Galatia in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE

ga-la'-shi-a, ga-la'-sha (Galatia): I. INTRODUCTORY 1. Two Senses of Name (1) Geographical (2) Political 2. Questions to Be Answered II. ORIGIN OF NAME 1. The Gaulish Kingdom 2. Transference to Rome 3. The Roman Province III. THE NARRATIVE OF LUKE 1. Stages of Evangelization of Province 2. The Churches Mentioned IV. PAUL'S USE OF "GALATIANS" I. Introductory. 1. Two Senses of Name: "Galatia" was a name used in two different senses during the 1st century after Christ: (1) Geographical To designate a country in the north part of the central plateau of Asia Minor, touching Paphlagonia and Bithynia North, Phrygia West and South, Cappadocia and Pontus Southeast and East, about the headwaters of the Sangarios and the middle course of the Halys; (2) Political To designate a large province of the Roman empire, including not merely the country Galatia, but also Paphlagonia and parts of Pontus, Phrygia, Pisidia, Lycaonia and Isauria. The name occurs in 1 Cor 16:1; Gal 1:2; 1 Pet 1:1, and perhaps 2 Tim 4:10. Some writers assume that Galatia is also mentioned in Acts 16:6; 18:23; but the Greek there has the phrase "Galatic region" or "territory," though the English Versions of the Bible has "Galatia"; and it must not be assumed without proof that "Galatic region" is synonymous with "Galatia." If e.g. a modern narrative mentioned that a traveler crossed British territory, we know that this means something quite different from crossing Britain. "Galatic region" has a different connotation from "Galatia"; and, even if we should find that geographically it was equivalent, the writer had some reason for using that special form. 2. Questions to Be Answered: The questions that have to be answered are: (a) In which of the two senses is "Galatia" used by Paul and Peter? (b) What did Luke mean by Galatic region or territory? These questions have not merely geographical import; they bear most closely, and exercise determining influence, on many points in the biography, chronology, missionary work and methods of Paul. II. Origin of the Name "Galatia." 1. The Gaulish Kingdom: The name was introduced into Asia after 278-277 BC, when a large body of migrating Gauls (Galatai in Greek) crossed over from Europe at the invitation of Nikomedes, king of Bithynia; after ravaging a great part of Western Asia Minor they were gradually confined to a district, and boundaries were fixed for them after 232 BC. Thus, originated the independent state of Galatia, inhabited by three Gaulish tribes, Tolistobogioi, Tektosages and Trokmoi, with three city-centers, Pessinus, Ankyra and Tavia (Tavion in Strabo), who had brought their wives and families with them, and therefore continued to be a distinct Gaulish race and stock (which would have been impossible if they had come as simple warriors who took wives from the conquered inhabitants). The Gaulish language...