1. Galatians

2. Galatians: Facts
 The only epistle that addressed to a number of churches (of Galatians)  
Ancient Galatia was an area in the highlands of central Anatolia in modern Turkey
Was Written From Antioch (Syrian)

3. New testament
 27 Books 
Paul wrote 14 of them

4. Chronological order of the Epistles
Galatians
Philemon
2) I Thessalonians
Ephesians
3) II Thessalonians
Philippians
4) I Corinthians
11) I Timothy
5) II Corinthians
Titus
6) Romans
13) II Timothy
7) Colossians
14) Philemon
Several different theories by many scholars – still a work in progress
Many have supposed that this was the first Epistle which Paul wrote. Tertullian maintained this (see Lardner, vol. vi. p. 7. ed. Lond. 1829),
(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

5. The Pauline Epistles Categories:
Eschatological Epistles:
1- 1st Thessalonians
[our believe & eternal life are based on the Second coming (Christ return)]
2- 2nd Thessalonians
[Signs of Christ return]
b) Stereological (Chief) Epistles:
3- 1st Corinthians
[Church unity in Christ]
4- 2nd Corinthians
[Reconciliation through Christ]
5- Galatians
[Freedom in Christ]
6- Romans
[The righteous of God through Christ Salvation]

6. The Pauline Epistles Categories:
d) Captivity ( Prison) Epistles:
7- Ephesians
[Christ is the head of His united body
8- Philippians
[Joy in Christ]
9- Colossians
[Sufficiency in Christ]
10- Philemon
[in God, we all are one family]

7. The Pauline Epistles Categories:
c) Pastoral Epistles:
11- Hebrews
[Superiority of Christ over Judaism]
12- 1st Timothy
[Affirmation of truth in Christ]
13- 2nd Timothy
[Faithfulness to Christ]
14- Titus [Standards for serving Christ]

9. Galatians: Authorship
External Evidence
Traditional view :
Paul wrote Galatians 
Early support by Polycarp, Marcion 
2. Even 19th century German critics accept Pauline authorship.
Internal Evidence
Galatians explicitly notes Paul as its author (1:1; 5:2)
Paul probably departed from his usual practice of dictating his letters to a secretary by penning the epistle himself (6:11)
Chapters 1 and 2 are autobiographical with many Pauline themes (grace, law).
Both the external and the internal evidence point to Paul's authorship

10. Paul’s 1st & 2nd Missionary Journeys

11. Where were the Galatians?
142
North
South

12. Galatians: Date and Recipients
The issue of date is closely related to the letter’s destination.
The North Galatian Theory
(Later date)
The South Galatian Theory
(Earlier date)
Gallic believers in the territory of Galatia (ethnic Galatia, including the cities of Ancyra, Pessinus, and Tavium) – 2nd missionary journey (Acts 16:6).
Greek believers in the Roman province of Galatia (political Galatia, including the cities of Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe) – 1st missionary journey (Acts 13–14).
Arguments for both dates and recipients are inconclusive, although the best evidence supports the South Galatian Theory and the earlier date of about fall AD 49.

13. The Problem in Galatia
Freedom and unity in Christ are central themes of Paul’s letter to the Galatians.
His letter addresses Christians, whose preoccupation with keeping the Law was splitting their churches along racial lines, separating Jews from Gentiles.
The false teachers were teaching that faith alone cannot save, but you also need works of the law.

14. Galatians 1. Turning from true gospel 2. Hypocrisy found in Peter
3. Example of Abraham’s Faith
4. Law versus true liberty
5. Attitudes from Spirit’s leading
6. Win back erring believers
Barry Huddleston, The Acrostic Summarized Bible

15. The 3 cultures Paul faced in Galatia
Roman culture
Greek culture
Jewish culture

16. Who are these false teachers?
Paul actually never gives them a name.
However, since they emphasize on returning to the Jewish law, they have been given the term “Judaizers”.
Jews
(unbelievers)
Gentiles
Church
(Jew & Gentile believers)
Judaizers

17. Principles of Judaism
Emphasizes procedures that we must do to be saved
Motivated by a work/payment system: “I do, therefore I earn”
Not motivated by love!

18. Simple example of Judaism
A husband and wife do family Bible readings together after dinner.
The husband reads quickly, thinking about what he wants to do when the readings are over.”
The wife considers each reading, looking for lessons and answers to solve issues she’s facing in her life.
Both satisfied the requirement to read the word, one as a legal requirement, the other out of love for God’s ways.

19. Galatians balances James
Liberals: Christ did it all, so I don’t need to do anything or change
Judaizers: I must work to earn my salvation
Galatians corrects this
James corrects this
“Faith working through Love” (Gal 5:6)

20. Paul versus the Judaizers Justification by Faith
Judaizer’s Attack
Paul’s Defense
Issue
Chs.
1–2
“Paul teaches this doctrine by his own authority!”
“God called me and the 12 apostles affirmed this”
Biographical
3–4
“This is a new teaching contrary to the OT!”
“Salvation has always been by faith, even in the OT”
Theological
5–6
“Teaching faith alone will encourage a sinful lifestyle!”
“No, justification by faith naturally leads to godly living”
Practical
Justification by Faith

21. Key Word Key Verse Justification (Gospel of Liberty) Galatians 2:16
“ knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith is Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, for the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”

22. Summary Statement
Paul defends his apostleship and justification by faith so that the Galatians would not seek salvation through adherence to the law.

23. Outline of the Epistle Four parts 1:1-9 Greetings & Introduction
1:10 – 2:14 Paul’s experiences
2:15 – 5:6 Doctrinal Defence
5:7 – 6:17 Warnings and instruction
Galatians 1:1 This is the usual form in which he commences his epistles; and it was of special importance to commence the Epistle in this manner, because it was one design to vindicate his apostleship, or to show that he had received his commission directly from the Lord Jesus.
(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc..)
Paul’s experiences supporting his apostleship first object: to show that he had received his commission as an apostle, directly from God. Not received it from man; not even been instructed by the other apostles; he had not acknowledged their superiority; he had not even consulted them. He did not acknowledge, therefore, that the apostles at Jerusalem possessed any superior rank or authority.
Doctrinal defence of justification by faith to show the real nature and design of Law of Moses, & prove that Mosaic rituals, especially circumcision, not necessary to justification and salvation; and that they who observed that rite, did in fact renounce the Scripture method of justification; make the sacrifice of Christ of no value, and make slaves of themselves.
Warnings against false teachers (legalistic Judaisers), exhortations to spiritual life, instruction on new creation

24. Issue #1: Legalism Definition:
“Legalism” is attempting to win God’s favor by our own determined efforts of dedication and obedience.
In Galatians:
Try to win God’s approval by strict adherence to the law.
Today:
Try to live up to God’s and other people’s expectations of how Christians should be—obedience, dedication, fulltime Christian service, academic study, and volunteer work.
Lesson:
We must obey and serve freely out of love and gratitude to Christ. The Holy Spirit must empower us. Our dedicated service cannot remove sin or obtain saving grace.

25. Issue #2: Labelism Definition:
“Labelism” is pride of ownership for having the “right” religion.
In Galatians:
Take pride in observing the “right” religious activities (e.g. food laws, circumcision).
Today:
Take pride in having the right doctrine, being in the right church, practicing the right ministry strategies.
Lesson:
We are who we are by God’s grace, and not because of ourselves or what we have done.