Introduction to Galatians
Where was Galatia?
Near modern-day Turkey, between the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea.What was Galatia?
A Roman province with changing borders.Who lived there?
Numerous ethnic groupsLycaonians – Acts 14:11Homer and Pausanias – BarbariOther languagesGreekSyrianPisidianSolymanLydianMajor ethnic group – CelticWhere were the churches of Galatia?
In Galatia, of coursePaul and Barnabas had visited the region (Acts 14)Were run out of IconiumRegarded as gods, but then stoned Paul in LystraLeft to return to AntiochPaul returned later with Silas to Derbe and Lystra (Acts 16)Found Timothy and other brethrenThere were churches there! (Acts 16:5)Passed through Galatia region, bypassing Asia (Acts 16:6)Passed back through, strengthening disciples (Acts 18:23)Appear to have been churches inAntioch in PisidiaDerbeLystraIconiumOther principle city of Galatia – AncyraNo record of a visit from PaulWell north of Derbe, Lystra, and IconiumCertainly possibleWriting of Galatians
Who?Paul (Galatians 1:1)Almost universally acceptedWhy?State his concerns to the churches (Galatians 1:6-7)Affirm his apostleship (Galatians 1:1, 15-16)When?AD 53As early as AD 48 or late as AD 58.Main themes of Galatians
Salvation by grace through faithNo salvation by lawCircumcision has no effect (Galatians 5:2-3)Authenticity of Paul’s apostleshipNor from menAssigned an apostle by Jesus
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