Image of Cross Site Index TitleImage of Cross
Bible Questions Answered Bible Search Books of the Bible Christian Education
Church Ministry Directory Church Directory Form Contact Us Find Missing Children
For Your Health Free Information Great Links Home
Prayer Requests Sermons and Seminars Sign Guestbook View Guestbook
What We Believe

BOOKS OF THE BIBLE


GALATIANS





Name - Twelve of the Pauline Epistles were addressed to individual churches or to individuals. Some of these letters were quite certainly circulated to other churches, but this Epistle is addressed to a group of churches, designated "the churches of Galatia." Differences of opinion prevail as to the significance of the term, Galatia; some regard it as an ethnological term embracing only what is known as Northern Galatia, occupied largely by Gauls who migrated into that region in 278-277 B.C. Others consider the term to embrace the whole Roman province of Galatia, which included at that time, parts of Phrygia, Pisidia, Lycaonia, and Isauria. In designating the Christians to whom this Epistle was written as "Galatians," Paul most probably used the term in a provincial, not in an ethnological sense, as is commonly done in New Testament writings.

Theme - The background and occasion for this Epistle can be traced quite readily. The churches mentioned were established by Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary tour, and Paul visited them again on the second missionary journey accompanied by Silas. Believing that the churches were well established in the faith, Paul and his companions entered larger fields of missionary service, and no return visit was made over a long period of years. During this protracted absence, Judaizing teachers from Palestine came into Southern Galatia and not only deflected the churches from the true faith of the gospel, but violently attacked the apostleship and ministry of Paul. Paul then wrote this impassioned and indignant letter of protest against the heresies and heretics troubling the churches of Galatia.

Outline - A simple outline of the purpose and plan of the Epistle sets forth also a comprehensive analysis: I. Paul Vindicates Himself and His Gospel (1:1-2:21) II. The Defence of the Doctrine of Justification by Faith (3-4) III. Application of the Doctrine of Justification by Faith to Christian Conduct (5:1-6:10) IV. Warnings against Judaizers and Conclusion (6:11-18)



Books of the Bible - Main Page
Old Testament
New Testament