Bible History
Picture Study Bible with Maps and Background Information
11. Translate, "If I am still preaching (as I did before conversion)
circumcision, why am I still persecuted?" The Judaizing troubler of the
Galatians had said, "Paul himself preaches circumcision," as is shown by
his having circumcised Timothy
(Ac 16:3;
compare also
Ac 20:6; 21:24).
Paul replies by anticipation of their objection, As regards myself, the
fact that I am still persecuted by the Jews shows plainly that I do
not preach circumcision; for it is just because I preach Christ
crucified, and not the Mosaic law, as the sole ground of justification,
that they persecute me. If for conciliation he lived as a Jew among the
Jews, it was in accordance with his principle enunciated
(1Co 7:18, 20; 9:20).
Circumcision, or uncircumcision, are things indifferent in themselves:
their lawfulness or unlawfulness depends on the animus of him
who uses them. The Gentile Galatians' animus in circumcision could only
be their supposition that it influenced favorably their standing before
God. Paul's living as a Gentile among Gentiles, plainly showed that, if
he lived as a Jew among Jews, it was not that he thought it meritorious
before God, but as a matter indifferent, wherein he might lawfully
conform as a Jew by birth to those with whom he was, in order to
put no needless stumbling-block to the Gospel in the way of his
countrymen.
then--Presuming that I did so, "then," in that case, "the offense of
(stumbling-block,
1Co 1:23
occasioned to the Jews by) the cross has become done away." Thus the
Jews' accusation against Stephen was not that he preached Christ
crucified, but that "he spake blasphemous words against this holy place
and the law." They would, in some measure, have borne the
former, if he had mixed with it justification in part by circumcision
and the law, and if he had, through the medium of Christianity, brought
converts to Judaism. But if justification in any degree depended on
legal ordinances, Christ's crucifixion in that degree was unnecessary,
and could profit nothing
(Ga 5:2, 4).
Worldly Wiseman, of the town of Carnal Policy, turns Christian out of
the narrow way of the Cross, to the house of Legality. But the way to
it was up a mountain, which, as Christian advanced, threatened to fall
on him and crush him, amidst flashes of lightning from the mountain
[BUNYAN, Pilgrim's Progress]
(Heb 12:18-21).
JFB.
The Book of Galatians
Galatians 1:11-12 - But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 4:4 - But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians in The New Testament - A Brief Overview
Painting of Paul the Apostle by Rembrandt - 1657
Introduction to The Book of Galatians
Brief Summary. Paul instructs the churches that he established in Galatia. He defends his apostleship against the Judaizers who wanted to mix Christianity with the Law of Moses. Paul says that salvation is by grace and not by law.
Summary of The Book of Galatians
Purpose. Paul was so well received by the Galatians that they even looked upon him as an angel or God himself (Galatians 4:14). The churches that he established had become strong churches, yet they were severely affected by the false teaching of the Judaizers. Paul deals with their false doctrines and their attacks at his apostleship, and shows clearly how Christianity cannot be mingled with Jewish laws and circumcision. He reminds them that his authority and ministry was not passed on through the other apostles, but came directly through Jesus Christ. Regarding Christianity he uses sound doctrine, Scripture, and allegory to show how Christianity is greater than the law. The true purpose of the law was to point to Jesus Christ, and the gospel does not see any difference between the Jew, the Greek, the free man, the slave, nor male nor female. Paul's message in the book of Galatians regarding Christianity and its relationship to the law of Moses is theologically brilliant, and some have referred to it as the Christian Declaration of Independence.
Audience. Scholars agree that paul was writing to the churches in Galatia which he established on his first missionary journey.
Authorship. Paul the Apostle was the author of the book of Galatians. Scholars agree that Paul was the author of the epistle to the Galatians. Paul refers to his own name as "Paul" twice in Galatians (Galatians 1:1 and 5:2). The second reference is very conclusive that it was Paul writing. There were several references to the life of Paul which can easily be harmonized with the Book of Acts.
Date. it is very difficult to be certain about the date of the epistle to the Galatians. Most scholars give it a 50 or 55 AD date.
Place Written. It is also difficult to be certain about the location where Paul wrote his epistle to the Galatians. Most likely it was written from either Syrian Antioch before the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) or it could have been written from Ephesus on Paul's second or third missionary journey.
Outline of the Book of Galatians
Paul's Message of the Gospel - Chapter 1:1-10
Paul Defends Justification by Faith - Chapters 1:11-2:21
Paul Explains Justification by Faith - Chapters 3:1-4:31
Paul Explains Applying Justification by Faith 5:1-6:18
The Name Jesus In Ancient Hebrew Text
"Yeshua" in First Century Hebrew Text. This is how the name "Jesus"
would have been written in ancient Hebrew documents. The four letters or
consonants from right to left are Yod, Shin, Vav, Ayin (Y, SH, OO, A).
Jesus is the Greek name for the Hebrew name Joshua or Y'shua which means
"The LORD or Yahweh is Salvation".
Galatians Maps and Resources
Map of the Roman Empire (14 A.D.) - This map reveals the Roman Empire during the time shortly after the birth of Jesus, in 14 AD at the time of the death of Augustus. The order which prevailed in this extensive empire, the good military roads, and the use of Koine Greek as the general language of culture throughout the area were among the factors which multiplied the rapid spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's First Missionary Journey (48 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia Minor where Paul visited in his first missionary journey. Around 48 AD, in the springtime, Paul and his companions Barnabas and Mark were sent on a mission from the church in Antioch. This would be the first of Paul's Missionary Journey's. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's Second Missionary Journey (51 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his second missionary journey. Paul re-visits a couple cities in Asia, one of which was Lystra where he was stoned and left for dead a few years earlier. He later has a vision that leads him over to Greece and Paul and his companions travel and minister in various cities in Greece (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Corinth. Later Paul returns to Ephesus and finally to Caesarea and Antioch. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's Third Missionary Journey (54 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his third missionary journey. On Paul's third missionary journey he returned to the cities he had first visited on his first missionary journey. During this time he decided to remain in Ephesus for about 3 years, and this city was the main focus of his activities and an important Christian community (Acts 19). (Color Map)
Map of the New Testament World - This map reveals the "Nations" within the ancient world during the first century A.D., the time of the New Testament. The map includes the areas of Israel, Asia, Greece, and Italy. (Color Map)
Map of New Testament Asia - This map shows the cities within
Asia Minor during the first century A.D., the time of the New
Testament. The map includes the principal cities of Asia
including Tarsus, Ephesus, and Colossae, and provinces like
Galatia and Pamphilia. (Color Map)