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| Author | Paul the Apostle | ||||||||||
| Date
Written |
Between A.D. 49 and 55 | ||||||||||
| Title | Named after the addressee of this letter: the churches in Galatia | ||||||||||
| Background | Jews greatly outnumber Gentiles in the early churches, such as in Galatia; thus, many questions and issues arise when non Jews come into the church. The Judaizers, a group of Jewish believers, follow Paul as he evangelizes. They insist that the Gentile believers must submit to circumcision and the laws of Moses in order to be saved. The book of Galatians is Paul's response to this erroneous teaching. Salvation is a gift of grace, wholly dependent upon living faith in Jesus Christ | ||||||||||
| Where
Written |
Possibly Antioch or Ephesus | ||||||||||
| To Whom | To the Christians at Galatia. | ||||||||||
| Content | Paul uses this letter to remind Christians that they are heirs of God as His own children. This inheritance is not available by works of law, but only by living faith in Jesus Christ. Paul, a Jew himself, refutes the false teaching that each Gentile Christian must be converted to Judaism and follow strict observance of Mosaic laws. He summarizes the Gospel and then declares how Abraham was saved by faith about 400 years before the law was revealed through Moses. After defending his credentials as an Apostle, he concludes with discussions on walking in the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit. | ||||||||||
| Themes |
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| Key
Words |
"Grace"; "Liberty." Not by our own good works, but only by the "grace" of God are we justified and brought into a right relationship with God. This "liberty" God has granted us is made possible by Christ's payment for our sins and the Holy Spirit's leading us from sin's bondage. | ||||||||||
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