Galatians

Defending the “Good News” that’s too good to be true

By Doug FloydGalatians is a letter Paul wrote to the churches he planted in Galatia. He sent the letter sometime between late 40s and late 50s AD. This letter appears at least five to ten years before any of the gospels. He writes with intense passion about the condition of thechurch and his concern that they are leaving the gospel he preached for another gospel,which is really no gospel at all. (I acknowledge my debt to NT Wright whose ideasinspired my thoughts on the gospel of Galatians.)

Who was Paul writing to?

It is not clear if Paul was writing to the northern Galatians or those living in SouthernGalatia or both.

Southern Galatia

Southern Galatia was Roman and a conglomeration of multiple people groups.Much like other Roman colonies, there religious system would most likely be aseries of temples honoring various deities. Each temple has its own members.These sects or clubs were just as much a social convention as a spiritual rite, butsome people were truly devoted. Each had a system of secret rituals andinitiations which offered members different levels of authority within the club.

Northern Galatia

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The northern Galatians were Celts, a tribal people who were considered barbaric by Roman standards. Their religious system had mixed with Roman religion andeventually began duplicating the mythology, but their religion was moreanimistic. They had rituals for the tree god, the water god, the creek god, and soon. Each ritual was designed to appease the god’s anger and secure favor. Theonly problem was that their gods often changed names and requirements, meaningtheir spiritual world was highly unstable. They often lived in fear of not followingthe correct ritual to assure blessings and ward off evil.

What was Paul writing about?

This letter is a passionate rebuke to churches that Paul has planted. He is upset becausesomeone else (another preacher) has come through preaching “another gospel” andsuggesting that Paul did not preach the whole gospel and did not really have trueauthority to preach the whole gospel. This suggests three questions that will surfacethrough the letter:What is Paul’s gospel?What is his authority to preach this gospel?What is the other gospel that Paul rejects?

Divisions of Book

I.Paul addresses the problem: They are abandoning the gospel he preached infavor of another gospel. (1:1-9)II.Paul defends his gospel based on his experience and authority. (1:10-2:21)III.Paul defends his gospel through theological arguments. (3:1-4:31)IV.Paul demonstrates how the gospel through the power of the Holy Spiritimpacts way we live. (5:1-6:10)V.Paul concludes and offers a benediction. (6:11-18)

Paul addresses the problem. (1:1-9)

Galatians 1:1-91:1 I, Paul, and my companions in faith here, send greetings to the Galatian churches. Myauthority for writing to you does not come from any popular vote of the people, nor doesit come through the appointment of some human higher-up. It comes directly from Jesusthe Messiah and God the Father, who raised him from the dead. I'm God-commissioned.3 So I greet you with the great words, grace and peace! 4 We know the meaning of thosewords because Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we're in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we all experience that rescue. 5 Glory to Godforever! Oh, yes! 6 I can't believe your fickleness — how easily you have turned traitor tohim who called you by the grace of Christ by embracing a variant message! 7 It is not aminor variation, you know; it is completely other, an alien message, a no-message, a lieabout God. Those who are provoking this agitation among you are turning the Messageof Christ on its head. 8 Let me be blunt: If one of us — even if an angel from heaven! — were to preach something other than what we preached originally, let him be cursed. 9 Isaid it once; I'll say it again: If anyone, regardless of reputation or credentials, preachessomething other than what you received originally, let him be cursed.

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What does the word gospel mean?

The word gospel means “good news” or “good tidings.” It does not mean “good method,”“good advice” or “good principles for living.” It is an announcement of something thathas already been done, not a command to act.A. Hebrews – For the Hebrews the “good tidings” refers God redeeming them from exile(See Isaiah 40-55)B. Greeks – For the Greeks “good tidings” refers to the announcement of the birth or accession of an emperor.

What does Paul mean by gospel?

Paul announces the “good tidings” that God has acted on behalf of humans and thiswhole world. Throughout his letters, Paul will describe the gospel in different ways butalways meaning the same thing. In verse 4, he says, “…Jesus Christ rescued us from thisevil world we’re in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we allexperience that rescue.”Jesus encompasses the Hebrew and Greek meaning of the word “gospel.” He comes asIsrael’s final king, Messiah, ending their exile, by purifying the temple, and defeatingtheir enemies (Is 49). At the same time, Jesus is declared Lord of the entire world: He is bringing hope and light to all kingdoms and all peoples. He is inviting all people into thefamily of God and will rescue them from a life enslaved to sin and free them to a lifeanimated by His Spirit.This gospel is an announcement of God’s action in human history. God enters humanhistory in Jesus, defeats the powers of evil, and brings hope to all who trust in him. Tothose who trust him, he welcomes them into the family of God and says that your value isnot based on race, gender, your skills, your intelligence, your family connections, your appearance, your income and so on. Your value is derived from His blessing. He has blessed and called you a vessel fit for honor. His loving and restoring action by the power of the Spirit is now becoming your identity. It is revealed in and through you in a particular way that is unique to you but at the same time it is welcoming you into afamily, the family of God—that extends beyond all racial and cultural and gender boundaries.1.Paul suggests the origin of his authority to preach the gospel. Jesus the Messiahand God the Father 2.Paul encapsulates the gospel. See verse 4. “We know the meaning of those words because Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we're in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we all experience that rescue.”

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