Pastor Kirk McCormick: Galatians: Introduction and 1:1-5

Introduction

Setting

1. The History of “Galatia"

Founded by Celts - from British Islands – who invaded and conquered Greece in the early 3rd Century BC
“Galatia” comes from the Latin, Gallo which is the equal to the Greek: Keltai (“Celts”)

Specifically, in 230BC, Attalus I, king of Pergamum, defeated the Celts, restricting them to a small area around modern day Ankarra (capital of Turkey)
In 189BC, Rome conquered the region.
By 25BC, “Galatia” expanded and referred to the region from modern day Lebanon, along the Mediterranean up to and including Turkey.

Authorship: Paul...no dispute at all! Date: Likely around 52AD

Written sometime between the Council of Jerusalem (48-49AD) and Paul’s final visit to Jerusalem where he was arrested and taken to Rome (58AD).
“Galatians” was written while Paul was in Corinth (~52AD), making it a “twin” with the letter to the church in Rome (aka: “Romans”)

Themes:

Freedom vs. License in Christ
Freedom means the constraints of the Law are no longer paramount because our hearts are now constrained by a higher authority: Jesus.
Compromise: Obedience to the Gospel vs. Adding the Law (i.e.: Grace + Works = Salvation)
Paul’s main point: Grace does not lead believers away from the Law into “nothing”, but into Christ.
“Blasphemy”: Embracing the full Gospel vs. Attributing a False Teaching to God
Some were teaching an entirely “different Gospel” – which was not the Gospel at all. But they were teaching it as if it came from God though it contradicted

The “Certainties” of Paul’s Authority

1. Paul is certain that God commissioned him to this ministry to the Gentiles.

Galatians 1:1 – “Paul, an apostle – sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father...”
Note: Inherent in this certainty is another: Paul is certain that God had spoken to him.

2. Paul is certain that the Gospel is centered in Grace that leads to Peace with God through Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:3 – “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ...”
Philippians 3:4-6 – “If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.”

3. Paul is certain that Grace does what the Law cannot do: Rescue us from Sin!

Galatians 1:3-4 – “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age...”
The Point: Any other teaching is contrary to the Gospel!

Application Questions:

1. Will the church fight to defend God’s revealed Word?