In this newest volume of the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament series, Thomas R. Schreiner offer pastors, students, and teachers a focused resource for reading Galatians. Through the use of graphic representations of translations, succinct summaries of main ideas, exegetical outlines, and other features, Schreiner presents Paul's Epistle to the Galatians with precision and accuracy.
Thomas R. Schreiner (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author or editor of numerous books, including New Testament Theology; Magnifying God in Christ; Apostle of God's Glory in Christ; and Romans in the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament.
I learned and came to love phrasing while I was in serminary, and so I love the format of this commentary. And there is perhaps no one better suited to this format than Schreiner. This is a solid commentary, though it is very short, and comments on various debates are brief. Overall, I am in agreement with Schreiner's interpretation of the letter, which follows in the footsteps of Calvin and Luther, whom he interacts with regularly throughout.
Bible commentaries abound today. Scores of commentaries confront the would-be expositor of any book of the Bible, and almost nobody blinks at a new series of commentaries anymore. It goes without saying that the relative value of a given commentary is all over the map, and here perhaps more than anywhere else, a discerning eye is called for.
You guessed it, I’m getting ready for the “but you have to check out this new commentary series” line. But I really mean it. The new Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (ZECNT) series will live up to any amount of hype one can dig up. I’ve reviewed several commentaries, I own bits and pieces of a score of commentary sets, and have examined others besides, yet this series promises to be a true must-have, when it comes to exegetical commentaries.
Like many other students of Scripture, I’ve been schooled in Greek, but that was some time ago. I also aim to fix an opinion on any passage I plan to teach. But with the amount of scholarly material one must evaluate, the task can be a bit daunting. Opening a commentary for answers can lead to far more questions than originally conceived. And some commentators stand out for their pious, know-it-all approach to informing us of their thoughts on the subject.
In sharp contrast, Thomas Schreiner in his ZECNT commentary on Galatians, excels at making the task of studying and making judgments easy. He provides all the relevant arguments on a given question, both the pros and cons. He defends positions that he ultimately rejects, all in the effort of explaining what is at stake and how to best see the big picture in a given exegetical question.
The clarity and candor on display in Schreiner’s work is complemented by the brilliant (can I use that term of a commentary?) ordering of material conceived by the ZECNT editors. After allowing for an in-depth introduction to set the stage for the book, each unit of the text is addressed in such a way as to best help the teacher or preacher work through the material of the Text and see connections to the overall outline of the book, catching the flow of the larger argument. Greek is used throughout but never in an over the top way. Almost universally, the Greek follows the English, and the effect is to draw one into the Greek arguments more easily, encouraging and promoting the revival of long-forgotten Greek exegetical skills.
Each section begins with a literary context of the unit and a tie in to the over-arching outline of the book. Then the main idea is summarized in a few sentences. The English translation of the text is next given in a special graphical layout which highlights the relationship between the various clauses and phrases which make up the text. Following this, the structure of the textual unit is discussed and a more detailed exegetical outline is provided for the text just before a detailed explanation of the text (with footnotes) is offered. Finally, a pastoral application section concludes the discussion on the passage at hand. Theology is thus applied to life in a masterful way, which will help guide the teacher and pastor to make appropriate and relevant applications from the exegetical study he undertakes.
At the end of the commentary the major themes of the book are discussed, giving an overview, or summary of all that Galatians has covered. This section is a miniature biblical theology in a sense, and will be of great value to those seeking a bigger picture view of the book, before they dive into the separate pieces.
Now on top of all the positive things I’ve mentioned up to this point, Zondervan is to be commended for choosing a competent and careful scholar to pick up his pen for the Galatians commentary. Thomas Schreiner has written books on the question of Paul’s use of the Law, and on the more practical side of how the OT Law relates to Christians. He also is one who’s publicly disputed the New Pauline Perspective, standing for a conservative, Reformed view of justification by faith and imputation. The expertise and faithfulness Schreiner has shown over the years makes him eminently qualified to write this book. And furthermore, his attitude and style in writing remains irenic, open and fair-minded, even when he stands forcefully against a contemporary exegetical trend.
The problem passages are many in Galatians, and Schreiner succeeds in navigating them well. I’m particularly impressed by how the book maintains a pastoral perspective throughout. I shouldn’t be surprised, however, since Schreiner himself is a preaching pastor even as he fills the roles of professor of NT and associate dean of Scripture and interpretation for Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. A fine combination of learning and grace exude from the man himself and this book.
