Would you like to understand the book of Galatians better? Galatians is rich in theology, yet its message can initially confuse readers to the extent that even scholars and pastors use resources to aid their understanding. Using the right Galatians commentary can unlock the teachings of Galatians so you can easily understand them and apply them to your life.
The Bible instructs Christians to seek wisdom (Prov. 1:7, James 1:5) and who better to learn from than pastors, theologians, and professors who have been studying and teaching Galatians for decades?
10 Best Galatians Commentaries
The best Galatians commentaries are listed below. There are exegetical commentaries, scholarly and technical commentaries, as well as commentaries that are easy to understand. They are not suggested as a replacement for prayer, the Holy Spirit, and the reader’s own diligent study of Scripture. The
“Top 10” list is based on aggregate academic reviews. Please use the list below as a starting point for learning about Galatians commentaries. It is not intended to be the “final word” because of its limitations. Nevertheless, a list based on aggregate reviews is likely to point you in the right direction to find the right resource for your purposes.
#1
Galatians
Word Biblical Commentary
by Richard N. Longenecker
Reviews and Accolades:
• Desiring God: #1 recommended commentary on Galatians
• D. A. Carson: a “best buy” on Galatians; “accessible to the reader without much without much skill in Greek”
• Craig Blomberg, etal: a priority commentary on Galatians
• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “the most helpful Greek commentary on Galatians”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Longenecker takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He taught at McMaster Divinity College, which is evangelical and multi-denominational, with a Baptist heritage.
This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers. This volume will be maximized by readers who have had training in Greek.
Longenecker is well-known for his Romans commentary in the NIGTC series, which is considered one of the best Romans commentaries.
The publisher notes that the WBC series “delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation.” See more about the Word Biblical Commentary series.
Please also see Best Commentary Series: The Top 50. Based on aggregate reviews.
#2
Galatians
Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament
by Douglas J. Moo
Reviews and Accolades:
• D. A. Carson: a “best buy” on Galatians
• Craig Blomberg, etal: a priority commentary on Galatians
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Moo takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Reformed. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
Though this is an exegetical commentary, Moo offers an abundance of theological reflection.
Moo is well-known for his James commentary in the PNTC series, which is considered one of the best James commentaries.
The publisher notes that the BECNT series combines “scholarly depth with readability, exegetical detail with sensitivity to the whole, and attention to critical problems with theological awareness.”
See more about the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament series.
After browsing the commentaries below, see the best one-volume Bible commentaries, based on aggregate reviews.
#3
Galatians
New American Commentary
by Timothy George
Reviews and Accolades:
• Keith Mathison: #3 commentary on Galatians; “one of the better volumes in the NAC series”
• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “an excellent theological exposition”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: George takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Baptist.
This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers. There is more preaching help than exegetical help in this volume.
The publisher notes that the NAC helps “pastors, teachers, and students to read the Bible with clarity and proclaim it with power.” See more about the New American Commentary series.
#4
The Epistle to the Galatians
New International Greek Testament Commentary
by F.F. Bruce
Reviews and Accolades:
• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “a technical but meaty exposition”
• Keith Mathison: #2 commentary on Galatians; “a very helpful contribution for those who wish to dig deeper into the original text”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Bruce takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for readers who can follow a technical Greek commentary.
Bruce is well-known for his Acts commentary in the NICNT series, which is considered one of the best Acts commentaries.
The publisher notes “at a time when the study of Greek is curtailed in many schools of theology, we hope that the NIGTC will demonstrate the continuing value of studying the Greek New Testament.”
See more about the New International Greek Testament Commentary series.
#5
Galatians: Pentecostal Commentary
by Gordon Fee
Reviews and Accolades:
• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “a fresh and clear exposition”
• Craig Blomberg, etal: a priority commentary on Galatians
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Fee takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He fellowships with the Assemblies of God.
Fee is well-known for his 1 Corinthians commentary in the NICNT series, which is considered one of the best 1 Corinthians commentaries.
This commentary is best for individual study, devotional reading, Bible studies, and adult Sunday school classes. The publisher notes that commentaries in this series are written “from a Pentecostal perspective.”
#6
Galatians
Reformed Expositional Commentary
by Philip Graham Ryken
Reviews and Accolades:
• Keith Mathison: #1 commentary on Galatians; “helpful to pastors and teachers,” “very highly recommended”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Ryken takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Reformed. This commentary is best for individual study, devotional reading, Bible studies, and adult Sunday school classes.
Ryken wrote the Luke commentary in the same series, which is considered one of the best Luke commentaries.
The REC series has “four fundamental commitments. First, these commentaries aim to be biblical… Second, these commentaries are unashamedly doctrinal… Third, these commentaries are redemptive-historical… Fourth, these commentaries are practical…”
See more about the Reformed Expository Commentary series.
#7
Galatians
Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament
by Thomas R. Schreiner
Reviews and Accolades:
• D. A. Carson: a “best buy” on Galatians; “helpful to students and pastors alike”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Schreiner takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Baptist and Reformed.
This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
Schreiner is well-known for his Hebrews commentary in the BTCP series, which is considered one of the best Hebrews commentaries.
