The Book of Galatians – Introduction
Author, Date, and Audience of the Book of Galatians
Author
There is no doubt among biblical scholars that the Apostle Paul wrote the Book of Galatians. The Apostle also claims himself as the writer of this book.
Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle - sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead NIV
The Apostle Paul (formerly known as Saul the Pharisee and a member of the Sandhedrin Council) acknowledged himself as a Pharisee of Judaism, and stated that he did not get his understanding for this most important book of the Bible from his former Jewish rabbi, Rabbi Gamaliel, but from Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God.
There were two schools of thought among 1st century rabbinical teaching - the House of Hilliel and the House of Shammai. Saul was trained under Gamaliel, who was the grandson of Hilliel. The liberal Hilliel's opinion usually won over the stricter thoughts of Shammai. The teachings of Hilliel were the best rabbinical training one could have during that time.
As called to the Gentile people, Saul could no longer followed the traditional laws of Judaism as Saul the Pharisee, but had now become a passionate follower of Jesus Christ, now calling himself Paul, which was Greek for the Jewish name Saul. It was from Jesus Christ whom he received his knowledge, insight, and anointing to bring forth the message of what we know of today as the Book of Galatians.
Saul chose to use the Greek meaning of his name (Paul) to better identify himself with the Greek speaking Gentiles
Date and origin of writing
The date and origin of this writing depends upon whether the Galatians (to whom Saul - now known as Paul addressed this book) were located in the northern part of the province of Galatia or the southern part. The Northern Galatian theory maintains that this book was written from Ephesus or Macedonia, supporting the view that the Apostle Paul wrote to those of the region of Ancyra, which were the churches that he founded during his second missionary journey (Acts 16:6; 18:23). The Southern Galatian theory, however, holds to the belief that the Book of Galatians was written from Antioch of Syria or from Corinth shortly after he founded churches in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. Most scholars today accept the Southern Galatian theory, and it is the most widely accepted view. As such, this article will support the Southern Galatian theory.
Based on the Southern Galatian theory, the date of this epistle writing would have been somewhere between 48-53 A.D., depending on whether the book was writting from Syrian Antioch in 48-49 A.D. or in Corinth between 51-53 A.D. If the Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatian churches right after his first missionary journey (48-49 A.D.), this would have been his first epistle written. This was probably the case!
Audience
Again, based on the Southern Galatian theory, this letter would have been addressed to the churches founded by Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:1-23) during the first missionary journey into Southern Galatia, which included Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.
Theme of the Book of Galatians
This study on the Book of Galatians is intended to come from the perspective of the 1st century mind of the Apostle Paul. It's purpose is to look at the people in their cultural, sociological, political, and religious environment. Through this study, the hope is to enter into the heart of the great apostle as he wrote this letter to the Galatian believers, trusting that this research is as accurate as possible to reach the true meaning of the Book of Galatians, just as the Apostle Paul wrote it.
The Book of Galatians continuously refers to "two laws," meaning the Written Law of Moses as seen in the Torah (first five books of the Bible) and the Oral Laws of the Fathers, meaning the laws that had been orally, and traditionally, passed on down through the centuries.
The Torah
The first five books of the Old Testament - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. In those books the Law of Moses is contained.
The Torah gives us the foundation we need to know to gain correct biblical knowledge of the Book of Galatians. While the 1st century believer knew which law the Apostle Paul was referring to throughout his writings, the challenge for us 21st centuries believers is to know which law (meaning the oral or written law) was referred to throughout the Book of Galatians. Throughout the book there is reference to the dangers of the law. The question then, was it the Law of Moses, as set down by the Torah, or was it the traditional laws of Judaism that was so strong in the 1st century A.D.?
Gal 2:16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. NKJV
While the Torah lists rituals important for the Jewish people of God, the Torah also teaches one how to listen to God and and follow what He says. In other words, how to live by faith. The traditional laws of Judaism, on the other hand, teaches that one needs to follow the traditional laws of Judaism of that time in order to follow God. It becomes then a matter of obedience, not a matter of faith.
