Author
Paul
Apostle
Written
c. 48–55 AD
Chapters
6
Audience
Churches in the region of Galatia (modern-day Turkey)
Paul defends the divine origin of his apostleship and the gospel he preaches
Chapter 1Read in Bible
Paul recounts his confrontation with Peter and declares that justification is by faith, not by works of the Law
Chapter 2Read in Bible
Paul argues from Scripture and experience that faith, not the Law, is the basis of God's covenant blessing
Chapter 3Read in Bible
Paul illustrates the contrast between slavery under the Law and adoption as sons through Christ
Chapter 4Read in Bible
Paul calls believers to stand firm in freedom, walk by the Spirit, and bear the fruit of the Spirit
Chapter 5Read in Bible
Paul urges mutual burden-bearing, warns against pride, and closes with a summary of the gospel of the new creation
Chapter 6Read in Bible
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Galatians 2:20"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Galatians 3:28"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Galatians 5:1"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Galatians 5:22-23Galatians is Paul's passionate defense of the gospel of grace against Judaizers who insisted that Gentile believers must be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law to be truly saved. Paul argues forcefully that justification comes through faith in Christ alone, not by works of the Law, and that believers are freed from the Law's bondage to live by the Spirit. The letter is foundational to the Protestant doctrine of justification by faith and remains one of the most significant theological documents in the New Testament.