Faith & Reason Nexus

AUTHOR: Paul

TIME WRITTEN:

• If between 53-56 A.D., then from Ephesus
• If 56 A.D., then from Macedonia

POSITION IN THE BIBLE:

• 48th Book in the Bible
• 9th Book in the New Testament
• 4th of 21 Epistle Books (Romans – Jude)
• 5th of Paul’s 13 books
• 18 Books to follow it

CHAPTERS: 6
VERSES: 149
WORDS: 3,098

OBSERVATIONS ABOUT GALATIANS:

• Significance:
• The Book of Galatians has been called “The Magna Carta of Christian Liberty” and “The Christian’s Declaration of Independence.”
• Authorship:
• It is believed that Paul wrote Galatians with his own hand, rather than dictating it to a secretary (Galatians 5:2; 6:11).
• Purpose:
• Paul wrote Galatians in response to reports that Galatian congregations were being misled by Judaizers who, while professing Jesus, sought to impose the Mosaic Law on Gentile converts.
• Geographical Context:
• Galatia was used in two senses:
  • Ethnographic: Refers to the central part of Asia Minor.
  • Political/Provincial: Includes areas south of the original Galatia, such as Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.
• Paul’s Conflict:
• Paul had to correct Peter over a matter at Antioch (Galatians 2:11-12).
• Theological Focus:
• Galatians emphasizes the superiority of Christianity over the Law of Moses.
• Frequent Words:
• “Law” – 31 times
• “Flesh” – 18 times
• “Spirit” – 15 times
• “Faith” – 21 times
• “The promise” – 10 times
• “Bondage” (and related words) – 11 times
• “The Cross” – 6 times
• Themes:
• In Christ, believers experience:
  • Freedom from sin
  • Freedom from the Law of Moses
  • Freedom from human doctrines
• Key Verse:
• “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)