The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • Written by Paul (Gal 1: 1) from Syrian Antioch in AD 49 Syrian 1 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • Written by Paul from Syrian Antioch in ~AD 48 -52 – Although some favor a later date, e. g. 52 -57 BC (3 rd missionary tour) – Probably composed when Paul was on his way to the Jerusalem – Council (Acts 15) • Therefore Galatians could be the earliest letter of Paul and possibly the earliest book in the NT. • Written to Gentile Christians in Galatia – Located in Asia Minor • Was it written to the church in the Northern (Pessinus, Ankyra, Tavium) or Southern parts of Galatia (Iconium, Lystra, Derbe)? 2 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • Galatia refers to the Roman province – The Gauls were a celtic war-like tribe that originally inhabited France and then migrated to Asia Minor in ~300 BC – The Romans took over after the death of Amyntas in 25 BC and named it Galatia • Phyrigians – original inhabitants – Originally dwelt and identified with the northern region – A history of nature worship – Noted for fickleness, impetuosity, love for new and curious things • Some Jews were also in the area – The fact that Paul’s 1 st missionary journey with Barnabus (Acts 13 -14) strongly supports that this epistle was written to the Southern Galatian believers, but Ryrie provides extensive arguments for both. • Epithets: – The Magna Carta of Christian Liberty – The "Other Gospel" Cursed 3 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction · Paul’s First Missionary Journey, 48 -49 AD 4 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • A Galatians Timeline 30 35 40 45 50 AD Paul’s 1 st Missionary Journey (Acts 1314; 46 -48 AD) Paul’s letter to the churches in the Roman province of Galatia 5 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • A papyrus copy of Paul’s letter dating from 180 -200 AD – Gal 1: 1 -5 • The sequence of evangelism in Galatia – Paul preached in Antioch and was driven out by force (Acts 13: 50). – Paul preached in Iconium and was driven out by force (Acts 14: 5, 6). – Paul preached in Lystra and was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14: 19, 20). – Paul & Barnabas had appointed elders in each of the churches in these cities during the last half of his 1 st missionary journey (Acts 14: 23). – But the elders were spiritually young. • Gal 1: 6 ‘I marvel that ye so soon removed…’ 6 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • Paul’s 2 nd Missionary Journey (Acts 15: 3918: 22; 49 -52 AD) – With Silas • Timothy later joined – Forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the Gospel in Galatia (Acts 16: 6) 7 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • Paul’s 3 rd Missionary Journey, 54 -58 AD 8 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction The 3 Cultures Paul faced in Galatia Roman culture Greek culture Jewish culture 9 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • We will see that Paul took a number of illustrations from Roman law, since he knew their strong Roman background, & Paul himself was a Roman citizen (Acts 22: 25 -29 & 23: 27) Augustus Caesar, an emperor who received ‘the adoption of sons’ (Gal 4: 5) 10 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • These cities also had Greek cultural influence, over a period of more than three centuries. • That would explain why Paul would write this letter to all of them in the Greek language. paidagōgos = tutor (Gal 3: 24, 25) 11 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • The Greek cultural influence would also explain why these people sought to worship Barnabas & Paul as Zeus & Hermes, which were the Greek names for deities (Acts 14: 12, 13). Zeus, Ares, Hermes, Athena, & Apollo 12 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • Though a minority, there had also been Jews living in these cities for about 2½ centuries. • A strong Jewish influence in these cities was evident in Acts 13: 14 -46, 50 & in Acts 14: 1 -5, 19. Synagogue ruins at Pisidian Antioch 13 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • The strong Jewish presence would explain why Paul used illustrations from Genesis to make his point, citing Abraham, Sarah & Hagar (Gal 3: 6 -18 & also 4: 21 -31). Genesis 18: 9 -15 14 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction • The Major Content of Galatians: – Two issues • Purity of doctrine • Purity of conduct – What is the Gospel? • • Justification by faith, not works. Law-keeping as a means of salvation is condemned. The ceremonial law (esp. circumcision) is not binding on the gentiles. Therefore, stand fast in the liberty in which Christ has made you free! – Important verses include: • • The different Gospel (Gal 1: 6 -8) Crucified with Christ (Gal 2: 20) The purpose of the Law (Gal 3: 24) The Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5: 22) 15 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel

The Epistle to the Galatians Background and Introduction – What is legalism anyway? • The mental attitude that man can do something to merit the blessing of God, either in salvation or in sanctification. – Evidences in Galatia: » Circumcision (Gal 5: 1 -5, 11; Gal 6: 12, 13) » Insistence on observing certain days (Gal 4: 10) • • This stifles the life of Christ (Gal 5: 4) Grace principle is lost (Gal 5: 4) Leads to hypocrisy and a life that is lived to impress men (Gal 6: 12) Paul addresses this by teaching that – Salvation is by grace alone (Gal 1 -4) – Sanctification is by grace alone (Gal 5 -6) It should be a great book and great fun!! 16 Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel