Galatians
About
In this addition to the critically acclaimed BECNT series, highly regarded New Testament scholar and teacher Douglas Moo offers a substantive yet accessible commentary on Galatians. With extensive research and thoughtful chapter-by-chapter exegesis, Moo leads readers through all aspects of the book of Galatians--sociological, historical, and theological--to help them better understand its meaning and relevance.
As with all BECNT volumes, Galatians features the author's detailed interaction with the Greek text. This commentary admirably achieves the dual aims of the series--academic sophistication with pastoral sensitivity and accessibility--making it a useful tool for professors, students, and pastors. The user-friendly design includes shaded chapter introductions summarizing the key themes of each thought unit.
About the Series
The Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (BECNT) series provides commentaries that blend scholarly depth with readability, exegetical detail with sensitivity to the whole, and attention to critical problems with theological relevance.
Endorsements
"There is certainly a place for many commentaries on Galatians, but those who invest in only one would do well to make it Moo's. Careful in its exegesis, balanced in its judgments, fair in its treatment of others, and theologically sensitive, Moo's Galatians, like his commentary on Romans, is sure to become a standard work in the field."
Stephen Westerholm, professor of early Christian studies emeritus, McMaster University
"Douglas Moo's expertise as a commentator is well known, and his skill is on display in this outstanding commentary on Galatians. Moo is scrupulously fair to opposing viewpoints and nuanced and careful in his explication of the text. In addition to a line-by-line explanation of the letter, Moo also offers a substantive and satisfying explanation of Paul's theology in Galatians."
Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
"An excellent commentary! Douglas Moo conducts a thorough exegesis in critical and constructive discussion with all the major new proposals for interpreting Galatians and Pauline theology, especially the New Perspective, and presents a clear and persuasive exposition of Paul's arguments in the epistle. Many scholars and pastors will appreciate this book as the most helpful and reliable commentary on Galatians currently available."
Seyoon Kim, senior professor of New Testament, School of Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary
"Moo has proven himself in his other New Testament writings--as well as now in his Galatians commentary--to be too good a scholar, too perceptive an exegete, and too persuasive a writer to be ignored by either his scholarly peers or the Christian world at large. His Galatians commentary is a veritable gold mine of linguistic data, of various scholarly options, and of Moo's own informed responses to all sorts of critical issues of importance in the study of Paul's letter to his Christian converts in the Roman province of Galatia."
Richard N. Longenecker†, professor emeritus of New Testament, Wycliffe College, University of Toronto
"Douglas Moo has written the single best commentary now available on Galatians. His exegesis of the text arises out of meticulous research in the primary sources and engagement with a vast range of secondary literature. His insightful and fair judgments are the product of balanced, mature reflection on the important theological issues that Paul raises in the letter. All this is expressed in clear, engaging prose that leads the reader back to the text of Galatians itself with a deepened understanding of its compelling theological vision."
Frank Thielman, professor of divinity, Beeson Divinity School
The Author
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Douglas J. Moo
Douglas J. Moo (PhD, University of St. Andrews) is Kenneth T. Wessner Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College Graduate School in Wheaton, Illinois. He has authored many books, including Galatians in the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New...
Continue reading about Douglas J. Moo
Reviews
"With characteristic thoroughness and critical insight, Douglas J. Moo makes a valuable contribution with this thorough yet readable interpretation of Galatians. Moo thrives in the format of this series, providing critical analysis conversant with the history of interpretation and the most recent scholarly conversations, delivered in clear prose accessible to those inside and outside of the academy. . . . Moo has done all readers of Paul a favor in producing this well-executed commentary. Moo follows in a long tradition of historical-critical commentaries on this confusing letter, but he stands above his predecessors due to the clarity of his writing, the comprehensiveness of his conversation, and the conviction of his reading."
Richard Manly Adams Jr.,
Review of Biblical Literature
"Moo reflects an admirable knowledge of the breadth of contemporary and historical literature on Galatians and on Paul's theology as a whole. The commentary also reflects an awareness of the most recent discussions of New Testament Greek, of social and historical backgrounds, and of various debates. . . . I consider most of Moo's exegesis as a model of the kind of careful work to which any scholar should aspire, and I am impressed with the care and insight with which most arguments are put forward."
Roy E. Ciampa,
Review of Biblical Literature
"Moo has built a substantial reputation as a commentator, chiefly on the Catholic letters and the Pauline epistles. . . . Moo's exegesis is sure-footed and reliable throughout. . . . Moo has produced a detailed and highly serviceable commentary on this epistle. . . . This is a solid and reliable exegetical work."
