of the Gentiles would naturally be
taken to mean these first churches (however wide the
application) as the Jerusalem Council was held at the close
of the first missionary journey. The word Galatia may
be used in the narrower sense also by Luke in speaking of
the beginning of Paul's second (Acts 16:6) and third
(Acts 18:23) missionary journeys. It would be natural
for the Judaizers, who sought to turn back the converts
of Paul to Judaism, to begin with the churches in South
Galatia first.

+Time of Writing.+--The common opinion is that this
epistle was written at Ephesus, during Paul's long stay
there on his third missionary journey or between 54 and
56 A.D. Some however would place the date earlier.

+Occasion and Purpose.+--That which caused Paul to
write this first of his great doctrinal Epistles was the
teaching of certain Judaizers who had found their way
into the churches of Galatia. They claimed that the
Jewish law was binding upon believers in Christ, and
declared that salvation was through works of the law.
They insisted upon the rite of circumcision. Paul's
gospel and authority were disparaged.

Paul wrote this Epistle for the purpose of showing
that "faith in Christ was the sole and sufficient condition
of salvation."

+Principal Divisions and Chief Points.+

1. Introduction (1:1-10) Salutation. Subject of the
Epistle; the defection of the Galatian churches.

2. The divine commission given to Paul as an apostle
(1:11-2:21). He makes a statement of his claims and
gives a sketch of his life. The gospel he preached came
not from man but through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
All this is to show the authenticity of his claims.

3. Doctrinal. Justification is by faith (ch. 3-4).
The Galatian churches had received the Spirit through
faith and not by law; why should they turn back? The
superiority of faith is shown by Abraham's faith. The
covenant of the promise of Christ was before the law.
The law is subordinate to faith, its purpose is to bring
men to Christ. There is serious danger in returning to
the law.

4. Practical. Application of the doctrinal teaching
(ch. 5-6:10). An exhortation to stand fast in the liberty
of Christ; this liberty excludes Judaism. A warning
against the abuse of Christian liberty. The works of the
flesh and the fruits of the Spirit. Sowing and reaping.

5. Autograph conclusion (6:11-18). Summary of
the Epistle. The glory of the Apostle is in the