Galatians Images and
NotesThe Book of
Galatians
Galatians 1:11-12 - But I certify you, brethren, that the
gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither
received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the
revelation of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 4:4 - But when the fulness of the time was come,
God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians in The New Testament - A Brief Overview
Painting of Paul the Apostle by Rembrandt - 1657
Introduction to The
Book of Galatians
Brief Summary. Paul instructs the churches that he
established in Galatia. He defends his apostleship against the
Judaizers who wanted to mix Christianity with the Law of Moses.
Paul says that salvation is by grace and not by law.
Summary of The Book of
Galatians
Purpose. Paul was so well received by the Galatians
that they even looked upon him as an angel or God himself
(Galatians 4:14). The churches that he established had become
strong churches, yet they were severely affected by the false
teaching of the Judaizers. Paul deals with their false doctrines
and their attacks at his apostleship, and shows clearly how
Christianity cannot be mingled with Jewish laws and
circumcision. He reminds them that his authority and ministry
was not passed on through the other apostles, but came directly
through Jesus Christ. Regarding Christianity he uses sound
doctrine, Scripture, and allegory to show how Christianity is
greater than the law. The true purpose of the law was to point
to Jesus Christ, and the gospel does not see any difference
between the Jew, the Greek, the free man, the slave, nor male
nor female. Paul's message in the book of Galatians regarding
Christianity and its relationship to the law of Moses is
theologically brilliant, and some have referred to it as the
Christian Declaration of Independence.
Audience. Scholars agree that paul was writing to the
churches in Galatia which he established on his first
missionary journey.
Authorship. Paul the Apostle was the author of the
book of Galatians. Scholars agree that Paul was the author of
the epistle to the Galatians. Paul refers to his own name as
"Paul" twice in Galatians (Galatians 1:1 and 5:2). The second
reference is very conclusive that it was Paul writing. There
were several references to the life of Paul which can easily be
harmonized with the Book of Acts.
Date. it is very difficult to be certain about the
date of the epistle to the Galatians. Most scholars give it a 50
or 55 AD date.
Place Written. It is also difficult to be certain
about the location where Paul wrote his epistle to the
Galatians. Most likely it was written from either Syrian Antioch
before the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) or it could have been
written from Ephesus on Paul's second or third missionary
journey.
Outline of the Book of
Galatians
Paul's Message of the Gospel - Chapter 1:1-10
Paul Defends Justification by Faith - Chapters 1:11-2:21
Paul Explains Justification by Faith - Chapters 3:1-4:31
Paul Explains Applying Justification by Faith 5:1-6:18
The Name Jesus In Ancient Hebrew Text
"Yeshua" in First Century Hebrew Text. This is how the name "Jesus"
would have been written in ancient Hebrew documents. The four letters or
consonants from right to left are Yod, Shin, Vav, Ayin (Y, SH, OO, A).
Jesus is the Greek name for the Hebrew name Joshua or Y'shua which means
"The LORD or Yahweh is Salvation".
Galatians Maps and Resources
Map of the Roman Empire (14 A.D.) - This map reveals the
Roman Empire during the time shortly after the birth of Jesus,
in 14 AD at the time of the death of Augustus. The order which
prevailed in this extensive empire, the good military roads, and
the use of Koine Greek as the general language of culture
throughout the area were among the factors which multiplied the
rapid spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's First Missionary Journey (48 A.D.) - This map
reveals the areas in Asia Minor where Paul visited in his first
missionary journey. Around 48 AD, in the springtime, Paul and
his companions Barnabas and Mark were sent on a mission from the
church in Antioch. This would be the first of Paul's Missionary
Journey's. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's Second Missionary Journey (51 A.D.) - This map
reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his
second missionary journey. Paul re-visits a couple cities in
Asia, one of which was Lystra where he was stoned and left for
dead a few years earlier. He later has a vision that leads him
over to Greece and Paul and his companions travel and minister
in various cities in Greece (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea,
Athens and Corinth. Later Paul returns to Ephesus and finally to
Caesarea and Antioch. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's Third Missionary Journey (54 A.D.) - This map
reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his
third missionary journey. On Paul's third missionary journey he
returned to the cities he had first visited on his first
missionary journey. During this time he decided to remain in
Ephesus for about 3 years, and this city was the main focus of
his activities and an important Christian community (Acts 19).
(Color Map)
Map of the New Testament World - This map reveals the
"Nations" within the ancient world during the first century
A.D., the time of the New Testament. The map includes the areas
of Israel, Asia, Greece, and Italy. (Color Map)
Map of New Testament Asia - This map shows the cities within
Asia Minor during the first century A.D., the time of the New
Testament. The map includes the principal cities of Asia
including Tarsus, Ephesus, and Colossae, and provinces like
Galatia and Pamphilia. (Color Map)
