How to Read Galatians

Author David A deSilva
Publisher Grove Books 2025 £5.95
Format pbk
ISBN 9781788275125

After reading this short book I read Galatians in the NRSV, which deSilva implies translates Paul’s ‘striking wordplay’ better than most translations, apart from his own. Reading Paula Fredriksen’s book Ancient Christianities had given me a flavour, but deSilva has enabled me to digest the full context of confusion that Paul addresses in his letter. Many religious leaders were struggling to integrate the new ‘good news’ of the Jesus movement into the contemporary religious beliefs and practices, one of which was Judaism. Paul’s Galatian converts had been greatly impressed by his preaching but when Paul moved on, they began to revert to Jewish practices. They had not appreciated that, while being anchored in the Torah and God’s covenant with Abraham, the Jesus message was deeper, broader and more radical.

Reviewed by DAVID SELLICK

Sadly, David died on 18 June 2026. This was his final review and is published by permission of his daughters.

Bible study