Lesson No. 12

GALATIANS

KEY WORD—“LIBERTY.”

KEY VERSE,—Galatians 5:1.

KEY PHRASE—“FREEDOM FROM WORKS AND CEREMONIES.”

WRITER—Paul. DATE—Probably 57 A.D. from Corinth.

THE COUNTRY—Galatia was a province of the Roman Empire in Asia Minor, and derived its name from the Gaul or Celtic tribes who settled it 279 B.C. The people were impulsive and quick to receive impressions, so that they gave an enthusiastic welcome to Paul on his second missionary journey, and eagerly embraced Christianity, but were soon led away by false teachers.

THE CHURCHES—This letter is addressed to the churches of Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch in Pesidia, which were in the province of Galatia. Remember that Antioch in Pesidia was 300 miles northwest of the great missionary church at Antioch.

OCCASION OF THE EPISTLE—Semi-Christian Jewish teachers were claiming that even if Christianity were true, Christians should be circumcised, and do all the works of the Law. The reason Paul did not teach this, these false teachers urged, was because he was not a true apostle and had learned his doctrines from others.

PURPOSE—

1.     To trace Paul’s gospel back to God Himself.

2. To show that the believer is free from the Law and is saved by faith alone.

Great Fact I -- Paul’s Teaching Was Authorized by God Himself.

Great Fact II -- Contrasts Between Law and Grace.

Great Fact III -- Freedom From Works and the Flesh.