GALATIANS
(Magna Carta of Christian Liberty)
Author: Paul.
Date: (49-53 AD) from Antioch.
Key Place: Galatia and Jerusalem. Most of the scholars agree that Galatia is a geographical reference to the Roman province in Central Asia Minor Which had been settled by immigrants called ‘Celts’ in 270 BC and they had retained culture and language of Gaulish. In (Acts 16:6), Paul records that “Paul and his companions travelled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia.” This is perhaps Paul’s first Missionary journey.
To whom written: The churches in southern Galatia founded by Paul on his first missionary journey including Iconium, Lystra, Derbe and to Christians at large. This is probably Apostle Paul’s first letter to any church.
Apostle Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey
Background: Apostle Paul wrote to the Saints in Galatia, because he was deeply distressed that they were straying away from the teaching of the Lord by following the teachings of some, who sought to pervert the Gospel. Jewish Christians were teaching that Gentile Christians the false doctrine of necessity of Circumcision by Gentile Christians. This was originally a ritual requirements of the law of Moses. It appears that some Galatian Christians had embraced the teachings of these people (4:10).
History: After the first missionary journey Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch. Peter also came from Jerusalem to visit them and to have fellowship with them. During this time Peter was trying to withdraw from the Gentile believers on the matter of circumcision. Immediately Paul publicly rebuked him for his inconsistent behaviour. Meanwhile, Judaizers (false teachers) had infiltrated into the churches in Galatia, denying Paul’s authority as an Apostle and teaching that circumcision was necessary for salvation. This caused Paul to write this strong letter prior to attending the Jerusalem Council.
Outline:
Paul’s main purposes in writing this epistle is summarised as below:
- He was defending himself against the accusations of the false teachers who opposed him.
- He firmly taught to all people, whether Jew or Gentile, for every one would be saved only by the Atonement of Jesus, by placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ, instead of relying upon the works of the law of Moses.
- He clarified the role of the Law of Moses in God’s plan.
- He made a clear distinction between the Old Covenant of God through Moses and the New Covenant in Christ.
- He appealed all the Saints to live by the Spirit.
The book of Galatia stands out as the most eloquent, most impassioned and apologetic for the essential truth of New Testament, that people are freely justified by faith in Jesus Christ alone, nothing less and nothing more. Further they are sanctified not by the legalistic works, but by the grace and power of Christ and by the Holy Spirit. This was the basic message that brought about the Protestant Reformation. Galatians contain Paul’s earliest written presentation of the Doctrine of Justification. The Book of Galatians is often referred to as “Luther’s book” because Martin Luther relied so strongly on this letter in all his preaching, teaching and writing against the strong papacy (the government of Roman Catholic Church).
The book of Galatia is also referred as the “Magna Carta of Christian Liberty.”