Galatians

Introduction to Galatians

Galatians was written about 49-50 BC.

“Galatia” was a name used in two different senses during the 1st century after Christ:

Geographical

To designate a country in the north part of the central plateau of Asia Minor, touching Paphlagonia and Bithynia North, Phrygia West and South, Cappadocia and Pontus Southeast and East, about the headwaters of the Sangarios and the middle course of the Halys;

Political

To designate a large province of the Roman empire, including not merely the country Galatia, but also Paphlagonia and parts of Pontus, Phrygia, Pisidia, Lycaonia and Isauria.

The name, Galatia, occurs in several places in the New Testament besides in the book of Galatians.

Acts 16:6: Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

Acts 18:23: And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

1 Corinthians 16:1: Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

2 Timothy 4:10: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

1 Peter 1:1: Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

Jewish converts were spreading a false doctrine that Christians must keep Jewish laws and customs to be saved.

Acts 15:1-3 1: And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2: When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 3: And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

This doctrine arose in Judea, spread up to Syrian Antioch, and then on to Galatia. Paul actively disputed and debated with the false teachers.

What Paul says in the letter to the Galatians is an argument stating Paul’s position on the issue of whether Christians have to keep the Jewish law of Moses. It was not an academic question but was a matter of salvation.

Galatians 5:1-4 1: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2: Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3: For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4: Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Paul was referring to this doctrine when he said, “If anybody preaches to you a doctrine other than that which we have preached, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8-9).

Click on the following to go to indepth studies on each chapter.

Galatians 1
Galatians 2
Galatians 3
Galatians 4
Galatians 5