A 1:1-5. Epistolary and Salutation.
B1 C1 1:6-2:14. Solicitude.
D1 2:15-4:11. Doctrinal correction.
B2 C2 4:12-20. Solicitude.
D2 4:21-6:10. Doctrinal correction.
B3 C3 6:11-14. Solicitude.
D3 6:15. Doctrinal correction.
A 6:16-18. Epistolary and Benediction.
1. As with the 2nd Epistle to the Corinthians, a large part of this letter is taken up with proofs of the apostle's Divine authority. The major portion, however, is devoted to refuting the teaching of such as would lead back the Galatians to bondage, for many of the desired to be under the Law. And Paul declared to them that this was a removing to a different gospel altogether, although, there being in reality no other gospel, that this was a perverting of the gospel of Christ.
2. The likeness to Romans is noticeable, and although this Epistle was written before that to the Romans, Paul had taught the Galatians the same truth as he records in the later Epistle. Galatians has been happily likened to a sketch for the finished picture, Romans. In both is manifested the fundamental truth that there is no difference between Jew (tribe of Judah) and Gentile before God. There would be many from the tribe of Judah among the churches of Galatia, for Paul ever went to the tribe of Judah 1st; yet the majority would be Gentiles, apparently to ready to yield to the persuasions of judaizers who taught the necessity of circumcision. Of profound interest to all believers is the record of the apostle's reception of the gospel which was preached by him. For he received it not from man, nor was he taught it, but it came to him through revelation of Jesus Christ.
3. There is difference of opinion as to where the churches of Galatia were situated. The province was a central one in Asia Minor, occupied in the northern parts by a mixed race in which the Keltic predominated; and some think that there were no churches at all in that portion of the province, but only in the southern parts, and that they probably included Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Derbe, and Lystra. It may be added that in Galatia proper, the people spoke the Keltic language until at least the time of Jerome, who records hearing the same tongue there as he heard in Treves.
4. Date. Galatians was most probably written from Macedonia in the winter of 57 A.D., or the spring of 58 A.D.
57/58 A.D.
Galatians 1)
1 Paul, an apostle (see John 13:16), (not of men, nor yet by man, but by Jesus Christ (Gr. Iesous is the same as Heb. Yahshua, and means Salvation of Yahaveh, or Yahaveh the Savior. Christ is the Greek translation of Messiah. Christos has the same meaning, from chrio, to anoint), and God (Gr. Theos corresponds generally to Elohim, the Creator, of the O.T) the Father (Gr. Pater. Expresses relationship, the correlative of which is "son". When used of man it not only denotes parentage, but it sometimes has the wider meaning of "ancestor", "founder", or a "senior" (as in 1 John 2:13, 14); also the author or source of anything (John 8:44. Heb. 12:9); and expresses a spiritual relationship, as in 1 Cor. 4:15.
When used of God it denotes His relationship to His "beloved Son"; and to those ("sons") who have been begotten (not "born", see note on Matt. 1:1) into a new creation.
It implies "sons", not "offspring", as in Acts 17:28, 29. These were "offspring", and were existing (Gr. huparcho), as such, according to nature, on the ground of creation; not "sons" as being "begotten" into a new creation), Who raised Him from the dead;)
2 And all the brethren (probably including Timothy) which are with me, to the churches (the only Epistle addressed to a group of churches. Cp. 1 Cor. 16:1) of Galatia: (In all his other epistles Paul adds some commendatory words, "Beloved of God", Rom. 1:7; "of God", 1 Cor. 1:2; "Saints", &c., Eph. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2; "in God", 1 Thess. 1:1. The omission shows how great was their apostasy.)
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Who gave Himself for our sins, so that He might deliver (see Acts 7:10) us from the present evil world (Gr. aiōn. Cp. Rom. 12:2. 2 Cor. 4:4. 1 John 5:19 [kosmos]), according to the will of God and our Father:
5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
C1 A1 1:6-12. Declaration.
A2 1:13-2:14. Proof.
A1 a 6,7-. Their defection.
b -7. The perverters.
a 8,9. Their defection.
b 10-12. Himself who taught them.
6 I marvel that you are so soon removing from Him (i.e "to desert" Him, i.e. God. Cp. Rom. 8:30. 1 Thess. 2:12) that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another;
but there be some that are troubling you (cp. 5:10. Acts 15:24), wishing to pervert (see Acts 2:20) the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven (see Matt. 6:9,10), preach a gospel beside (or than, that) to you than that which we preached to you, let him be accursed. (See Acts 23:14 and cp. 3:10,13.)
9 As we said before (i.e. at his 2nd visit [Acts 18:23]), and say I now again, if any one preach a gospel other than to you than that you have received, let him be accursed.
10 For am I persuading men, or God? or am I seeking to please men? for if I yet were pleasing men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11 But I make known (or declare, as in 1 Cor. 15:1) to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not according to man.
12 For I neither received it from man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Cp. Acts 9:15; 26:16-18.)
A2 B1 1:13,14. Before his conversion.
B2 1:15-2:14. After his conversion.
13 For you have heard of my manner of life in time past in the Jews' religion (Gr. Iudaismos. Only here and v.14. Cp. 2:14. As the worship of the Father [Yehovah] at the time of Christ had degraded into "the Jews' religion", so now the worship of Christ has become the "religion" of Christendom), how that according to excess (see Rom. 7:13) I was persecuting the church of God, and was wasting it: (See Acts 9:21.)
14 And profited (see Rom. 13:12) in the Jews' religion above many of my own age in my own nation (lit. race), being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. (see Acts 21:20.)
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb (cp. Isa. 49:1,5. Jer. 1:5. Note the steps: [1] Separation before birth; [2] calling, Acts 9; [3] setting apart for the ministry, Acts 13:2,3, in fulfillment of Acts 9:15), and called me by his grace,
16 To reveal His Son in me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: (See Matt. 16:17.)
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. (From where he escaped as recorded in Acts 9:25. 2 Cor. 11:33.)
18 Then after three years (this was 3 years from his conversion, 37 A.D.) I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter (see John 1:42), and abode with him fifteen days. (This 1st visit was cut short by 6 the murder-plot of Acts 9:29, and the command in the trance of Acts 22:17-21.)
19 But other of the apostles saw I none, except James the Lord's brother. (See Matt. 13:55.)
20 Now the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I lie not.
21 Then I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; (The only references to this journey and sojourn are found in Acts 9:30; 11:25.)
22 And continued unknown (cp. 2 Cor. 6:9.) by face to the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
23 But they were hearing (i.e. kept hearing) only, that he which persecuted us in times past now preaches the faith which once he destroyed. (Same as "wasted", v.13)
24 And they were glorified God in me. (God in me, i.e. finding in Paul cause for glorifying God)