Scott E. McClelland - Commentary on Galatians: From The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary

Scott E. McClelland

Introduction

Authorship

The vast majority of scholarly opinion has affirmed the apostle Paul as the author of the Epistle to the Galatians. The characteristic opening line, which identifies his name and apostolic claim, the personal final greeting, and the theological focus all point to the historical Paul. Only a few scholars, mostly in the nineteenth century, have questioned this rather universal acceptance through two millennia of church tradition.

The majority of the letter (epistle) was likely generated through the process of dictation to an amanuensis (secretary), as was common in first-century letter writing of this size and importance. The appearance of two anacolutha (unfinished sentences) in 2:6 gives further credence to this view, while also displaying the emotional intensity of the words there. His reference to the large letters he writes with my own hand (6:11) points to where Paul personally took up the pen to provide his authenticating mark and final exhortations. (Compare 2 Thess. 3:17, ironically a widely disputed letter.)

Text

It should also be noted that the text of this epistle appears to have been copied and handed down with little variation. The relatively constant agreement between some of the most respected and diverse Greek manuscripts provides us great assurance as to the purity of the text we have received.

Occasion, Purpose, and Destination

While broad agreements exist on many of these questions, there are few more difficult issues for the student of the New Testament than those associated with fitting the actual writing of Galatians (and indeed many of Pauls letters) into the historical outline supplied by the book of Acts. The occasion (the reasons why a letter was written when it was) and the purpose (what Paul sought to accomplish) of each letter are crucial components for proper interpretation of a letters meaning. We need to navigate through some of the discussion surrounding these issues before the reader can sufficiently weigh the evidence regarding the historical context of Galatians.

The difficulties begin even with the name of the epistle and the people Paul intends to address. The term Galatia referred to one of the Roman provinces of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). This province cut in a north-south direction across the middle of the peninsula, encompassing a number of diverse peoples, cultures, and languages.

Beyond reference to the territory, however, the term Galatian could be used to designate certain groups of ethnic people within that province. These people would be the descendants of the ancient Gauls, likely a barbaric tribal group from northwestern Europe. They settled in the northern part of the territory that would subsequently bear their name around 278 BC. The ancient cities of Ancyra (Ankara, the modern Turkish capital), Tavium, and Pessinus would be associated with the settled areas of the ethnic Gauls prior to, and at the time of, this letter. Once conquered by the Romans, after 189 BC this land, as well as more southern areas, was incorporated under the provincial name of Galatia.