Paul Foster,
Expository Times
"Moo's new commentary on Galatians is a much-welcomed addition to the literature devoted to the letter. . . . This is a fine treatment of Galatians, one that is certain to remain a standard for many years to come. In keeping with this series of commentaries, it will be of service to readers across a broad spectrum of biblical training and interests."
Don Garlington,
Bulletin for Biblical Research
"Moo is thorough in identifying the exegetical issues of the letter and references a wide range of secondary literature. His experience as a biblical translator shows in his sensitivity to grammatical issues and to the various English translations, especially the force of the verb tenses and noun case usages. He provides excellent discussions of the textual basis for Paul's biblical citations. . . . He has assembled a very useful summary of current scholarship structured by his own reading. He succeeds in his purpose, and the commentary belongs on the shelf of all who grapple with Paul's letter to the Galatians. The commentary would be especially suitable for a graduate or upper-level seminary course on Galatians (not coincidentally the level at which Moo teaches), especially a course engaging secondary literature on Paul's letter."
A. Andrew Das,
Interpretation
"With this commentary Moo is cementing his place as one of the ablest NT exegetes currently working today. . . . With the BECNT series, Baker has offered many useful refinements in content and page layout that make included volumes easy and pleasant to use. . . . [Moo] is agile with evidence, fair in his treatment of differing viewpoints, and convincing in his arguments. . . . Moo has produced a traditional, conservative, and exegetical commentary of Paul's letter to the Galatians with a proper balance between details on the one hand and synthesis on the other. Almost all readers will find it to be quite useable for all kinds of work. Those who are interested in scholarly research of the text will find it most serviceable, but those whose primary focus is exposition will be helped as well. This is another fine volume in the BECNT series, and I look forward to Moo's next exegetical volume, whatever that may be."
Michael H. Burer,
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
"Moo's commentary on Galatians . . . provides a wide range of information. . . . Moo is tempered in his conclusions throughout. . . . Moo allows room for his readers to think through the issues through a spectrum of scholarship. Where certain readings demand clarity Moo cuts through the fog by examining the text's syntax and its history of interpretation to reason his position on the text. The beauty of this commentary is the readability from all levels of Greek competency. . . . This Galatians commentary is a worthy edition to include in any collection, including the high-quality volumes in the BECNT series. The work in its own right is a substantial contribution to New Testament studies. Moo sorts through the varying viewpoints in the ongoing debates and weighs arguments carefully. . . . Moo's command of the text and history offers much to contemplate when considering Paul's letter to the Galatians."
Donald H. Kim,
Southwestern Journal of Theology
"A good number of worthy commentaries appear in every publishing cycle. This year, one of the most important is Douglas J. Moo's new commentary on Galatians. . . . Moo offers a comprehensive and thorough approach to understanding Paul's letter to the Galatians. He offers a model of scholarship in addressing the critical issues and historical questions concerning this book of the Bible. Moo is also adept at dealing with the theological issues that arise in the interpretation of the biblical text. . . . Moo is judicious, careful, and patient in dealing with these issues. On the other hand, he does not allow the commentary to become an endless series of footnotes to previous scholarship. He enters that conversation, but then quickly turns to assist the reader in understanding the biblical text. This new commentary is relevant to the life of the church, reverent in its approach to the text, and genuinely helpful in its exegetical insights. . . . Walking through a commentary of this stature, with the Bible on one side of the table and the commentary on the other, will help the preacher to understand how to read and study Scripture. In that sense, reading this commentary is akin to entering the classroom with Douglas Moo. For that, we should be grateful."
R. Albert Mohler Jr.,
Preaching (Annual Survey of the Year's Best Books for Preachers, 2013)
"[Moo] is careful to present the full range of exegetical options while firmly presenting his own position on each disputed issue. Nevertheless, Moo is not afraid to hold positions tentatively in places where a final interpretive decision is difficult to reach. . . . He is fair to those with whom he disagrees. . . . Moo writes well and presents a full and reliable summary of every exegetical discussion. His commentary will also serve as a good, up-to-date dialogue partner with commentators such as Dunn and Richard Longenecker."
Philip Richardson,
Religious Studies Review
"This new commentary on Galatians provides exactly what the church and the academy have come to expect from Doug Moo, an exegetically sensitive attention to the text under discussion and a vindication of a robustly Protestant and evangelical perspective. On most issues, when various opinions are surveyed, Moo judiciously organizes the material in a helpful manner that is easy to read and clear. Readers can be assured that they will not be bogged down by extraneous debates but can find compelling arguments without getting lost in the secondary literature. This will be a great commentary to have in your own personal library. . . . Preachers, teachers, researchers, and seminarians will find Moo's commentary on Galatians to be a reliable guide on the grammatical nuances of the Greek text as well as the broader theological concerns of the church. I highly commend it."
