GALATIANS

N. T. Wright

William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

4035 Park East Court SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

www.eerdmans.com

© 2021 N. T. Wright

All rights reserved

Published 2021

ISBN 978-0-8028-2560-5

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Wright, N. T. (Nicholas Thomas), author.

Title: Galatians / N. T. Wright.

Description: Grand Rapids, Michigan : William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, [2021] | Series: Commentaries for Christian formation | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Summary: “A translation of, and a commentary on, the letter to the Galatians with a specific focus on Christian formation in today’s world”—Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020051854 | ISBN 9780802825605

Subjects: LCSH: Bible. Galatians—Commentaries.

Classification: LCC BS2685.53 .W745 2021 | DDC 227/.4077—dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020051854

COMMENTARIES FOR CHRISTIAN FORMATION

Stephen E. Fowl, Jennie Grillo, and Robert W. Wall

Series editors

2020–present

The Commentaries for Christian Formation (CCF) series serves a central purpose of the Word of God for the people of God: faith formation. Some series focus on exegesis, some on preaching, some on teaching, and some on application. This new series integrates all these aims, serving the church by showing how sound theological exegesis can underwrite preaching and teaching, which in turn forms believers in the faith.

Uniting these volumes is a shared conviction that interpreting Scripture is not an end in itself. Faithful belief, prayer, and practice, deeper love of God and neighbor: these are ends of scriptural interpretation for Christians. The volumes in Commentaries for Christian Formation interpret Scripture in ways aimed at ordering readers’ lives and worship in imitation of Christ, informing their understanding of God, and animating their participation in the church’s global mission with a deepened sense of calling.

For Rob and Margie Forsyth

CONTENTS

Series Introduction

Preface

List of Abbreviations

INTRODUCTION

The Situation in Galatia

Paul’s Answer

Commentaries and Christian Formation

COMMENTARY

Galatians 1:1–17

Translation

Introduction

Apostleship and the Gospel (1:1–5)

Another Gospel? (1:6–9)

The Story So Far (1:10–17)

Conclusion

Galatians 1:18–2:10

Translation

Introduction

First Jerusalem Visit: A Happy Relationship (1:18–24)

The Second Visit: Standing Firm (2:1–10)

Conclusion

Galatians 2:11–21

Translation

Introduction

Peter in Antioch (2:11–14)

The Great Transformation (2:15–21)

Conclusion

Galatians 3:1–14

Translation

Introduction

The Spirit and Faith (3:1–5)

Abraham and the Covenant (3:6–9)

The Curse of the Law (3:10–14)

Conclusion

Galatians 3:15–29

Translation

Introduction

The Unbreakable Covenant (3:15–18)

Why Then the Law? (3:19–22)

Under the Paidagōgos (3:23–25)

Abraham’s One Family (3:26–29)

Conclusion

Galatians 4:1–11

Translation

Introduction

The New Exodus (4:1–7)

Don’t Go Back ...