You foolish Galatians!Galatians

Galatia: a Roman province in central Anatolia (modern-day Turkey)Which churches?When? (4850s CE)

Rival TeachersJews who preached salvation through Christ is only for Jews (followers of Torah)Gentiles must commit to Jewish law and circumcision to correctly follow Christ

Date and Place

Pauls authority vs. rivalsRivals claim Paul is new to the gospelGalatians should therefore follow James and PeterPaul claims his authority is directly from GodChrist and the lawJustification by faith(fulness)Gods universal favorFullness of time has come in ChristSpirit realizes what law cannotTheological Themes

Paul appeals to experienceDid you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? (3:2)Paul appeals to Abrahams exampleGod promised Abraham through faith, before circumcisionLike Abraham we receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (without circumcision, 3:14)Paul appeals to sociocultural valuesLaw enslaves; Spirit frees and makes us children; For freedom Christ has set us free (5:1)

Spirit and the Law

Salutation (1:15)Another gospel!? (1:610)Pauls gospel is from God (1:112:21)Meets Peter and James after four yearsMeets Jerusalem elders after fourteen yearsArgues with Peter in AntiochSpirit (not circumcision) makes Gods people (chaps. 35)Children of God through faith(fulness)Slavery and freedom; Hagar and SarahExhortations and closing (5:266:18)

Outline