What Galatians is about

Paul opens with unusual abruptness—no thanksgiving—declaring astonishment that the Galatians are deserting the gospel for a 'different gospel' that is really no gospel at all. He pronounces a double anathema on anyone preaching a contrary message, then establishes his apostolic independence by narrating his Damascus road revelation and his minimal contact with the Jerusalem apostles.

The Galatian churches (likely in southern Asia Minor, founded during Paul's first missionary journey) were being pressured by Jewish-Christian agitators to adopt circumcision and Torah observance as necessary supplements to faith in Christ. Paul wrote this letter around AD 48-49, possibly making it his earliest surviving epistle.

Key themes

Freedom Grace Law The Spirit

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Where to start in Galatians

Galatians 2 · Confrontation in Antioch Galatians 3 · The Law Was a Guardian Galatians 5 · Freedom and the Spirit Galatians 6 · Sowing and Reaping

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All 6 chapters

Galatians

1 Freedom Paul is furious. The Galatians are abandoning grace for law, and he writes with an urgency that practically burns through the page. 2 Confrontation in Antioch Paul opposes Peter to his face for withdrawing from Gentile believers. If righteousness came through the law, Christ died for nothing. 3 The Law Was a Guardian Did you receive the Spirit by obeying the law or by believing? Paul takes the Galatians back to Abraham to prove that faith was always the way. 4 Children, Not Slaves You were slaves, but God sent his Son so you could become adopted children. Why would you go back to the chains you've already been freed from? 5 Freedom and the Spirit You were called to freedom — but not freedom to indulge. Walk by the Spirit and the fruit that grows will be love, joy, peace, and self-control. 6 Sowing and Reaping Bear one another's burdens, don't grow weary in doing good, and remember: whatever you sow, you will reap. Paul signs off in his own large handwriting.

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