Galatians

External Evidence

Traditional view :Paul wrote Galatians 

1. Early support by Polycarp, Marcion 

2. Even 19th century German critics accept Pauline authorship.

Internal Evidence

1. Galatians explicitly notes Paul as its author (1:1; 5:2)

2. Paul probably departed from his usual practice of dictating his letters to a secretary by penning the epistle himself (6:11)

3. Chapters 1 and 2 are autobiographical with many Pauline themes (grace, law).

GalatiansGalatians:: Authorship

Both the external and the internal evidence point to Paul's authorshipBoth the external and the internal

evidence point to Paul's authorship

Paul’s 1st & 2nd Missionary Journeys 138-39

Where were the Galatians?142

North

South

The North Galatian Theory

(Later date)

The South Galatian Theory

(Earlier date)

Galatians:Galatians: Date and RecipientsThe issue of date is closely related to the letter’s destination.

Arguments for both dates and recipients are inconclusive, although the best evidence supports the South Galatian

Theory and the earlier date of about fall AD 49.

Gallic believers in the territory of Galatia (ethnic Galatia, including the cities of Ancyra, Pessinus, and Tavium) – 2nd missionary

journey (Acts 16:6).

Greek believers in the Roman province of Galatia (political

Galatia, including the cities of Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra,

and Derbe) – 1st missionary journey (Acts 13–14).

“To the remotest part of the earth …” (Acts 1:8)Acts 9 13 14 15 16 18 21 27 28

Fall 49

TheCouncil

May 57-Aug 59

Trials

Spring 68

Expansion of Church

35 48 49 50 52 53 57 60 62 67 68 95

Apr 48-Sep 49

1Galatia

Apr 50-Sep 52

2Aegean

Spr 53-May 57

3Asia

Feb 60-Mar 62

1Rome

Aut 67-Spr 68

2Rome

May 57-Aug 59

DamascusAntioch

143124

39-41

Spr 62-Fall 67

4Spain

GalatiansAntiochFall 49

Paul & His LettersPaul & His Letters

GalatiansGalatians1. TTurning from true gospel

2. HHypocrisy found in Peter

3. EExample of Abraham’s Faith

4. LLaw versus true liberty

5. AAttitudes from Spirit’s leading

6. WWin back erring believers

Barry Huddleston, The Acrostic Summarized Bible

Singapore—A “Fine” CountrySingapore—A “Fine” Country

The law requires people to take a bath once a year

It is illegal to own a dog

By law, people must know how to read in order to get married

True or False?True or False?

KentuckyKentuckyKentuckyKentucky

ReykjavikReykjavik

, Iceland, IcelandReykjavik

Reykjavik

, Iceland, Iceland

FinlandFinlandFinlandFinland

Are these actual laws somewhere in the world?

The Problem in GalatiaThe Problem in Galatia

Freedom and unity in Christ are central themes of Paul’s letter to the Galatians.

His letter addresses Christians, whose preoccupation with keeping the Law was splitting their churches along racial lines, separating Jews from Gentiles.

The false teachers were teaching that faith alone cannot save, but you also need works of the law.

Who are these false teachers?Who are these false teachers?

Paul actually never gives them a name.

However, since they emphasize on returning to the Jewish law, they have been given the term “Judaizers”.

Jews(unbelievers)

Gentiles(unbelievers)Church

(Jew & Gentile

believers)Judaizers

The Galatians had an enthusiastic beginning in the gospel which ended due to opposition from Jewish false teachers (Judaizers). They proclaimed “another

gospel” associated with the Jewish Torah and circumcision. Paul wrote the

churches immediately to combat this false teaching with a defense of his apostleship (chs. 1–2) and the true

gospel of justification by faith alone (chs. 3–4), which produces a unique lifestyle

based upon freedom in Christ (chs. 5–6).

OccasionOccasion 170

Paul versus the JudaizersPaul versus the Judaizers

Judaizer’s Attack Paul’s Defense Issue

Chs.

1–2

“Paul teaches this doctrine by his own authority!”

“God called me and the 12 apostles affirmed this”

Biographical

Chs.

3–4

“This is a new teaching contrary

to the OT!”

“Salvation has always been by faith, even in the

OT”

Theological

Chs.

5–6

“Teaching faith alone will

encourage a sinful lifestyle!”

“No, justification by faith naturally leads

to godly living”Practical

Justification by FaithJustification by Faith

Key WordKey WordJustification

(Gospel of Liberty)

Key VerseKey VerseGalatians 2:16

“[We Jews] know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have

put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by

observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.”

