Galatians and Ephesians (New Testament Commentary)

Description

William Hendriksen’s New Testament Commentary: Galatians and Ephesians combines scholarly exegesis with pastoral warmth, offering a detailed analysis of two foundational Pauline epistles. Here’s a structured summary:

Galatians
Focus: A defense of justification by faith and Christian liberty against legalism.

Theological Core: Anchored in the doctrine of grace, Hendriksen emphasizes Paul’s rebuttal of Judaizers who imposed circumcision and Mosaic Law on Gentile converts. The epistle’s emotional urgency reflects Paul’s concern that the Galatians were abandoning gospel freedom for works-based righteousness.

Structure:

Chapters 1–2: Paul defends his apostolic authority and recounts his confrontation with Peter over legalism.

Chapters 3–4: Theological exposition on Abraham’s faith, the Spirit’s role, and adoption as heirs of God’s promise.

Chapters 5–6: Practical exhortations for Spirit-led living, contrasting fleshly works with the fruit of the Spirit.

Key Themes:

Grace vs. Law: Salvation is a gift received through faith, not earned by works (Gal 2:16, 21).

Unity in Christ: Legalism fractures the church; true freedom fosters love and mutual service (Gal 5:13–14).

Ephesians
Focus: The church as Christ’s body and the mystery of God’s redemptive plan.

Theological Core: Hendriksen highlights Ephesians’ cosmic scope, stressing God’s eternal purpose to unite Jews and Gentiles in Christ (Eph 2:11–22). Unlike Galatians, Ephesians lacks polemics, instead offering doctrinal depth and practical ethics.

Structure:

Chapters 1–3: Doctrinal foundation on election, redemption, and the church’s role in displaying God’s wisdom.

Chapters 4–6: Ethical imperatives for unity, Christlike conduct, and spiritual warfare.

Key Themes:

Mystery of the Church: Gentiles are fellow heirs through Christ, breaking down ethnic and religious barriers (Eph 3:6).

Grace and Good Works: Salvation is entirely God’s gift (Eph 2:8–9), yet believers are “created for good works” (Eph 2:10).

Spiritual Armor: The believer’s defense against evil is rooted in truth, righteousness, and the Word (Eph 6:10–18).

Commentary Approach
Hendriksen’s work is marked by:

Exegetical Rigor: Detailed Greek analysis and historical context, such as dating Galatians to the Ephesian ministry period (~56 AD) or earlier.

Pastoral Tone: Practical applications for Christian living, urging reliance on the Spirit’s power.

Unified Vision: Presents Galatians as the “Magna Carta of Christian liberty” and Ephesians as the blueprint for church unity and holiness.

This volume remains a trusted resource for its blend of doctrinal precision and devotional insight.