Galatians: Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (EBTC) Hardcover – December 1, 2021

I’m quickly growing to love the Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (EBTC) series from Lexham Press. The recently published Galatians volume by Matthew S. Harmon is a solid commentary on all counts.  As with the other volumes I’ve used in the series, Harmon’s work is evangelical and conservative. He makes good use of sources and clearly explains the text while addressing significant points of grammar, syntax, discourse analysis, textual criticism, and lexical semantics. But the big reason to pick up the EBTC volume of Galatians is for its concentration on biblical theology. The commentary is appended with 100 pages of rich and detailed material on “Biblical and Theological Themes.” For Galatians, these themes include:-Salvation History and/or Apocalypticism-God-The Servant of the Lord-Seed/Offspring-The Law-Justification and Righteousness-Humanity-Faith-Paul’s Use of the Old Testament in GalatiansMost of these sections are further subdivided into more specific areas of discussion (e.g., a discussion on “works of the law” under the theme of The Law). It would be nice if every commentator formed a theological digest as the fruit of their exegetical effort. Harmon elaborates on key themes in line with his exegesis. Anyone studying the book of Galatians would be well served by reading the author’s treatment of these key themes.  The introduction is fairly short and standard. It covers authorship, background, structure, and outline. The author offers the best evidence for the North and South Galatian theories and works from the position of a South Galatian view. The exposition is detailed and follows the scheme of text, context, structure, exposition, and bridge. As with other volumes in this series, the bridge offers a synthesis and application for each section of the text. The exposition carefully explains Paul's material as he defends his authority and responds to his opponents by teaching the message of the gospel. The insights in the exposition are rewarding. Even his treatment of Paul’s well-known list of the fruit of the Spirit was helpful to my own understanding of the concluding words to 5:23: “the law is now against such things.” The commentary reads:Once the Mosaic law is removed as the structure that determines how God’s people relate to him and others, one might worry that believers are left to do whatever they want. But as Paul has already stated in 5:13–14, what the law was intended to produce but could not because of human sinfulness comes to fulfillment in the fruit that the Spirit produces in and through the believer (329–330). I’ve heard this text explained in a variety of ways. (Why would anyone think God’s law would be against any of the Spirit’s fruits in this list?) So I really appreciate Harmon’s take. I’m slowly collecting volumes of this series as I’m able, and there are some key distinctives. Each is incredibly accessible and written at the semi-technical level. Titles in this series use the CSB, which is a solid translation and a fresh way to read the Bible if you’ve never read it before. And they place a premium on the theological themes of the book and how they fit into the overall narrative of Scripture. Harmon’s Galatians commentary is another winner in this series.*Lexham Press gave me a free review copy of this book. This did not affect my thoughts in any way, so far as I know.

See my fuller review at SpoiledMilks (July 18, 2024)Matthew Harmon offers a great commentary on Galatians within an evangelical Reformed lens. He is careful to bring in the OT to show us how Jesus fulfilled God’s promises to his people in the OT, particularly how God would bless the whole world through Abraham and his seed. Harmon brings in the story of Scripture (biblical theology) so that you can understand Galatians, the previous role of the law, and the role of faith in Christ’s work now. He is consistent and clear in his exegesis, showing how Scripture helps interpret Scripture. This is written at a semi-technical level. While it is not devotional, it is not full of technical jargon and comes with bridges of application. The applications Harmon gives are not specific (this is the NIVAC or SGBC commentary), but they help guide us into how we should think as God’s justified people who have his long-promised Holy Spirit.This is a worthy commentary for any teacher or pastor.

Paul’s letter to the Galatians is a strong defense of the Gospel as well as Paul’s own authority. The latest in Lexham Press’ Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary series, Galatians by Matthew S. Harmon is an accurate and outstanding edition to help you understand what God is saying in Galatians.Adoption and SonsHarmon’s precision with the Greek is a forte. In Galatians 4:5, he specifically looks at the phrase “so that we might receive adoption as sons.” He points out that the verb translated “receive” is often used to refer to receiving something from God, sometimes even in eschatological contexts. The term “adoption as sons” is uniquely Pauline and often has a particular emphasis on the legal status of the one adopted as an heir.Furthermore, Harmon knows how to connect the New Testament with the Old Testament. “Adoption” is present in at least two places: Genesis 16:2 and Exodus 2:10. “Adoption” is one of Israel’s blessings (Rom 9:4) and probably refers to God describing the Israelite’s as “my firstborn son” (Exodus 4:22-23). This is a small sample of how Harmon’s grasp of the text and Biblical theology is exemplary.Salvation and FaithMy favorite part of the EBTC series is the section on Biblical and Theological Themes. Harmon presses into salvation, God, and the phrase “the servant of the Lord.” Interestingly, he concludes that this phrase is synthesized to show that Jesus is the Servant of the Lord who dwells in Paul. Paul is the servant in Isaiah 49 and Jesus is the servant from Isaiah 53. The key is in Galatians 2:20, revealing a self-understanding and a fulfillment of Scripture -- to fulfill the Servant's commission to be a light to the nations. This reveal was extremely fascinating and satisfying.Towards the end of the book, Harmon brings up the debate on the phrases regarding faith -- do they refer to “faith in Christ’ or “the faithfulness of Christ?” Harmon is persuaded that the objective genitive makes the best sense, and the phrase refers to the believers’ faith in Jesus Christ.Believers and the Family of GodA table of Old Testament passages Paul uses in Galatians concludes the book. It is a fitting way for Harmon to showcase his strengths in observing the entire Bible -- noting the primacy of the Abrahamic covenant -- and an ultimate fulfillment of believers belonging to the family of God.I received a media copy of Galatians (EBTC) and this is my honest review.