What do you think?
Rate this book
New Testament For Everyone #15
Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians
Tom Wright's eye-opening comments on these letters are combined, passage-by-passage, with his fresh and inviting new translation of the Bible text. Making use of his true scholar's understanding, yet writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Wright captures the tension and excitement of the time as the letters seek to assert Paul's authority and his teaching against other influences.
Tom Wright has undertaken a tremendous task: to provide guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to include in them his own translation of the entire text. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable discussion, with background information, useful explanations and suggestions, and thoughts as to how the text can be relevant to our lives today. A glossary is included at the back of the book. The series is suitable for group study, personal study, or daily devotions.
Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ISBN 0664227856 here.
Tom Wright has undertaken a tremendous task: to provide guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to include in them his own translation of the entire text. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable discussion, with background information, useful explanations and suggestions, and thoughts as to how the text can be relevant to our lives today. A glossary is included at the back of the book. The series is suitable for group study, personal study, or daily devotions.
Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ISBN 0664227856 here.
190 pages, Paperback
First published March 22, 2002
161 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Tom Wright
119 books241 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
He also publishes under N.T. Wright.
He also publishes under N.T. Wright.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 4, 2021
Another excellent guide through three of Paul’s shorter letters. I was interested to see what Wright would say about 2 Thessalonians 2, which is notoriously puzzling. As usual, of course, Wright pulls out the big-picture points that we can hold onto, while admitting the details that are beyond our grasp.
Here’s a section I particularly liked in this book, from comments on 2 Thessalonians 3:
Here’s a section I particularly liked in this book, from comments on 2 Thessalonians 3:
Here again is the paradox of Christian living: because the Lord is faithful and will guard us, therefore we pray that he will do so. This always sounds illogical to those who aren’t engaged in it. Those who are will know that prayer has a power and sense which operate below and above logic. (154)I’m always grateful for pithy, wise insights that help me in my own prayer journey.
July 11, 2024
Confession: I only read the Galatians part.
As with the title this book is over Galatians and Thessalonian letters but for bible study our group just honed in on Galatians. So I have 'finished' (from a certain point of view)
This was my first N.T.Wright book. I for sure want to read more from him. It was an accessible enough commentary/devotional that it didn't feel academic but with his translation and notes it was still a hearty study and discussion!
As with the title this book is over Galatians and Thessalonian letters but for bible study our group just honed in on Galatians. So I have 'finished' (from a certain point of view)
This was my first N.T.Wright book. I for sure want to read more from him. It was an accessible enough commentary/devotional that it didn't feel academic but with his translation and notes it was still a hearty study and discussion!
July 5, 2011
This book has accessibility to commend it. It most definitely lives up to its name, Paul for Everyone. I read only the portion on Galatians, so that is all my review will entail. His commentary on Galatians is broken up into smaller portions of the text, in which he provides his own translation of the text, followed by a commentary on it. The commentary generally begins with a story and therefore comes across very pastoral. The translation he provides, is itself not the most accurate. But, Wright is purposing to use language that will force us to consider what the text is really saying, rather than allowing the reader to continue seeing it in the same categories and boxes. Thus, Christ is always translated as Messiah.
From Wright's perspective, Paul is writing to the Galatians with this in mind.
The Galatians have been divided over circumcision, and he is writing to silence his accusers. Paul is upset that the one family has been divided over the issue of circumcision (which sometimes entails other aspects of the Law, such as keeping the Jewish assigned days, weeks, months, and years--the Sabbaths and Feasts.) Because his own authority and message has been called into question, he justifies them both, and explains that nothing has been added to it, by God or man.
He continues his argument by recounting the confrontation he had with Peter over this very topic. And then explains to them that their adopting the Law means that they are saying they are no longer trusting that God has accepted them by their faith, but that they now need to do more--keep the Law. And is this what they really think will perfect them, they start with the Spirit and end with the flesh?
He argues against this question by explaining that the promises of God to build a family are promises based on the faith of Abraham, not his circumcision, nor the fuller Law which would come 430 years later. In fact, he argues, that the Law came not as a guarantee to receive the promises God made to Abraham, but to protect His people until they were mature in the faith (through union with Christ by their baptism).
