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
Then they went through Phrygia and Galatia, the Holy Spirit having forbidden them to proclaim the message in Asia.
After spending some time there, he set out and went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, in order, and strengthened all the disciples.
And when he had passed through those districts and encouraged the disciples in many addresses, he came into Greece where he spent three months. Just as he was about to set sail for Syria, the Jews laid a plot against him, and he determined to return through Macedonia.
Paul, an apostle sent not from men nor by any man, but by Jesus Christ and by God the Father who raised him from the dead; with all the brothers who are with me. To the churches of Galatia greeting. read more. Grace be to you, and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil age in accordance with the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. I am amazed that you are so soon shifting your ground, and deserting him who called you by the grace of Christ,
I am amazed that you are so soon shifting your ground, and deserting him who called you by the grace of Christ, for another gospel, which indeed is not another; only there are certain individuals who are troubling you, and desiring to pervert the gospel of Christ. read more. But even though I myself or an angel from heaven were to preach any gospel other than that which I did preach to you, let him be accursed.
But even though I myself or an angel from heaven were to preach any gospel other than that which I did preach to you, let him be accursed. I have said it before, and I now repeat it, if any one is preaching a gospel to you other than that which you have received, let him be accursed. read more. Think you that I am now trying to conciliate men or God? Or am I "seeking to please men"? If I were still seeking to please men, I should not be a slave of Christ. For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel I preach is not man-made; for neither did I myself receive it from man, nor by man was I taught it, but by a revelation an apocalypse of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how furiously I used to persecute the church of God, and how I kept seeking to root it out; and how in my zeal for Judaism I outstripped many of my own age and nation, in my special zeal for the traditions of my forefathers. But when God who had set me apart from my very birth, and had called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me, so that I might preach his gospel among the Gentiles, without consulting a human being, or even going up to Jerusalem to see those who had been apostles before me, I went off at once to Arabia, and on my return came back to Damascus. Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter, and spent two weeks with him. I saw no other apostle except James, the Lord's brother.
Fourteen years later I went up to Jerusalem again, with Barnabas, and took Titus also with me
Fourteen years later I went up to Jerusalem again, with Barnabas, and took Titus also with me (I went up at that time in obedience to a revelation). And I laid before them the gospel which I am wont to preach among the Gentiles. I did this privately before those in authority, lest by any means I should be running, or should already have run, in vain.
(I went up at that time in obedience to a revelation). And I laid before them the gospel which I am wont to preach among the Gentiles. I did this privately before those in authority, lest by any means I should be running, or should already have run, in vain. But although Titus, my companion, was a Greek, they did not compel even him to be circumcised.
But although Titus, my companion, was a Greek, they did not compel even him to be circumcised. Yet there were false brethren who had crept in to spy out the freedom we enjoy in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us again.
Yet there were false brethren who had crept in to spy out the freedom we enjoy in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us again. To them we did not yield submission even for an hour, in order that the truth of the gospel might abide unshaken among you.
To them we did not yield submission even for an hour, in order that the truth of the gospel might abide unshaken among you. But those in authority??hat they once were makes no difference to me; God is no respecter of persons??hose I say who were in authority had no additions to make my message.
But those in authority??hat they once were makes no difference to me; God is no respecter of persons??hose I say who were in authority had no additions to make my message. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter has with the gospel for the circumcised
On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter has with the gospel for the circumcised (for he who has equipped Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised, equipped me also for the apostleship to the Gentiles),
(for he who has equipped Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised, equipped me also for the apostleship to the Gentiles), and when they recognized the grace which had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, then thought to be pillars, gave to Barnabas and to me the right hand of fellowship. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the Jews.
and when they recognized the grace which had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, then thought to be pillars, gave to Barnabas and to me the right hand of fellowship. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the Jews. They stipulated only that we should remember the poor, which very thing indeed I was quite eager to do.
They stipulated only that we should remember the poor, which very thing indeed I was quite eager to do. But when Cephas came to Antioch I resisted him to his face, because he stood self-condemned. read more. For until certain men came from James he used to eat with the Gentile Christians, but when they came, he began to draw back and to separate himself, because he was afraid of the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jewish Christians also dissimulated with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not walking a straight path, in the presence of the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all. "If you, although you are a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, why do you try to compel the Gentiles to become Jews?
O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you? You, before whose very eyes Jesus Christ was placarded as crucified!
But once, when you Gentiles had no knowledge of God, you were slaves to gods which have no real being.
on the contrary, you know that although it was illness which brought about my preaching the gospel to you at my first visit,
O my little children, of whom I travail again in birth until Christ be formed within you!
See with what large letters I have written to you in my own handwriting!
not to be "quickly shaken out of your wits" and not to be agitated either by a spirit or by a message, or by an epistle purporting to be from me, saying, "The Day of the Lord is at hand."
I, Paul, add this greeting in my own handwriting, which is my token in every letter. Thus I write??18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.