The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the
Soon after some of the churches in the region of Galatia were founded, many of the Jewish Christians began to question whether Gentile believers should be required to keep the traditions and laws of Judaism to attain salvation. This was similar to the grace versus works debate fueled by the Judaizers in Jerusalem and Syrian Antioch (Acts 15). Paul’s letter to the Galatians is a vigorous attack against the claims of these Jewish believers. He asserts, “A man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus . . . since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified” (Gal. 2:16).
Paul begins his letter by establishing his credentials as an apostle who received his message directly from God. Blessing comes from the Lord on the basis of obedience and faith, not by adherence to rituals and regulations. While the law declares men guilty and imprisons them, Jesus’ grace sets men free to enjoy liberty eternally. This, however, is not to be interpreted as a license to sin. On the contrary, we are to maintain our freedom in Christ by walking in His Spirit and producing the fruit of righteousness (Gal. 5:16–25). Through His grace, we are empowered to crucify “the flesh with its passions and desires” (v. 24) and are able to please the Lord by living a godly, obedient lifestyle (vv. 13, 14).
Paul urges the Galatians to consider the utter foolishness of trying to earn through their own efforts what had already been given to them by the grace, power, and wisdom of God (Gal. 3:3). Only by following Jesus’ example and by depending upon the Holy Spirit for strength and direction could they hope to once more experience the sheer joy they felt at the beginning of their Christian life (4:15–20).
The book is called Pros Galatas, “To the Galatians,” and it is the only letter of Paul specifically addressed to a group of churches (“to the churches of Galatia,” 1:2).
Theme: A defense of the doctrine of justification by faith in Jesus Christ.
Author: The apostle Paul.
Time: One theory holds that Paul wrote Galatians circa A.D. 53–54 to churches in north-central Asia Minor. Another contends that he wrote the book to churches in southern Galatia circa A.D. 48–49, which would make this Paul’s first biblical letter.
Structure: After a short introduction, Paul denounces any divergence from the gospel of grace (1:1–9). He then defends his apostleship and core doctrines (1:10—2:21). Next he explains justification by faith and the liberty believers have in Christ (3:1—4:31). As he ends his letter, he gives some practical applications of his teachings (5:1—6:10), then offers some concluding remarks (6:11–18).
As you read Galatians, watch for the life principles that play an important role in this book:
24. To live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us. See Galatians 2:20.
1. Our intimacy with God—His highest priority for our lives—determines the impact of our lives. See Galatians 4:6.
22. To walk in the Spirit is to obey the initial promptings of the Spirit. See Galatians 5:22, 23.
6. You reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow. See Galatians 6:7.