Introduction and Galatians 1:1-4

The People of Galatia (see above map): It is interesting that the Galatians originally came from the Danube River basin which flows through southern european countries to the Black Sea. The people from that region spread out. Among them are those we know through history as the Gauls, the Celts, and Galatians (who spread SE into present day Turkey).

The churches of Galatia: There is some debate regarding the location of the churches of Galatia, some opting for the northern Galatia theory and others choosing the southern territory. We have chosen to believe that Galatians was written around 49 A.D. to churches that Paul established and visited during his first missionary journey as recorded in Acts 13-14-14:23

Importance of Galatians: Since this book is probably the first of Paul's writings understanding it is crucial to grasping the rest of Paul--particular in regard to his views on certain topics and words that come up throughout his writings--law, salvation, freedom, abrahamic covenant, etc.

Paul’s Opponents were Christian Jews from Jerusalem who thought it necessary to be circumcised, follow the Jewish calendar, be rightly related to the Abrahamic Covenant, and live the Christian life by a Jewish understanding of the law. They sought to undermine or discredit the authority of Paul. They wanted to avoid the persecution associated with the cross and wanted to boast in Gentile circumcision.

There are two extremes to which Galatians (and Paul) point. The first is a legalism which adds to the gospel things that God never intended to add. The second is libertinism which takes the liberty or freedom we have in Christ to an extreme which rejects or distorts the new role of the law of liberty. (A common misunderstanding of folks is that the law is completely done away with-- yet it is God's law that is written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit as part of the new covenant.)

Topics and Theology in Galatians (and Paul): The Family of God, the Law, God’s Covenants, Gospel, Grace, Freedom, Christian Living

Other NT Books mentioning Galatia: 1 Cor 16:2; 2 Tim 4:10; 1 Pet 1:1

Read Galatians 1: 1-2: This introduction is unique in Paul's writings and he is defending the authenticity of his apostleship and direct authority from Christ, speaking to and against his opponents.

F.F. Bruce speculates the following as to what the the Jewish Christians (Paul's opponents) may have been saying(pp xcvi and xcvii in Longenecker commentary): “The Jerusalem leaders are the only persons with authority to say what the true gospel is, and this authority they received direct from Christ. Paul has no comparable authority: any commission he exercises was derived by him from the Jerusalem leaders, and if he differs from them on the content or implications of the gospel, he is acting and teaching quite arbitrarily. In fact, Paul went up to Jerusalem shortly after his conversion and spent some time with the apostles there. They instructed him in the first principles of the gospel, and seeing that he was a man of uncommon intellect, magnanimously wiped out from their minds his record as a persecutor and authorized him to preach to others the gospel which he had learned from them. But when he left Jerusalem for Syria and Cilicia he began to adapt the gospel to make it palatable to Gentiles. The Jerusalem leaders practised circumcision and observed the law and the customs, but Paul struck out on a line of his own, omitting circumcision and other ancient observances from the message he preached, and thus he betrayed his ancient heritage. This law-free gospel has not authority but his own.”

A forgotten theme and topic in Galatians is that the gospel is for everyone and there can be no discrimination. There is one gospel. There is one family of God. There are not two people of God with two different plans (a Jew and a Gentile plan). The mystery of the gospel has united all people under the one original plan of God from the beginning--to bless all the nations through the seed of Abraham and thus fulfill the promises and covenants of the Old Testament.

Back to verse 1: To read of Paul’s Direct Commission From Jesus: Acts 9:15; Acts 22:17-21; Acts 26:15-17

Verse 2: all the brethren with me: Paul and those with him are united in the message of Galatians. Paul was not a lone ranger and was always surrounded by other believers.

Verse 2: to the churches of Galatia: a circular letter which would have traveled around to the various churches in the region.

Read Gal 1:3-4

Verse 3: Grace is the cause of the gospel. Peace is the effect of the gospel.
Verse 3: From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Paul unites the Father and Jesus and considers them equals. To reject Jesus Christ as God is to sever yourself from God the Father.
Verse 4: The work of Christ= he gave himself for our sins: Isa 53:5-6, 12; Mark 10:45; Eph 5:2,25; 1 Tim 2:6; Titus 2:14
Verse 4: Purpose in the death of Christ: To rescue us from this present evil age.
Practical Applications (read the passages below)
1. Intersection of Two ages. The age to come has crashed in the present age.
2. James 4:4; 1 John 2:15; 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:4-5; 1 John 5:19
3. John 12:31; John 16:11; John 18:36; Rom 12:1; John 15:19; John 16:33; John 17:6; John
17:15-18
4. 1 John 3:8

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. The rescue operation mentioned in verse 4 is one that effects all of creation. We are rescued from one age by the entry of a person from another age, the Lord Jesus Christ. Heaven has crashed into earth. Jesus died in our place for our rescue.  Let us not misunderstand as if to think that God intends to take us out of the world or that this world in itself is evil. Rather, the ways of the world system (which follows in a rebellious pattern of sin and enmity with God) need not control us. Christ came to give us a permanent rescue from the penalty and power of sin.  Because of Jesus we should be grateful and want to do the things which are pleasing to Him--in effect keeping the law, loving God and our neighbor.  More on this later.