Galatians 1:1-3

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— ² and all the brothers who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, ⁴ who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, ⁵ to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

This is our new study in the Book of Galatians. Our understanding of the authorship, audience, context, purpose, and doctrinal instruction will help us glean Biblical and practical truths. May these truths enlighten our minds and hearts to grow in grace and be the willing and faithful servants of God, for which we were called. May Jesus Christ be praised!

The genre of this book is a letter and it is unique, upon comparison with Paul’s other’s epistles. For example, Paul does give the same saluatory address at the beginning and end of the epistle; however, the main exception is Paul’s exclusion of his thanksgiving clause that he typically uses. Instead, Paul by passes that and goes directly into his main intent for writing the letter, which is, his apostolic rebuke and correction for those in the church who have errored. This error in so extreme and significant in Paul’s thinking. The urgency, therefore, percludes Paul’s uses of formalities; something that parents do quite often when reprimanding and disciplining their children for gross blunders.

As for authorship, it is without objection and, therefore, attributed to the Apostle Paul, as presented in the letter’s salutation in Galatians 1:1. Paul states that he was not called an apostle by men or through men. Presumably, this could refer to a group of men with an agenda like the Judaizers, as an example. They are the main cause for Paul’s suffering in this letter, as they attacked Paul’s apostleship and gospel. In lieu, Paul was called to be an apostle to the Gentiles by Jesus Christ. 

The date and exact audience of this letter has come into question, because there are two positions. Some hold to earlier writing (circa 49 AD) and others prefer a later writing (circa 55 AD). The earlier writing suggests the southern people of Galatia as the recipients during Paul’s first and second missionary journeys (chap. ref., Acts 13, 14, 15-18). This theory is accepted because it reconciles the evidence stated in the book of Acts. The later writing suggests the northern people of Galatia as the recipients as seen in Acts 16:6 when Paul planted the church on his second missionary journey. Correspondingly, the book of Galatians would been written on Paul’s third missionary journey as mentioned in Acts 18:23. The later writing also has a prominent acceptance by some theologians because the doctrinal themes in Galatians closely corresponds to the same doctrines and messages written to the churches in 2 Corinthians, Romans, and presumably Philippians (The Reformation Bible, 2015). 

As for Paul’s purpose for writing, the textual evidence suggests three widely accepted reasons.  For example, in A. R. Fausett’s commentary on Galatians says Paul’s purpose for writing this book was, “(1) to defend his apostolic authority (Ga 1:11–19; 2:1–14); (2) to counteract the evil influence of the Judaizers in Galatia (Ga 3:1–4:31), and to show that their doctrine destroyed the very essence of Christianity, by lowering its spirituality to an outward ceremonial system; (3) to give exhortation for the strengthening of Galatian believers in faith towards Christ, and in the fruits of the Spirit (Ga 5:1–6:18)” (Fausett, v. 2, p. 321). Knowing these purposes and occasions will help us establish our discernment for Paul intent, which he so masterfully designed with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Then we, with our cooperation of God’s Spirit, may make applications in personal lives today, twenty-one centuries after Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven. God’s Holy Word is sufficient for all (Psalm 19:7-11).

In our study of 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, we saw Paul’s occasion to write to the Thessalonians was because they were under severe persecuation. Paul received reports that some members where not obedient to his instruction, and were, therefore, idle. Paul wrote to correct and encourage. In Galatians, one the other hand, Paul was under attach by the Judaizers, those nasty agitators who brought insult to him in Thessalonica; however, the Galatian citizenry were not brought into chaos as the citizens of Thessalonica were. The Jewish agitators discredited his apostleship and message. The message for so contrary to the gospel of grace, that Paul had to bring these people to task and set the record straight. Therefore, Paul addresses the Doctrine of Justification to clarify and give a defense for the Gospel. Some have said that Paul was also instructing in the Doctrine of Ecclesiology, showing that those identified with the church are the true seed of Abraham as apposed to is more distinct that those in the old covenant. Neverthelss, for those to be included in the church are justified by faith alone, showing the close tie of Biblical doctrine between the Doctrine of Justification and the Doctine of Ecclesiology.

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Our Lord, Redeemer, and Savior, Thank You for your love to include me as one of your justified and sanctified ones. Thank You for placing me in Your church, the body of Christ. I praise You for all You have spoken to me through your Word. In this study of Galatians, open my heart and my mind to Your teaching. May I be able to embrace Your truth and apply truth to my life to bring glory, honor, and praise to your Name. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen!

Christian Hymn: Wonderful Words of Life by Philip P. Bliss: