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
So passing through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, being forbidden by the Holy Ghost to speak the word in Asia,
And after making some stay, he departed, passing in regular order through the Galatian district, and Phrygia, confirming all the disciples.
And passing through those parts, and having exhorted them with much discourse, he went into Greece. And after three months stay, as the Jews were lying in wait for him, when he was just embarking for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.
PAUL the apostle (not [sent] from men, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ, and our Father who raised him from the dead), and all the brethren with me, to the churches of Galatia: read more. grace unto you, and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ; who gave himself for our sins, that he might pluck us out of this present wicked world, according to the will of God and our Father: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. I marvel that ye are so quickly departed from him that called you, by the grace of Christ into another gospel
I marvel that ye are so quickly departed from him that called you, by the grace of Christ into another gospel which is not another; but there are certain persons who trouble you, and desire to pervert the gospel of Christ. read more. But though even we, or an angel from heaven, preach unto you another gospel, different from that which we have preached to you, let him be an anathema.
But though even we, or an angel from heaven, preach unto you another gospel, different from that which we have preached to you, let him be an anathema. As we have before spoken, and I now repeat it again, If any man preach a gospel different from that ye have received, let him be anathema. read more. For do I now use persuasions from men, or from God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I give you to understand, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not a merely human ministry. For I neither received it from man, nor was taught, but by immediate revelation from Jesus Christ. For ye have heard of my former manner of life, when I professed Judaism, that in the most outrageous manner I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: and signalized myself in Judaism above many of those of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly a zealot for the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who selected me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach the glad tidings of him to the nations, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood, nor went up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Afterwards at the expiration of three years I went up unto Jerusalem to pay a visit to Peter, and I abode with him fifteen days. But I saw no other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother.
FOURTEEN years afterwards I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also along with us.
FOURTEEN years afterwards I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also along with us. And I went up then by revelation, and laid before them that gospel which I preach among the Heathen, but in private conference with those who were of the first importance, that haply I might not run, nor had run in vain.
And I went up then by revelation, and laid before them that gospel which I preach among the Heathen, but in private conference with those who were of the first importance, that haply I might not run, nor had run in vain. And even Titus, who was with me, though a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised:
And even Titus, who was with me, though a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised: but this I did because of false brethren artfully introduced, who came to pry into our liberty which we hold in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
but this I did because of false brethren artfully introduced, who came to pry into our liberty which we hold in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: to whom not even for an hour have we yielded subjection, that the truth of the gospel might abide with you.
to whom not even for an hour have we yielded subjection, that the truth of the gospel might abide with you. But from those who appeared men of the greatest importance, (what sort of men soever they were it maketh no difference to me: God accepteth not a man's person;) for these important personages in conference added nothing to me;
But from those who appeared men of the greatest importance, (what sort of men soever they were it maketh no difference to me: God accepteth not a man's person;) for these important personages in conference added nothing to me; but contrariwise when they saw that I was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcision, as Peter was to the circumcision:
but contrariwise when they saw that I was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcision, as Peter was to the circumcision: (for he that wrought powerfully by Peter in his apostolic mission to the circumcision, wrought mightily also by me among the Gentiles.)
(for he that wrought powerfully by Peter in his apostolic mission to the circumcision, wrought mightily also by me among the Gentiles.) And when they knew the grace which was bestowed on me, James and Cephas and John, who appeared to be the pillars [of the church], gave unto me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision:
And when they knew the grace which was bestowed on me, James and Cephas and John, who appeared to be the pillars [of the church], gave unto me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision: only desiring that we would remember the poor??he very thing which I have also been diligent to perform.
only desiring that we would remember the poor??he very thing which I have also been diligent to perform. But when Peter came to Antioch I withstood him to his face, because he was blameable. read more. For before certain persons came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles, but when they were come, he withdrew, and separated himself, fearing those of the circumcision. And the other Jews were guilty of the same dissimulation with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they walked not directly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest as the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to judaize?
O INFATUATED Galatians, who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth? To whom Jesus Christ has been described, as before your eyes, crucified among you.
But at that time when ye knew not God, ye served those who by nature are not gods.
Ye know that with infirmity of flesh I preached to you the gospel at the first.
My little children of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you,
Ye see in how many words I have written unto you with my own hand.
that ye be not hastily agitated with apprehension, nor troubled, neither by spirit, nor by discourse, nor by letter, as coming from us, as though the day of the Lord was instantly approaching.
The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is my sign in every letter: so I write.