Cousar interprets three letters of Paul, each of which shows him in a different light. In Galatians, the apostle contends for the gospel against a group of Jewish Christian missionaries who have come into the congregation. In Philippians, Paul addresses his favorite community in intimate terms to offer thanks for a gift they have sent him and to urge them to maintain unity in the face of opposing forces. 1 Thessalonians, Paul's earliest letter, is written to encourage the congregation in that city to lead lives worthy of the gospel.

The commentary traces the movement of the letters, paragraph by paragraph, and pays particular attention to the literary character of the writing, and to the theological implications of the text for the church today.

Charles B. Cousar is the Samuel A. Cartledge Professor of New Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia. He is the author of Galatians (Interpretation); Theology of the Cross, Texts for Preaching: A Lectionary Commentary based on the NRSV and The Letters of Paul.

Edited by Charles H. Talbert, Distinguished Professor of Religion at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, the Reading the New Testament Commentary Series presents cutting edge biblical research in accessible language that is both coherent and comprehensive.

You can also purchase the entire Reading the New Testament 13 volume commentary series from Olive Tree.