Galatians Through the Centuries

Paul’s letter to the Galatians is one of the most creative and subversive of the New Testament writings, drawing its energy from the fierce controversy which, to his great distress, was disturbing the congregation recently founded by Paul. One of the major sources of inspiration for the Reformation, it was also one of the writings most frequently turned to by the Fathers, as the Church sought to establish itself as the Church of the Empire.

This commentary looks at some of the major commentators on the letter – Chrysostom, Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Perkins, Lightfoot – and at the very different worlds which sprang from their readings.

The volume opens with an extended essay, setting the commentators in their historical setting and showing the close dialogue which exists among them. It then looks more closely at how they interrogate Paul’s text and at the way the text shapes their understanding of their worlds.

Series Editors’ Preface.

Preface.

List of Abbreviations.

Galatians 1:1–9: The beginning of Paul’s argument.

Galatians 1:10–24. Paul argues for his independence as an apostle (I).

Galatians 2:1–10 Conference at Jerusalem.

Galatians 2:11–2:21. Justification by faith: the new life in Christ.

Galatians 3:1–14 Life in the spirit contrasted with living under the curse of the Law.

Galations 3:15–29. The purpose of the Law and the new life of Sonship of God.

Galatians 4:1–20 Paul contrast the Galatians’ present state as Christians with their former lives.

Galations 4:21–31: A concluding allegory.

Galatians 5: The new life of faith.

Galations 6: NewCreation: life beyond the Law.

Galalations 6:11–18 A new creation.

Glossary.

Bibliography.

Index

John Riches was until his retirement in 2003 Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at Glasgow University. Among his books on the New Testament are Jesus and the Transformation of Judaism (1980), A Century of New Testament Study (1993) and Conflicting Mythologies (2000).

?John Riches′ contribution to this excellent series is a well–focused, rich collection of work from key writers on Galatians from Marcion to the present day.? ( Journal for the Study of the New Testament , September 2009)

"An invaluable treasure trove of carefully selected interpretations, but more important is the overall picture that it paints of the extensive dialogue about Galatians, and the questions the book raises about the relationship between the text and its readers." (Ecclesiastical History, April 2009)

"Riches provides an in–depth, clear, and interesting study of Galatians by highlighting debated issues within the letter. Those studying Galatians would find this commentary well worth their study." (European Journal of Theology, April 2009)

?This book is such a useful and admirable work of scholarship that I hesitate to find any fault with it.? (Catholic Biblical Quarterly, Spring 2009)

"One can only be grateful for the wealth of material assembled here. All theological libraries must have not only this attractive volume, but all the other volumes published in this series." (International Review of Biblical Studies, 2007–2008)

"[The book] looks at sacred texts and how they have been interpreted over time." (Church Times, October 2008)