Customer Reviews

Galatians (Anchor Bible)

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I'm a pastor who is working through Galatians for a sermon series. I'm also taking a grad class on Galatians right now, so I've been reading lots on this book...and studying the Greek text intensely. I heard from several people that Martyn's Galatians commentary was one of the best if not the best. I have to say I was surprised when I started reading it to see how fresh of a perspective he "brings to the table". For example, he starts off by viewing Galatians as if it were a drama. His explanations are memorable, poignant, and most important for pastors, preachable!

He also has more information available than most teachers or preachers need.

Let me illustrate: Jervis (NIBC Galatians) has a nice commentary with great comments throughout...150 pages. Martin Luther, FF Bruce, and R. Fung all have around 300 pages. Martyn's Anchor Commentary has over 600 pages on Galatians. On top of the additional information, he's relatively interesting to read because he says things differently than the rest and has fresh insight often. I have not read all of it, but what I have read it has been worth reading.

I heartily recommend this volume for everyone who is working through the text of Galatians. It's a great one! At the very top of the list in my opinion...right next to Fung's NICNT on Galatians.

I ordered this along with many other references when preparing to teach a class on Galatians. The others were helpful and some were impressive but without doubt, this was by far the most objective, scholarly, and best researched volume of the ones I purchased. It is truly comprehensive in its coverage of Galatians as well as all related themes (contextual, societal, theological, politico/historical, philological). Every conceivable issue connected with the Galatian epistle and the theology of the Apostle Paul must have been addressed in this volume. Be advised that if one is looking for devotional reading or "spiritualization" of the text, this is not the volume for them. For those wanting an academic volume it is money well spent. I wonder if all Anchor Bible commentaries are this meticulously written?

Another reviewer has described this commentary as "the gold standard," and I have to agree. My interest is understanding the NT docs in terms as close to their historical origins as I can, and this commentary does that better for Galatians than any single book on Paul I know. Martyn casually incorporates (but also goes well beyond) the New Perspective as he deals with issues and questions which encompass more than those typically addressed by the NPP (not to say the New Perspective is not important work). For an illuminating, verse by verse, graduate-level analysis of Paul's critical letter, a reading that brings us close to Paul's ancient-world mind, you cannot do better.

This is a great commentary, easy to read and follow. Thought-provoking. Highly recommend it.

The commentary on Galatians is one of the most complete, thorough writings I have read. The commentary covers every possible detail, even the most remote possibilities of interpretation, yet it is sound exegetically. There is some redundancy throughout making it a longer read than is necessary to convey the same thoroughness.