The Book of Galatians (Essay)

Preface: This was written for my Bible Essentials class when I was a student of Bible & Ministry and submitted April 1, 2001.

The Book of Galatians

The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Galatians during his third visit to Corinth. This actual date is debated, like most dates are in the Bible, from being written anywhere from 49-60 AD, also possibly making it one of his earliest letters. The need for this book arose when other teachers came along and tried to convince the new believer that, to be truly saved, they had to keep the Law. Apparently, the infectious disease of legalism had spread throughout the northern tier of churches. Consequently, Paul the Apostle prescribes his anecdote for these incorrect teachings by showing convincingly that salvation is by God’s grace through faith, apart from works of the Law. One main purpose of the writing of the book was to vindicate Paul’s apostleship and message, both of which were questioned by the Judaizers. Another purpose was to show that God’s righteousness could be received by faith alone apart from the Law. Also, to discuss the meaning of Christian liberty and show that it does not mean freedom to sin.

The letter is addressed to “all the brethren, which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia.” (Gal 1:2) Galatia was referred to as 2 places in his day, with reference to geographic location and politics. “Geographically, it referred to a northerly region Paul visited on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:6). Politically, it referred to a Roman province that, in addition to geographical Galatia, took in more southerly regions including Iconium, Lystra, and Debre, which Paul visited on his first journey (Acts 13:14-14:24) and revisited on his second (Acts 16:1-6) and third journeys (Acts 18:23).”

There are three main themes to the book. Paul’s defense covers the first two chapters. Chapter 1:1-10 is the salutation and introduction to the what he is going to address, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel” (vs.6) Then, he tells them “that the gospel which was preached of me [Paul] is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (vs.11b-12) In chapters 1:13-2:21, he speaks of how he set out to prove his claim in the early years of persecution. First, how they had “heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God.” (vs.13) Verses 15-24 in Chapter 1 discusses all the places he visited after his conversion. Then, circumcision (2:1-5), blessings on the Gentile mission (2:6-10), and closing with how nothing can be allowed to dilute the word, “for if righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (vs. 21b)

The second and third chapters are about Faith and Law. Paul starts out by insulting the Gentile Galatians and asking them, ” Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”(3:3) In these two chapters he mainly compares the Law with the principle of faith, “…that no man is justified by the Law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith. And the Law is not of faith: but, the man that doeth them shall live in them.” (3:11) The Law with the plea for faith, “I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. Tell me, ye that desire to be under the Law, do ye not hear the Law?” (4:20-21) And the Law with the picture of faith, “ … he of the freewoman was by promise… Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise… So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.” (4:22,28,31) Christian liberty ends the book with chapters five and six. Paul spoke of Liberty and not Law, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (5:1) He then tells of the sins of the flesh and “that [they] are Christ's [and] have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”(5:24)

Also, of the fruits of the Spirit “if we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (5:25) and “if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.“ (5:18) The main point, though, is to “love thy neighbour as thyself” (5:14b) and “by love serve one another,” (5:13b)

The practical application of this book begins with the first letter and ends with the last. I personally think this book is very explanatory in the ways we should be living. We, as Gentiles, often get caught up in most of what this book speaks about. Although it is not written to us directly (as we are not the church of Galatia), there is a lot to take from the epistle as habitual creatures of legalism. The proclaiming of the need for faith and the indwelt Spirit proves (in addition to the rest of the Bible) that the doctrine behind the dispensation of Grace is completely biblically based, helping to disprove any other religious denominational attempts. The doctrine of justification by faith is stated more emphatically in Galatians than in any other of Paul’s letters. Due to the severity of Paul’s writing there is no room for question as to what gospel he is teaching and was inspired or given by God. Some of the most striking contrasts are what make this a must read (and pay attention to) book of the Bible for today’s Christian. For example, faith versus law, circumcision and the new creation, the World vs. the Cross, and flesh and works against the Spirit and his fruit. It talks to me in such a way that I feel Paul is my friend trying to sarcastically show me out of my sin, which we all need a little of sometime.

With all that said, I end with a poem by P.P. Bliss:

“Free from the law. O happy condition,

Jesus hath bled, and there is remission;

Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,

Grace hath redeemed us once and for all.

Now we are free—there’s no condemnation,

Jesus provides a perfect salvation;

Come unto Me, O hear His sweet call,

Come, and He saves us once and for all.

Children of God, O glorious calling,

Surely His grace will keep us from falling;

Passing from death to life at His call,

Blessed salvation once and for all.

Once for all, I sinner, receive it,

Once for all, O brother, believe it;

Cling to the cross, the burden will fall,

Christ hath redeemed us once and for all.”

1 - Harold L. Wilmington, Bible Handbook Copyright © 1997 by Harold L. Wilmington, page 697

2 - C.R.Stam, Galatians Law vs. Grace Copyright © 1998 by Berean Bible Society, pages 188-189

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© 2001 Shannon Yáñez