We're going to read the letter from Paul to the Galatians for the next week or so. In this introduction, we'll read some insights from the MacArthur Commentary and a couple of others. It will set the stage for the next few days as we go through this letter addressed to churches located in multiple cities. It is interesting to note, this is the only epistle that does that.
Timing
There are two theories for the date of this letter. The first asserts that Paul wrote it between A.D. 53 and 56 either in Macedonia or Ephesus to cities north of those he visited while journeying with Barnabas. Paul may have visited this section of Galatia on his second missionary journey. The second argues that Paul wrote the book in Syrian Antioch circa A.D. 49 to the churches he and Barnabas had previously established in southern Galatia. If the southern Galatia theory is true, Galatians is one of the earliest books written in the New Testament canon, just before the council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:4–21).
Outline
Paul Defends His Ministry
Greetings 1:1–5
Paul’s authority 1:6–2:10
Conflict with Peter 2:11–21
Paul Defends the Gospel of Grace
Justified by faith 3:1–29
Contrasting covenants 4:1–31
Freedom in Christ
Set free in Christ 5:1–12
The right use of freedom 5:13–26
We reap what we sow 6:1–10
Final warnings and blessing 6:11–18
Join me in reading Galatians and be encouraged!
