Sacra Pagina: Galatians (SP)

by Frank Matera

Publisher:

Liturgical Press

, 2007

Overview

Paul’s Letter to the Galatians has played a major role in the history of theology, especially in the Church’s teaching on grace, faith, and justification. This commentary argues that Paul’s doctrine of justification by faith is essentially social in nature and has important ecumenical implications for the Church today. In its original setting, Galatians established a foundation for the unity of Jewish and Gentile Christians: all are justified by the faith of Jesus Christ.

In addition to illuminating the historical situation that led Paul to write his Letter to the Galatians, this commentary pays careful attention to the rhetorical structure of this letter and its theological message. The author provides a fresh translation of Galatians, critical notes on each verse of the text, and a careful commentary of the letter in light of Paul’s theology.

Theories abound on the question of Galatians, why it was written, what it says, and what the implications of that message are. Yet few scholars have devoted themselves at length to this letter. What sets this work apart is its extent and detail, and its academic rather than popular intent.

In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Explores the doctrine of justification by faith
• Examines the unity of Jewish and Gentile Christians
• Presents the rhetorical structure and theological message of Galatians

Contents

Top Highlights

“He proclaims the divine origin of his apostleship in order to establish the divine origin of the Torah-free gospel that he preaches among the Gentiles.” (Page 41)

“For Paul, Christian morality is a matter of living in the correct realm. Those who dwell in the realm of the flesh will inevitably do the works of the flesh, while those who live in the realm of the Spirit—and obey the urging of the Spirit—will enjoy the fruit of the Spirit.” (Page 205)

“it appears that the agitators were Jewish Christians from Jerusalem who espoused circumcision and Law observance” (Page 4)

“Third, tę̄ eleutherią can be understood as a dative of instrument (‘by freedom,’ ‘with freedom’) in which case the sense is: by freeing us from the Law, Christ set us free. Or it can be understood as a dative of purpose (‘for freedom’), i.e., Christ set us free for the purpose of being free from the Law.” (Page 180)

“While the primary sense of the verb dikaioun is forensic (God acquits humanity), Paul’s statement that Christ lives in him (v. 20) indicates that this acquittal results in a new life for the believer.” (Page 93)

Product Details

• Title: Galatians
• Author: Frank Matera
• Series: Sacra Pagina Series
• Volume: 9
• Publisher: Liturgical Press
• Print Publication Date: 2007
• Logos Release Date: 2013
• Pages: 272
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. N.T. Galatians › Commentaries
• Resource ID: LLS:SP9GAL
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:54:56Z

About Frank Matera

A priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford, Frank Matera was born in New Britain Connecticut. He studied at Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, St. Bernard Seminary in Rochester, and at the Catholic University of Louvain, where he received his MA. After several years of parish work, he pursued doctoral studies at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA, where he received his PhD in 1981. His dissertation, The Kingship of Jesus: Composition and Theology in Mark 15 was subsequently published by Scholars Press. Professor Matera taught at St. John’s Seminary in Boston from 1982–1987 and has taught at the Catholic University of America since 1988. A student of Paul, he is the author of commentaries on Galatians and 2 Corinthians and is presently working on a commentary on Romans. Interested in the theological dimension of the New Testament, he has published books on the Passion Narratives, New Testament Ethics, New Testament Christology and, most recently, the Theology of the New Testament.