Introduction to the letter to the Galatians
The 48th book of the Bible, the 9th in the New Testament
During his second missionary journey, Paul traveled through Central Anatolia, where Turkey’s current capital is located, and founded several churches there.
About 300 years earlier, some 20,000 Celtic mercenaries from the Volcae tribal confederation, who originated from what is now southern and central Germany, had settled here. For this reason, the region was called Galatia (from the name Gauls).
This was likely the first encounter a larger group of people from our cultural sphere at that time had with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Shortly after Paul, “false” evangelists who considered themselves Jewish Christians must have visited and influenced the churches.
They taught that Christians must also strictly observe the Jewish laws and that men must be circumcised in order to attain salvation.
In doing so, they denied Paul’s credibility and authority as an apostle to the Gentiles.
He sharply refutes this in his letter and encourages the Galatians to hold fast to what he has taught. It is not keeping the law—but faith alone—that justifies a person.
At the same time, the freedom we have gained through Christ must by no means be misused as a license for a selfish and sinful life; rather, it sets us free to love our fellow human beings, to offer mutual support, and to do good deeds.
Paul also visited the Galatians during his third missionary journey, and it is not certain whether he wrote his letter before his departure, during his travels, or only afterward. The letter to the Christians in Galatia is therefore thought to have been written sometime between A.D. 50 and 58.
Outline of the Epistle to the Galatians:
Chapters 1 through 2:21 – Defense of his gospel and apostleship
Chapters 2:15 through 4:31 – Teaching on justification and freedom through faith
Chapters 5:1 through 6:18 – Practical instructions for Christian living and sanctification
Content of the letter to the Galatians:
Galatians chapter 1
Author
I. Proof that Paul did not receive his message of salvation from human beings (1:11–2:21)
Galatians chapter 2
Galatians chapter 3
II. Justification by faith and the Christian’s freedom from the Mosaic Law (3:1–5:12)
Galatians chapter 4
Galatians chapter 5
III. Freedom from the Law in Christ as the Foundation of a New Spiritual and Moral Life (5:13–6:10)
Galatians chapter 6
IV. The Letter’s Conclusion in the Author’s Own Hand (6:11–18)