Galatians is the only letter which Paul addressed a group of churches compared to an individual church. Galatia was a region in Asia Minor and not a specific city. Originally the Galatians were the Celtic people. They migrated from Gaul to the region south of the Black Sea in which today is near Armenia. Paul was foundational in starting many churches in Galatia. He soon heard of false teachers coming in and reeking havoc after he planted a church. The purpose of the letter is to correct these heresies.

It’s unknown of the exact date of when this letter was written, but most believe around 60 A.D. and during his third missionary journey. Some believe this may have been his first letter. The churches of Galatia had been infested with false teachers called Judaizers. The Judaizers falsely taught that salvation comes only to people who keep the Law of Moses. They were works and performance based. This upset Paul greatly as he loved and cared for the Galatian Christians. He started to see some believers depart from the truth of the Gospel and adding legalism to their faith. In turn watering down and tainting the grace of God.

Galatians has been called the “mini Romans”. The book of Romans presents the truth of the Gospel of grace in a doctrinal outline. The book of Galatians defends the Gospel with a practical and personal petition. It is one of the most loving and passionate letters by Paul, as he stressed to them what was at stake if they forsook the grace of God and replaced it for works, performance, religion, and legalism which would ultimately destroy them.

There are no personal greetings to or from individuals. Paul doesn’t give any initial prayers or thanksgivings in this letter. Rather, Paul displays his astonishment immediately that they started to pursue “a different gospel” which was the "horrible news” and not the “Good News”. (Gal 1:6-7). He confronts the false teachers immediately and eye-to-eye who attempted to “pervert the gospel of Christ.” Galatians is a beautiful and powerful demonstration of the gospel of grace.

Paul definitely repeats that salvation is by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ alone. He continues to describe the life of grace as life in the Spirit. Paul deals with the Legalists. Legalists today attempt to argue that the teaching of grace results in a sinful, fleshly, and self-indulgant life. Paul clearly demonstrates the exact opposite is true. Therefore when we understand the grace of God, we can receive the power of the Holy Spirit to walk in the Spirit in a amazing personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Grace alone can make a person righteous and holy. This epistle was the foundation to the Reformation, Revivals, and the Great Awakening, and many other Christians throughout history. I pray it will continue to inspire you as it did those before us. To come to know and accept the grace of God, and enter into the life and work of the Holy Spirit in your life.