Product Description "Luther had a very sharp and satirical style; but his Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians was his favorite work. His favorite doctrine was justification by faith alone, and not by works, moral, legal, or evangelical; but we must do him the justice to observe, that he perpetually inculcated the absolute necessity of good works. According to him, a man is justified only by faith; but he cannot be justified without works; and where those works are not to be found, there is assuredly no true faith... His followers called themselves Lutherans, much against his mind; but they recede from him in many things, as may be seen by their writings... Melancthon says, 'I am a logician; and Justus Jonas is an orator; but Luther is good at everything: the wonder of mankind; for whatever he says, or writes, it penetrates the heart, and makes a lasting impression." (Excerpts from "Life of Luther," in Luther's Commentary on... Galatians, p. lxx).
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This is, in my estimation, the greatest non-canonical book ever written.
Luther expounds Paul's epistle to the Galatians with an insight, power and depth of emotion which is sorely lacking in modern commentaries. He is not concerned with the various potential interpretations of "problematic passages" that fill the pages of other commentaries. From the very first page Luther cuts to the heart of the epistle-the doctrine of justification-in the way that only he can. His bold words and plain-sense interpretations result in a work filled with much of the same force and passion that characterized the epistle itself. The grace of God and the love of Jesus Christ cling to every word like the scent of a precious perfume. I cannot recommend this work highly enough.
This is the very essence of the gospel as understood by the one who "rediscovered" the doctrines of faith and grace as he teaches us from the words of the one to whom God first revealed those doctrines. If you are looking for an up-to-date critical commentary or a greek-focused exegetical work then you will not find it here, but if you would hear a plain declaration of the power and wisdom of God then you will not find a better treatise apart from the Bible.
My Favorite Galatians Commentary I Have! Mar 30, 2004
Not too long ago I wrapped up a year-long study of Galatians. In the process, the Spirit used the book to bring the definition and perils of legalism to bear on my life. Just as in Galatians 3:1, seeing Christ clearly portrayed as crucified for my sins, how could I foolishly even presume to think that there was something that I could add to this salvation?! God used the book to literally change my life: making me fall deeper in love with Christ, shoving me to my knees at the foot of the cross, and revealing and removing many of my personal legalistic hopes of justification other than Christ.
That is what I love about Luther's commentary. Luther was learning this stuff and loving it as he was teaching it. He was not a theologian who had the benefit of walking in the steps of bible-loving, grace-espousing mentors. He was pierced by the word and the Spirit changed his heart by it. This is what you see in Galatians. During my study I read many great commentaries, but my favorite was Luthers. Luther acts in this commentary as both an exegete and a pastor. This is a commentary that you may just want to curl up with on the couch after you finish studying a section and read and read again. His passion is contagious.
(By the way, my other favorite Galatians commentaries were MacArthur's and Hendriksen's. Calvin's and Stott's came in a close #4 and #5). I hope this helps.
