Introduction to the Book of Galatians (Part 2)

When was Galatians written?

"Soon" after Paul had been with these churches (Gal. 1:6).
While the debate was fresh about Gentiles becoming Christians.
While the erusalem tem!le and ceremonial rituals were in acti"e o!eration (before #.$.
%&).
Probabl' written from #ntioch of S'ria after Paul(s encounter with the udai)ers there
(#cts 1*:1)+ and before the erusalem Coucil (#cts 1*:,-.*).
What was the situation in Galatia after Paul had left them?
1. /he Galatian belie"ers had been de"oted to Paul and acce!ted his teaching when he
was with them (Gal. 0:1*-16).
2. Soon after Paul de!arted+ other teachers arri"ed and began teaching things contrar' to
Paul(s teaching (Gal. 1:6).
.. "1ut that(s not what we were taught2" ... "Well+ who taught 'ou3" ... "Paul the tra"eling
missionar'."
4. /he new teachers would sa' that the a!ostles in erusalem are the source of authorit' for
the church+ and that Paul must 'ield to them (since Paul was not one of the original 1,
a!ostles) (Gal. 1:1%-14).
5. /he new teachers !robabl' claimed to ha"e been sent from erusalem and to be
s!ea5ing with the authorit' of the a!ostles there. /he' taught that the 6aw of 7oses was
binding on belie"ers and was re8uired for 9ustification (Gal. *:0)+ es!eciall' the laws
about circumcision and the ewish ceremonial rituals (Gal. 0:1&).
6. "/he erusalem a!ostles still 5ee! the 7osaic 6aw+ and e"er' one of them is
circumcised. :f 'ou want to be on the same footing with the erusalem Christians+ 'ou too
must be circumcised and follow the 6aw." (Gal. ,:.; *:,; 6:1,)
7. /he' accused Paul of being a "man-!leaser" (Gal. 1:1&) who would change his teaching
de!ending on his audience -- sometimes for circumcision and sometimes against
circumcision (Gal. *:11).
4. /he Galatian belie"ers began follow these new teachers (Gal. 1:6) and began to obser"e
the rituals of udaism (Gal. .:1).