The Epistle to the Galatians (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) [Hardcover]

Ronald Y. K. Fung (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1988

In this careful and balanced commentary, Fung contributes to scholarly discussion of Pauls writing and to the needs of preacher and student. He argues that the doctrine of justification by faith was central to Pauls ministry from the beginning, and he shows how the apostle set out the doctrine in response to the Galatian crisis. The detailed commentary is based on the NEB.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 342 pages
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; 2nd edition (January 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802825095
• ISBN-13: 978-0802825094
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #102,186 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Galatians Commentary so far, September 17, 2006

By 

David A. Bielby "Ev Xpistw" (Normal, IL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Epistle to the Galatians (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) (Hardcover)

I have about 30 to 35 commentaries on Galatians in my office this year as I am working through the book for a sermon series (I'm a pastor). I was pleasantly surprised at the basic verse by verse exegesis of this commentary and find myself looking at it more closely than the other commentaries I have. I find a lot of scholarship has been clearly packed into each sentence he writes with clear statements he communicates crucial concepts line after line. I found some of his observations help a preaching pastor to develop better sermons. For example, an easy one is the point that when Paul says 'Grace and Peace' he is using an impartation style. The implications of that are overlooked in other commentaries I examined. Almost every nuance is helpful...as he explores the order of the Pauline verse descriptions it helped me to identify mirror like patterns in Galatians 1.

I also like the way he describes things better than most commentaries. Even in the NICNT series sometimes one has too look elsewhere for preachable phraseology. But I've found that a lot of Fung's stuff will preach almost as it is.

He's very good. I think that he has earned a place among the top few commentaries on Galatians written in English. I heartily recommend you get this-even over his mentor (FF Bruce) on Galatians NIGTC...which is pretty good as well. I usually go to Stott for preaching phrases, but not in Galatians. I'm sticking with Fung for now.

So whether you agree with the other reviewer or not about the South Galatians theory and it's implications, the basic verse by verse exegesis is exceptionally helpful and I'm very excited to have this commentary in my library.

I recommend you buy this one.

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A creditable commentary, August 14, 2000

By 

Mark McEntire - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Epistle to the Galatians (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) (Hardcover)

Fung's commentary on Galatians replaces one of the older volumes in the NICNT series. The updating has allowed a full consideration of the more recent developments in Galatians scholarship, particularly the immense influence of the work of Hans Dieter Betz. This series of commentaries is committed to an evangelical perspective, a commitment which has a positive and negative impact on this particular volume. On the negative side, Fung accepts the "South Galatia" theory of provenance with very little critical examination, seemingly motivated by the desire to connect the letter with the account in Acts 16. Fung spends a large portion of the introduction attempting to reconcile the chronology of Galatians 2 with that of Acts. His theological assumptions require him to conclude that the Jersalem meeting described in Galatians is not the same one reported in Acts 15 in order to keep Paul's report in Galatians honest and make it match the chronology of Acts. The argument here is laborious and confusing. Readers not familiar with the issue will have a hard time following. On the positive side, in the main part of the commentary the text receives primary attention. Fung gives ample attention to issues of textual-criticism and Greek grammar. Every verse receives significant attention, and the observations about the text should be useful to pastor, student, or scholar. Fung is largely persuaded by Betz, but rhetorical method and jargon do not dominate the commentary. This commentary certainly ranks behind those of Martyn and Longenecker, but a wide range of readers, especially those with evangelical commitments, should find it quite useful.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have reference, August 15, 2005

By 

William E. Wetherington (Monticello WI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Epistle to the Galatians (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) (Hardcover)

As a lay Elder, I have found this volume to be indispensable in my studies while leading our body through a study of the book of Galatians. While it is a very scholarly work, at the same time it is not out of the reach of the non-seminary trained individual. This is a very dificult ballance to achieve, but Dr. Fung has succeeded in doing just that. This is a must have reference for all students of this book!