Page 65 - New Testament Survey Student Textbook

There is no mention of the Jerusalem Council decrees in Galatians, which would have underscored his
arguments against the Judaizers. Thus, written before the Jerusalem council.

Peter’s hypocritical actions in withdrawing from table fellowship with the Gentile believers in Antioch
(Gal 2:11-14), even affecting Barnabas, is far more likely before than after the Jerusalem council. Of
course, it is possible that 2:11-14 precedes 2:1-10, but direct historical sequencing is the more natural
reading.

Dating based on theological development theories is very precarious since (i) at least sixteen years have
elapsed since Paul’s conversion even with an early dating (A.D. 33-49), (ii) most of his writings occur in a
brief eight year period (A.D. 49-57), (iii) the letters are occasional, not neat linear developments, and (iv)
development theories can be constructed based on Galatians preceding Corinthians and Romans
(Drane, Longenecker, Betz).

*Conclusion: Paul wrote from Syrian Antioch (Acts 14:28), A.D. 48.

Addressees
D.A. Carson and Moo in their Introduction to the New Testament, (458-461), list five arguments in
support of both the North and the South Galatian theories respectively that seem to have the strongest
persuasive power. Do you agree with the conclusion that the South Galatian theory is compelling if not
provable?

North Galatian theory South Galatian theory
1. In the speech of the day, Galatia meant the 1. People and places Paul knew and visited in the
place inhabited by the Gauls in the North. South are known but none at all in the North.
Against this, it was also used of the whole Acts 16:6 and18:23 may indicate work in the
province. North, but never state that Paul planted
Churches there.
2. Luke is specific in naming places, to denote 2. Galatia was the only word available that
geographic locations, so when he mentions embraced the people in all the cities of Paul’s
Galatia he must be understood to have been first missionary journey.
naming the Geographic location of the northern
Galatia
3. Paul could not possibly have addressed 3. Because of Paul’s illness (Gal. 4:14), it is
Lycaonians or Psidians O foolish Galatians (3:1), unlikely that Paul preached in this difficult
particularly since this linguistic usage is generally mountainous (North G.).
not attested.
4. The region of Phrygia and Galatia is 4. Ramsay, who did more than anybody to
understood to mean “Phrygia and the Galatia establish the southern theory, argued that the
region,” Which is taken to mean that Galatia was church developed along the great lines of
quite distinct from Phrygia (and presumably communication. And these went through the
other districts such as Lycaonia). southern parts of Galatia, not the North.
5. There is not the slightest hint in Galatians that 5. Barnabas is mentioned three times in the
Paul had experienced strong opposition when he letter, which seems to mean that he was known
preached in the Galatian cities. to the readers. But he only accompanied Paul
only on the journey when the South Galatian
Church was established.

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