Summary StatementSummary StatementPaul defends his apostleship and

justification by faith so that the Galatians would not seek salvation through

adherence to the law.

ApplicationApplicationDo you add any other requirements for

salvation except faith in Christ—baptism, tongues, good works?

Is your faith based on Christ’s work or your religiosity?

Issue #1: LegalismIssue #1: LegalismDefinition:

“Legalism” is attempting to win God’s favor by our own determined efforts of dedication and obedience.In Galatians:

Try to win God’s approval by strict adherence to the law.

Today:

Try to live up to God’s and other people’s expectations of how Christians should be—obedience, dedication, fulltime Christian service, academic study, and volunteer work.

Lesson:

We must obey and serve freely out of love and gratitude to Christ. The Holy Spirit must empower us. Our dedicated service cannot remove sin or obtain saving grace.

Issue #2: LabelismIssue #2: LabelismDefinition:

“Labelism” is pride of ownership for having the “right” religion.In Galatians:

Take pride in observing the “right” religious activities (e.g. food laws, circumcision).Today:

Take pride in having the right doctrine, being in the right church, practicing the right ministry strategies.

Lesson:

We are who we are by God’s grace, and not because of ourselves or what we have done.

1 Thessalonians1 Thessalonians

Formation of Thessalonian ChurchFormation of Thessalonian ChurchPaul went to Thessalonica with Timothy and Silas but left

after a riot (Acts 17:1-10)

3-Week StayFOR: Paul preached for 3 Sabbaths in the synagogue (Acts 17:2).AGAINST: Luke’s writing of Acts accurate and reliable but selected only some materials according to his focus.

3-Month Stay (Nov 50-Jan 51)FOR: Enough time for Paul to establish a church (1 Thess 1:1) with its own leaders (1 Thess 5:12).FOR: Possible to set up a church in such a short time but would lack sufficient teaching time that gave rise to tension with leaders (1 Thess 5:12).

Length of Paul’s StayLength of Paul’s Stay

AuthorshipAuthorshipThe epistle claims to have been written by Paul (1:1)

Attack 1: Lack of Pauline ideas and OT citations.Response: Church was mostly Gentile, so OT would not be

cited so frequently.

Attack 2: Reference to the fall of Jerusalem (2:16b) places the epistle after Paul’s death.

Response: The supposed reference to the fall of Jerusalem is not obvious.

Attack 3: A large amount of non-Pauline vocabulary.Response: One of Paul’s earliest letters, and not primarily a

doctrinal treatise, hence does not reflect the same theological vocabulary as later letters.

Nearly all scholars believe that Paul penned this epistle.

“To the remotest part of the earth …” (Acts 1:8)Acts 9 13 14 15 16 18 21 27 28

Fall 49

TheCouncil

May 57-Aug 59

Trials

Spring 68

Expansion of Church

35 48 49 50 52 53 57 60 62 67 68 95

1 ThessCorinth

Summer 51

Apr 48-Sep 49

1Galatia

Apr 50-Sep 52

2Aegean

Spr 53-May 57

3Asia

Feb 60-Mar 62

1Rome

Aut 67-Spr 68

2Rome

May 57-Aug 59

DamascusAntioch

143124

39-41

Spr 62-Fall 67

4Spain

GalatiansAntiochFall 49

Paul & His LettersPaul & His Letters

OccasionOccasion

• Paul went to Thessalonica with Timothy and Silas but left after a riot for Berea (Acts 17:1-10)

• Jews from Thessalonica followed them and incited the crowd against them. Paul left Silas and Timothy with the church and instructed them to meet him at Athens (Acts 17: 11-16)

• After they met in Athens, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica (1 Thess 3:1-2)

• Later, Timothy joined Paul at Corinth and brought him news about the church in Thessalonica.

• Paul wrote to the church to encourage the believers, as well as to address some pertinent issues

Paul’s Purpose in WritingPaul’s Purpose in WritingIssue Paul’s

responseOutline of

1 Thessalonians

The people are growing well Encourage Commendation (1:1-10)“You are great!”

Some accuse Paul of greed Defend Conduct (2:1-16)“I’m innocent”

The people face persecution Exhort

Concern (2:17—3:13)“I care for you”Love (4:1-12)“Please God”

The people question about believers who have died Answer Eschatology (4:13—5:11)

“Be comforted but watchful”

The church is growing Instruct Church Life (5:12-28)“Live holy”

Preparing for the RapturePreparing for the RaptureAlthough Paul appeared to be writing about and addressing 5 different issues in his letter, there is one topic which he repeatedly mentions: the Rapturethe Rapture.

