the epistle to the galatians jan 3, 2010 bob eckel 1 background and introduction written by paul...
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The Epistle to the Galatians
Jan 3, 2010 Bob Eckel 1
Background and Introduction
• Written by Paul (Gal 1:1) from Syrian Antioch in AD 49
Syrian
The Epistle to the Galatians
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Background and Introduction
• Written by Paul from Syrian Antioch in ~AD 48-52– Although some favor a later date, e.g. 52-57 BC (3rd missionary tour)– Probably composed when Paul was on his way to the Jerusalem – Council (Acts 15)
• Therefore Galatians could be the earliest letter of Paul and possibly the earliest book in the NT.
• Written to Gentile Christians in Galatia – Located in Asia Minor
• Was it written to the church in the Northern (Pessinus, Ankyra, Tavium) or Southern parts of Galatia (Iconium, Lystra, Derbe)?
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Background and Introduction• Galatia refers to the Roman province
– The Gauls were a celtic war-like tribe that originally inhabited France and then migrated to Asia Minor in ~300 BC
– The Romans took over after the death of Amyntas in 25 BC and named it Galatia
• Phyrigians – original inhabitants – Originally dwelt and identified with the northern region– A history of nature worship– Noted for fickleness, impetuosity, love for new and curious things
• Some Jews were also in the area – The fact that Paul’s 1st missionary journey with Barnabus (Acts 13-14)
strongly supports that this epistle was written to the Southern Galatian believers, but Ryrie provides extensive arguments for both.
• Epithets:– The Magna Carta of Christian Liberty– The "Other Gospel" Cursed
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Background and Introduction
Paul’s First
Missionary
Journey,
48-49AD
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Background and Introduction
• A Galatians Timeline
3 0 35 40 45 50 AD
Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14; 46-48 AD)
Paul’s letter to the churches in the Roman province of Galatia
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Background and Introduction
• A papyrus copy of Paul’s letter dating from 180-200 AD– Gal 1:1-5
• The sequence of evangelism in Galatia
– Paul preached in Antioch and was driven out by force
(Acts 13:50).– Paul preached in Iconium and was driven out by force (Acts 14:5,6).– Paul preached in Lystra and was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19,20).– Paul & Barnabas had appointed elders in each of the churches in these
cities during the last half of his 1st missionary journey (Acts 14:23).– But the elders were spiritually young.
• Gal 1:6 ‘I marvel that ye so soon removed…’
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Background and Introduction• Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey (Acts 15:39-
18:22; 49-52 AD)– With Silas
• Timothy later joined
– Forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the Gospel in Galatia (Acts 16:6)
The Epistle to the Galatians
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Background and Introduction
• Paul’s 3rd Missionary Journey, 54-58 AD
The Epistle to the Galatians
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Background and Introduction
Roman culture
Greek culture
Jewish culture
The 3 Cultures Paul faced in Galatia
The Epistle to the Galatians
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Background and Introduction
• We will see that Paul took a number of illustrations from Roman law, since he
knew their strong Roman background, & Paul himself was a Roman citizen (Acts 22:25-29 & 23:27)
Augustus Caesar, an emperor who
received ‘the adoption of sons’ (Gal 4:5)
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Background and Introduction
• These cities also had Greek cultural influence, over a period of more than three centuries.
• That would explain why Paul would write this letter to all of them in the Greek language.
paidagōgos = tutor
(Gal 3:24,25)
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Background and Introduction
• The Greek cultural influence would also explain why these people sought to worship Barnabas & Paul as Zeus & Hermes, which were the Greek names for deities (Acts 14:12,13). Zeus, Ares, Hermes,
Athena, & Apollo
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Background and Introduction
• Though a minority, there had also been Jews living in these cities for about 2½ centuries.
• A strong Jewish influence in these cities was evident in Acts 13:14-46, 50 & in Acts 14:1-5,19.
Synagogue ruins at Pisidian
Antioch
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Background and Introduction
• The strong Jewish presence would explain why Paul used illustrations from Genesis to make his point, citing Abraham, Sarah & Hagar (Gal 3:6-18 & also 4:21-31).
Genesis 18:9-15
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Background and Introduction• The Major Content of Galatians:
– Two issues• Purity of doctrine • Purity of conduct
– What is the Gospel? • Justification by faith, not works. • Law-keeping as a means of salvation is condemned. • The ceremonial law (esp. circumcision) is not binding on the gentiles.• Therefore, stand fast in the liberty in which Christ has made you free!
– Important verses include:• The different Gospel (Gal 1:6-8)• Crucified with Christ (Gal 2:20)• The purpose of the Law (Gal 3:24)• The Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22)
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Background and Introduction
– What is legalism anyway?• The mental attitude that man can do something to merit the blessing of
God, either in salvation or in sanctification.– Evidences in Galatia:
» Circumcision (Gal 5:1-5, 11; Gal 6:12,13)
» Insistence on observing certain days (Gal 4:10)
• This stifles the life of Christ (Gal 5:4)
• Grace principle is lost (Gal 5:4)
• Leads to hypocrisy and a life that is lived to impress men (Gal 6:12)
• Paul addresses this by teaching that– Salvation is by grace alone (Gal 1-4)
– Sanctification is by grace alone (Gal 5-6)
It should be a great book and great fun!!