Galatia_MapLocation:

Ancient Galatia was an area in the highlands of central Anatolia in modern Turkey. Galatia, an ancient region of Asia Minor, was named for the immigrant Gauls from Thrace (cf. Tylis), who settled here and became its ruling caste in the 3rd century BC. It has been called the “Gallia” of the East, Roman writers calling its inhabitants Galli.

Versions:

Further Reading:

  • For a simple step by step commentary on Galatians try this
  • Martin Luther’s thoughts on the passage are here
  • Matthew Henry’s thoughts on the passage are here

Questions:

  • Question 1: Paul says in verse3 “When we were still children”. What does ‘he’ mean for ‘his’ readers and what does ‘it’ mean for ‘us’ today. How easy is it to apply Paul’s point to our lives?
  • Question 2: Do you think there are times when we miss something important in scripture because we read it out of context (both in terms of its place within the rest of scripture, and also in terms of its historical, political and social origins).
  • Question 3: What does it mean to have the Spirit of Christ living within us? (v6)
  • Question 4: Can you see what Paul was saying to the Galatians when he suggested they were themselves become slaves again by re-taking up the Pagan practices of their past? (v9)
  • Question 5: What things have you been saved from that you pick back up?
  • Question 6: What do you do which gets in the way of your relationship with God? Why haven’t you stopped?
  • Question 7: Have you ever been in a situation where it seemed easier, or ‘nicer’ to lie rather than tell the truth. (v16)
  • Question 8: Does God ever affirm lying for a greater good? (What about the story of Shifrah and Puah/Jochebed and Miriam in Exodus who appear to have been commended by God for their dishonesty).
  • Question 9: Do you ever skirt around the truth for fear of repercussions and what are the effects of this?
  • Question 10: Do we often focus too much on the physical and miss the spiritual. Do we look for God in all things? Is it possible that by trying hard to see God in everything with time it will become easier until it almost becomes second first nature. (v24)