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Background

Often a book study begins with an analysis of who wrote it, to whom it was written, when (and from where) it was written, and why it was written (i.e., its purpose or aim). We will briefly consider each of these in turn. However, we should keep in mind that these four subjects are relevant only in so far as they help us understand the content and application of the book. Depending on the book, the relative importance of these questions may vary greatly, although the last one, why it was written, seems always to be important.

In this letter to the churches of Galatia of the four questions the who and the why questions seem to be the most relevant. Because the letter contains a significant amount of biographical information, the who question is perhaps more significant here in this letter than in other books we find in the New Testament. In Galatians the author's relating of his own story is important to the arguments he is presenting. As for the why question, as noted, the why question is always significant, particularly as we consider the letters that Paul has written to churches and individuals.

Who Wrote the Letter?

It is clear from Galatians 1:1 (and 5:2) that a man named Paul, who claimed to be an apostle, was the author. There is little doubt that this is the Paul whom we first meet at the stoning of Stephen and later converted on his way to Damascus while persecuting Christians, there identified by the name Saul. The balance of book confirms that this is in fact the apostle Paul identified in the book of Acts, the man who went from persecuting the Church to building the Church. This letter is just one of several he wrote that are included in the New Testament canon.

Most teachers would agree with this understanding of Pauline authorship. In fact, there is little controversy regarding the authorship of Galatians. Even the most liberal scholars, those who doubt the Pauline authorship of several of his letters, accept the fact that Paul wrote Galatians. In fact, there is so little controversy over Paul's authorship that this letter is one of the ones used to establish a "baseline" for Paul's language and style of writing.

To Whom Was the Letter Written?

Paul initially went to the region of Galatia during what we designate as his 1st missionary journey (Acts 13:51-14:25). As a result of his ministry there both Jews and Gentiles came to Christ and churches were founded. The cities of Derbe, Lystra, and Iconium are mentioned. Paul returned to this region on his 2nd missionary journey (Acts 16:1-6). And on his 3rd missionary journey Paul again visited this region (Acts 18:23

We read simply that the letter is addressed "To the churches of Galatia" (1:2). First, the letter is addressed to "the churches", plural. Paul has in mind specific churches in a particular area. We do not know the specific identity of these churches nor even the number of them. Second, the letter is addressed to churches "of Galatia". While Paul knew what he included in this area he referred to as Galatia, today what he meant is not clear. There are differences of opinion among interpreters today as to whether this name refers to a northern or southern area of Galatia. The perceived date of writing influences ones view. Fortunately, the lack of knowing the destination has little, if any, impact on understanding what Paul has written and on the applicability of the letter for believers today.

What is important to know is that the letter was written to a group of churches. On that basis, it is reasonable to conclude that, for the most part, the letter has application to believers today as members of the Church, the body of Christ. Yes, the details and circumstances are different today than in the first century. But the issue about which Paul was writing has remained pertinent down through the centuries.

When (and from Where) Was the Letter Written?

Of the four basic questions (who?; to whom?; when (and from where)?; and why?) this is the question that is the most difficult to answer for this letter to the Galatians. There is no direct statement regarding the date or place of writing. As just noted, this has led to controversy over such things as the "north" and "south" Galatian theories and whether Paul wrote it on his second or third missionary journey or at some other time.

For me it seems best to conclude that Galatians was written while on the 3rd missionary journey during Paul's extended stay at Ephesus after the Corinthian letters. This is consistent with his statement in 1:6, "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel." Paul had just visited these Galatian churches before he had come to Ephesus. There is no indication that he sensed the problem he is about to address while he was still there. But now, having left them, their situation evidently "quickly" changed and needed to be addressed. A 3rd missionary journey date for this letter would mean that it was likely written just a short time before Paul wrote his letter to the Romans. Such may account for the many similarities between the two letters (cf. below, "Similarities of Galatians and Romans").

Fortunately, like the "to whom" question, the question regarding the date of the writing of the letter and location from which it was written make little difference to either understanding or applying the book. While such things may help us better understand some of the biographical information in the letter, in the end the when and from where questions are not really significant. Whether the letter was written "pre or post" Jerusalem Council does not change the fact that a problem existed in these churches that needed to be addressed.

Why Was the Letter Written?

The question of why a letter was written is usually an important one. In some cases the author provides answers. In absence of such statements to some extent the answer can usually be determined from the content itself.

As a general guideline with regard to the Pauline epistles it may be stated that they are mostly corrective in nature. This is the case with Galatians as will be see clearly as we continue our study.

In Galatians we see a letter full of concern and emotion. There is an urgency sensed here. The urgency is clear. This is seen when we read that Paul took upon himself the difficult task of writing the letter himself (6:11). And Paul is to the point, even from the outset of the letter. He does not pull his punches. He is straightforward in addressing the problem faced by those believers in these churches and in calling a spade a spade.

So then, what specifically prompted Paul to pick up his pen and write this letter? An examination of the overall content of the letter will help us answer this question.

On importance of the book, see Merrill Tenney, Galatians: The Charter of Christian Liberty, p. 15f

Additional Considerations

There are several subjects that need a brief word of explanation. These comments are not so much to inform as to provide context. A few comments will hopefully provide some clarity as we move forward. These comments will provide perspective that hopefully will be helpful as we consider the context and content of Paul's letter. Again, these are brief.

The Troublemakers

In the commentary there are references to individuals designated "Troublemakers" (from 1:7, "some who trouble you"). Those making up this group are commonly referred to as "Judiazers". This term Judiazer is not a designation we find in Scripture. So then, who are these so-called troublemaking Judiazers? And, what do we know about them?

Directly from 1:7 we know that these troublemakers "want to distort the gospel of Christ." Otherwise, what we know we find mostly "indirectly" from Scripture, primarily from Galatians and Acts, and from extra-Biblical information.

As you might suspect from the designation Judiazer, these troublemakers were Jewish, at least primarily so. They were committed to keeping the Mosaic Law. And, as we noted, they distorted the gospel, differing from Paul on the content of the gospel message, teaching that works or law-keeping, particularly circumcision, were a necessary.

John MacArthur notes the following.

    The Judiazers were causing great confusion in the churches and were seriously distorting "the gospel of Christ" (Gal. 1:8). They taught that Gentiles must become Jews by circumcision before they could become Christians and that all Christians, Jewish and Gentile alike, were righteous before God only if they remained bound under the Mosaic laws, regulations, and ceremonies.
    In addition to teaching the necessity of being circumcised and of keeping the Mosaic law, the false teachers also attacked Paul personally, seeking to undercut his authority and thereby his doctrine. (Galatians, p. xi.)

Thus, these troublemakers were perverting the gospel message by teaching that for both justification and sanctification besides faith additional works were necessary. Furthermore, they attacked Paul's authority as an apostle. Because his gospel message opposed what they believed and taught it was necessary for them to lessen any authority he held.

Similarities of Galatians and Romans

The following table contains a list of the similarities between Galatians and Romans as noted by John Eadie in his "Greek Text" commentary Galatians, p. lvii-lx.

Galatians Romans   Galatians Romans  
2:163:20 3:15-184:13-16 
2:197:4 3:2211:32 
2:206:6 3:276:3;8:14 
3:5,64:3 4:5-78:14-17 
3:74:10,11 4:23,289:7,8 
3:84:17 5:1413:8-10 
3:94:23,24 5:168:4 
3:104:15 5:177:23,25 
3:111:17 6:215:1 
3:1210:5    

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