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

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

List Price: $32.00
Your Price: $21.12
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A creditable commentary
Review: 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.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Very comprehensive coverage of Galatians
Review: 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.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Old Perspective is Still the Right Perspective
Review: This is a brilliant work representing the traditional Reformed perspective. The introduction is excellent and the commentary flows well throughout. The exegesis is solid and lucid. There is little interaction with the "new perspective on Paul" but there is plenty of interaction with the text, which is what really matters. However, one is not left wondering about Fung's perspective.

Overall, I think this is one of the best on Galatians. I recommend using it along with F.F. Bruce's NIGTC, Richard Longenecker's Word Biblical Commentary, Ben Witherington's Socio-Rhetorical Commentary, and John Calvin's commentary.


Rating: 3 stars
Summary: An Excellent Traditionalist Contribution
Review: This is a very helpful work representing the traditional Reformed perspective. Fung was a student of F.F. Bruce and this work is clearly influenced by him as well as by Betz. The exegesis is solid and lucid. The interaction with the "new perspective on Paul" is sparse and Fung usually asserts traditional views without really dealing with the work of Sanders and Dunn. However, one is not left wondering about Fung's perspective.

Overall, I think this is one of the best traditionalist works on Galatians. I recommend using it along with Richard Hays' contribution to the New Interpreter's Bible (volume 11), Richard Longenecker's Word Biblical Commentary, Ben Witherington's Socio-Rhetorical Commentary, and James D.G. Dunn's commentary.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Pick Longenecker instead
Review: This is an OK commentary, but not as excellent as other volumes in this series. I'd put my money on Longenecker (WBC) instead, which is quite easily read despite the technical format of that series.


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