The Epistle to the Galatians

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • Written by Paul (Gal 1:1) from Syrian Antioch in AD 49 Syrian 1 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • Written by Paul from Syrian Antioch in ~AD 48-52 • Although some favor a later date, e.g. 52-57 BC (3rd missionary tour) • Probably composed when Paul was on his way to the Jerusalem • Council (Acts 15) • Therefore Galatians could be the earliest letter of Paul and possibly the earliest book in the NT. • Written to Gentile Christians in Galatia • Located in Asia Minor • Was it written to the church in the Northern (Pessinus, Ankyra, Tavium) or Southern parts of Galatia (Iconium, Lystra, Derbe)? 2 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • Galatia refers to the Roman province • The Gauls were a celtic war-like tribe that originally inhabited France and then migrated to Asia Minor in ~300 BC • The Romans took over after the death of Amyntas in 25 BC and named it Galatia • Phyrigians – original inhabitants • Originally dwelt and identified with the northern region • A history of nature worship • Noted for fickleness, impetuosity, love for new and curious things • Some Jews were also in the area • The fact that Paul’s 1st missionary journey with Barnabus (Acts 13-14) strongly supports that this epistle was written to the Southern Galatian believers, but Ryrie provides extensive arguments for both. • Epithets: • The Magna Carta of Christian Liberty • The "Other Gospel" Cursed 3 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • Paul’s First Missionary Journey, 48-49AD 4 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • A Galatians Timeline 3 0 35 40 45 50 AD Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14; 46-48 AD) Paul’s letter to the churches in the Roman province of Galatia 5 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel 1

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • A papyrus copy of Paul’s letter dating from 180-200 AD • Gal 1:1-5 • The sequence of evangelism in Galatia • Paul preached in Antioch and was driven out by force (Acts 13:50). • Paul preached in Iconium and was driven out by force (Acts 14:5,6). • Paul preached in Lystra and was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19,20). • Paul & Barnabas had appointed elders in each of the churches in these cities during the last half of his 1st missionary journey (Acts 14:23). • But the elders were spiritually young. • Gal 1:6 ‘I marvel that ye so soon removed…’ 6 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey (Acts 15:39- 18:22; 49-52 AD) • With Silas • Timothy later joined • Forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the Gospel in Galatia (Acts 16:6) 7 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • Paul’s 3rd Missionary Journey, 54-58 AD 8 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction The 3 Cultures Paul faced in Galatia Roman culture Greek culture Jewish culture 9 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • We will see that Paul took a number of illustrations from Romanlaw,sinceheknew their strong Roman background, & Paul himself was a Roman citizen (Acts 22:25-29 & 23:27) Augustus Caesar, an emperor who received ‘the adoption of sons’ (Gal 4:5) 10 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • These cities also had Greek cultural influence, over a period of more than three centuries. • That would explain why Paul would write this letter to all of them in the Greek language. paidagōgos = tutor (Gal 3:24,25) 11 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • The Greek cultural influence would also explain why these people sought to worship Barnabas & Paul as Zeus & Hermes, which were the Greek names for deities (Acts 14:12,13). Zeus, Ares, Hermes, Athena, & Apollo 12 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • Though a minority, there had also been Jews living in these cities for about 2½ centuries. • A strong Jewish influence in these cities was evident in Acts 13:14-46, 50 & in Acts 14:1-5,19. Synagogue ruins at Pisidian Antioch 13 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • The strong Jewish presence would explain why Paul used illustrations from Genesis to make his point, citing Abraham, Sarah & Hagar (Gal 3:6-18 & also 4:21-31). Genesis 18:9-15 14 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • The Major Content of Galatians: • Two issues • Purity of doctrine • Purity of conduct • What is the Gospel? • Justification by faith, not works. • Law-keeping as a means of salvation is condemned. • The ceremonial law (esp. circumcision) is not binding on the gentiles. • Therefore, stand fast in the liberty in which Christ has made you free! • Important verses include: • The different Gospel (Gal1:6-8) • Crucified with Christ (Gal 2:20) • The purpose of the Law (Gal 3:24) • The Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22) 15 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • What is legalism anyway? • The mental attitude that man can do something to merit the blessing of God, either in salvation or in sanctification. • Evidences in Galatia: • Circumcision (Gal 5:1-5, 11; Gal 6:12,13) • Insistence on observing certain days (Gal 4:10) • This stifles the life of Christ (Gal 5:4) • Grace principle is lost (Gal 5:4) • Leads to hypocrisy and a life that is lived to impress men (Gal 6:12) • Paul addresses this by teaching that • Salvation is by grace alone (Gal 1-4) • Sanctification is by grace alone (Gal 5-6) It should be a great book and great fun!! 16 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians