Galatians

Background
Paul wrote to the Galatians after he had received word that there had been a change of attitude toward him and his Gospel among the Galatians. Not long after Paul left them during his first visit, false teachers and leaders began to attack Paul personally and turn the Church against him. They were preaching another Gospel. They were looking to the law for their salvation. They were being urged to accept circumcision and to observe Jewish days and seasons. (Galatians 6:12) This caused dissension and conflicts in the Church.

These agitators were likely Jewish Christian trying to sway the Gentile Christians to Judaism. It appears that they either had come from Jerusalem or had the support of the Jerusalem Church and leadership. They held that Gentile converts must enter the Kingdom of God by means of Judaism. As this was contrary to the teachings the Galatians had received from Paul, the Judaizers found it necessary to attack Paul's authority and apostleship.

This prompted Paul to write to the Churches of Galatia and dispel the rumours of his favouritism for Gentiles and to reaffirm the true message of the gospel. Paul wrote the Galatian Churches and again declared that salvation does not come by circumcision but through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Paul pronounces a curse upon all who tamper with and change the essential message of the gospel. (Galatians 1:6-7) Salvation is by God's grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ by means of the Holy Spirit.

The book of Galatians played a critical role in the formation and development of the Reformation and the conversion and spiritual life of Martin Luther. Galatians has been called 'Luther's Book'.