📖 Biblical Definition
Paul's letter to the churches of Galatia in central Asia Minor (Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe), written either around AD 49 (the early dating) or AD 53 (the later dating). The letter defends the gospel of justification by faith alone against the Judaizers who taught that Gentile converts to Christ must be circumcised and keep the Mosaic law. Galatians 2:20 is the heart-cry of the letter: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
GALATIANS, n.
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A scriptural proper name; Paul's letter to the churches of Galatia.
📖 Key Scripture
Galatians 2:16 — "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ."
Galatians 2:20 — "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."
Galatians 3:28 — "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
Galatians 5:22 — "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity invents new Judaizers in every generation; the cure is the same gospel of grace alone.
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Galatians is the sharpest letter Paul wrote. He omits the customary thanksgiving section and dives straight into rebuke: I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you... unto another gospel. The Judaizers had told the Galatian Gentiles that faith in Christ was insufficient; circumcision and Mosaic law-keeping were also required. Paul calls this another gospel; which is not another — not actually a gospel at all, but a curse.
Modern Christianity invents new Judaizers in every generation. Faith plus baptism. Faith plus tongues. Faith plus political action. Faith plus the right denomination. Paul's answer is permanent: justification is by faith in Christ alone. Anything added is subtraction. Read Galatians when the “plus” gospels start to appeal; the Apostle Paul has already preached your sermon for you.
Usage
"Modern Christianity invents new Judaizers in every generation; the cure is the same gospel."
"Justification is by faith in Christ alone; anything added is subtraction."
"Paul calls a faith-plus gospel another gospel; which is not another — a curse."