Introduction to Galatians

IV.The Path of Freedom (5:1-6:10)

A.Freedom must not be lost through legalism (5:1-12)

B.Freedom must not be abused through license (5:13-26)

C.Freedom must be expressed through service (6:1-10)

V.Conclusion: Sacrificial Living vs. Legalism (6:11-18)

The Galatians, Celts of European origins, invade Asia Minor. 278 BC

Mark Antony and Pompey reward the Galatians with additional territory for supporting Rome in its wars against the Mithridates. 63-36 BC

Amyntas, king of Galatia, wills his kingdom to Rome at his death. 25 BC

Jesus’s trials, death, resurrection, and ascension Nisan 14-16 or April 3-5, ad 33

Saul’s conversion on the Damascus Road October 34

Paul returns to his native Tarsus. 37-40

Barnabas travels from Antioch of Syria to find Paul. Summer 40

Barnabas and Saul serve together in Antioch. 41

Emperor Caligula is murdered by members of his Praetorian Guard. Claudius succeeds him as emperor. 41

Judea experiences severe famine. 46

Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark make their first missionary journey. 47-49

From Syrian Antioch, Paul writes his letter to the Galatians, assuming the destination of the letter was the churches of southern Galatia: Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. 49

Barnabas and Paul travel from Antioch to Jerusalem for the conference dealing with the question of whether Gentiles had to be circumcised in order to be saved. 49

Paul and Barnabas part ways over the question of whether John Mark should be allowed to join them on a second missionary journey. 49

Paul and Silas team up for an overland journey to revisit cities of south Galatia as the first segment of Paul’s second missionary journey. 49

Timothy joins Paul and Silas as they travel through north Galatia to Troas. 49

Paul, Silas, and Timothy sail from Troas to Macedonia, planting the church in Philippi. 50

Paul and his companions move from Philippi to Thessalonica and Berea. 50

As a result of much persecution, Paul and his companions split up, with Paul going to Corinth by way of Athens. 50-51