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

by Ronald Y. K. Fung (Author) "While adopting the basic structure of the form of greeting current at his time, Paul injects new meaning into this form of greeting by (a)..." (more)
Key Phrases: whence the quotation, hearing with faith, advocating circumcision, Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus, Jewish Christians (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Fung's study on the Epistle to the Galatians is part of The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Prepared by some of the world's leading scholars, the series provides an exposition of the New Testament books that is thorough and fully abreast of modern scholarship yet faithful to the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 375 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; 2nd edition (July 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: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #437,621 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 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 (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Mark McEntire (Tennessee) - See all my reviews

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very comprehensive coverage of Galatians, December 11, 2003

By	Chin Kuay "kuay2000" (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found this book by Ronald Fung very useful for understanding the very important Biblical book of Galatians. It covers all major views and interpretations before mentioning the author's preference. Unlike other reviewers, I do not find it difficult to follow. One key focus of the book is the doctrine of justification by faith alone. I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to understand Galatians beyond the brief explanations given in one-volume commentaries of the Bible.