He then wonders with them why they would return to these old ways. That these Jewish days and circumcising were the same for the Jews as their pagan rituals were for them--albeit God-ordained rituals in the case of the Jews.
Then, he reminds them that the Jewish Christians are only demanding circumcision so that the Gentile Christians would continue to look up to them as the inner circle of Christianity. He explains to them that the bondage the Jewish Christians are trying to impose is akin to the bondage of the Law at Sinai. And that, while the Jewish Christians may think they are the seed of Sarah/Isaac and the Gentile Christians are the seed of Hagar/Ishmael, by their commitment to bondage they are actually revealing themselves to be the seed of Hagar/Ishmael and of Sinai, while the Gentile Christians who are resting in their faith are being revealed as the true sons of Sarah/Isaac and the sons of liberty through faith.
By chapter 5, Paul is reminding them obligation to some of the Law (circumcision) means obligation to all of the Law. Therefore, they should not seek to add to what they have in faith. They need to know that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision makes you more Christian, or more united to Christ, but that it is faith working through love. He is so serious about this that he wishes the circumcisors would just castrate/emasculate themselves.
As he moves towards his conclusion, Paul wants them to understand what fruits the flesh produces versus those the Spirit produces. Being in the Spirit, they should restore their brothers gently and bear one another's burdens. This temporary division should not lead them to look for faults in the other party in order to boast in themselves.
Then, he reminds them that a large part of what the Jewish Christians are doing is really only motivated by fear that they themselves will be persecuted. But, Paul needs for them to understand that circumcision nor uncircumcision count for anything, it is being a new creation that matters. And, he, himself, bears the marks of persecution, the marks of Christ, over this very cause.
That is a summary of Galatians according to N.T. Wright and his Paul for Everyone: Galatians commentary. I know there are many more nuances that could be made, and much deeper theology that could be gone over here. But, it was intended for accessibility and a wide audience.
From Wright's perspective, Paul is writing to the Galatians with this in mind.
The Galatians have been divided over circumcision, and he is writing to silence his accusers. Paul is upset that the one family has been divided over the issue of circumcision (which sometimes entails other aspects of the Law, such as keeping the Jewish assigned days, weeks, months, and years--the Sabbaths and Feasts.) Because his own authority and message has been called into question, he justifies them both, and explains that nothing has been added to it, by God or man.
He continues his argument by recounting the confrontation he had with Peter over this very topic. And then explains to them that their adopting the Law means that they are saying they are no longer trusting that God has accepted them by their faith, but that they now need to do more--keep the Law. And is this what they really think will perfect them, they start with the Spirit and end with the flesh?
He argues against this question by explaining that the promises of God to build a family are promises based on the faith of Abraham, not his circumcision, nor the fuller Law which would come 430 years later. In fact, he argues, that the Law came not as a guarantee to receive the promises God made to Abraham, but to protect His people until they were mature in the faith (through union with Christ by their baptism).
He then wonders with them why they would return to these old ways. That these Jewish days and circumcising were the same for the Jews as their pagan rituals were for them--albeit God-ordained rituals in the case of the Jews.
Then, he reminds them that the Jewish Christians are only demanding circumcision so that the Gentile Christians would continue to look up to them as the inner circle of Christianity. He explains to them that the bondage the Jewish Christians are trying to impose is akin to the bondage of the Law at Sinai. And that, while the Jewish Christians may think they are the seed of Sarah/Isaac and the Gentile Christians are the seed of Hagar/Ishmael, by their commitment to bondage they are actually revealing themselves to be the seed of Hagar/Ishmael and of Sinai, while the Gentile Christians who are resting in their faith are being revealed as the true sons of Sarah/Isaac and the sons of liberty through faith.
By chapter 5, Paul is reminding them obligation to some of the Law (circumcision) means obligation to all of the Law. Therefore, they should not seek to add to what they have in faith. They need to know that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision makes you more Christian, or more united to Christ, but that it is faith working through love. He is so serious about this that he wishes the circumcisors would just castrate/emasculate themselves.
As he moves towards his conclusion, Paul wants them to understand what fruits the flesh produces versus those the Spirit produces. Being in the Spirit, they should restore their brothers gently and bear one another's burdens. This temporary division should not lead them to look for faults in the other party in order to boast in themselves.
