Galatians- An Introduction

Galatians

Who:  The Galatians, found in Asia Minor, which we know today as Turkey.  Specifically a group of churches planted by the Apostle Paul, who now are struggling with Judaizing elements in their midst.  For discussion on whether the term Galatian was an ethnic or provincial designation, see the section “Where”. 

What: A letter from the Apostle Paul in which he outlines the basis of Christian belief in justification by faith, over and against justification through works of the law.  It is nothing less than a defense of the gospel in which our salvation is through faith in Christ.  Paul goes to great detail in outlining why the Law is an inadequate source of salvation. 

When: More than likely around 48-49 AD, just before the Jerusalem Conference recorded in Acts 15.  This dating is not without its difficulties, but it seems to fit best while also creating the least amount of problems.  Under this theory, Acts 9:26-30 = Galatians 1:18-20; and Acts 11:30 & 12:25 = Galatians 2:1-10.  It also makes sense because if the Jerusalem Conference had already taken place, Paul would probably have mentioned the ruling of the “pillars” in Jerusalem in his argument.  Furthermore, Paul normally addresses topics that are recent, and it is only in this letter that we hear any details about his conversion.  Also, he mentions Peter, James, John, Titus, and Barnabus, as well as Damascus, Antioch, and his native Cilicia.  References to Barnabas imply that the letter is after the Antioch incident, and yet before a resolution to the incident is reached in Jerusalem and also before Paul and Barnabas are reconciled. 

Where: This question cannot be answered conclusively, but the evidence leans toward south Galatia, specifically the cities of Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.  Many of the Galatians were actually Celts who migrated in the 3^rd century BC from central Europe in the vicinity of the Danube.  They originally settled in a kingdom located in what is today northern Turkey, on the Black Sea.  However, in Paul’s day the Roman province of Galatia extended from the Black Sea in the north, to the Mediterranean Sea in the south.  The only major roads in Paul’s day ran through the southern part of Galatia, and we know that Paul generally travelled along such roads, preaching and teaching in major transportation and communication centers.  Finally, Acts is silent on the planting of churches in north Galatia.  If this area was the one in question from Galatians, surely it would have been mentioned by Luke in Acts.

Why: We have already addressed why Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia, so now we must ask why this letter is so significant?  Besides the fact that it is part of the Scriptures, its significance is also derived from the date mentioned earlier.  If the date of 48-49 AD is correct for when Galatians was written, then it almost certainly is the earliest of the books in the New Testament.  In short, it is the first written expression we have of the beliefs, practices, and even struggles of the early church.