The publisher notes that the ZECNT series “was refined over time by an editorial board who listened to pastors and teachers express what they wanted to see in a commentary series based on the Greek text.”
See more about the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament series.
#8
Galatians: Paul’s Charter of Freedom
by Leon Morris
Reviews and Accolades:
• Keith Mathison: #4 commentary on Galatians; “careful, insightful, and edifying”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Morris takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He was Anglican and Reformed (d. 2006).
This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers. This commentary is not part of a series.
Morris is well-known for his Matthew commentary in the PNTC series, which is considered one of the best Matthew commentaries.
The publisher notes that readers “who have puzzled over the twists, turns and compressed arguments of Galatians will be delighted to have Morris as their guide. The text that through the centuries has stirred and ignited the embers of gospel faith speaks with clarity again in our day.”
#9
Grace in Galatia: A Commentary on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians
by Ben Witherington III
Reviews and Accolades:
• Craig Blomberg, etal: a “priority” commentary on Galatians
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Witherington takes an evangelical approach to Scripture.
This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
Witherington is well-known for his Revelation commentary in the SRC series, which is considered one of the best Revelation commentaries.
The publisher notes that this commentary “features the latest discussion of major problems in Pauline studies, including Paul’s view of the law and the relationship between the historical data in Galatians and in Acts. Yet the narrative character of Witherington’s work allows it to remain exceedingly accessible.”
#10
Galatians
New International Commentary on the New Testament
by Rodney Y.K. Fung
Reviews and Accolades:
• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “a brief and helpful exposition for pastors”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Fung takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
Fung studied under F.F. Bruce. This volume was replaced by David A. deSilva in 2018 (see below).
The publisher notes that the NICNT provides readers “an exposition that is thorough and abreast of modern scholarship and at the same time loyal to the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God.”
See more about the New International Commentary on the New Testament series.
More Book of Galatians Commentaries for Christian Ministry
Please read: Why are the Galatians commentaries below not in the “Top 10”? It’s not necessarily because they have received poor reviews or because people haven’t found them helpful. The reasons vary:
- Some are relatively new and haven’t been widely reviewed, read, or used yet.
- Others haven’t been widely distributed, so it is difficult to get enough information to aggregate.
- Still others may be outdated in relation to biblical scholarship or out of print and difficult to acquire.
The “Top 10” list is reviewed annually. Readers are encouraged to consider the volumes in this section before making a purchase. These 10 are not in any particular order.
Galatians
Black’s New Testament Commentary
by James D.G. Dunn
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Reviews and Accolades:
• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “interesting exposition from an advocate of ‘the new perspective'”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Dunn takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is associated with the Church of Scotland and Methodism. Dunn is an advocate of The New Perspective on Paul.
This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
Dunn is well-known for his Colossians commentary in the NICNT series, which is considered one of the best Colossians commentaries.
The publisher notes that the BNTC series “has been hailed by both scholars and pastors for its insightful interpretations and reliable commentary.”
Galatians
Crossway Classic Commentary
by Martin Luther
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Reviews and Accolades:
• Keith Mathison: #5 ranked commentary on Galatians; a “great classic commentary,” “this commentary has been an inspiration to thousands”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Luther was a German professor of theology, priest, monk, and a central figure in the Protestant Reformation (d. 1546).
This commentary is best for individual study, devotional reading, Bible studies, and adult Sunday school classes.
The publisher notes the “Crossway Classic Commentaries present the very best work on individual Bible books, carefully adapted for maximum understanding and usefulness for today’s believers.”
Galatians
The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries
by J. Louis Martyn
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Reviews and Accolades:
• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “interprets Galatians from the perspective of ‘apocalyptic'”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Martyn takes a critical approach to Scripture. He taught at Union Theological Seminary (d. 2015). This commentary is best for readers who can follow a technical Greek commentary.
The publisher notes that the Anchor series “vigorously pursues the goal of bringing to a wide audience the most important new ideas, the latest research findings, and the clearest possible analysis of the Bible.”
Galatians
Hermeneia
by Hans Dieter Betz
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Reviews and Accolades:
• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “a technical but learned commentary”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Betz takes a critical approach to Scripture. He is a German-American scholar of the New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of Chicago.
This commentary is best for readers who can follow a technical Greek commentary. The publisher notes that the “Hermeneia is designed for the serious student of the Bible”
Global Readings: A Sri Lankan Commentary on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians
by David A. deSilva
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Reviews and Accolades:
• Craig Blomberg, etal: a “priority” commentary on Galatians
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: deSilva takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Methodist.
This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers. deSilva wrote the revised edition of Galatians in the NICNT series (see above).
The publisher notes “this innovative commentary by respected New Testament scholar David deSilva is grounded in both approaches: a careful exegesis of Galatians as a basis for discerning the challenge of Scripture in any social location.”
Verse-by-Verse Expository Commentaries
Galatians
New International Commentary on the New Testament
by David A. deSilva
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: deSilva takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Methodist. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
This volume replaced Fung’s in the same series (see above). The publisher notes that the NICNT provides readers “an exposition that is thorough and abreast of modern scholarship and at the same time loyal to the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God.”
