The Epistle[1] of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians

Guarding the Gospel of Grace

Galatians is a treatise which defends our Christian liberty.[2] It contrasts law and grace; both of which have their purpose in God’s plan for us, but must be applied as God intended. The purpose of the law[3] as shown in Galatians is to show us our need for God’s grace[4] and to bring us to belief in Jesus. (3:19-26), (See also Rom. 3:19, 20). Grace is the means by which we are eternally saved (Eph. 2:8, 9) and the means by which the believer should live (Col. 2:6; Titus 2:11, 12).

In reading both Galatians and Romans, it seems as though they are quite similar in content and therefore, somewhat redundant.[5] After time and further study it seems that at least part of the explanation to that is the following:

Romans defines the Gospel message and Galatians defends the Gospel message. Romans emphasizes the mechanics and details of the saving message and Galatians emphasizes what our response should be to those who would pervert the saving message.

If this be so, where does the book of John come in? Its purpose statement is that we would believe in Jesus and have life (John 20:31). It doesn’t even use the words “justify” or “justification” (the mechanics) but mentions belief in Jesus almost 100 times. It shows us the only thing that we can do; believe in Jesus (John 3:16, et al). The rest of it God handles, As we mature we need to know about those things also.[6]

To illustrate: If the goal is for a small child to grow an oak tree from an acorn: Romans gives us the details and mechanics of how it is to grow; Galatians defends the necessity of how it is to grow and be protected, e.g. it needs water, sunlight, nutrition, etc. but John doesn’t go into those details. It just tells the child to put the acorn in the ground and cover it with dirt. He likely could not even understand the mechanics of the growth process.

While we should avoid being contentious, there are some principles and doctrines for which it is worth contending. Jude 3 exhorts us that we, "...should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." In the next verse the reason for this exhortation is given; there had been, "...certain men crept in unawares, ...ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." The apostle Paul experienced a similar attack of Satan's emissaries in the Galatian churches He had taught true doctrine but others had come in and undermined both Paul and his teaching.

Paul's critics have come to be known as Judaizers since they were trying to make observance of the Jewish law a condition for salvation and for sanctification within Christianity. They not only attacked his doctrine but they attacked Paul himself by trying to undermine his apostleship. As we stand for God's truth we should not be surprised if we experience similar trials. II Tim. 3:12. tells us, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." If you are not suffering persecution, either you are not living “godly in Christ Jesus,” or, cheer up, just wait a while; it's coming. Matt. 7:6. further elaborates, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." Sometimes the messenger is rejected along with the message.

We need to grasp the historical context of the epistle if we are to realize the Scriptural content of the epistle:

The writer of the book: God is the Author (2 Tim. 3:16), but the Holy Spirit used the apostle Paul to pen this letter as is seen in the first two verses: "Paul, an apostle... unto the churches of Galatia:" (See also 5:2). Paul was a native of the large and influential city of Tarsus (Acts. 21:39); located near the northeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. (Please see the map on the next page). Tradition places the date of his birth at two years after Messiah's birth. His Hebrew name was Saul (meaning "desired") and he was later known by his Greek name as Paul[7] (meaning "little").

The first mention that we see of him is in Acts 7:58 (ca A.D. 36): As the Jewish mob began to stone Stephen for his stinging testimony, "...the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul." Acts 8:1-3. elaborates on Saul's endorsement of persecuting the believers in Yeshua. In Acts, chapter 9, we see the miraculous conversion of Saul while on the way to Damascus to persecute believers. He had been zealous in his obedience to the law (Philippians 3:4-9). His zeal then turned from a misguided religious fervor of arresting believers to a life-long passion of serving his Savior. God used him to pen 13 NT epistles; some believe that he also wrote the epistle to the Hebrews. His parting words prior to his martyrdom were, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (2. Tim. 4:6-8). We should all strive to be able to say the same.

The recipients of the book: As also seen in the first two verses, the recipients of this epistle are "the churches[8] of Galatia." There is divided opinion whether or not this is speaking of the churches in the northern portion of the province of Galatia or to the churches in southern Galatia which Paul founded during his first missionary journey as recorded in Acts 13 and 14.[9] Please see the map below. Galatia was not a city, it was a region which contained a number of cities. Galatia was located in what is now the central region of modern-day Turkey.

