Source edition
The New Testament in the original Greek. Westcott, Brooke Foss; Hort, Fenton John Anthony, editors. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1882-1892.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This letter, written by the Apostle Paul to the churches of Galatia, centers on the theme of justification by faith in Christ rather than by the works of the Law, and the resulting Christian freedom. Paul begins by strongly defending his apostolic authority, asserting that the Gospel he preaches was received through a direct revelation from Christ. He then details his interactions with the Jerusalem apostles and his confrontation with Cephas in Antioch, establishing that humans are justified solely through faith. Using the examples of Abraham and the metaphor of the Law as a guardian, Paul argues that believers have been liberated from the bondage of the Law to become children and heirs of God. He urges the Galatians to reject legalism, such as circumcision, and instead walk by the Spirit in mutual love. Finally, Paul concludes the letter with a passionate appeal written in his own large hand, emphasizing that the only thing to boast in is the cross of Christ and the reality of a new creation.