The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians

Tyndale New Testament Commentaries

by R. Alan Cole, Paul the Apostle

The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (TNTC) have long been a trusted resource for Bible study. Written by some of the world's most distinguished evangelicals scholars, including F. F. Bruce, Leon Morris, N. T. Wright, and Donald Guthrie, these twenty volumes offer clear, reliable and relevant explanations of every book in the New Testament.

Formerly distributed by Eerdmans Publishing Co., InterVarsity Press is pleased to begin offering this series as a compliment to the popular Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC). Like the TOTCs, the TNTC volumes are designed to help readers understand what the Bible actually says and what it means. The aim throughout is to get at the true meaning of the Bible and to make its message plain to readers today.

Genres: Theology, Reference, Nonfiction, New Testament, Christian, Biblical Studies, Scripture

188 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1964

Reviews

[Daniel Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

its a commentary, what am I supposed to write here
woo Bible

[Joe Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid volume in the Tyndale series. A good intro that focuses somewhat on whether the letter was written to the north or south Galatians which is a theme that also informs the commentary. This volume goes deeper into the Greek than most other volumes in this series so far, but you would expect this in a 240-page book that is explaining a 3000-word letter. This turns the commentary into something closer to a middle-tier rather than an intro commentary. You feel like you are in solid hands with Cole as your teacher.

[Matthew Oberlander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allen Cole did a wonderful job keeping this commentary right in the middle of the road. Challenging, inspiring, and thorough. I really appreciated the spotlight on the Greek terminology. It was a great resource/springboard to the very necessary word studies within the letter.

[Nicholas Pokorny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A barely technical commentary about a helpful Epistle. Cole navigates salvation by grace alone delicately and concisely, providing his own modernized translation of the epistle throughout.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the Tyndale New Testament Commentary, is going through a sweeping revision, with most volumes going through a much needed revisions or new volumes being added. One of the few works which is not schedule for a revision in this current but soon to be all encompassing sweep is a commentary on Paul’s epistle to the Galatians by R. Allen Cole.

Cole’s volume is indicative of the rest of the TNTC, it is a small yet powerful exegesis of a letter which the reformers highly exegeted and some of the most crucial orthodox doctrines are found. While this volume does not have a ton of application it is written with a deep pastoral tone and a eye on the original meaning of the text. Furthermore this volume examines the greek more than most volumes in this series, but never fear for any whose greek is not up to speck for all of the greek is transliterated.

Cole’s commentary has been in circulation since 1965, it therefore did not have any interaction with some of the new theological theories, such as the New Perspectives on Paul. While this volume lacks some the modern touch the exegesis that Cole puts forth is superb. Also while the TNTC is a introduction volume it is well worth the a purchase and while this commentary needs to be paried with a more up-to-date commentary, most pastors would hard pressed to find a better low cost high upside commentary.

This book was provided to me free of charge from IVP Academic in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.

[Rock Rockwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book for a quick reference/commentary on Galatians. As in all Tyndale Commentaries, the background of the book, the outline, and key cultural elements are addressed before the commentary. Many people skim over commentaries to find out a particular verse's meaning, but please take the extra time to read a whole commentary as you teach through the book. Tyndale commentaries help with knowing the author, the author's intent, cultural setting, recipients, etc. so that the Scriptures are understood in context. The flow of the commentary is brief but refers always to the broader cultural context of the original recipients so that today's ideologies are not falsely imposed on the Scriptures. Tyndale Commentaries do not include much "application" which is good, so that the main point is understanding the Scriptures and allowing the teachers to exegete their hearers and apply accordingly.

[Brantley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to be impressed with these short commentaries. The TNTC and TOTC commentary sets (for the most part) are well written and cover the particular book in an accessible yet scholarly manner. R. Alan Cole's work on Galatians provided a valuable resource when weighing through the Biblical text alongside more academic works. I look forward to reading more of these in future study of the Bible.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent.