Galatians,Paul's Epistles To The

[Gr. Galateia,so called from the Gauls who invaded it]

Courtesy of James Earl Jones(Bible Audio)The Book of Galatians


Chapter 1-4

Chapter 5-6

Background:This is probably the first of Paul's letters and its theme is similar to that of Romans.It is apparent that many Jews felt non-Jews becoming Christians should keep the Jewish law and in particular the food laws and be circumcised .(acts also tells us this). The heart of Paul's teaching on this view is found in 2:14-21:a right relationship with God is possible only through Jesus,and nothing else is reqiured.Ch5,6 show that this does not mean we can do as we like.Christians are called to serve one another in love and the Holy Spirit is given to help them do this. 6chs

Author:Paul(1:1;5:2),see Romans

Date,Location and Recipients:Churches of Galatia(1:2) Different opinions on the date.In Paul's day,Galatia reffered to 2 different areas:

-Geographically,northernly region Paul visited on his second missionary journey(Ac16:6;18:23)

-Politically,a Roman province,more southernly regions[Iconium,Lystra and Derbe]which Paul visited on hisfirst missionary journey(Ac13:14-14:24)and revisited on his secondary missionary journey(16:1-6)and on his third missionary journey(18:23)*If 2:1 refers to the Jerusalem Council(Ac15),then Paul may have written this letter to southern Galatia.That would give Galatians a date of about AD49,making it earliest of Paul's letters

Purpose:

-vindicate Paul's apostleship and message

-to show that God's righteousness(justification)can be receive by faith alone apart from the law

-to discuss the meaning of Christian Liberty and to show that it does not mean freedom to sin

Unique Features:

-offer no commendation

-Doctrine of Justification by faith is stated more emphatically

-unusual amount of history.1:18 and 2:1give crucial clues to chronology of Paul's life

-striking contrasts:

*flesh and work vs. the cross

*circumcision vs. the new creation

*faith vs. law

-Paul usual used an amanuesis (secretary)in writing his letters, but he wrote at least part and perhaps all of Galatians(6:11)

Comparison: Ga., see Romans

Gal.-discuss controversy what Rom. discusses systematically

2Co.-Paul's defense of hi s apostleship(1,2)is somewhat parallel to the entire book of 2Co.

Heb. and Gal.-talks about the new Covenant's superiority to the old

Abbreviations: Gal./ Ga.

MV:1Co2:5

Bib1Yr:Eph2Flesh World