Introduction to Galatians

Galatia in southern Anatolia, the New Testament says that the churches of Galatia (Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe) were founded by Paul himself in Acts 16:1-8.  “Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because (as a prefix thorough, thoroughly) of the Jews (according to the belief system) which were in those quarters (condition): for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

{Greeks did not have a religious requirement of circumcision.}

And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.”

It is worth noting that Timothy had already come to faith in the Hebrew/Israelite YHWH. Timothy’s mother was a Hebrew/Israelite and taught him the faith, when he met Paul he came to the truth of Yeshua and as a result of this salvation by faith alone he came to the conclusion that circumcision was a result of his faith, just like baptism. In the exact same way that Abraham, who was circumcised, was done as a result of receiving the covenant blessings (Genesis 17)

• 2 Peter 3:14-17 “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;6 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked [those that do not adhere to Torah], fall from your own stedfastness.”

Who was Peter writing to? 1 Peter 1:1-2 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”

Galatians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle (messenger), not of men, neither by man, (not a proclamation about a man, nor was there a committee that appointed his to go and speak) but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;

² And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

³ Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

⁴ Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

• 1 John 2:3-6 “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”

⁵ To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

⁶ I marvel (wonder in shock) that ye are so soon removed (change sides) from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (reverting back to the sacrifices, rituals and ceremonies of the Pagan belief systems.)

• 2 Timothy 3:8 “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.”

Jannes and Jambres are magicians mentioned in the Book of Exodus verses 7:10-12. It was their claim that they converted to Judaism and that they left Egypt at the Exodus. They are called the sons of Balaam, the unwitting non-Jewish prophet of Peor. It was said that during the end of their days they had necessary occult knowledge to confer magic and followed sun-god worship.

This is the context of Paul’s amazement of the actions off the Galatians, it was NOT the notion they were adhering to the Torah, in fact, they were returning to Paganism and The teachings of the Pharisees and self-justification.