The date of the book: The determination of the date of the writing of the epistle is dependent upon establishing its recipients. If Paul was writing to the churches in southern Galatia which he had founded during his first missionary journey, then the early date of about A.D. 48-49 is correct. If Paul was writing to those in northern Galatia, then a much later date of A.D 57-60. would be in order. For reasons not necessary to propose in this study, we believe it most likely that the recipients were the churches in southern Galatia and that the early date is to be accepted as accurate. There is no reason for dogmatism here as neither date changes the tremendous impact of the message.

The theme of the book: The theme of Galatians, and the central theme of the New Testament is that true freedom comes only through Jesus Christ. In Galatians Paul deals with spiritual freedom in two areas: (1) - Salvation, through which faith in Christ alone sets a person free from the bondage of sin and the law. and (2) - Sanctification in the Christian life. This involves the freedom that God gives His children in the Christian life; In other words, Christian liberty.

Chart overview of the book:

FOCUS	GOSPEL OF GRACE DEFENDED		GOSPEL OF GRACE EXPLAINED		GOSPEL OF GRACE APPLIED
REFERENCE	1:1	2:1	3:1	4:1	5:1	6:1. 6:18
DIVISION	PAUL’S APOSTLESHIP	PAUL’S AUTHORITY	BONDAGE OF LAW	FREEDOM OF GRACE	FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT		FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT
TOPIC	BIOGRAPHICAL EXPLANATION		DOCTRINAL EXPOSITION		PRACTICAL EXHORTATION
	AUTHENTICATION OF LIBERTY		ARGUMENTATION FOR LIBERTY		APPLICATION OF LIBERTY
LOCATION	SOUTH GALATIAN THEORY: SYRIAN ANTIOCH NORTH GALATIAN THEORY: EPHESUS OR MACEDONIA
TIME	SOUTH GALATIAN THEORY: a.d. 49 NORTH GALATIAN THEORY: a.d. 53–56

Chart from the Open Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville

Chapters 1 and 2	Chapters 3 and 4	Chapters 5 and 6
Personal	Doctrinal	Practical
Vindication	Exposition	Application
Testimonial and apologetic[10]	Doctrinal and argumentative	Practical and hortatory
Source of Gospel	Defense of Gospel	Application of Gospel
Gospel from God (1:1)	Gospel superior to law (5:1)	Gospel of Spirit (5:25)
Defends his apostleship	Defends his Gospel message	Defends the Christian life

We frequently see Paul's epistle's beginning with a strong dose of doctrine, and then concluding with practical application of the doctrine. This tells me that you cannot have right living without right doctrine.

The outline of the book - and what we can expect to learn and apply from this book.

Galatians Outline - Bob Wilkin, Grace NT Commentary

I. Salutation and Greeting (1:1–5)

II. Theme: Don’t Let Anyone Move You from Paul’s Gospel (1:6–10)

III. Paul’s Life and Ministry Prove That His Gospel Is the True Gospel (1:11–2:21)

IV. The Old Testament Scriptures Prove That Paul’s Gospel Is the True Gospel (3:1–4:31)

V. Only Paul’s Gospel Allows Believers to Serve Christ Successfully Now So That They Might Rule with Him Forever (5:1–6:10)

VI. Epilogue: Paul’s Gospel Leads One to Boast in Christ, Not in the Flesh (6:11–16)

VII. Farewell (6:17–18)

Galatians Outline - Dr. Mark G. Cambron, NT Book By Book Survey

I. Salutation of Letter (1:1-5)

A. From the Brethren (1:1, 2a)

B. To the Believers (1:2b-5)

II. Shock over Legalism (1:6- 2:21)

A. Perversion of the Gospel (1:6-9)

B. Provision of the Gospel (1:10-12)

C. Power of the Gospel (1:13-2:21)

III. Spirit versus Law (3-5)

A. As to Works (3:1-18)

B. As to Words (3:19-5:15)

C. As to Walk (5:16-26)

IV. Service of Love (6)

A. Restoring the Brother (6:1)

B. Relieving the Burden (6:2-6)

C. Reaping the Harvest (6:7-9)

D. Regulating the Duty (6:10)

E. Resisting the Evil (6:11-13)

F. Rejoicing the More (6:14-16)

G. Resting the Case (6:17-18)

We will attempt to view the epistle and portions of it first, telescopically, then focus in more microscopically. Both methods are essential in order to realize the content and intent of the message. Our goal is to learn what God is saying to us and to apply it in our lives.