Then, he reminds them that a large part of what the Jewish Christians are doing is really only motivated by fear that they themselves will be persecuted. But, Paul needs for them to understand that circumcision nor uncircumcision count for anything, it is being a new creation that matters. And, he, himself, bears the marks of persecution, the marks of Christ, over this very cause.
That is a summary of Galatians according to N.T. Wright and his Paul for Everyone: Galatians commentary. I know there are many more nuances that could be made, and much deeper theology that could be gone over here. But, it was intended for accessibility and a wide audience.
January 27, 2014
I've been continuing to use these commentaries as a form of daily devotional reading, and have not been disappointed or grown tired of them yet. This may be my favorite so far. Having done an in-depth group study on the book of Galatians over 15 years ago, I was so impressed with how (seemingly) effortlessly Wright works out the major themes of the epistle and follows the quirks of its argument. In fact, he rather easily solves some problems that I and my fellow students had wracked our brains over. Not that I think Wright's interpretation is perfect, but to me it is excellent and well worth a read. Wish we'd had this book as a resource back in 1997!
April 11, 2015
Прегледах единствено коментара върху галатяните. Кратко, но много точно и съдържателно разглеждане на основните идеи в книгата. Чудесно начално място за човек, който сега започва да изучава библията по-сериозно или дори за някой, който се подготвя за сериозно изучаване на книгата и желае преди да пристъпи към по-обемни и технически коментари да получи начална идея за основните идеи и деление на мисълта.
March 28, 2015
I love this series. It's great for laypeople; I use it when teaching Bible studies. And it's also very useful as an easily understandable refresher guide for busy clergy. There's no one better than Dr. Wright!
October 29, 2018
Mr. Wright explores Paul's writings of Galatians and Thessalonians, again by breaking down the chapters into smaller collections of verses that explore a theme and helping point readers in the direction of where Paul was coming from and opening a picture of the world context his original readers would have had.
This series is good. The sections are fairly short, and explained well, so it's pretty easy to fit this into your daily schedule and have something understandable to ponder over. However, I didn't find this particular book as engaging. Perhaps because the others in this series I've read have had to deal with the gospels and I find story breakdowns more interesting than thought explorations. Generally, I relate to Paul more than most of the other New Testament authors (or even the other apostles), but I was having trouble not getting lost in all the "he was (most likely) traveling or staying here after coming from here and about to head there while writing to this group about this topic before he...". A timeline would have helped me digest this information more clearly, and as interesting as it was, to me, it disturbed the thought processes of the sections it was included in and just pushed me out of the message.
Content notes: No issues; Paul does set out moral guidelines, many dealing with relationships and how they should be healthy and what makes them not healthy, but not graphicly depicted.
September 28, 2017
Say what you will about N. T. Wright, but one thing is true: he can write. It's that British-ness that apparently creates good writers.
These brief meditations on scripture provide helpful illustrations focusing on the main thing of the passage. I generally read Wright for his illustrations and how he uses them to explain and tie together the passage. This is where, I believe, he excels.
I only read his commentary on 1 & 2 Thessalonians. I often (somewhat) disagree with his theology, but his writing always makes me think and challenges my understanding. Rarely does he convince me, but I nonetheless appreciate the engagement. For that alone, I find reading him helpful.
These brief meditations on scripture provide helpful illustrations focusing on the main thing of the passage. I generally read Wright for his illustrations and how he uses them to explain and tie together the passage. This is where, I believe, he excels.
I only read his commentary on 1 & 2 Thessalonians. I often (somewhat) disagree with his theology, but his writing always makes me think and challenges my understanding. Rarely does he convince me, but I nonetheless appreciate the engagement. For that alone, I find reading him helpful.
May 25, 2019
I really enjoy these little devotional readings as an add to my quiet time. I have not found another series of similar fashion that is practical, theologically sound, and concise. I have some theological disagreements with Wright - particularly as it relates to the eschatological issues raised in 1 &2 Thessalonians, but those are not deal breakers.
October 20, 2023
Now I understand why N.T. Wright is such a beloved Bible commentator. His ability to illustrate the letters of Paul, which I find quite inscrutable sometimes, in such a clear way, to bring the concepts into the modern word is truly a gift. I loved his insights and his thoughts about Christian living today.
