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 traveled through Phrygia and the Galatian country, being prohibited by the Holy Ghost from speaking the word in Asia.
having spent some time, he went from them, traveling consecutively through the Galatian country and Phrygia, confirming all the disciples.
And having come through those regions, and exhorted them with much speaking, he came into Greece; and having remained three months, a plot rising against him from the Jews, when about to sail for Syria, he was of a mind to return through Macedonia.
Paul, an apostle, not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead, and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia. read more. Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, in order that he might redeem us from the present evil age, according to the will of God even our Father: To whom be glory unto the ages of the ages. Amen. I am astonished that you are so quickly removed from him who called you in the grace of Christ into another gospel;
I am astonished that you are so quickly removed from him who called you in the grace of Christ into another gospel; which is not another: but there are certain ones who are troubling you, and wishing to pervert the gospel of Christ. read more. But indeed if we, or an angel from heaven, may preach unto you any other gospel except that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
But indeed if we, or an angel from heaven, may preach unto you any other gospel except that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we have before said, and now again I tell you, If any one preaches to you a gospel except that which you have received, let him be accursed. read more. For must I now believe men, or God? whether do I seek to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I would not be the servant of Christ. But I make known to you, brethren, the gospel was preached to me, that it is not according to a man; for I did not receive it from man, neither was I taught it, but through the revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my life formerly in Judaism, that I was persecuting the church of God exceedingly, and destroying it: and I was prominent in Judaism above many comrades in my race, being exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. When the one having separated me, from the womb of my mother, and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: neither did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days; but I saw no other of the apostles, except James the brother of the Lord.
Then after fourteen years, I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking also Titus with me;
Then after fourteen years, I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking also Titus with me; but I went up according to revelation; and I presented to them the gospel which I am preaching among the Gentiles, but privately to the prominent ones, lest perhaps I am running, or did run, in vain.
but I went up according to revelation; and I presented to them the gospel which I am preaching among the Gentiles, but privately to the prominent ones, lest perhaps I am running, or did run, in vain. But neither was Titus the one with me, being a Greek, compelled to be circumcised:
But neither was Titus the one with me, being a Greek, compelled to be circumcised: but on account of the false brethren having crept in, who came in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order that they shall bring us into bondage:
but on account of the false brethren having crept in, who came in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order that they shall bring us into bondage: to whom I rendered not submission for an hour; in order that the truth of the gospel may abide with you.
to whom I rendered not submission for an hour; in order that the truth of the gospel may abide with you. But of those seeming to be something what they were at that time makes no difference to me: God does not receive the face of man: for those seeming to me to be prominent added nothing extra:
But of those seeming to be something what they were at that time makes no difference to me: God does not receive the face of man: for those seeming to me to be prominent added nothing extra: but on the contrary, seeing that I am intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, like Peter of the circumcision,
but on the contrary, seeing that I am intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, like Peter of the circumcision, for the one having wrought with Peter unto the apostleship of the circumcision also wrought with me unto the Gentiles:
for the one having wrought with Peter unto the apostleship of the circumcision also wrought with me unto the Gentiles: and having known the grace of God which was given unto me, James and Cephas and John, who seem to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision;
and having known the grace of God which was given unto me, James and Cephas and John, who seem to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision; only that we should remember the poor; which very thing I was also zealous to do.
only that we should remember the poor; which very thing I was also zealous to do. And when Cephas came into Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to blame. read more. For before certain ones came from James, he was eating along with the Gentiles: but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also reciprocated with him; so that even Barnabas was led away by their dissimulation. But when I saw that they are not walking uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, If you being a Jew are living like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how do you compel the Gentiles to judaize?
O foolish Galatians, who has been bewitching you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was set forth having been crucified?
You see with how large letters I have written unto you with my own hand.
that you be not suddenly shaken from your mind, nor disturbed, whether by a spirit, or through word, or a letter as by us, as that the day of the Lord has come.
Salutation of me Paul with my own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.