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Interpreting Galatians: Explorations in Exegetical Method

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Silva is at the top of his game in this richly packed combination commentary and discussion on exegetical method.

I haven't read anything as rich and thought provoking in awhile. This author has the gifts and ability to take you down into the historical and exegetical discussions of this biblical book at a level of depth that you may not have gone to before. To go down where Silva takes you, you need a guide who has read everything ever written about the epistle to the Galatians (in the original language of all the authors). It is almost like being on a guided tour through the archeological sites of (south) Galatia by Sir William Ramsay. The rich contours of the history of exegesis are handled with clarity and deftness. Our skillful guide shows us the great statues of Lightfoot and Bauer. We are allowed to marvel at them briefly before we move on to the modern day. If a scholar makes a misstep or an exaggerated claim, Silva is all over them. A key word here is "responsible" exegesis. The scholar, who writes with imprecision in Silva's area of expertise, stands in the cross hairs of extreme peril.

If you get this book and read it a couple of times, you will learn a lot from a great master of the material. Take a tour with Sir Silva; you will be the better Biblical expositor for it.