Free Bible Commentary
“Introduction To Galatians”
Categories: Galatians
I will be quoting the introductory remarks from the Guardian of Truth Foundation Commentary on Galatians written by Mike Willis to introduce this letter to the group today.
“The book of Galatians is rightly called the ‘Magna Carta of Christians Liberty.’ Few books have made such a lasting impression upon men’s minds as has the epistle of Paul to the Galatians. This book maintains that man is justified by grace through faith separate and apart from the works of the Mosaical Law. Consequently, Galatians had a tremendous influence on first century Christianity. At first men viewed Christians as another sect of the Jews, somewhat similar to the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, and Zealots; but the impact of the revelation that man is justified through Jesus Christ without circumcision and obedience to the Law of Moses gradually modified this perception of Christianity. Preaching this gospel to Gentiles and Jews alike signaled the major turning point, and Christianity eventually became a world religion separate from Judaism. Thus, Paul’s letter to the Galatians contributed tremendously to the early development of Christianity by helping to establish the concept of justification through faith in Jesus Christ apart from the Law of Moses.
“Martin Luther found the book of Galatians to be useful during his battles with Roman Catholicism. He loved the epistle and referred to it affectionately as his ‘Katie,’ as if he were wedded to it. Luther used Galatians to show that man cannot earn his way to heaven. Hence, he concluded that the Catholic doctrine of accumulation of merit through good works was false to the core. The book became a cornerstone of the Protestant Reformation.
“The message of Galatians is eternal. Men still need to be taught that justification occurs through the precious blood of Jesus Christ rather than through perfect obedience to the Mosaical Law or any other legal system. Men still need to understand the implications of reverting to the Mosaical Law for authority in religious matters, whether that item be circumcision, the observance of religious holy days, the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship, a separate priesthood, tithing, or whatever. Hence, the impact of this small book continues to the present. Galatians is as pertinent to the twentieth century as it was to the first.”
---End of commentary quotation---
Please keep in mind that any reference to what took place during the “Protestant Reformation” does not imply that I or the author of the commentary endorse or follow all the principles or teaching that resulted from it. I certainly do not consider myself to be a Protestant. My religion is not a “protest” against anything but worldliness and false doctrine. I am a Christian and only a Christian. And, while a “reformation” may have been a good start at taking corrective action against religious error, I believe that nothing short of a “restoration” of “the church” back to the original teaching, beliefs and practices of the New Testament is pleasing and acceptable to God.
I will also add that this letter, unlike many others written by Paul to a specific person or congregation, was written to an entire region of Asia Minor. It is disputed which region of Galatia that Paul specifically wrote this letter to. Some think it was the lesser known northern region, and others believe it was written to the southern region. This southern region would have included churches in cities that we know Paul had a pivotal role in the establishment of on his first preaching journey. Cities such as Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. I personally believe it was written to the southern region of Galatia, but in the end it really doesn’t matter because a person’s view of the original recipients doesn’t change or affect a good understanding of the text.
Please read Galatians 1:1-5 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
-Louie Taylor
