Galatians: The Lectio Continua Expository Commentary on the New Testament (Fesko)

The greatest need of the church today is the recovery of sound biblical preaching that faithfully explains and applies the text, courageously confronts sin, and boldly trumpets forth sovereign majesty, law, and the promises of God.

It is for this reason that the Lectio Continua Expository Commentary on the New Testament is being written. It is authored by an array of seasoned pastor-scholars from various Reformed denominations on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Lectio Continua series Testament is not meant to be an academic or highly technical series. Rather, the aim is to provide lectio continua sermons which clearly and faithfully communicate the context, meaning, gravity and application of God’s inerrant Word. 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. Therefore, the series will be a profound blessing to every Christian believer who longs to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18).

To this end, J.V. Fesko’s commentary, Galatians clearly elucidates the doctrines of justification by faith and sanctification by grace alone. Fesko’s simple expository style will connect with all readers yet also instruct us in the systematic doctrines of grace and in the Old Testament context of Galatians. His commentary is practical in orientation and teaches the reader how to live faithfully in the midst of fallen world.

Table of Contents:

1. No Other Gospel (1:1-9)
2. Called by God (1:10-24)
3. Paul Accepted by the Apostles (2:1-10)
4. Justified by Faith Alone (2:11-21)
5. Perfected by the Flesh? (3:1-5)
6. The Gospel in the Old Testament (3:6-9)
7. The Righteous Shall Live by Faith Alone (3:10-14)
8. The Promised Seed (3:15-18)
9. Why the Law? (3:19-22)
10. Sons of Abraham, Sons of God (3:23-29)
11. No Longer Slaves (4:1-7)
12. Never Go Back (4:8-11)
13. Christ Formed in You (4:12-20)
14. Sarah and Hagar (4:21-31)
15. Freedom in Christ (5:1-6)
16. Love One Another (5:7-15)
17. Walk by the Spirit (5:16-18)
18. The Fruit of the Spirit, Part I (5:19-25)
19. The Fruit of the Spirit, Part II (5:19-25)
20. Bearing One Another’s Burdens (5:26-6:5)
21. Especially to the Household of Faith (6:6-10)
22. Peace Upon the Israel of God (6:11-18)

Author 

J. V. Fesko is an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, and is also academic dean and associate professor of systematic theology at Westminster Seminary California.

Endorsements

“The book of Galatians is a crystal vial containing the sweet medicine of salvation in Christ alone. Fesko opens the vial and pours out the healing doctrines of justification by faith alone and sanctification by grace alone. His simple, expository style will connect with ordinary people. Yet he helps us to do biblical theology, uncovering the Old Testament roots of the gospel. He guides us in systematic theology, distilling clear doctrinal statements from the Scriptures with the insights of great theologians of the past. And his commentary is practical, leading the reader in this present evil age to live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself up for us. Read Galatians and read this book—and then walk by faith in Christ alone.” — Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan

“There are so many fine commentaries available today. However, it’s great to have a reliable author you can turn to for solid Reformed reflection on Scripture. In this case, there are sixteen of them—friends and fellow shepherds who have given me great insight into God’s Word over the years. I’m looking forward eagerly to Fesko’s Galatians commentary—and to each one after that!” — Dr. Michael S. Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Seminary California, Host of the White Horse Inn, Editor-in-Chief of Modern Reformation Magazine

“Those of us who have promoted and practiced Lectio Continua expository preaching through the years eagerly await the volumes Tolle Lege Press has announced in its Lectio Continua Expository Commentary on the New Testament. We are equally eager to read such a series written by pastors who have practiced the method in their churches. The international and interdenominational character of the series will only add to the richness of its insights.” — Dr. T. David Gordon, Professor of Religion and Greek at Grove City College Author of “Why Johnny Can’t Preach”

Series Endorsements

“There are so many fine commentaries available today, but it’s great to have a reliable author you can turn to for solid Reformed reflections on Scripture. In this case, there are sixteen of them—friends and fellow shepherds who have given me great insight into God’s Word over the years. I’m looking forward eagerly to each one of these sermonic commentaries!” — Michael S. Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Seminary California, host of the White Horse Inn radio show, editor-in-chief of Modern Reformation magazine

“Those of us who have promoted and practiced lectio continua expository preaching through the years eagerly await the volumes announced in The Lectio Continua Expository Commentary on the New Testament. We are equally eager to read such a series written by pastors who have practiced the method in their churches. The international and interdenominational character of the series will only add to the richness of its insights.” — T. David Gordon, professor of religion and Greek at Grove City College, author of Why Johnny Can’t Preach

“As the history of preaching is unfolded, it becomes clear how important the orderly, systematic preaching through the Scriptures has been and why it has been a favorite homiletic approach over the centuries. One is surprised to discover how many of history’s great preachers made a regular practice of preaching through one book of the Bible after another. Origen, the first Christian preacher from whom we have any sizable collection of sermons, preached most of his sermons on the lectio continua. We find the same with John Chrysostom who is usually referred to as the greatest Christian preacher. We find the same true of Augustine as well. At the time of the Protestant Reformation, Zwingli, Calvin, Bucer, and Knox followed this system regularly, and they passed it on to the Puritans. Today, we see a real revival of lectio continua preaching. The Lectio Continua Expository Commentary on the New Testament represents a wonderful opportunity for the church to recover a truly expository pulpit.” — Hughes Oliphant Old, formerly John H. Leith Professor of Reformed Theology and Worship at Erskine Theological Seminary, author of The Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian Church

“The concept behind this series is a fascinating one, and, given the list of authors, I am confident that the final product will not disappoint. This promises to be a great resource for churches seeking to know the Word of God more fully.” — Carl R. Trueman, Paul Woolley Professor of Church History, Westminster Theological Seminary, and pastor of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church (OPC), Ambler, Pennsylvania