particularly evident in this commentary. I found it an easy read and it does shed light on these letters from Paul to the churches in Galatia and Ephesus.
May 25, 2020
Excellent commentary
Barclay provides a thorough rendering and explanation of Ephesians, including the words of other theologians where he thinks they will help. Occasionally, Barclay goes off course and brings in poetry that is only tangential to understanding the letter. His historical comments, though, are insightful and critical to a thorough understanding of the text.
Barclay provides a thorough rendering and explanation of Ephesians, including the words of other theologians where he thinks they will help. Occasionally, Barclay goes off course and brings in poetry that is only tangential to understanding the letter. His historical comments, though, are insightful and critical to a thorough understanding of the text.
May 17, 2020
I love the Word! I love to study the Word. In every little section of these two books, over a period of more than two months, I found an attribute of God, Jesus, or the Spirit for worship, and a focus for prayer for myself and for those for whom I pray. Thankful.
August 2, 2021
Like taking a great course in Gospel history
Barclay always challenges me and fills in The Gospels with deep historical facts. Loved this book Just an Excellent book. Thanks.
Barclay always challenges me and fills in The Gospels with deep historical facts. Loved this book Just an Excellent book. Thanks.
April 13, 2025
Oh wow I totally forgot that I finished this book a few months ago! If you are looking to read a commentary on books of the Bible for your quiet time, I liked this one! I would do a section a day and while it took a while, I feel like I learned a lot!
July 20, 2021
A very terse commentary, yet it is chock full of little gems. William Barclay is always so helpful on the side of 1st century history.
November 23, 2022
Ephesians was really good.
December 22, 2022
Using his own translation Barclay a deep, practical and clear bibelstudy emerges filled with historical backgrounds and meaningful explanations of greek words
March 12, 2026
This is a very handy series. At the recommendation of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, I've been slowly working my way through it since 2011.
August 23, 2026
If not for the drop off when it came to Thessalonians, this was easily a 5 star. Practical application with explanation of the original Greek without being too academic.
August 25, 2021
Incredible commentary and devotional
I have continued to use this series as my devotional material for several years. I plan to continue the same through books I have not enjoyed yet.
I have continued to use this series as my devotional material for several years. I plan to continue the same through books I have not enjoyed yet.
September 22, 2010
As usual in this series, the daily readings in this volume are made up of Dr. Barclay's own translation of the passage to be considered and his interpretive commentary on that passage.
The Letter to the Galatians strikes back at an attack that, if successful, might have made the community of Jesus' followers merely a Jewish sect. Christianity could not be so restricted. It was not dependent upon a fleshly sign or on a man's ability to keep the law. On the contrary, it was dependent upon nothing but God's free gift of grace, bestowed on all who would accept that gift by faith, Gentile and Jew alike. Because it proclaims this universality and confutes the Judaizing Christians, the letter is one of the great theological cornerstones of Christianity.
The Letter to the Ephesians, which was written while Paul was in prison, has been called "the Queen of the Epistles." It probably was not addressed specifically to the church at Ephesus but, as a circular letter, to the Christian churches generally. In contrast to Paul's other writings, it is meditative and poetic in character. The main theme is the universal battle between good and evil, and the ultimate unity to be achieved only when all things are gathered together in Christ.
Dr. Barclay's scholarship is deep and thoroughgoing. At the same time, his style has such remarkable felicity that his commentary is easy and delightful to read.
The Letter to the Galatians strikes back at an attack that, if successful, might have made the community of Jesus' followers merely a Jewish sect. Christianity could not be so restricted. It was not dependent upon a fleshly sign or on a man's ability to keep the law. On the contrary, it was dependent upon nothing but God's free gift of grace, bestowed on all who would accept that gift by faith, Gentile and Jew alike. Because it proclaims this universality and confutes the Judaizing Christians, the letter is one of the great theological cornerstones of Christianity.
The Letter to the Ephesians, which was written while Paul was in prison, has been called "the Queen of the Epistles." It probably was not addressed specifically to the church at Ephesus but, as a circular letter, to the Christian churches generally. In contrast to Paul's other writings, it is meditative and poetic in character. The main theme is the universal battle between good and evil, and the ultimate unity to be achieved only when all things are gathered together in Christ.
Dr. Barclay's scholarship is deep and thoroughgoing. At the same time, his style has such remarkable felicity that his commentary is easy and delightful to read.
April 18, 2011
Reading the Ephesians part of the book for class. I've found 4 errors.
1. In Ephesians 2:1-3; the verse speaks about "the prince of the air". The author fails to be specific about who the prince of the air is, Satan. He speaks of the people of the ancient world being afraid of spirits all around them.
2. In Ephesians 4:7-10; the verse speaks about Jesus descending to the "lower parts of the earth". The author talks about Jesus descending to the earth from Heaven, but fails to speak of His descent into hell after he was crucified.
3. In Ephesians 6:1-4; the verse says that children are to honor their parents for this is the first commandment to which a promise is attached. The author says that it said it was the "first commandment". Sighting that perhaps it was the first commandment children learned.
4. In Ephesians 5:5-8; speaks about how God is no respecter of persons (their status on this planet). The author talks about how God will not be a respecter of persons when we stand before Him on Judgment Day.
All in all, I learned quite a bit, but this man's religion has gotten in the way of what the Word says.
1. In Ephesians 2:1-3; the verse speaks about "the prince of the air". The author fails to be specific about who the prince of the air is, Satan. He speaks of the people of the ancient world being afraid of spirits all around them.
2. In Ephesians 4:7-10; the verse speaks about Jesus descending to the "lower parts of the earth". The author talks about Jesus descending to the earth from Heaven, but fails to speak of His descent into hell after he was crucified.
3. In Ephesians 6:1-4; the verse says that children are to honor their parents for this is the first commandment to which a promise is attached. The author says that it said it was the "first commandment". Sighting that perhaps it was the first commandment children learned.
4. In Ephesians 5:5-8; speaks about how God is no respecter of persons (their status on this planet). The author talks about how God will not be a respecter of persons when we stand before Him on Judgment Day.
All in all, I learned quite a bit, but this man's religion has gotten in the way of what the Word says.
September 28, 2012
Although much of Barclay's comments are repeated throughout his New Testament series, they're consistently in context, even to pointing out what are commonly seen as 'misquotations' or contradictions. I continue to respect Barclay's thoroughness and scholarly approach, especially his ability to communicate to the non-theologian.
I've never appreciated 'Ephesians' more than I do after reading his interpretations.
I've never appreciated 'Ephesians' more than I do after reading his interpretations.
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March 13, 2008227/4
May 22, 2014
Great for background....not always the best for flow of thought though. Definitely will use it when I preach through Galatians again.
September 17, 2014
Ephesians opened my eyes to a lot of things. Galatians was the best too.
Hope to get mor of these.
Hope to get mor of these.
January 9, 2015
Some errors.
Otherwise reliable.
Barclay, William. The Letter to the Galatians and Ephesians. Edinburgh, Scotland: Saint Andrew Press, 1958.
Otherwise reliable.
Barclay, William. The Letter to the Galatians and Ephesians. Edinburgh, Scotland: Saint Andrew Press, 1958.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews