Ronald D. WITHERUP, Galatians, Life in the New Creation: A Spiritual-Pastoral Reading. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2020. xx + 163 pages, pb, $29.99. ISBN 978-0-9081-5403-6. Reviewed by Thomas SIMMONS, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota 57069.

Father Ronald Witherup, superior general of an order of diocesan priests known as the Sulpicians, has authored a number of books on Sacred Scripture including studies of Paul. In his new book on Paul’s letter to the Galatians, Witherup presents an approachable, readable commentary intended for the average reader. His approach “is neither distinctively nor overtly Catholic…” (xiv) He includes, for example, sidebar quotations from Saint Jerome and Augustine as well as from Calvin. Attractive illustrations, excellent tables, and a helpful bibliography round out this excellent book.

Witherup blends the various aspects of Galatians skillfully. There are the autobiographical revelations – Paul’s stigmata, his “large letters … writing in his own hand!” (130), and his recollections of how the Galatians once nursed him back to health. There are the Greco-Roman touches. There are the dense theological passages concerning the Mosaic law (and circumcision in particular) and the law of the new creation; the life of the flesh versus the life of the Spirit. There are insights into Paul’s humanity and frustrations, wishing that the Galatians’ tormentors suffer mutilation: “I wish those who are disturbing you would also castrate themselves!” (129) And there is evidence of Paul’s pastoral love and affection, too, calling the Galatians his “brothers and sisters…” as well as his children for whom he suffers “the pain of childbirth…” (128, 130) (The quoted passages in his paragraph are taken from Witherup’s own excellent translation of Galatians which is included as an appendix in his book.)

The greatest accomplishment, however, is Witherup’s deft handling of the particularly dense bits of Paul’s exegesis such as the extended sketch of the analogy of Abraham’s two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. Witherup is particularly helpful in acknowledging gaps in Paul’s arguments and the parts which are simply obscure.

The book would function excellently in a small group Bible study context. It functions just as finely as an introductory study to Galatians. In it, Father Witherup performs a confident and sensible reading of a particularly rich Pauline letter.