High Definition Commentary: Galatians

Steven E. Runge

High Definition Commentary Series

Logos Bible Software, 2019

HIGH DEFINITION COMMENTARY:

Copyright 2019 by Logos Bible Software. All rights reserved. Published in the United States of America.

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Author: Steven E. Runge

Book Publisher and Editor: Brannon Ellis

Copy Editor: James Spinti

Acknowledgments

This is the fourth volume in an experimental series that continues to evolve in response to feedback from colleagues and readers. I wish to thank Brannon Ellis and Sean Boisen for their challenge to adapt this series toward a more print-friendly format by moving away from the use of graphics. This has resulted in devoting greater detail to the prose description of the devices and the effects they bring about compared to previous volumes. I also wish to thank those who have emailed or reached out on social media, encouraging me to continue this series based on how much they have enjoyed previous volumes. My hope is that the adaptations made here will still deliver the insight and clarity of my previous work despite the changes undertaken. The close reading demanded by this project has significantly challenged some long-held understandings of Paul’s argument to the Galatians. My hope and prayer is that readers will hold their preconceptions about the text with a similar openness to challenge and growth as you join me on this journey through Paul’s letter to the Galatians.

1. Introduction

How Is the High Definition Commentary Different?

What you are about to read is derived from a rigorous discourse analysis of the Greek text of Galatians. Discourse analysis doesn’t just look at what is said but how it’s said. By looking at how Paul phrased things in Greek, we can see the progression of his thoughts. The phrasing of every sentence in the New Testament presupposes decisions about communication—the same kinds of decisions we make every day.

This commentary guides you through the linguistic devices Paul used and shows what we can learn from them. It’s a guided tour of the Greek text—minus the unnecessary details. I highlight the important stuff for you.

Why I Wrote This Commentary

Commentaries either give you the big picture or all the detail. But what I really want is a commentary that gives you the details you need without losing sight of the big picture. That’s what this commentary is about.

In the Lexham Discourse Greek New Testament and the Lexham High Definition New Testament, I annotated all the significant discourse devices that aid us in biblical interpretation. There is one drawback to these volumes: the onus is on you to synthesize the data into a cohesive analysis. In this volume, I synthesize the conclusions that can be drawn from ...