Galatians
NIV Application Commentary
by Scot McKnight
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: McKnight takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is currently Professor of New Testament at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary.
McKnight is an advocate of The New Perspective on Paul. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
The publisher notes that the NIVAC series “not only focuses on application as a finished product but also helps you think through the process of moving from the original meaning of a passage to its contemporary significance.”
See more about the NIV Application Commentary series.
Galatians
The New Testament Library
by Martinus C. De Boer
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Boer takes an critical approach to Scripture. He is Professor of New Testament at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam.
The pubslisher notes that the NLT series offers “fresh translations based on the best available ancient manuscripts, critical portrayals of the historical world in which the books were created, careful attention to their literary design, and a theologically perceptive exposition of the biblical text.”
Galatians
IVP New Testament Commentary
by G. Walter Hansen
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Hansen takes an critical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
Hansen is well-known for his Philippians commentary in the PNTC series.
The publisher notes that the IVPNTC series is “informed by the best of up-to-date evangelical scholarship, presents passage-by-passage commentary based on the NIV along with background information on authorship, setting, theme and various interpretive issues.”
See more about the IVP New Testament Commentary series.
The Message of Galatians
The Bible Speaks Today
by John Stott
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Scott takes an critical approach to Scripture. He was Anglican and Reformed (d. 2011).
This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
Scott is well-known for his 1 Timothy commentary in the same series, which is considered one of the best 1 Timothy commentaries.
The publisher notes that the distinctives of the BST series are (1) “BST authors are committed to a serious study of the text in its own integrity,” (2) that “expositors should not be antiquarians, living only in the remote past” but suggest application for living, and (3) “each book is intended to be both readable in style and manageable in size.”
See more about the Bible Speaks Today commentary series.
Galatians
Concordia Commentary
by A. Andrew Das
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Theology, Audience, Purpose: Das takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is evangelical and Lutheran. While not technical, the volumes in the Concordia Commentary series reflect seminary-level scholarship.
The target audience is pastors, professors, and teachers. The target audience is pastors, professors, and teachers.
According to the publisher, authors in the Concordia series “fully affirms the divine inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture as it emphasizes ‘that which promotes Christ’ in each pericope.”
Galatians
Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Revised)
by Robert K. Rapa
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Rapa takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
The publisher notes that the REBC series reflects “scholarly evangelicalism committed to the divine inspiration, complete trustworthiness, and full authority of the Bible.” See more about the Expositor’s Bible Commentary series.
Galatians
Tyndale New Testament Commentary
by R. Alan Cole
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Cole takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
Cole also wrote the Mark commentary in the same series, which is considered one of the best Mark commentaries.
The TNTC series is “examines the text section by section, drawing out its main themes. It also comments on individual verses and deals with problems of interpretation.”
Galatians
Understanding the Bible Commentary Series
by L. Ann Jervis
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Jervis takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
The publisher notes that the UBCS offers “careful section-by-section exposition of the biblical books with key terms and phrases highlighted and all Hebrew transliterated. Notes at the close of each chapter provide additional textual and technical comments for those who want to dig deeper.”
See more about the Understanding the Bible Commentary Series.
Galatians
New Cambridge Bible Commentary
by Craig S. Keener
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Keener takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Arminian.
This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
Keener is well-known for his John commentary, which is considered one of the best John commentaries.
The NCBC series utilizes “recent gains in rhetorical criticism, social scientific study of the scriptures, narrative criticism and other developing disciplines, this series intends to provide a fresh look at biblical texts, taking advantage of the growing edges in Biblical Studies.”
Galatians
Lectio Continua
by J.V. Fesko
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Fesko takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Reformed.
This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
This publisher notes that each “volume of expositions aspires to be redemptive-historical, covenantal, Reformed and confessional, trinitarian, person-and-work-of-Christ-centered, and teeming with practical application.”
Galatians
Paideia Commentary on the New Testament
by Peter Oakes
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Oakes takes a critical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
The publisher notes that the Paideia series “approaches each text in its final, canonical form, proceeding by sense units rather than word-by-word or verse-by-verse.”
Classic Galatians Commentaries
Galatians
Geneva Series of Commentaries
by John Brown
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Synopsis: This commentary is best for individual study, devotional reading, Bible studies, and adult Sunday school classes. The publisher notes “the expositions of John Brown (1784-1858) are unusually helpful to all kinds of readers.
Charles Spurgeon said in his Commenting and Commentaries, ‘Brown is a modern Puritan of the utmost value. The volume on Galatians is one of the scarcest books in the market.'”
Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians
Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture
by Mark J. Edwards
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Synopsis: The publisher notes “this volume opens a treasury of resources for biblical study today. The expository voices of Jerome, Origen, Augustine, Chrysostom, Ambrosiaster, Theodoret, Marius Victorinus and Theodore of Mopsuestia speak again with eloquence and intellectual acumen, some in English translation for the first time.”
Also see:
Compare 75 different commentary series on the Bible Commentary Series Comparison Chart