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
And they passed through the Phrygian and Galatian country, being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;
and, spending some time, he went forth, passing through, in order, the country of Galatia and Phrygia, confirming all the disciples.
Passing through those parts, however, and exhorting them with much discourse, he came into Greece; and, spending three months, when a plot was laid against him by the Jews, as he was about to sail to Syria, he determined to turn back through Macedonia.
Paul, an apostle, - not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father who raised him from among the dead, And all the brethren with me; - unto the assemblies of Galatia: read more. Favour unto you and peace, from God our Father, and Lord Jesus Christ, - Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, - Unto whom be the glory unto the ages of ages: Amen! I marvel that, thus quickly, ye are moving away from him that called you in the favour of Christ, unto a different glad-message, -
I marvel that, thus quickly, ye are moving away from him that called you in the favour of Christ, unto a different glad-message, - Which is not, another, only there are, some, that are troubling you, and wishing to change the glad-message of the Christ. read more. But, even if, we, or, a messenger out of heaven, announce a glad-message unto youaside from that which we announced unto you, accursed, let him be!
But, even if, we, or, a messenger out of heaven, announce a glad-message unto youaside from that which we announced unto you, accursed, let him be! As we have said before, even now, again, I say: If anyone is announcing unto you a glad-message aside from that which ye accepted, accursed, let him be! read more. For am I, even now, persuading, men, or God? Or am I seeking to please, men? If I had been still pleasing, men, Christ's servant, had I not been! For I make known unto you, brethren, as to the glad-message which was announced by me, that it is not after man; For neither, from man, did I accept it, nor was taught it , - but through a revealing of Jesus Christ. For ye have heard, as to my own manner of life, at one time, in Judaism, how that, exceedingly, was I persecuting the assembly of God, and laying it waste, And was making advancement, in Judaism, above many contemporaries in my nation, being, surpassingly zealous, of my paternal instructions. But, when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me through his favour, was well-pleased to reveal his Son in me, that I might announce the glad-message regarding him among the nations, straightway, I conferred not with flesh and blood, Neither went I up unto Jerusalem unto them who, before me, were apostles, - but I went away into Arabia, and again returned unto Damascus. Then, after three years, went I up unto Jerusalem, to become acquainted with Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days; But, other of the apostles, saw I none, save James the brother of the Lord: -
After that, fourteen years later, I, again, went up unto Jerusalem, with Barnabas, taking with me Titus also;
After that, fourteen years later, I, again, went up unto Jerusalem, with Barnabas, taking with me Titus also; And I went up by revelation, and laid before them the glad-message which I proclaim among the nations; privately, however, to them of repute, - lest, by any means, in vain, I should be running, or had run.
And I went up by revelation, and laid before them the glad-message which I proclaim among the nations; privately, however, to them of repute, - lest, by any means, in vain, I should be running, or had run. 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; - But, this was because of the false brethren secretly introduced, - who, indeed, came in secretly to spy out our freedom, which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: -
But, this was because of the false brethren secretly introduced, - who, indeed, came in secretly to spy out our freedom, which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: - Unto whom, not even for an hour, gave we place by the required submission, - in order that, the truth of the glad-message, might still abide with you.
Unto whom, not even for an hour, gave we place by the required submission, - in order that, the truth of the glad-message, might still abide with you. Moreover, from them who were reputed to be something, - whatsoever at one time, they were, maketh no difference to me, God accepteth not a man's person, - unto me, in fact, they who were of repute added nothing further;
Moreover, from them who were reputed to be something, - whatsoever at one time, they were, maketh no difference to me, God accepteth not a man's person, - unto me, in fact, they who were of repute added nothing further; But, on the contrary, - when they saw that I had been entrusted with the glad-message to the uncircumcision, even as, Peter, with that to the circumcision,
But, on the contrary, - when they saw that I had been entrusted with the glad-message to the uncircumcision, even as, Peter, with that to the circumcision, For, he that energised in Peter, into an apostleship to the circumcision, energised also in me, for the nations, -
For, he that energised in Peter, into an apostleship to the circumcision, energised also in me, for the nations, - And when they perceived the favour which had been given unto me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave, the right hand of fellowship, unto me and Barnabas, in order that, we, should go unto the nations, and, they, unto the circumcision: -
And when they perceived the favour which had been given unto me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave, the right hand of fellowship, unto me and Barnabas, in order that, we, should go unto the nations, and, they, unto the circumcision: - Only that we should remember, the destitute, - as to which I had given diligence, this very thing, to do.
Only that we should remember, the destitute, - as to which I had given diligence, this very thing, to do. But, when Cephas came unto Antioch, to the face, even , him, I resisted, because he stood condemned; read more. For, before that certain came from James, with them of the nations, used he to eat; whereas, when they came, he used to withdraw, and keep himself separate, fearing them of the circumcision; And the rest of the Jews alsoused hypocrisy with him, so that, even Barnabas, was carried away by their hypocrisy. But, when I saw that they were not walking with straightforwardness as regardeth the truth of the glad-message, I said unto Cephas, before all: If, thou, although, a Jew, like them of the nations, and not like the Jews, dost live, how dost thou compel, them of the nations, to live like Jews?
O thoughtless Galatians! who hath bewitched you, - before whose very eyes, Jesus Christ, was openly set forth as a crucified one?
But, at that time - not knowing God, ye were in servitude unto them who, by nature, are not Gods;
Howbeit ye know that, by reason of a weakness of the flesh, I myself announced the glad-message unto you, formerly;
My dear children! for whom I, again, am in birth-pains, until Christ be formed within you; -
See! with what large letters, unto you, I have written, with my own hand: -
That ye be not quickly tossed from your mind, nor be put in alarm - either by spirit, or by discourse, or by letter as by us, as that the day of the Lord, hath set in:
The salutation of Paul - with my own hand, which is a sign in every letter: thus, I write.