I can’t recommend the work more highly, and I’m now interested in checking out other titles of this exceedingly useful commentary series. If the Galatians volume is truly representative of the larger series, then the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary of the New Testament series is truly a must-have resource for the exegetically minded pastor and teacher.
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Disclaimer: This book was provided by Zondervan (via Koinonia blog) for review. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.
An expanded version of this review is available at CrossFocusedReviews.com, where you can find book excerpts, giveaways, promotional offers, audio reviews and more.
If I had to preach Galatians I would use this commentary. Gets to the meat of the bones, and the way Zondervan lays out the text and has context, main idea, exegesis, and theology in application - beautiful. Tommy boy has really good stuff in here, tho I disagree with some of his interpretive stuff (πιστός Χριστού and the law), it makes up for the rest of the letter with in depth yet brief exegesis.
This is an excellent commentary series that continues to surprise me with its thoroughness and practicality. I read through this commentary while teaching a class on Galatians and found it to be a helpful resource.
This commentary on Galatians is a thick but easy read. You don't need to know biblical Greek to follow this commentary since it focused mainly on how the author and various other people understood the verse and the problems with the various other understandings. Since the author argued (in the verse-by-verse section) for how I've always understood the verses, I really didn't learn that much new beyond how other people have viewed the verses. If you're interested in "critical scholarship" or are searching for answers to what's wrong with another person's interpretation that sounds wrong to you, then this is the book to read.
The commentary had an extensive introduction which included: who the author was, who the letter was sent to (with "for" and "against" arguments for the two views), when Galatians was written, the main views about the situation that Paul was writing about (as can be gleaned from his letter), and the overall structure of the letter.
Each chapter then covered a related group of verses. The author looked at the context of these verses, how they fit in the overall theme of the letter, and the main idea of the verses. These sections included a summary of what had been said in the previous chapters so you can jump to whatever verses interest you. Next, he laid out the Bible verses in a diagram showing the flow of thought in the passage (with tags like: setting, problem, solution, fulfillment).
After that, he examined the text. Each verse or part of the verse was given in English and then in the original Greek. The author then commented about his and other interpretations of the verses and the problems with the other interpretations. He also included some about notable tenses or word meanings and cultural or historical background information. He gave excellent footnoting to tell where the information came from or to comment more in-depth about something in the text. At the end of each chapter, there were a couple pages discussing how to apply the message in these verses to modern life.
Chalk this book up as another outstanding volume in the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary (ZECNT) series that has turned out a remarkably consistent set of commentaries. This time respected scholar Thomas Schreiner does the spade work that uses the ZECNT design that helps pastors and students alike and presents Galatians in a clear and helpful way.
Schreiner doesn’t leave us guessing as in the first few paragraphs of the Introduction his approach (a belief that the Reformers got it right, but not a defense of the Reformation itself)is laid out. I love how he dispensed with authorship in 3 sentences as there is no credible reason to doubt Paul. In his discussion of the recipients of the letter, he succinctly and fairly explains the both the North and South Galatian theories that divides scholars. He explains that it all rides on how Galatians correlates with Acts before he goes through all the arguments and concludes that the South Galatian theory is correct.
He goes on to explain date, background, opponents, and what the issue that Galatians addresses is all about. He provides discussion on structure before he proceeds to an outline.
The commentary is rich and, as expected, provides literary context, the main idea, a diagram, structure, an exegetical outline, and followed by detailed explanation of the text. Each passage concludes with a well done section on theology in application.
Again, ZECNT has provided one of the best commentaries of which I am aware on a particular New Testament book. You will want to add this volume to your shelves on the important book of Galatians.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
My favourite commentary series lately. Nails the mix of academic and practical that many commentaries aim for with the excellent structure of each section. Tom Schreiner was predictably good in his comments on the text, but his genuinely helpful application always surprises me (before I remember that he is a pastor as well as an academic.)
Schreiner’s summaries of the text and explanations of the text are very clear. I really enjoyed the structure and layout of this commentary. It was very helpful for sermon prep.
If you are looking through and evangelical commentary on the Greek of Galatians, Galatians, by Thomas R. Schreiner published by Zondervan Academic is what you are searching for. This commentary is a recent volume in the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament Series edited by Clinton E. Arnold, a series which is synonymous with excellent exegesis and superior application, this volume continues the long legacy. This volume is one of the most articulate and practical modern commentaries on the epistle of Galatians. While Schreiner is no stranger to Biblical commentaries this is his first foray into this first-rate commentary series.
