The Letter to the Galatians History and Controversy
1. Introduction to Galatians a) Relationship of Christians and Jews b) Intra-Christian Relationships (Augustine, Luther, Justification) 2. The Drama of Galatians (a) Stage Set / Geography (i) How did Paul end up in Galatia? First and Second Missionary Journeys (ii) Where is Galatia and who were the Galatians? Two Theories and what happened? What does it tell us about the Galatians? What about the Jews who arrived and upset them?
(b) Plot (iii) Evidence from the letter as to what happened? (c) Dramatis personae (iv) Who was involved? 3. What are the theological issues at stake?
Paul s First Missionary Journey: Acts 13:1-14:28 / Gal 1:21-23; 2:1 / NJBC 44:68-79; 79:29-30
Fragments? Gal. 1:21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, 22 and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; 23 they only heard it said, The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy. Gal. 2:1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me.
Paul s Second Missionary Journey Acts 15:40-18:2; NJBC 44:86-96; 79:38-39
Iconium and Lystra
Iconium (modern Konyas)
During the Second Missionary Journey? Acts 16:6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. Acts 18:23 After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
(a) Paul s own account of this is as follows: Gal. 4:13 You know that it was because of a physical infirmity that I first announced the gospel to you; 14 though my condition put you to the test, you did not scorn or despise me, but welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What has become of the good will you felt? For I testify that, had it been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. (b) What Paul preached to them seems also clear from the Letter: Gal. 3:1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified! Gal. 1:4 who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
(c) (d) Gal. 3:2 The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? Gal. 4:8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods. 9 Now, however, that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits? How can you want to be enslaved to them again? Gal. 1:13 You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. Gal. 4:6 And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba! Father!
(e) Gal. 5:22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. Gal. 4:14 though my condition put you to the test, you did not scorn or despise me, but welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What has become of the good will you felt? For I testify that, had it been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Gal. 1:22 and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; (f) Gal. 4:20 I wish I were present with you now and could change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
The Roman Province of Galatia
The Dying Galatian (Rome)
A Galatian kills his wife and then commits suicide rather than become a slave (Rome)
King Amyntas of Galatia 36-25 bc Head of bearded Herakles turned right, club over shoulder / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΜΥΝΤΟΥ, lion walking right
South Galatian Theory For Paul evangelised in the southern part of the province of Galatia, specifically Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe (during the First Missionary Journey, 46-49, and briefly on the Second Journey (50). Paul usually (but not always) starts in the synagogue in a place. Barnabas was with Paul on the First Missionary Journey.
South Galatian Theory Against Leaves no room for his sickness which was the occasion. Acts never specifically and clearly refers to the southern region as Galatia, using instead of the province, the names of the districts. Acts specifically says that the southern evangelisation included Jews, but there is no evidence that Galatians were Jews, or some of them even. Barnabas could have been known by name and perhaps not in person?
North Galatian Theory For Galatai (a people in 3:1) is much less ambiguous than Galatia (a place) Acts is ambiguous: Acts 16:6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; Does this mean they skirted north Galatia or entered it? Hindered by the Spirit by link up with the illness which detained him. Cf. Paul s converts there on the Third Missionary Journey Acts 18:23 After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
North Galatian Theory Just for information Brown is for North Galatia; likewise Martyn. Against: Matera
Some contrasting opinions Gal. 2:11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood self-condemned; 12 for until certain people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But after they came, he drew back and kept himself separate for fear of the circumcision faction. 13 And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not acting consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?
Evidence of mistrust Acts 15:30 So they were sent off and went down to Antioch. When they gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 When its members read it, they rejoiced at the exhortation. 32 Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. 33 After they had been there for some time, they were sent off in peace by the believers to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, and there, with many others, they taught and proclaimed the word of the Lord. Acts 15:36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, Come, let us return and visit the believers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are doing. 37 Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul decided not to take with them one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. 39 The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and set out, the believers commending him to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Everything was wonderful for a while Gal. 1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel Gal. 4:14 though my condition put you to the test, you did not scorn or despise me, but welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What has become of the good will you felt? For I testify that, had it been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Gal. 5:7 You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth?
Some new arrivals (c) Some time later, other people arrived, a group of Christian-Jewish evangelists. We will see in detail who they were in the commentary. At the moment we notice two things: (i) they claimed to be connected in a significant way with the church in Jerusalem. This must have been true and it must also have had a big impact on the Galatians. (ii) The centred their message in the Mosaic Law, naming it as the venerable and permanent word of God, confirmed to eternity by God s Messiah, the Christ. This must have clarified the ethical and social options of the Galatians. Cf. Rom. 3:8 And why not say (as some people slander us by saying that we say), Let us do evil so that good may come? Their condemnation is deserved!
Who was involved? The Messenger - who had a difficult task! Paul The Galatians assemblies (3:1-4; 4:13-14; 5:7a) The Catechetical Instructors (5:7; 6:6) The Teachers and their followers The Jerusalem assembly (4:6) Peter, James and John (2:1-10) The False Brothers (2:4) The assembly in Antioch (2:11)