Abbreviations
Series Foreword
Author’s Preface
Introduction to Galatians
The Historical Influence of Galatians
Author, Audience, Date
The Literary Type and Structure of Galatians
Contemporary Significance of Galatians
Features of this Commentary
The Letter Opening, 1:1-5
*Galatians as an Apostolic Epistle
*The Special Function of the Letter Opening
+Practicing a Christ-Centered Faith
+Understanding Atonement
+Separation from the World
+Language
PART 1 (1:6–4:11): A Rebuke: Defending the Truth
The Problem in the Galatian Churches, 1:6-10
*Grace
*Authority
*Curse as Discipline
+Uniqueness of the Gospel
+Authority in Church Life
+Discipline, Power, and Peace
Paul’s Defense of the Gospel as New Revelation, 1:11–2:21
Thesis Statement, 1:11-12
*Paul’s Defense of His Authority
*Opposition to Paul
*Relating the Human and the Divine
+Paul’s Experience—Unique or Exemplary?
+Certainty of Faith
Conversion and Call, 1:13-17
*Reconstructing Paul’s Life
*Paul’s Conversion
*The Formation of Paul’s Theology
+Revelation and Tradition
+The Relationship of Conversion and Call
+Practicing the Centrality of Christ
Visit with Cephas and James, 1:18-20
*The First Visit to Jerusalem
*Leadership in the Jerusalem Church
+Integrity of Leaders
Sojourn in Syria and Cilicia, 1:21-24
*In Christ
+Glorifying God
Visit with the Leading Apostles, 2:1-10
*Leadership and Authority
*Church Unity and Truth
+Leadership and the Faithful Church
Incident at Antioch, 2:11-21
*Justification and Righteousness in Scripture
*Faith in Paul and James
*Identification with Christ
+Equality in Church and Society
+Justification, Sanctification, and Discipleship
+Practicing the Centrality of Christ
Paul’s Defense of the Gospel as Fulfilled Revelation, 3:1–4:11
The Issue Identified, 3:1-5
*Signs and Wonders in Paul and the New Testament
*Dualism
+Miracles
+Spiritual Maturity
The Theological Argument, 3:6–4:11
Example of Abraham, 3:6-9
*Faith and Promise
*The Blessing of Abraham
+Faith
Curse of the Law, 3:10-14
*Law and Faith
*Christ and the Curse
+Faith and Law in Judeo-Christian Tradition
Primacy of Promise, 3:15-18
*The New Testament View of the Old Testament
+A Christian View of the Old Testament Scriptures
Place of the Law, 3:19-24
*Monotheism in Paul and the Old Testament
*Life and Law
*Rhetoric and Truth
+The Law and Christians
Fulfillment in Christ, 3:25-29
*Baptism in Paul
*Equality Issues in Paul
+Gender Issues in the Church
Freedom of God’s Children, 4:1-7
*The Elements of the World
*Early Christian Experience of the Gospel
+The Elements of the World: Contemporary Relevance
The Application to the Galatians, 4:8-11
*Knowing and Being Known
+Freedom and Bondage
+Knowledge and Faith
Part 2 (4:12–6:10): A Request: Obeying the Truth
Example of the Apostle, 4:12-20
*Formation in Christ
*Imitation in Paul
+Discipleship and Life in Christ
A Scriptural Case for Corrective Action, 4:12-31
*Allegorical Use of Scripture
*Discipline among the People of God
+Biblical Interpretation in the Life of the Church
+Discipline in the Believers Church
Standing Fast in Freedom, 5:1-12
*Freedom in Scripture
*Indicative and Imperative
*Grace and Perseverance
+Servile and Filial Obedience
+Faith Working through Love
Overcoming the Flesh by the Spirit, 5:13-24
*Love as Ethical Norm
*Spirit, Flesh, and the Human Will
+Virtues of Community Formation
+The Place of the Spirit in Christian Experience
Acting in Conformity to the Spirit, 5:25–6:10
*Individual and Community
*Community of Equality and Mutuality
+Mutual Aid and Benevolence
Conclusion to the Letter, 6:11-18
*The Significance of the Cross
*Creation Old and New
+Cross and Discipleship
+Conversion and New Creation
Outline of Galatians
Essays
The Faith of Jesus Christ
Judaism in the Time of Paul
Literary and Rhetorical Features of Galatians
Paul’s View of the Law in Galatians
Map of the New Testament World
Bibliography
Selected Resources
Index of Ancient Sources
The Author