Page 64 - New Testament Survey Student Textbook

Background
The letter starts by identify Paul and several of his traveling companions
as its authors, however, Paul was the main writer (1:1–2). The letter’s
recipients are described as the churches of Galatia—which were planted
by Paul either during his first missionary journey (Acts 13-14), or during
the second missionary journey (Acts 16:6 and 18:23).

The region of Galatia was in central Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). According to one theory, the
Galatians Paul addressed were in the southern part of Galatia, primarily in the cities Acts 13–14 records
him visiting: Antioch in Pisidia, Lystra, Iconium, and Derbe (Acts 13–14). Paul would have written to
these churches during AD 48–57—either before or shortly after the Jerusalem Council, held circa AD 49
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(or 51).
The second theory identifies the Galatian churches in the northern part of the region, corresponding to
the mentions of Paul visiting Galatia in Acts 16:6 and 18:23. In this case, Paul’s letter would have been
written during his second or third missionary journeys (circa AD 49–57), but likely before he wrote
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Romans (mid-50s AD).
Setting aside the location debate, the Galatian churches consisted mostly of non-Jewish (Gentile)
believers. Paul taught freedom in Christ to the Galatian church, and that they did not need to follow the
Jewish law once they became Christians. However, after Paul left the area, some outsiders arrived and
disputed his teaching (Gal 1:6–7). According to them, it simply wasn’t possible to be God’s people
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without observing the Jewish laws. Much of Galatians is Paul’s response to this claim.
The ambiguity regarding the letter’s recipients and date arises partly because of a connection to the
Jerusalem Council (Acts 15). At this crucial meeting, church leaders settled the issue that dominates
Galatians: deciding that non-Jewish Christians should not be required to keep Old Testament laws and
regulations (outside of a few; Acts 15:22–29). In Galatians, Paul may be articulating the council’s
decision. Paul could also be offering the same viewpoint, prior to the council; this would mean that
Paul’s description of his time in Jerusalem and Antioch in Galatians 2:1–14 likely correlates with Paul’s
time in Antioch (Acts 11:19–30), but not the events of Acts 15. (If this is the case, Paul visited Jerusalem
an additional time not recorded in Acts.)
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Author:
Paul, an apostle (1:1) (undisputed). *Note 6:11: Paul’s personal subscription, authenticating its content;
until that point he employed an amanuensis (cf. 2 Thess. 3:17; Rom 16:22; 1 Cor 16:21; Col 4:18;
Philemon 19).

Provenance and Date
An early date fits the South Galatian theory, if adopted, and is supported by: Paul’s list of visits to
Jerusalem ( Gal 1:18-21 = Acts 9:26-30): first introductory visit (all agree), Gal 2:1-10 = Acts 11:27-30:
famine visit (contra consensus that Gal 2 = Acts 15). Would Paul have omitted the visit of Acts 11 and
skip from Acts 9 to the Acts 15 visit?

87 Barry, J. D., et al
88 Ibid
89 Ibid
90 Ibid
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