Galatians for Dummies

For our Fall/Winter sermon series, we’re making our way through Paul’s letters to the churches in the order in which he probably wrote them. On Sunday, Pastor Michelle wrapped up our time in Galatians. Check out our summary below.

Who is Paul writing to?

A group of churches in the Roman province of Galatia in modern-day Turkey. Acts 13–14 tells us of Paul’s journey through Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe (all in Galatia) where he planted churches.

When is he writing?

Galatians might be Paul’s earliest letter. Many scholars think it was written between 48–50 CE.

Why is he writing?

Paul planted the Galatian churches. After he left, other missionaries came and started teaching that all the Galatian Christian men who had grown up as Gentiles now had to be circumcised like Jews. Paul is writing in a rage to remind them that Jesus is the whole gospel and that they do not need anything in addition to Jesus. Not circumcision or anything else! He then encourages them to live in step with the Spirit of Jesus, serving each other through love and being filled with the fruits of the Spirit.

Verses to know:

Galatians 5:22–23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this.”

Fun fact:

This is one of Paul’s “angry letters.” He’s so upset with the missionaries who came after him that he writes in 5:12, “I wish that the ones who are upsetting you would castrate themselves!”

For more:

Watch the Bible Project summary of Galatians.