January 1, 2018
Once again, I found N. T. Wright's commentary on Galatians to be very helpful. Parts of Galatians are pretty complex, but N. T. Wright does a great job explaining them. I found this book to round out well my study on Galatians.
July 6, 2018
You Can't Go Wrong With Wright
Simple but thorough! Tom Wright has a refreshing way of making biblical truth come alive using his own translation of the text followed by stories to illustrate and explanations to instruct.
Simple but thorough! Tom Wright has a refreshing way of making biblical truth come alive using his own translation of the text followed by stories to illustrate and explanations to instruct.
April 16, 2021
Some of the metaphor's were a stretch, but the commentaries consistently delivered exegetical insight and pastoral application. I got a lot out of it and plan on, God willing, reading through the rest of N.T. Wright's Paul and NT for everyone series.
September 26, 2023
Overall, this is a very good guide through these books of the Bible. But parts of it dragged by, and I was unmotivated to keep reading at times. Also, the writer is from England, so there are several British idioms and spellings to get through.
July 29, 2017
Another awesome "devotional" book from N.T Wright I read this summer!
January 29, 2018
Good study for first time readers.
August 26, 2020
Top drawer stuff as usual.
December 30, 2021
Classic Tom Wright so very informative and helpful.
July 14, 2022
It was fine, but I don’t think he went in nearly as much depth as Wright usually goes in. It was a little bit of a disappointment.
November 29, 2024
Good at some points, but too shallow even for this series. It feels like Wright called a lot of these chapters in from home.
May 19, 2025
I expected a better analysis and interpretation and focus on certain texts and ideas.
January 10, 2023
I find these books so helpful. I wanted a commentary to help with understanding Galatians better and this fitted the bill perfectly.
June 15, 2011
This is a part of Tom Wright's "For Everyone" series of New Testament commentaries (there is an accompanying series of Old Testament commentaries "For Everyone" written by John Goldingay). Specifically it is part of the "Paul For Everyone" subset.
Here, Wright pulls together the apostle Paul's letter to the Galatians and links it to the two letters to the Thessalonians. The rational for this (since they don't sit next to each other in the New Testament) is that they are the three earliest of Paul's letters and so, presumably are coming from a similar theological place. The commentaries on Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, which sit between Galatians & Thessalonians in the New Testament, appear in a separate volume of "Prison Letters".
The "For Everyone" tag line, as well as the informal author name (Tom Wright rather than N T Wright), tells you who this is aimed at. Although he is a respected theologian who has contributed much to New Testament thought, here Tom Wright is writing for the ordinary reader, for those who don't have a theology qualification.
The style is friendly and informal includes a complete translation of the letters (written in a similarly friendly and informal style). After each section, Wright then comments and looks at the issues raised, usually beginning with a sermon illustration-type story.
For me, the style is almost too informal and slangy. Not that I think it should be overly ponderous and respectful, but just that it would probably sound better being read out loud than written down. The overall impression is of a friendly vicar paraphrasing the reading before launching into a short homily on it. But that, I suppose, is the point.
Here, Wright pulls together the apostle Paul's letter to the Galatians and links it to the two letters to the Thessalonians. The rational for this (since they don't sit next to each other in the New Testament) is that they are the three earliest of Paul's letters and so, presumably are coming from a similar theological place. The commentaries on Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, which sit between Galatians & Thessalonians in the New Testament, appear in a separate volume of "Prison Letters".
The "For Everyone" tag line, as well as the informal author name (Tom Wright rather than N T Wright), tells you who this is aimed at. Although he is a respected theologian who has contributed much to New Testament thought, here Tom Wright is writing for the ordinary reader, for those who don't have a theology qualification.
The style is friendly and informal includes a complete translation of the letters (written in a similarly friendly and informal style). After each section, Wright then comments and looks at the issues raised, usually beginning with a sermon illustration-type story.
For me, the style is almost too informal and slangy. Not that I think it should be overly ponderous and respectful, but just that it would probably sound better being read out loud than written down. The overall impression is of a friendly vicar paraphrasing the reading before launching into a short homily on it. But that, I suppose, is the point.