John Anthony Dunne,
Themelios
"A very extensive and thorough commentary on Galatians. . . . Moo pays due attention to different views on the meaning of the words and explanations of the texts, discusses their pro's and con's, and explains his choice in the light of its immediate context, of Paul's different usages of it in the different contexts of Galatians and in his other letters, a comparison of its use in the rest of the NT, LXX, OT, Greek literature, and how it is translated in different English versions. . . . Every one of the five chapters of the commentary is supplied with an introduction; each pericope is introduced by a shaded portion to assist the reader in locating the salient sections of its treatment. Footnotes refer to relevant points in other writers, etc. At the end of each exegetical unit additional notes discuss textual problems."
Francois Malan,
Neotestamentica
"Moo's commentary on Galatians is another significant contribution from the pen of a world class evangelical New Testament scholar. The commentary's combination of grammatical-historical exegetical rigor, rich theological reflection, and pastoral sensitivities make this work both another welcomed addition to the now famous Baker Exegetical series in the evangelical community and a must read for scholars, students, and pastors who are working through Galatians. . . . As I teach and preach through Galatians in the classroom and in the church, I will look often to this fantastic addition to the Baker Exegetical Commentary series. . . . Scholars, students, and pastors should purchase this commentary and watch a master exegetical craftsman do his work with excellent scholarly precision and careful exegetical skill!"
Jarvis J. Williams,
Southern Baptist Journal of Theology
"Moo highlights important theological themes found in Galatians. . . . As expected with Moo, his commentary on the text itself is top quality. . . . His scholarly capabilities are clearly evident in his discussion of the Greek text and interaction with fellow scholars. . . . Moo's commentary on Galatians is to be commended. . . . His masterful handling of the Greek text has elucidated, as well as any previous commentator, what Paul said to the first-century Galatian churches. This commentary is one that seriously takes into account scholarly work on both Paul and Galatians. It is one that every serious student of Galatians should have, and it is one that I myself will use in personal study and teaching."
David Champagne,
Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry
"Moo offers a high-quality commentary for NT expositors. He interacts with the Greek text thoroughly and presents other views fairly. . . . This contribution promises to enrich and edify God's people for years to come."
Mark A. Hassler,
Master's Seminary Journal
"Students of Paul's letter to the Galatians will welcome this recent commentary by well-known New Testament scholar, Douglas J. Moo. . . . Moo's commentary on Galatians maintains the high standard of scholarship and careful exegesis of his earlier works. . . . Moo's work is a masterful engagement with both the text of Galatians and recent trends in contemporary scholarship. . . . Each section of the commentary is marked by helpful introductions, careful exegesis, and rich expositional observations. While some knowledge of Greek is helpful to benefit from Moo's study, the bulk of the commentary can be grasped by the average reader interested in learning more about the theology of the book of Galatians. Sure to become a standard treatment in its field, Moo's work will be especially valued by pastors and preachers for its rich insight on this pivotal Pauline letter."
James M. Garretson,
Banner of Truth
"Doug Moo is one of the finest NT exegetes I know of. Everything he publishes is worth reading carefully, and this latest tome is no exception."
Andy Naselli,
Thoughts on Theology blog
"[Moo] offers a stabilizing, weighty offering to the Church with his excellent commentary on Galatians. . . . Moo provides a balanced, well-reasoned, and articulate argument for each exegetical move. . . . Many commentaries bog readers down with footnotes filled with democratically driven validation--whatever position gets the most votes wins--not so here. He arrives at his conclusion not according to the vote of those who agree on a viewpoint but based upon the veracity of the tenable position. . . . Moo's commentary on Galatians is a ballast for pastors wishing to faithfully exegete the message of this letter. You will not be disappointed in this commentary. You'll find yourself consulting Moo's commentary on Galatians endlessly as you preach through Paul's earliest and seminal letter."
Joey Cochran,
Pastors Today blog (LifeWay)
Praise for the Series
"In this age of unprecedented proliferation of biblical commentary series, it is an outstanding accomplishment for the Baker Exegetical series consistently to have produced what with only rare exceptions have become the best available commentaries on the Greek text of the New Testament book or books treated."
Craig Blomberg,
Denver Journal
"Rigorous exegesis by seasoned scholars with explicit evangelical commitments. This is also one of the best-designed, easy-to-read series as it includes intro matters, then each commentator's translation, commentary, and textual notes for every passage. Very reliable."
Bruce Riley Ashford and Grant Taylor,
Between the Times blog