Author
This is an undisputed letter, meaning that it’s universally accepted that Paul wrote it.
Date
This letter is not easily dated but 4:13 suggests that Paul wrote it after his second visit to the region. It could have been written as early as 54AD.
Audience
Galatia was a province in Asia whose inhabitants were related to the ancient Kelts. It covered quite a large geographic area with a very mixed population of Romans and Greeks and other tribal people. More than one person has earned a PhD arguing whether this letter was addressed to the people in the North or in the South. Even hundreds of years after this letter was written, the inhabitants spoke mostly a language in the form of early Celtic or Gaelic.
Purpose
After a visit, Paul learned that some “agitators” were troubling the churches he established by calling into question his authority. This letter intends to warn these Christians against such messages. The agitators are generally understood to be Jewish Christians from a very strict background, ones who would not accept Gentiles without circumcision.
Paul’s overarching message is that of freedom. After the book of Romans, this book is also the most extensive exposition of Paul’s doctrine of justification by faith.
Traditionally, the “works of the law” were seen to be a form of legalism, trying to earn God’s favor. The “New Perspective on Paul” developed in the 1970s saw the “works of the law” as those things that made Jews Jewish, such as circumcision and eating restrictions. Paul argues against the necessity of these things in order for Gentiles to become Christian. In other words, a Gentile does not have to observe the “works of the law” by being circumcised.
As Raymond Brown put it, “No one can fault the Paul of Galatians for making theology dull.” (Raymond E. Brown, An Introduction to the New Testament)
Outline
- Introduction 1:1-11
- Paul’s authority to preach the gospel 1:12 – 2:14
- The gospel Paul preaches 2:15-21
- We are saved by faith, not by the law 3:1 – 4:31
- How to live out the implications of that 5:1 – 6:10
- Closing 6:11-18