One “apocalyptic” reading of Paul’s letter to the Galatians has been attempted before and is now widely accepted, but that reading is not based on a thorough engagement with Jewish apocalyptic traditions of the Second Temple period. In this book, James M. Scott argues that there is an essential continuity between Galatians and Paul’s Jewish past, and that Paul uses the apocalyptic Epistle of Enoch (1 Enoch 92–105) as a literary model for his own letter. Scott first contextualizes the Epistle of Enoch using the entire Enochic corpus and explores the extensive similarities (and some significant differences) between the Enochic tradition and early Stoicism. Then he turns to deal specifically with Paul’s letter to the Galatians, showing that, despite their obvious differences, the two apocalyptic letters have some remarkable features in common as well. This approach to the interpretation of Galatians fundamentally stands to change the way biblical scholars understand Paul’s letter and the gospel that he preached. Paul is “within Judaism,” if the net for what is included in “Judaism” is wide enough to encompass the Enochic tradition.

This book examines the function of Paul's citations of scripture in his argument against the law in Galatians 3: 1-14. Drawing on selected insights of intertextuality while helping to clarify its assumptions and implications as a method of biblical study, Wakefield examines the "anonymous intertexts" and "ungrammaticalities" that arise from the scriptural citations in Galatians 3: 1-14. The resulting insights lead to the conclusion that Paul rejects the law--not only for salvation, but also as a means for Christian living--not because of any inherent defect but because its sphere of operation is the old age, not the new age initiated by Christ. Wakefield accordingly proposes a revised reading of Galatians 3: 10: "Because no one is justified in the law before God, it is clear that 'The righteous will live by faith.'" Paperback edition is available from the Society of Biblical Literature (www.sbl-site.org).

Leading New Testament scholar Craig Keener is widely respected for his thorough research, sound judgments, and knowledge of ancient sources. His four-volume magnum opus on Acts has received high praise from all quarters. This commentary on Paul's Letter to the Galatians features Keener's meticulous and comprehensive research and offers a wealth of fresh insights. It will benefit students, pastors, and church leaders alike.

'Apocalyptic' is a key concept for 20th century interpretation of Paul, embracing several major figures and strands of inquiry. But the category 'apocalyptic' has itself of late come in for scrutiny, which in turn reflects back on 'apocalyptic' interpretation of Paul. This study offers a review of interpretation, ranging beyond Pauline studies to address 'apocalyptic' interpretation generally. Sustained attention to what interpreters are doing with this category, placed alongside what is claimed as being done, reveals a hermeneutical story of considerable interest and wide relevance, which situates the whole interpretive dialogue.

The letter to the Galatians is a key source for Pauline theology as it presents Paul's understanding of justification, the gospel, and many topics of keen contemporary interest. In this volume, some of the world's top Christian scholars offer cutting-edge scholarship on how Galatians relates to theology and ethics. The stellar list of contributors includes John Barclay, Beverly Gaventa, Richard Hays, Bruce McCormack, and Oliver O'Donovan. As they emphasize the contribution of Galatians to Christian theology and ethics, the contributors explore how exegesis and theology meet, critique, and inform each other.

The Apocalyptic Paul is rapidly becoming one of the most influential contemporary approaches to the apostle’s letters, and one which has generated its share of controversy. Critiques of the movement have come from all sides: Pauline specialists, scholars of Jewish and Christian apocalyptic literature, and systematic theologians have all raised critical questions. Meanwhile, many have found it a hard conversation to enter, not least because of the contested nature of its key terms and convictions. Non-specialists can find it difficult to sift through these arguments and to become familiar with the history of this movement, its most important contemporary voices, and its key claims. In the first part of this book, New Testament scholar Jamie Davies offers a retrospective introduction to the conversation, charting its development from the turn of the twentieth century to the present, surveying the contemporary situation. In the second part, Davies explores a more prospective account of the challenges and questions that are likely to energize discussion in the future, before offering some contributions to the apocalyptic reading of Paul through an interdisciplinary conversation between the fields of New Testament scholarship, Second Temple Jewish apocalypticism, and Christian systematic theology.

Focusing on Paul's own statement about the Galatian crisis, Yon Kwon demonstrates that the letter is about Paul's pastoral engagement with the backsliding Galatians rather than his theological altercation with his opponents. Paul deals with the crisis in Galatia by reminding the Galatians of the implications of their present deviation for their future - the 'not yet' -, instead of affirming the blessings already realized in Christ by keeping in step with the Spirit - the 'already'.

This book attempts to investigate two strands in a single work: ‘apocalyptic Paul’ and ‘intertextuality’. First, what does ‘apocalyptic Paul’ mean? Is it synonymous to eschatology as a theological notion, or the end-time mystery? Many seminal works have delved into the intriguing yet unorganized notion of the ‘apocalyptic’. Instead of attempting to provide a universal definition of the ‘apocalyptic’, the author presents his understanding of the phenomenon, particularly in the cultural realm. The author contends that ‘apocalyptic’ is neither all about the end-time event nor merely a literary genre, but an interpretive lens to understand the world and social phenomena—one that is shaped and developed through culture and society. Accordingly, the term ‘apocalyptic Paul’ implies how Paul views and understands the world, history, and supernatural phenomena through interaction with his cultural texts and context. Second, the author also suggests that ‘intertextuality’ is not only about comparative literature study. Rather, intertextuality refers to cultural semiotics: a sign system to deliver the meaning of text. Based on this notion of intertextuality, the author interprets how Paul envisages multiple phenomena (heavenly ascent, resurrection, afterlife, the origins of sin, and two ages) within his cultural context.