[1] An "epistle" (ἐπιστολὴ - ep-is-tol-ay’) is synonymous with a "letter" which was written to someone or to a group of people — contrary to the humorous definition of an epistle being the wife of an apostle.

[2] “Liberty” (ἐλευθερία- el-yoo-ther-ee’-ah) is used 4 times in 3 verses: 2:4; 5:1; 5:13.

^{^[3]} “Law” (νόμος- nom’-os) is used 25 times in Galatians and is clearly shown NOT to be the means of justification in God’s sight (Gal. 2:16, 21; 3:21, 22; Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:20, 28). It can refer to the five books of Moses, the Mosaic Law (either the 10 commandments or all 613 of them), civil law, or a principle or precept. This distinction is usually made clear by the context.

^{^[4]}“Grace” (χάρις - khar’-ece) is mentioned 7 times in Galatians and is the determining factor for the true Gospel message (1:6-10).

[5] ☺Humorous sign on office door - “Department of Redundancy Department.”

[6] If by any chance you as a reader of this study do not know for certain that you will go to heaven when you die, please, right now, take God at His word and believe in Jesus to save you as He says in John 3:16. 1st John 5:13 tells us, ”These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life,..." Eternal life is a free gift that cannot be lost, (Eph. 2:8, 9) and If we then obey God as a believer we can experience true joy and fruitfulness in our lives. Much of this study will help in that area. If we can assist you or if there are questions concerning believing in Jesus and receiving eternal life, please contact us at Free@FreeGraceResources.org.

[7] Also referred to by some as Rabbi Shaul.( שׁאול - shaw-ool’), (Σαούλ - sah-ool’). Here's a trick question: "When did God change Saul's name to "Paul?" The answer is that we have no Bible evidence that He did. What we do know is that he was known by his Hebrew name until beginning his first missionary journey to the Gentiles mentioned in Acts 13. Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13). Saul (when referring to the Apostle) is only mentioned 28 times and only in the book of Acts. Acts 13:9. states, "Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him...." This is the last recorded time that he is called by his Hebrew name. He is called Paul close to 160 times after this.

[8] The Bible uses the word "church" differently than we often do. In modern English the word “church” is used in several ways:

1. A building designated as a place of worship.

2. A denomination or particular sect, e.g. Baptist, Methodist.

3. The Body of Christ; the universal church composed of all believers from Pentecost to the Rapture. (Eph. 1:22, 23)

4. The local church; a geographically limited assembly of believers who meet in a specific location composed of members of the universal church. (Gal. 1:2; et al).

Only the last two of these are recognized in the New Testament. The Greek word translated “church” in the N.T. is “ἐκκλησία (ek-klay-see’-ah). It literally means “a called out group or assembly.” It was used of the nation of Israel while in the wilderness (Acts 7:38) but not while they were in the land. It is also translated “assembly” and used of a gathering of citizens in a public meeting place (Acts 19:32, 39, 41). These two uses of the word are in striking contrast to the N.T. Church that Jesus said that He would build (Matt. 16:18). He was referring to what is commonly called the “universal” church, “the church, which is His body” (Eph. 1:22, 23) which He “purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). You cannot join this one. You must be spiritually born into it by belief in Christ (John 3:3, 16).

[9] Just to get the feel of what Paul was doing, I figured the mileage traveled during his first missionary journey which was the shortest of the three recorded missionary trips. I calculated that he covered approximately 1,400 miles; roughly half on land and half on water — All that without interstate highways or a GPS. Paul's first missionary journey is recorded in Acts 13 and 14 (ca 46-48 A.D.), his second in Acts 15:40-18:23 (ca 49-52 A.D.), and his third in Acts 18:23b-21:15 (ca 53-58 A.D.). I also see his trip to Rome as a prisoner to be a 4th "missionary Journey" (Acts 27, 28 ca 60 A.D.) as Paul consistently redeemed the time and presented the Good News of salvation every chance that he had. Should we not do the same?

[10] "Apologetics" from (ἀπολογία- ap-ol-og-ee’-ah, "speaking in defense") is the discipline of defending a position through the systematic use of information. As in Php. 1:17, "...knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel."