Pauline Epistles · New Testament
Galatians
c. AD 48–49
- Section
- Pauline Epistles · New Testament
- Events span
- c. AD 48–49
- Written
- c. AD 49
- Author
- Paul the Apostle
Paul writes urgently to churches in Galatia who are being lured into thinking they must keep the law to be saved. He insists the gospel is justification by faith in Christ alone, defends his apostolic authority, and calls them to the freedom and fruit of the Spirit.
Key themes
- Justification by faith alone
- Freedom in Christ
- Law versus grace
- The fruit of the Spirit
- The one true gospel
The letter's argument
- Paul is astonished they are turning to "another gospel" and defends his God-given message
- He recounts confronting Peter and affirms justification by faith, not works of the law
- Abraham was justified by faith; the law was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ
- Believers are no longer slaves but adopted sons and heirs of God
- "Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free"
- Walk by the Spirit and bear its fruit; sow to the Spirit, not the flesh
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”