“You foolish Galatians!” Galatians

 Galatia: a Roman province in central Anatolia (modern-day Turkey)  Which churches?  When? (48–50s CE)  Rival Teachers Jews who preached salvation through Christ is only for Jews (followers of Torah) Gentiles must commit to Jewish law and circumcision to correctly follow Christ Date and Place

 Paul’s authority vs. rivals Rivals claim Paul is new to the gospel Galatians should therefore follow James and Peter Paul claims his authority is directly from God  Christ and the law  Justification by faith(fulness)  God’s universal favor  Fullness of time has come in Christ  Spirit realizes what law cannot Theological Themes

 Paul appeals to experience “Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard?” (3:2)  Paul appeals to Abraham’s example God promised Abraham through faith, before circumcision Like Abraham we “receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (without circumcision, 3:14)  Paul appeals to sociocultural values Law enslaves; Spirit frees and makes us children; “For freedom Christ has set us free” (5:1) Spirit and the Law

 Salutation (1:1–5)  Another gospel!? (1:6–10)  Paul’s gospel is from God (1:11–2:21) Meets Peter and James after four years Meets Jerusalem elders after fourteen years Argues with Peter in Antioch  Spirit (not circumcision) makes God’s people (chaps. 3–5)  Children of God through faith(fulness) Slavery and freedom; Hagar and Sarah  Exhortations and closing (5:26–6:18) Outline