Galatians: Great Resources For Pastors

John M.G. Barclay, Obeying the Truth: Paul’s Ethics in Galatians

This readable revision of Barclay’s doctoral thesis is essential reading for a contextual, theological, and ethical reading of Galatians.

James D.G. Dunn, The Theology of Paul’s Letter to the Galatians

An excellent study of the theology of Galatians from a NPP scholar. I am using this as a textbook this year.

Gordon D. Fee, God’s Empowering Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul.

A classic and comprehensive study of the Holy Spirit in Paul; highly relevant to Galatians given the Spirit’s emphasis in chs. 3-6.

Bruce W. Longenecker, The Triumph of Abraham’s God: The Transformation of Identity in Galatians.

This is the best focused study on Galatians I have read; a bit dense for pastors, but worth it.

N.T. Wright, What Saint Paul Really Said

Wright has written a lot, but I often go back to this early study of Paul because of its concise nature and simplicity. This book was a major turning point in my study of Paul.

Other Resources

J. Louis Martyn, Theological Issues in the Letters of Paul

An early and influential set of studies advocating for an “apocalyptic” reading of Galatians and in Paul overall.

Beverly Gaventa, Our Mother Saint Paul

An excellent set of studies on “motherly” imagery in Paul, including Gal 4.

Nijay K. Gupta, Paul and the Language of Faith

Pardon my self-advertisement, but I do a lot of work with Galatians in this book. Check it out if you are interested.

Andrew Boakye, Death and Life: Resurrection, Restoration, and Rectification in Paul’s Letter to the Galatians

This is a really insightful study of resurrection and life in Galatians.

Paul’s “Works of the Law” in the Perspective of Second Century Reception

This book comes out in October 2020. Matthew let me peek at it in advance. It is an important study of how the 2nd century early Christian theologians processed Paul’s language of “works of the Law.” This book helps us look at New Perspectives and Old Perspectives on Paul from a fresh angle.