GALATIANS

Written by Paul of Tarsus



A little history lesson:

In order to understand the book of Galatians, we must understand some of the period history and what Paul was facing.


Judaizers: a sect of Jewish Christians that were not willing to accept the teaching of the Apostles and insisted that gentiles could not be saved unless they obeyed all the Jewish laws: such as circumcision, eating special foods, and celebrating Jewish feast days. They made it their business to visit and unsettle Gentile churches, teaching that in order to become a Christian, Gentiles must first become a Jewish Proselyte and keep the Jewish law. They were determined to stamp Christ with the Jewish trademark.

Jewish Proselyte: If a male, not born a Jew, wished to become a Jewish Proselyte, he could do so by being circumcised and observing the ceremonial law of the Jews; in some respects, this is likened to a foreigner becoming a citizen of our country.


At this time, Christianity was considered a Sect or Branch of Judaism. However, by the Fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., this had changed. Jews and Christians were separated. A small group known as the Ebionites remained for two centuries, but were hardly recognized by the Church at all.


Paul had been to Galatia around 45-48 A.D. and established the church, and his work had been extremely successful. Great multitudes of mostly gentiles had enthusiastically accepted Christ. But soon after Paul left Galatia, the Judaizers came along insisting that gentiles could not be saved unless they obeyed all the Jewish laws. They also said Paul did not have the authority from God, and he was not to be listened to. The Galatians heeded these teachings with the same whole-heartedness with which they'd first received Paul’s message. There was an epidemic of circumcision among the gentile Christians, and Paul heard about it.


The purpose of this letter was to try to put an end to the confusion being caused by the false teachers. It is believed he actually wrote this letter about 49 A.D. from Antioch soon after he left Galatia, but before the Jerusalem Council of 50 A.D. The Jerusalem letter from this council, stating circumcision was not necessary, was carried immediately to the Galatian churches (Acts 15:1 – 16:4). So if Paul had written his letter after that, he probably would have referred to the Council’s letter. Therefore, it seems likely that the writing of Paul’s letter to Galatia pre-dated the Council meeting, making this book one of the first written of our present New Testament books.


Paul re-visited Galatia immediately before setting out on his second missionary journey, and again before his third.


As we study this letter, we will notice 4 special features:

• It’s a strong letter: Paul does not compromise. He writes in very strong language and supports his main theme with many different arguments.

• It’s a loving letter: Paul shows all the concern and care of a great pastor.

• It’s brief: It has been called a ‘rough draft’ of the book of Romans, which was written later in greater detail and developed more fully.

• It’s memorable: It contains many phrases that stick in your mind.


Paul begins by re-explaining the gospel he teaches and claiming his authority from God. He re-iterates we are saved only by believing in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. He goes on to say Christians are to live by the law of love, not the law of Moses. He makes sure they know, although it had been a necessary part of Jewish National Life, circumcision was not a part of the Gospel of Christ and had nothing whatsoever to do with Salvation. If Paul had not fought back and had allowed the Judaizers to continue to lead the gentile Christians astray, then everything he had taught would have completely lost it’s meaning. The gospel Paul wanted them to understand was that man is justified by faith in Jesus Christ—nothing more and nothing less—and man is sanctified not by legalistic works, but by the grace and power of Christ and the Holy Spirit.


It was the rediscovery of the basic message of the book of Galatians that brought about the Reformation of the church. Galatians was relied upon very strongly by Martin Luther and therefore is often referred to as “Luther’s book”. One of the key verses Martin Luther liked to rely on was 2:16.

"Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified."