Paul's letter to the Galatians — freedom from the law through faith in Christ alone.
Key themes: justification by faith, freedom, fruit of the Spirit, gospel.
| Author | Paul the apostle |
|---|---|
| Date Written | c. AD 48–49 or 54–55 |
| Original Audience | Churches in the region of Galatia |
Galatians is Paul's most urgent letter — written in a white-hot passion to address what he considered a betrayal of the gospel itself. False teachers (called 'Judaizers') were insisting that Gentile converts must be circumcised and observe the Mosaic law to be saved. Paul's response is the most forceful in all his letters: 'But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse!' (1:8). The theological core of the letter is justification by faith alone apart from works of the law — argued from Abraham (3), from the contrast of slavery and sonship (4), and from the fruit of the Spirit (5). Galatians 2:20 is one of the most memorized verses in the New Testament: 'I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.' Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Luther called Galatians 'my own little epistle. I have betrothed myself to it. It is my Katie von Bora.'
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