Throughout the Book of Galatians, you will see the words Spirit and Law. We need to know the difference between the two. We need to know how to walk by the Spirit of God, not follow after the traditional laws of Judaism, or any other law that has been claimed to be necessary for salvation. In that, we need to see what Jesus Himself has to say about salvation. The apostle's revelation of truth is revealed throughout the Book of Galatians, as well as supported by other books of the New Testament. They are, in addition, all supported by the words of Jesus in the Gospels.
Like the Book of Romans, Galatians gives essential apologetics for the truths of New Testament teaching in that we, as Christians, are justified by faith in Jesus Christ – nothing more and nothing less. Strong evidence shows that our faith in Christ does not come by any legalistic works or efforts on our part, but through God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. It doesn't mean, however, that we take advantage of God's wonderful grace and bring it to a level of apathy and carnality. True faith promotes heartfelt obedience through love and trust in God working in and through our lives. The Book of Galatians, therefore, is a book that comes against the corruption of the Gospel of Christ that distorted the Church 2000 years ago, and is just as relevant in the Church today.
Background and Purpose of the Writings to the Galatians
As shown in Acts 13:51 – 14:23, the Apostle Paul, along with Barnabas, traveled to the region of Galatia on the continent of Asia Minor to witness for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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http://www.biblestudy.org/maps/pauls-first-journey-map.html
Set apart for missionary work
Following fasting, praying, and the separation of the Holy Spirit, the disciples laid hands on the Apostle Paul and Barnabus for missionary work to other parts of the world. As they first traveled from Seleucia, just outside of Antioch of Syria, Paul, Barnabas and Mark set sail for the Island of Cypress. Cypress was the birhplace of Barnabas, and as such, he was familiar with the island. The three missionaries walked the 100 miles across the island witnessing for Christ and then set sail for the continent of Asia Minor, landing in Perga, the capital of the region of Pamphylia. While in Perga, John Mark left Paul and Barnabas to return to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas then headed 100 miles north to Antioch of Phrygia, a region next to Galatia. On the Sabbath, they went to the synagogue, as was their custom, to witness for Jesus Christ. The Jews, however, aroused several city leaders against them, and they were driven out of the city. The two missionaries shook the dust off of their feet in protest and then headed north to the southern region of Galatia. It was in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe of Galatia where the Apostle Paul and Barnabas witnessed for Christ and set up churches. Those churches consisted of converted Jews and Gentile believers. The time was around 48 A.D.
The poison of the Judaizers
When it was time to return back home, Paul and Barnabas backtracked and revisited the churches in Lystra and Iconium to give strength and comfort to the new believers. Feeling confident that they were growing in their faith, they traveled back to Antioch of Syria. A short time later the Apostle Paul received disturbing news that the churches in Galatia were falling away from the Gospel that he had taught. Certain Jewish Christian leaders (a sect called the Judaizers), who had traveled from Judea, had visited these cities after the apostle had left. They were trying to persuade these new believers that the Gospel presented by Paul was only a part of their salvation. They told them that they needed to be circumcised, keep the Sabbath and observe other Jewish holidays - in other words, follow the Traditional Law of the Fathers - the Oral Law. These Judaizers went around teaching that both faith and works, meaning obedience to the law, which to them included the traditional laws of Judaism, were necessary for their salvation. They were also spreading rumors that the Apostle Paul (as not being one of the original apostles of Jesus) was not authentic, and that out of his desire to make the message more appealing to Gentiles, removed certain legal requirements from the Law of Moses. This disturbing news brought the Apostle Paul to write this letter to the Galatian churches.
Personal application: Salvation in Jesus Christ comes to us by our faith in Him - nothing more - nothing less. We do not have to go back to the Law or add other laws to make our faith valid. So in essence, this same message that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatian churches is just as relevant to the Christian Church - even today.