Author

Of course, we believe that Galatians was written by the Apostle Paul because that is what the first word of the first verse tells us, but even secular scholars do not typically contest Paul’s authorship of this epistle.

Theme

Salvation cannot be obtained by works of the law but only through the grace of God by faith in Jesus Christ.

Background

This epistle of Paul was written to the churches of the Galatian region. This differs slightly from Paul’s other letters in that most of them were written to the Christians of one particular city, and while the letters were certainly passed on to other churches in other cities (Paul even at times asked them to do this), the letters were still for the most part written with one particular city in mind. The question of which Galatia has been the subject of much discussion. Frank Thielman writes:

He might be referring to the region traditionally called Galatia in the northern-central part of the Anatolian Peninsula (what is today Turkey). More probably, however, “Galatia” refers to the southern part of the much larger Roman province of Galatia, which covered not only traditional Galatia but also areas south of that region, including Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and Pisidian Antioch. Paul and Barnabas had visited these towns on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:13-14:26), and thus the writings of Galatians would have fallen sometime after that journey.

As for the particular date of the epistle, we cannot say for certain. Some argue that Paul’s confrontation with Peter happened at the council in Jerusalem that is recorded in Acts 15. However, if that were the case, it seems to me that Paul would have readily communicated the final conclusion reached by the apostles and elders regarding circumcision. Since that decision is not referenced, it seems that this letter was likely written before that council took place.

Purpose

The main purpose for Paul writing this letter is to defend the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Galatian Christians were evidently predominately Gentiles, and sometime after Paul had proclaimed the gospel to them, a group arrived in Galatia, teaching that true Christianity still observed the Old Testament laws, particularly the old covenant sign of circumcision. These false teachers have often been called the Judaizers, though Paul gives no particular name for them. Instead, he says simply that they are troubling the Galatians and distorting the gospel (1:7), persuading them to abandon the only true gospel.

Indeed, Paul is quite clear throughout this letter that an acceptance of this teaching was also a denial of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Any return to the law as being necessary for salvation is a rejection of the once-for-all work of Christ to rescue from our sins. Paul’s tone throughout the letter is, therefore, dire and very often harsh. Though his words are clearly still measured and exactly as the Spirit carried him along, the apostle writes with the utmost sincerity and urgency, for the Galatians’ souls are at stake.

Even so, the focus of the epistle is unashamedly upon the grace of God given to us through faith in Christ. The hard words and confrontational tone are the bitter taste of truth in the mouth of those who have succumbed to lies. However, if such medicine is received, it is healing for our souls. As with all of Scripture, the more we examine Galatians, the more the Spirit uses Galatians to examine us. Therefore, as we read this letter, may the Spirit rebuke our reliance upon anything for our justification in the sight of God other than Christ alone.