This phrase-by-phrase commentary and exposition of the New Testament books of 2 Corinthians and Galatians is in use as a college textbook, yet is suitable for lay church members.
2 Corinthians and Galatians were written by Paul during the same time period of his life, to two different churches wrestling with similar, thorny issues. The threat to New Testament Christianity posed by the Judaizers is rightly framed by information learned from 2 Corinthians and Galatians. Time and again in 2 Corinthians, Paul emphasizes his apostolic message and apostolic authority, and insists that the new covenant gospel message which reflects the truths Jesus taught during His earthly ministry is what is now to be preached. The new covenant Scriptures are to be treated as our rule of faith and practice. In Galatians, Paul examines what is involved in the faith that God looks for as He would justify men who have sinned. Is it faith alone (i.e., knowledge, assent, and trust), or is it a faith that includes obedience to what God has said? In his words to Peter - "a man is not justified by works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 2:16) - Paul persuasively proves that the faith that saves is habitually doing what God says, not walking by man-made religious rules. The Judaizers who championed rules like the Pharisees taught were distorting the gospel message as preached by Jesus' apostles (Galatians 1:7).
This commentary is conservative evangelical Christian in outlook, yet skillfully examines the Scriptures from multiple theological viewpoints. Introductory Studies cover authorship and attestation, place and date of writing, original target audience to whom the letters were addressed, and the original purpose for writing. Two extended Special Studies address issues crucial to our understanding of how God deals with people He would save:
- Readers are introduced to the Dead Sea Scroll referred to as 4QMMT and the subject "works of the Law." The study demonstrates how 4QMMT helps us rightly understand Paul's contrast of faith v. works of the Law.
- Justification by Faith is given extended treatment, and key theological questions are addressed. Biblically, what is "justification" and what is "faith"? Is sola fides (faith alone) the condition upon which God justifies sinful men? How and how often is justification applied to men by God? And how has our understanding of the New Testament been impacted by the New Perspective on Paul that has dominated theological discussions for the past 30+ years?
Since this commentary presumes the God-inspired nature of all Biblical writing, the author seeks to harmonize the teachings of 2 Corinthians and Galatians with other relevant Scriptures, and also helpfully examines the original language in which the epistles were written. An annotated bibliography of other commentaries on 2 Corinthians and Galatians encourages readers to extend their own studies.
This commentary continues the author's series on the books of the New Testament, and is written from the unique standpoint of the Restoration Movement, a position which allows him to approach Scripture with no special theological doctrine or dogma to defend and explicate. This approach provides an unhindered freedom to listen to what the Holy Spirit would tell us within the pages of sacred Scripture. By deliberately employing the time-honored grammatico-historical method of intepretation, the Word of God is allowed to impress upon our minds the intent the Divine Author had in mind.
The author is Professor Emeritus at Central Christian College of the Bible (Moberly, MO).
