Reference: Galatians, Epistle to
Easton
The genuineness of this epistle is not called in question. Its Pauline origin is universally acknowledged.
Occasion of. The churches of Galatia were founded by Paul himself (Ac 16:6; Ga 1:8; 4:13,19). They seem to have been composed mainly of converts from heathenism (Ga 4:8), but partly also of Jewish converts, who probably, under the influence of Judaizing teachers, sought to incorporate the rites of Judaism with Christianity, and by their active zeal had succeeded in inducing the majority of the churches to adopt their views (Ga 1:6; 3:1). This epistle was written for the purpose of counteracting this Judaizing tendency, and of recalling the Galatians to the simplicity of the gospel, and at the same time also of vindicating Paul's claim to be a divinely-commissioned apostle.
Time and place of writing. The epistle was probably written very soon after Paul's second visit to Galatia (Ac 18:23). The references of the epistle appear to agree with this conclusion. The visit to Jerusalem, mentioned in Ga 2:1-10, was identical with that of Ac 15, and it is spoken of as a thing of the past, and consequently the epistle was written subsequently to the council of Jerusalem. The similarity between this epistle and that to the Romans has led to the conclusion that they were both written at the same time, namely, in the winter of A.D. 57-8, during Paul's stay in Corinth (Ac 20:2-3). This to the Galatians is written on the urgency of the occasion, tidings having reached him of the state of matters; and that to the Romans in a more deliberate and systematic way, in exposition of the same great doctrines of the gospel.
Contents of. The great question discussed is, Was the Jewish law binding on Christians? The epistle is designed to prove against the Jews that men are justified by faith without the works of the law of Moses. After an introductory address (Ga 1:1-10) the apostle discusses the subjects which had occasioned the epistle. (1) He defends his apostolic authority (Ga 1:11-19; 2:1-14); (2) shows the evil influence of the Judaizers in destroying the very essence of the gospel (3 and 4); (3) exhorts the Galatian believers to stand fast in the faith as it is in Jesus, and to abound in the fruits of the Spirit, and in a right use of their Christian freedom (5-6:1-10); (4) and then concludes with a summary of the topics discussed, and with the benediction.
The Epistle to the Galatians and that to the Romans taken together "form a complete proof that justification is not to be obtained meritoriously either by works of morality or by rites and ceremonies, though of divine appointment; but that it is a free gift, proceeding entirely from the mercy of God, to those who receive it by faith in Jesus our Lord."
In the conclusion of the epistle (Ga 6:11) Paul says, "Ye see how large a letter I have written with mine own hand." It is implied that this was different from his ordinary usage, which was simply to write the concluding salutation with his own hand, indicating that the rest of the epistle was written by another hand. Regarding this conclusion, Lightfoot, in his Commentary on the epistle, says: "At this point the apostle takes the pen from his amanuensis, and the concluding paragraph is written with his own hand. From the time when letters began to be forged in his name (2Th 2:2; 3:17) it seems to have been his practice to close with a few words in his own handwriting, as a precaution against such forgeries...In the present case he writes a whole paragraph, summing up the main lessons of the epistle in terse, eager, disjointed sentences. He writes it, too, in large, bold characters (Gr. pelikois grammasin), that his hand-writing may reflect the energy and determination of his soul." (See Justification.)
See Verses Found in Dictionary
When they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia,
And having spent some time there, he departed, and went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
And when he had gone through those regions, and had exhorted them with many words, he came into Greece. And having remained there three months, he determined to return through Macedonia, because a plot had been laid for him by the Jews, as he was about to sail to Syria.
PAUL, an apostle, (not from men, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead,) and all the brethren that are with me, to the churches of Galatia: read more. grace be to you, and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory from age to age. Amen. I am astonished that you are so soon turning away from him that called you into the grace of Christ, to another gospel:
I am astonished that you are so soon turning away from him that called you into the grace of Christ, to another gospel: which is nothing else than that there are some who trouble you, and are determined to pervert the gospel of the Christ. read more. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach to you any other gospel than that which we have preached, let him be ac cursed.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach to you any other gospel than that which we have preached, let him be ac cursed. As we said before, so even now I say again, if any one preaches to you any other gospel than that which you have received, let him be accursed. read more. For, do I now seek the favor of men, or of God? or do I strive to please men? If, indeed, I would still please men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which is preached by me, is not according to man: for neither did I receive it from man, nor was it taught me, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former mode of life in Judaism, that I greatly persecuted the church of God, and laid it waste; and I surpassed in Judaism many of my own age and nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the tradition of my fathers. But when God, who chose me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Sou in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I at once declined all conference with flesh and blood: nor did I go up to Jerusalem, to those who were apostles before me; but I went away into Arabia, and then returned to Damascus. Then, after three years, I went up to Jerusalem, in order to become personally acquainted with Peter; and I remained with him fifteen days: but of the apostles I saw no other, but James the brother of the Lord.
Then, fourteen years after, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and I took Titus also with me.
Then, fourteen years after, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and I took Titus also with me. And I went up because of a revelation, and communicated to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who are of reputation, lest, by any means, I should run or had run in vain.
And I went up because of a revelation, and communicated to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who are of reputation, lest, by any means, I should run or had run in vain. But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.
But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. I acted thus indeed on account of false brethren, stealthily brought in, who stole in to spy out our freedom, which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage,
I acted thus indeed on account of false brethren, stealthily brought in, who stole in to spy out our freedom, which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage, to whom we yielded in submission, not even for an hour, in order that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.
to whom we yielded in submission, not even for an hour, in order that the truth of the gospel might remain with you. But from those who were supposed to be something; (what they were is a matter of no importance to me: God does not accept the person of man;) they, indeed, who were supposed to be something, communicated no additional truth to me;
But from those who were supposed to be something; (what they were is a matter of no importance to me: God does not accept the person of man;) they, indeed, who were supposed to be something, communicated no additional truth to me; but; on the other hand, seeing that I was intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, as Peter was with that of the circumcision,
but; on the other hand, seeing that I was intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, as Peter was with that of the circumcision, (for he who gave efficiency to Peter, for the apostleship of the circumcision, gave efficiency to me also, as an apostle for the Gentiles,)
(for he who gave efficiency to Peter, for the apostleship of the circumcision, gave efficiency to me also, as an apostle for the Gentiles,) and knowing the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, but they to the circumcision,
and knowing the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, but they to the circumcision, requesting only that we would remember the poor, which same thing I have been diligent in doing.
requesting only that we would remember the poor, which same thing I have been diligent in doing. But when Peter came to Antioch, I openly opposed him, because he had incurred blame. read more. For, before certain persons came from James, he ate- with the Gentiles: but, when they had come, he withdrew, and separated himself, because he feared those who were of the circumcision. And the other Jews, also, acted hypocritically with him, so that even Barnabas was led away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they did not walk uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter, before them all: If you, being a Jew, live after the manner of the Gentiles, and not after the manner of the Jews, why do you compel the Gen tiles to observe Jewish customs?
Thoughtless Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been plainly set forth crucified?
But, then, because you knew not God, you were enslaved to those who, by nature, are not gods:
You know that through weakness of the flesh I preached the gospel to you at the first:
My little children, for whom I again suffer the pains of gestation, till Christ be formed in you,
You see how long a letter I have written to you with my own hand.
that you be not hastily shaken from the persuasion of your mind, nor be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by report, nor by letter as written by us, as though the day of the Lord is at hand.
The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is the token in every letter: so I write.