Names of the Book
| English: | Galatians |
| Greek: | Γαλάτης |
| Transliterated: | Galatēs |
| Other names: | Paul's epistle to the Galatians |
Who
| Wrote the book: | Paul |
| Are the key people: | Paul, Peter, Barnabas, Titus, Abraham, false teachers |
| Is it written to: | Believers in Galatia |
What
| The authenticity and authority of the gospel (Galatians 1:1-2:21) |
| The superiority and sufficiency of the gospel (Galatians 3:1-4:31) |
| The freedom and reconciliation found in the gospel (Galatians 5:1-6:18) |
When
| Was it written: | c 49 CE |
| Did the events occur: | c 48-49 CE |
| Was it canonized: | c 108-117 CE |
| (see the Timeline of the First Century) | |
Where
| Was it written: | Antioch |
| Did the events occur: | Galatia, Jerusalem |
Why
| Galatians was written to inform us that: |
| Salvation is G-d's work alone. |
| Our works/deeds do not (and cannot) save us. |
| We enter into salvation by faith and works cannot add to that salvation. |
| G-d's Holy Spirit is the One who works in us to save us. |
Introduction
The "book" of Galatians is actually Paul's letter to a group of believing communities in the region of Rome called Galatia. Paul writes to counter the error of legalism that had crept into these groups. An issue even into the 21st century, legalism teaches that a person must do something in order to enter into G-d's kingdom. In Paul's day, legalism focused on the Law of Moses and the Abrahamic covenant which required a man to be circumcised to be in the kingdom. Paul first validates his authority as coming from Messiah and then affirms that salvation is by faith in Messiah alone. He declares that the Law is not contrary to the promises G-d made to Abraham and that the purpose of the Law is not to bring about salvation. Instead, the Law is the standard to which the Spirit of G-d will sanctify those whom G-d has already saved and brought into His Kingdom.
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