Galatians, begins with the typical study into the introductory matters of this book of the Bible, this is common place in Zondervan Exegetical Commentary Series on the New Testament. This works dives into history and recent scholarship, of the book of Galatians which always helpful to Pastors, Teachers, and Scholars. This introductory section is one of the longest I have had the privilege of reading and it ranks as one of the best interaction with critical scholarship while giving evangelical conclusions.
In reference to the commentary sections on the text of the book of Galatians, Schnabel, takes great care in carefully showing the original context of passage while applying it directly to the modern day reader. He also uses his own translation of the Greek text, which demonstrates his depth of knowledge of the text itself. The outlines that he provides are also of great use for a pastor looking to preach though the epistle of Galatians.
With regard of recommending, Galatians, to others I would whole heartily recommend this commentary to students of scripture, with one caveat. By this I mean I recommend this work to Pastors, Bible Teachers, Bible College Students, and to a limited extent educated Laymen looking to teach a Sunday school class, there is enough scholarly weight to this work to understand a particular issue in the text while giving aid to pastors in preaching the text. There are many commentaries about the epistle to the Galatians available at this moment but Galatians of the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament series is a giant leap above all other commentaries on this book of the Bible.
This book was provided to me free of charge from Zondervan Academic in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.
Голямата сила на книгата е, че тя е написана изключително ясно и разбираемо. Авторът не те оставя да се чудиш какво иска да каже. Изложението по някои основни за писмото въпроси (напр. северната южната теория) е съвсем достъпно без да е повърхностно. Тълкуването и аргументацията са направени от стандартна, консервативна позиция. Макар че несъмнено познава и взаимодейства с някои нови виждания и понякога се опитва да им отдаде дължимото авторът без изключение застъпва традиционното виждане по основните въпроси. Личното ми впечатление е, че на някои места това не е достатъчно убедително, а понякога изводите му са преувеличени. Основното изложение обаче е съвсем умерено. Като цяло коментарът може да бъде много полезен без значение дали човек е съгласен с някои изводи или не. Неговата яснота помага да бъде чудесно въведение в текста. За тези, които искат да изследват допълнителни територии има достатъчно допълнителна литература.
Excellent exegetical commentary on the Book of Galatians, interacting with the views of many scholars and biblical languages. This commentary includes practical applications of theological implications after each exegetical section. One of the unique features not common to many commentaries is an ending chapter on the biblical-theological themes of the book, helpful for biblical studies reference. Schreiner does attempt to tackle serious interpretive challenges with a recognition of other probable solutions.
This is the first of the ZECNT series I have read or even referenced. I really enjoyed the emphasis on the text. In comparison with the BECNT series (which is probably my favorite) this series does not seem to deal as much with the history of interpretation and other higher criticism issues. However, this approach I think is more helpful for pastors or those seriously teaching through Scripture in a church setting.
One of my friends while preaching through Galatians. The most consistently helpful commentary. He is especially helpful in working through the fact that Jesus is the goal and finish-line of the law. He ends on a bd note with his interpretation of Galatians 6:16, but that theme of the church is the new Israel of God shows up at various points throughout. I recommend spitting out those bones, but feasting on the other good meat. Farewell, but not forever.
along with the study and power of the scriptures, this commentary has been the most impactful and practical reads to aid my growth in Christ. praise the Lord for His word and the depth that is in it. couldn’t have learned more about this difficult boon of Galatians without Schreiners work here. praise the Lord!
The layout of this commentary series is one the best I have ever seen and Schreiner is a first rate scholar. He represents NPP fairly while also offering helpful critiques. His discussion on the meaning of "works of the law" in Pauline thought is excellent.
Excellent commentary, very accessible for the layperson. Appreciate especially the way Schreiner builds on the literary context chapter by chapter, as well as the provision of a structural layout, and the verse by verse exegesis. Best on Galatians that I've seen.
Great commentary! Schreiner is clear, exegetically precise, and scholarly without being dull or dry. I may not agree with his Reformed theology, but I appreciate his defense of the traditional Protestant interpretation of the Epistle.
Maybe the best commentary on Galatians right now. Very, highly recommended. Not for light reading of course, but essential for the preacher, bible teacher, or very serious student of the Word.