Galatians

• DatesAbout AD 48–49 or about AD 53–57 (debated)
• GenrePaul’s Letters
• AuthorshipPaul; accepted by nearly all scholars
• TimelineEarly Church
• Key textsGalatians 1–2; Galatians 3; Galatians 5
• Read the textGalatians in the World English Bible
• Covered in classSession 4

What the sources say, and how sure we are

• The text says

  Paul recounts his past, his calling, and two visits to Jerusalem, and opposes teachers who say Gentile believers must be circumcised.Gal 1:13–2:14; Gal 5:2–6

• Debated

  If Galatians was written to churches in the southern area of the province (Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe), it may be Paul’s earliest letter, about AD 48–49, before the Jerusalem council. If it was written to northern Galatia, it is later, in the 50s. Scholars also debate whether Galatians 2:1–10 describes the same visit as Acts 15 or an earlier one in Acts 11:30.Acts 13–14; Acts 15; Acts 11:30; Gal 2:1–10

• Christian conclusion

  Christians read Galatians as teaching that Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ, justified through faith.Gal 2:16; Gal 3:28