We wrap up Galatians chapter 1 by considering Paul's final movements before he finally ventures to Jerusalem to meet with the leaders there. It seems that this first meeting was an amicable one. As we will see in the next chapter, Paul's next visit to Jerusalem was not nearly so smooth! However, here for the last time, Paul hints at the Divine nature of his message and the impact that it had, even in Judea.

In this section, Paul both rehearses some of the themes which have already emerged and preempts some of the ideas which will appear later on in the letter. Interestingly, Paul hardly ever mentions what happened to him as he travelled to Damascus that fateful day; it is in this section that perhaps he comes closest to doing so. In this reflection we will consider some of the issues surrounding that event and how that revelation lead to what we know as the Pauline gospel.

In this second instalment, we will start to address the question of why Paul wrote Galatians in the first place. Paul's letters are what are known as 'occasional letters'. Paul never wrote simply to tell audiences what he believed; rather he wrote to provide antidotes and solutions for problems that had a reason in believing communities to which he was in some way connected. Galatians 1:6-10 give some initial hints as to the nature of the problem Paul addresses.

In this introductory session, we ask a little about why Paul wrote this punchy, powerful epistle, and get a little start on why it develops in such explosive fashion. This intro is unlike any other Pauline epistle, and for very good reason as we will see in the days and weeks to come. So buckle in, and let's explore!