The
Occasion and Purpose for the Writing of Galatians
Paul had led a remarkable spirit-led evangelistic campaign with the Gentiles in Galatia where many converted to Christianity. After Paul left, certain Jewish Christians called Judaizers began insisting that the Gentile converts be circumcised as well as follow other Jewish customs such as honoring certain holy days in accordance to the laws of Moses.[1] The Judaizers also posed allegations concerning Paul’s calling and authenticity to apostleship due to what they considered was mere compromise in that he did not require the Gentiles to confirm to the traditions of Judaism. Paul, in this letter to the Galatians addresses these issues for which certain Gentiles had fallen prey to and as a result, had allowed the Judaizers to place them back under the bondage of the law from which Paul taught that they were freed from.[2]
The first verse in Galatians identifies Paul as the author who was sent by God; therefore, establishing his credibility and validity as an apostle having been called to the office by Jesus himself. “Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead” (Galatians 1:1).[3] Paul’s letter stands as a defense to the freedom that we have received by being justified through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Paul’s letter encourages the Galatians to stand firm in what he taught them and that was that the obedience that we adhere to through faith does not bring about salvation based on works and man-made traditions but through the power and grace that has been bestowed upon every believer who has accepted Jesus Christ as their risen Savior.[4]
The trouble-makers were known to be visitors amongst the churches in Galatia and seemingly had a problem with Paul not having been commissioned by them as a leader in the body of Christ.[5] Paul argued the point that if the Galatians were to allow themselves to be circumcised in order to adhere to the Mosaic law practices then they would not only have to keep that particular law but the other laws that went along with that as well and would therefore place themselves under the curse of the law.[6] “For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law’ ” (Galatians 3:10).[7] Paul emphasized in his letter that Jesus died so that those who accepted Him could be free from the curse of sin for which the law was a mirror of and a constant reminder of how impossible it was to keep the law. Paul knew this all too well in that his devotion in trying to adhere to the law made him a ruthless zealot in persecution numerous Christians.[8]
[1] Martin Luther, Luther's Works. Volume 35 (Philadelphia: Muhlenberg Press, 1960), 384.
[2] F. F. Bruce and F. F. Bruce, Paul, Apostle of the Heart Set Free (Carlisle, Cumbria, UK: Paternoster Press, 2000), 178-179.
[3] Gal. 1:1 (New International Version).
[4] Luther, Works, 384.
[5] Bruce, Paul, 180-181.
[6] Ibid., 181.
[7] Gal. 3:10 (New International Version).
[8] Bruce, Paul, 189.
Occasion and Purpose for the Writing of Galatians
Paul had led a remarkable spirit-led evangelistic campaign with the Gentiles in Galatia where many converted to Christianity. After Paul left, certain Jewish Christians called Judaizers began insisting that the Gentile converts be circumcised as well as follow other Jewish customs such as honoring certain holy days in accordance to the laws of Moses.[1] The Judaizers also posed allegations concerning Paul’s calling and authenticity to apostleship due to what they considered was mere compromise in that he did not require the Gentiles to confirm to the traditions of Judaism. Paul, in this letter to the Galatians addresses these issues for which certain Gentiles had fallen prey to and as a result, had allowed the Judaizers to place them back under the bondage of the law from which Paul taught that they were freed from.[2]
The first verse in Galatians identifies Paul as the author who was sent by God; therefore, establishing his credibility and validity as an apostle having been called to the office by Jesus himself. “Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead” (Galatians 1:1).[3] Paul’s letter stands as a defense to the freedom that we have received by being justified through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Paul’s letter encourages the Galatians to stand firm in what he taught them and that was that the obedience that we adhere to through faith does not bring about salvation based on works and man-made traditions but through the power and grace that has been bestowed upon every believer who has accepted Jesus Christ as their risen Savior.[4]
The trouble-makers were known to be visitors amongst the churches in Galatia and seemingly had a problem with Paul not having been commissioned by them as a leader in the body of Christ.[5] Paul argued the point that if the Galatians were to allow themselves to be circumcised in order to adhere to the Mosaic law practices then they would not only have to keep that particular law but the other laws that went along with that as well and would therefore place themselves under the curse of the law.[6] “For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law’ ” (Galatians 3:10).[7] Paul emphasized in his letter that Jesus died so that those who accepted Him could be free from the curse of sin for which the law was a mirror of and a constant reminder of how impossible it was to keep the law. Paul knew this all too well in that his devotion in trying to adhere to the law made him a ruthless zealot in persecution numerous Christians.[8]
[1] Martin Luther, Luther's Works. Volume 35 (Philadelphia: Muhlenberg Press, 1960), 384.
[2] F. F. Bruce and F. F. Bruce, Paul, Apostle of the Heart Set Free (Carlisle, Cumbria, UK: Paternoster Press, 2000), 178-179.
[3] Gal. 1:1 (New International Version).
[4] Luther, Works, 384.
[5] Bruce, Paul, 180-181.
[6] Ibid., 181.
[7] Gal. 3:10 (New International Version).
[8] Bruce, Paul, 189.
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