Commentary on St. Paul's Epistle to the Galatians - by Martin Luther

"These lectures which are preserved in the works herewith submitted to the American public were delivered in 1531. . . . A German translation by Justus Menius appeared in the Wittenberg Edition of Luther’s writings, published in 1539." This translation and condensation published 1949. Theodore Graebner (Translator)

The importance of this Commentary on Galatians for the history of Protestantism is very great. It presents like no other of Luther’s writings the central thought of Christianity, the justification of the sinner for the sake of Christ’s merits alone. The translators have permitted in the final revision of the manuscript many a passage to stand which seemed weak and ineffectual when compared with the trumpet tones of the Latin original. But the essence of Luther’s lectures is there. May the reader accept with indulgence where in this translation may have gone too far in modernizing Luther’s expression—making him "talk American."

Martin Luther (November 10, 1483 – February 18, 1546) was a German monk, priest, professor, theologian, and church reformer. His teachings inspired the Reformation and deeply influenced the doctrines and culture of the Lutheran and Protestant traditions, as well as the course of Western civilization. Luther's hymns, including his best-known "A Mighty Fortress is Our God", inspired the development of congregational singing within Christianity. His marriage on June 13, 1525, to Katharina von Bora reintroduced the practice of clerica marriage within many Christian traditions.