Paul's Letter to the Galatians has played a major role in the history of theology, especially in the Church's teaching on grace, faith, and justification. This commentary argues that Paul's doctrine of justification by faith is essentially social in nature and has important ecumenical implications for the Church today. In its original setting, Galatians established a foundation for the unity of Jewish and Gentile Christians: all are justified by the faith of Jesus Christ.
In addition to illuminating the historical situation that led Paul to write his Letter to the Galatians, this commentary pays careful attention to the rhetorical structure of this letter and its theological message. The author provides a fresh translation of Galatians, critical notes on each verse of the text, and a careful commentary of the letter in light of Paul's theology.
Theories abound on the question of Galatians, why it was written, what it says, and what the implications of that message are. Yet few scholars have devoted themselves at length to this letter. What sets this work apart is its extent and detail, and its academic rather than popular intent.
Rezensionen / Stimmen
It would make a worthy addition to anyone's personal library.The Australian Biblical Review Matera's commentary on Galatians was the first to appear in the Sacra Pagina series. His introduction addresses the classical background issues that relate to Galatians, foremost being the identity of those against whom Paul writes. . . . The commentary sections are balanced and offer careful exegesis from a historio-critical perspective.The Expository Times Matera has written a clear, straightforward, and convincing commentary.Internationale Zeitschriftenschau . . . Uniquely explained and scholarly presented, this presentation of the meaning of the Letter to Galatians, as one of the most influential of the New Testament, should be powerfully relevant to contemporary peoples.Emmanuel
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Höhe: 229 mm
Breite: 152 mm
Dicke: 15 mm
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ISBN-13
978-0-8146-5972-4 (9780814659724)
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Schweitzer Klassifikation
Frank J. Matera was for many years the Andrews-Kelly-Ryan Professor of Biblical Studies at the Catholic University of America. A former president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America, he is presently the pastor of St. Mary's Church in Simsbury, Connecticut. He has published commentaries on Romans, Second Corinthians, and Galatians and written books on New Testament theology, New Testament Christology, New Testament ethics, and Pauline theology. Matera's previous works published by Liturgical Press include Strategies for Preaching Paul, Preaching Romans: Proclaiming God's Saving Grace, The Sermon on the Mount: The Perfect Measure of the Christian Life, and Resurrection: The Origin and Goal of the Christian Life.
CONTENTS
Editor's Preface ix
Preface xi
Abbreviations xiii
Introduction
I. The Crisis at Galatia 1
II. Paul's Response to the Crisis at Galatia 11
III. The Identity of the Galatians 19
IV. Galatians Today 26
V. Bibliography 33
Translation, Notes, Interpretation
INTRODUCTION:
GREETING AND STATEMENT OF ASTONISHMENT (1:1-10)
The Greeting (1:1-5) 37
A Statement of Astonishment (1:6-10) 44
I. THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL (1:11-2:21)
Paul's Gospel Not of Human Origin (1:11-12) 52
Paul Received His Gospel through a Revelation (1:13-17) 57
The Jerusalem Church Did Not Commission Paul (1:18-20) 65
Those in Judea Glorified God because of Paul (1:21-24) 65
Paul Defended the Truth of the Gospel at Jerusalem (2:1-10) 71
Peter Betrayed the Truth of the Gospel at Antioch (2:11-14) 84
We Are Justified by the Faith of Jesus Christ (2:15-21) 92
Excursus: Galatians and the Acts of the Apostles 105
II. THE CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE (3:1-5:12)
The Spirit Did Not Come through Legal Works (3:1-6) 111
The People of Faith Are Abraham's Descendants (3:7-14) 117
The Law Does Not Annul the Promise (3:15-20) 125
The Law Is Not Opposed to the Promise (3:21-25) 134
Those in Christ Are Abraham's Descendants (3:26-29) 141
Do Not Return to the Period of Your Minority (4:1-11) 148
Become As I Am (4:12-20) 158
Expel the Children of the Slave Woman! (4:21-31) 167
Avoid Circumcision! (5:1-12) 179
III. LIVING BY THE SPIRIT (5:13-6:10)
Love Fulfills the Law (5:13-15) 192
Walk by the Spirit (5:16-26) 198
Fulfill the Law of Christ (6:1-10) 212
THE CONCLUSION (6:11-18)
The Conclusion (6:11-18) 224
Indexes
Selected Scriptural Quotations 234
Other Literature 243
Index of Authors 245
Index of Subjects 248
Supplemental Bibliography 251
