New Testament Survey: Book of Galatians Street in the modern city of Damascus

The Author Paul’s authorship of this book to the Galatian churches is certain Salutation (1:1) First two chapters are an autobiography of Paul’s life—from his conversion to the writing of the letter 14 years between visits to Jerusalem; the first in Acts 9; 3 years in Arabia

Date of Writing Paul was converted sometime between 31 and 36 AD 17-year interval (2:1) Subsequent to the Jerusalem meeting regarding the circumcision problem (Acts 15) Followed Peter’s visit to Antioch (2:11-14) Written between 55 and 57 AD

To Whom Written Galatia was originally in the northeastern part of Asia Minor Mixed population of Greeks, Romans, and Jewish people Quick to give up and easily influenced Paul visited the area twice: Acts 16:6; 18:23 Letter written after 2 nd visit (4:13-16)

In 25 BC, the original Gaulic region was designated the new province of Galatia Paul preached in south Galatia on his first tour—Pisidia, Lyconia, Phrygia Paul preached in north Galatia on his second visit Letter addressed to all the churches in the Roman Province of Galatia To Whom Written

Purpose of the Epistle The churches had begun well; after Paul’s departure, they were drawn away (5:7) Judaizing teachers caused problems over circumcision of Gentile converts They had redemption in Christ, Judaizers sought to bind Moses’ Law on them Justification determined by works of the Law

No flesh can be justified by works of the Law Parallels arguments in the book of Romans Expressed with warmth and vehemence Tactic of Judaizing teachers—attack Paul’s apostleship Destroy confidence in Paul—convert the Galatians to their false teaching! Purpose of the Epistle

Contents and Character First part mainly historic (chapters 1,2) Charged Paul not one of the original 12 apostles—should not be accepted as an apostle What he had learned about the gospel came from men—not God (false charge) Arrayed Paul against Peter and other apostles regarding circumcision This explains why Paul spent time discussing his own credentials

Paul affirmed his work was not of men (1:1) Did not receive the gospel from men (1:11,12) After his conversion, Paul went to Arabia for three years (1:15-17) Brief 15-day visit to Jerusalem seeing only Peter and James (1:20-24) After 14 years, he went up to Jerusalem, by “revelation,” to confer about preaching to the Gentiles (2:1-10) Contents and Character

No dependence on other apostles Withstood Peter to face when his hypocrisy had caused a problem (2:11-14) Letter’s second part argues that God makes men righteous by faith in Christ—not works of the Law! Abraham was justified by faith before the Law (3:6- 9,18) The Law cannot justify sinners; it only condemns (3:10-12) Contents and Character

In His own time, God sent His Son (4:4,5) Paul warned of the danger in following the Old Law (4:6-11) Paul knew of their love for him—how could he now be their enemy (4:14-16) Warned them of the false teachers and their dishonest intentions (4:17-21) The allegory—free woman and the bond woman (4:22-31) Contents and Character

Requiring circumcision binds them to keep the whole law—and they are fallen from grace! (5:4) Third part of letter is of practical character Exhorts the Galatian Christians to use Christian liberty in a worthy manner—putting to death their fleshly lusts (5:17-21) Must seek to bear one another burdens (6:1-5) Duties they have as brethren (6:6-10) Contents and Character

Hold steadfastly to the liberty that can be found only in Christ! Reject being bound to the Law of Moses or to fleshly lusts—walk after the Spirit (5:1-26) The basic theme is clearly summed up with this exhortation… (5:1) Some have called the Galatian Epistle the “Magna Carta of Christian Liberty” Contents and Character