Each of the five chapters closes with an exhortation regarding the Lord’s soon coming:

1:101:10 “…and to wait for his Son from heaven…”2:192:19-20-20 “…in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he

comes…” 3:133:13 “…when our Lord Jesus comes with all his

holy ones.”4:14:133-18-18 “…we who are still alive and are left will be

caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air…”

5:235:23-24-24 “…at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Key WordKey WordRapture

(Triumph before Return)

Key VerseKey Verse1 Thess 3:12-13

“And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; so that He

may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming

of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.”

Summary StatementSummary StatementPaul prepares the Thessalonians for the

Rapture by defending his motives for starting the church (to silence accusations of greed)

and instructing the believers (to strengthen the church’s doctrinal and relational foundation so

it can continue to grow).

ApplicationApplicationAre you ready for the Lord’s return if He

comes today?

2 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians

AuthorshipAuthorship

Nearly all scholars believe that Paul penned this epistle.

External Evidence

Support for Pauline authorship has been

upheld “very probably” since Polycarp and possibly earlier with

Ignatius. To this is added the Marcion Canon and Muratonian Canon, as

well as the testimony of the early Church Fathers

and ancient versions.

Internal EvidenceThe letter supports Pauline authorship:

1. Claims to be written by Paul (1:1; 3:17). 2. Premature ending (3:1-5) suits Paul more

than a conscious imitator.3. Similarities to 1 Thessalonians, cited by

some critics as evidence against Pauline authorship, actually support it.

4. Supposed discrepancies between the eschatologies of 2 Thess 2:1-12 and 1 Thess 4:13—5:11 have also been levied by critics, but these differences refer to the two different phases of the parousia.

DateDate

Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians in the summer AD 51 (just a few months after his first letter). The following

supports this claim:

1. Paul, Silas, and Timothy (1:1) are not known to have been together again after their stay in Corinth.

2. The same general conditions exist in the church as discussed in 1 Thessalonians ( cf. 1 Thess. 4:11-12; 2 Thess. 3:6-15).

3. These men apparently stayed in Corinth another year. The second letter precedes Paul's visit to them five years later. It is fairly certain that 2 Thessalonians did not follow the first letter by more than 12 months

“To the remotest part of the earth …” (Acts 1:8)Acts 9 13 14 15 16 18 21 27 28

Fall 49

TheCouncil

May 57-Aug 59

Trials

Spring 68

Expansion of Church

35 48 49 50 52 53 57 60 62 67 68 95

1 ThessCorinth

Summer 51

2 ThessCorinth

Summer 51

Apr 48-Sep 49

1Galatia

Apr 50-Sep 52

2Aegean

Spr 53-May 57

3Asia

Feb 60-Mar 62

1Rome

Aut 67-Spr 68

2Rome

May 57-Aug 59

DamascusAntioch

143124

39-41

Spr 62-Fall 67

4Spain

GalatiansAntiochFall 49

Paul & His LettersPaul & His Letters

OccasionOccasion

• Within only a few months after writing 1 Thessalonians, Paul received news of problems unresolved by his first letter

• The persecution of the believers had increased (1:3-10), false teachers had taught that the day of the Lord had already come (2:1-12)

• Some of the Thessalonian Christians had become idle as they simply “waited for the rapture” (3:6-15)

• Therefore Paul decided to write the church again to help the believers handle these difficulties

Paul’s Purpose in WritingPaul’s Purpose in Writing

Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians to help the believers handle three difficulties facing the church:

1. Increased persecution (1:3-10)

2. False teaching that the day of the Lord had already come (2:1-12)

3. Idleness among some of the Thessalonian Christians who were “waiting for the rapture” (3:6-15).

Christian Eschatological ViewChristian Eschatological View

begun consummated

THE CROSS & RESURRECTION

THE SECOND COMING

ALREADY NOT YET

THE AGE TO COME

THIS AGE (passing away)

(never ending)

Christian Eschatological ViewChristian Eschatological View

Already Not Yet

Righteousness Complete righteousness

Peace Perfect peace

Health No sickness or death

Holy Spirit Fullness of the Holy Spirit

Key WordKey WordTribulation

(Tribulation before Return)

Key VerseKey Verse2 Thess 2:2-3

Do not “become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter

supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let

anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to

destruction”

Summary StatementSummary StatementPaul corrects the persecuted Thessalonians'

misconception that the day of the Lord (Tribulation) had already begun to exhort

perseverance among the disheartened and industry among the idle to help them stand firm

in correct doctrine despite false teachers.

ApplicationApplicationDo you study eschatology, believing that it

affects your behavior as a Christian?