October 21, 2014
This is a particularly difficult book to review because of how Mr. Wright chose to cover some of Paul's shorter epistles after 1 & 2 Corinthians. Instead of going through it linearly, that is between Galatians and Philemon one book at a time, Mr. Wright has grouped them chronologically based on when scholars believe they were written. And since Galatians and 1 & 2 Thessalonians are believed to be some of Paul's earliest letters they are grouped together accordingly, even though in the New Testament there are three books (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians). Thus, I had to put this book aside for a little bit as I am reading through the New Testament cover to cover. Still, in spite of that weird hiatus, Mr. Wright still shines brighter expounding upon the Pauline epistles than on any of his previous commentaries. Some of the specific commentaries on Galatians and his views on what Paul's vivid imagery means in Thessalonians are well worth pondering. So, if you don't mind the odd grouping of these three epistles, I still recommend this book to you for your daily devotional readings.
May 2, 2011
Galatians contains some of the most controversial material for the "New Perspective on Paul" movement, so this book was especially good to read. I believe N.T. Wright explains the epistle well, though I'm still left scratching my head in a few places. I'll certainly be returning to this book in the future.
This commentary series, "The New Testament for Everyone", seems to be designed for devotions, and perhaps small study groups. The text is broken up into nice bite size chunks, with commentary always spanning three pages. Wright interacts with the text carefully and intelligently, but always in an accessible manner. Wright's goal is that even the newest Christians should easily be able to read these books, and I believe he attains his goal. I highly recommend this series, especially this particular volume.
This commentary series, "The New Testament for Everyone", seems to be designed for devotions, and perhaps small study groups. The text is broken up into nice bite size chunks, with commentary always spanning three pages. Wright interacts with the text carefully and intelligently, but always in an accessible manner. Wright's goal is that even the newest Christians should easily be able to read these books, and I believe he attains his goal. I highly recommend this series, especially this particular volume.
June 20, 2011
I own all of the series that he has written so far, but have only read Mark before this. I am now going to keep reading them all continually. They are such a panacea for someone like me who has been to so many sunday school lessons, heard so many sermons, and even read the new testament several times over each. I need Wright's scholarship, always accessible and compelling, to move me forward in both my knowledge and love of the new testament. I know enough now to know how much I don't/can't get on my own, so Wright helps me here. I love the insight I get into what each new testament church was facing and how this illuminates the text. I would recommend this to anyone.
January 21, 2013
An entry-level commentary on Galatians and 1/2 Thessalonians.
Wright's commentary, as in all the "for everyone" series, remains excellent. He provides a understandable (if not quite British) translation of the text in sections, followed by some illustration and commentary for each section. The commentary demonstrates the major theme of each letter and concisely sets forth Paul's primary meaning in context to those to whom he is writing. Application is made when appropriate.
An excellent resource for understanding Galatians and 1/2 Thessalonians.
Wright's commentary, as in all the "for everyone" series, remains excellent. He provides a understandable (if not quite British) translation of the text in sections, followed by some illustration and commentary for each section. The commentary demonstrates the major theme of each letter and concisely sets forth Paul's primary meaning in context to those to whom he is writing. Application is made when appropriate.
An excellent resource for understanding Galatians and 1/2 Thessalonians.
February 20, 2016
It is a great experience reading N.T. Wright's teaching all the way through one of Paul's letters. While I have read many books of his I enjoyed the developing ideas around a single book of the Bible. Galatians is a wonderful letter, as are 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and I was encouraged and challenged while reading through this very accessible reader's commentary on the 3 letters. I'm looking forward to reading the other commentaries in the series.
June 12, 2013
N.T. Wright has provided a great gift to the church with these commentaries. I just got done using the Galatians one for my class on Galatians. The commentary is clear and easy to understand. Each section provides an illustration that helps elucidate the passage. I recommend this to be a major part of the curriculum in the churches.
October 25, 2015
Yet another gem. Like all the other books in N.T. Wright's "Everyone" series, this volume takes a slow and steady look through the lessons of these letters, giving both historical context as well as contemporary application and illustration.
I use these "Everyone" books for a morning devotional. They are always enriching. I would highly recommend to any and all!
I use these "Everyone" books for a morning devotional. They are always enriching. I would highly recommend to any and all!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews