We read a lot about Paul traveling around and sharing the Good News; we hear of many different people that were with Paul. He seems to be all over the place and we get many letters from Paul addressing many places and we can get a bit confused on timing and reasoning behind some of the letters.
Today we begin to learn about the region of Galatia, where Galatia is, the focus of Paul on many occasions and the area of churches that he writes to from a Roman prison years after visiting.
In the Mediterranean regional map above we see many familiar names. Some that may pop out are Philadelphia, Smyrna…..
There are many historic other areas in the map that go way back in history, Haran (family home of Abraham), Mount Hermon (northern border of Joshua’s territory) Megiddo (city in the valley of Jezreel, where King Josiah of Judah was killed) Ashdod (city north of Gaza where the Philistines took the Ark of the Covenant when they stole it in 1 Samuel 5) and Cyrene (where Simon that carried Jesus’ cross was from)
Galatia is a region of central Asia Minor, where we see Philadelphia labeled. As we focus on this area, we see some other more common names as well.
Now we see the significant cities that were involved in the region.
- Thyatira – had church mentioned in book of Revelation
- Ephesus – deep history of Christianity. Paul and Peter spent a lot of time there. Also wrote the book of Ephesians to the church there.
- Philadelphia – had church mentioned in book of Revelation
This whole region is referred to as Galatia, now modern day Turkey. The region was annexed into the Roman Empire about 25 BC, which began the establishment of major cities. That does not mean that people were not in this region. The southern part of the region that we will encounter with Paul is Pisidian Antioch, referred to as Antioch in the New Testament, which was established in 300 BC, about the time the book of Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon.
A reasonable question that comes up is what is the origin of the name Galatia, or why is the region called Galatia, there is no town name there or group of people? There is a connection defined by Elliot1, which connects Paul’s rhetoric against circumcision with self-castration practices of the galli. Galli was a eunuch (castrated) priest of the Phrygian goddess Cybele. Gallis, as they were known around Rome in 200BC. We will hear more about the challenges with the people in the region and the subject of circumcision with Paul in the sessions to come. Which we will hear more about on Paul’s journeys.
All references to Galatia in the Bible are related to Paul and his journeys. The term Galatia makes its initial appearance in the 2nd missionary journey of Paul, recorded in the book of Acts, chapter 16; where it states . Paul, Timothy, and Silas “went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia” (Acts 16:6). But this was not the first time in the region.
Synopsis
After Paul left Galatia, his converts came under the influence of certain individuals who discredited his apostleship, called into question the validity of his gospel, and insisted his converts were only half-baked and needed to go all the way and get circumcised, if they were roing to shore up their status of children of God.
Paul writes the letter of Galatians after leaving the region and being arrested in Rome. He is heart broken and distressed. He is not about saving his own reputation, but to get the people of Galatians restored. Much like the lost sheep or better yet, a prodigal son. Let’s read and remind ourselves of the well known parable.
Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.
13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” ’
20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’
22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’
28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’
31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’ ” – Luke 15:11-32
As we read through the famous parable, what struck you this time?
When have wandered? It may have been before you saved, or you might have had seasons of struggle. When and how have you been a prodigal?
Hopefully this insight as sparked your curiosity and you may even start reading about this journey on hour own. If so, start in Acts chapter 13 and refresh your memory with how it all began. We will pick up there next week as we continue on the sessions about the Grace of Galatia
1 – Susan M. Elliot, T&T Clark; (2008) Cutting too Close for Comfort
Barry, J. D., Bomar, D., Brown, D. R., Klippenstein, R., Mangum, D., Sinclair Wolcott, C., … Widder, W. (Eds.). (2016). In The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Lk 15:11–32). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.