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The Epistle To The Galatians

by Micky Galloway

“Historically, the term Galatia refers to the Gauls who moved from Europe into Asia Minor in the third century and established their own kingdom around the cities of Pessinus, Ancyra and Tavium. When Roman rule was reaching its zenith, the territory was considerably enlarged by several actions: (1) In B.C. 64 Pompey conquered the Near East and appointed three kings over the area of Galatia, the chief of which was Amyntas; (2) In B.C. 36 Amyntas was given Galatia and Lycaonia, and upon the death of Mark Antony he assumed control of Pamphylia, Cilicia and Derbe; (3) In B.C. 25 Amyntas was killed and the Romans created the new province of Pamphylia; (4) By 41 A.D. the southern border of the Roman province of Galatia was the city of Derbe. It is clear, therefore, Galatia as a proper name was applied to both the original territory occupied by the invading Gauls and the much larger area of the entire Roman Province, reaching southward to the borders of Lycia, Pamphylia and the kingdom of Antiochus” (Claude M. Wilsford, Florida College Lectures, 1977, page 90).

The churches of Galatia were probably established by Paul when he preached the gospel in Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe (Acts 16:6). Some have supposed from this text and that of Galatians 4:13 that there were two visits of Paul to Galatia. In Acts 18:23 we learn at the beginning of Paul’s third preaching tour he “went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples.”

The dating of this epistle can be quite difficult for several reasons beyond the scope of this study. However, it would seem the epistle was written shortly after the events of Acts 15 involving the circumcising of Gentile converts. “And certain men came down from Judaea and taught the brethren, (saying), Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1). If this view is correct then the events of Galatians 2:1-10 follow on the heels of Acts 15. It is likely therefore that the Galatian letter was written during Paul’s three year work in Ephesus on the third preaching tour (AD 53-56). Others have suggested that the letter was written during Paul’s eighteen month stay in Corinth on his second preaching tour (AD 53). More important than the dating of the book is its message.

Some were preaching a perverted gospel. Galatians 1:6-9 says, “I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; which is not another (gospel) only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema. As we have said before, so say I now again, if any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema.” This occurred relatively soon after Paul’s last visit to the Galatians. This false teaching was taking its effect among the Galatians. Paul asked, “O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified?” (Galatians 3:1). He declared to them, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love” and then asked, “Ye were running well; who hindered you that ye should not obey the truth?” (Galatians 5:6-7). It would seem that these Judaizers would rather see the Gentiles become Jews than to see them become Christians! Even the apostle Peter became guilty of hypocrisy in this issue! “Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy (Galatians 2:11-13 NKJV).

Some attacked the authority of Paul and accused him of teaching a different gospel from the other apostles. Paul quickly defended his apostleship, “For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man. For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but (it came to me) through revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12). Jesus was the sole source of Paul’s teaching, not the other apostles or any man. Any teaching other than that which Paul had taught them would subvert (undermine the principles of) their souls (cf. Acts 15:24). Please note that this controversy involved their fellowship. Previously in Jerusalem as this matter was being considered, James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, “gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship…” (cf. Galatians 2:9). To others Paul said, “We gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Galatians 2:5).

The major issue involved in this controversy was the authority of the Law verses the authority of Christ. Paul powerfully denies that righteousness is attained through the law. Galatians 2:19-21 says, “For I through the law died unto the law, that I might live unto God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that (life) which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, (the faith) which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought.” If any man is to be justified, it is in Christ. “So that the law is become our tutor (to bring us) unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor. For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ” (Galatians 3:24-27).

There were other issues that existed among the Galatian brethren. Paul warns them, “For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only (use) not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another” (Galatians 5:13). “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law” (Galatians 5:17-18). And again, “And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk” (Galatians 5:24-25). Freedom from the Law did not mean freedom from law! Though they were not bound by the practices of the OT, including circumcision, they were to walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh. In Galatians 5:19-21 Paul lists many of the lusts of the flesh and concludes that they who “practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Those who sought to use their freedom from the Law to practice these works of the flesh were to be rebuked by their brethren who walked according to the Spirit (Galatians 6:1-10).

Paul concludes this book by pointing out that those who bind circumcision do not themselves keep the law, “but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh … for neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. As many as shall walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:13). It is not the circumcised that make up the Israel of God, but those who new creatures in Christ.

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