The Greek place name Galatia (G1053) refers to a region in central Asia Minor (modern Turkey) settled by Celtic (Galatian) tribes in the 3rd century BC. It became a Roman province in 25 BC. Paul visited and planted churches here on his first missionary journey (Acts 13-14) and addressed his letter to the Galatians to churches in this region.
Galatia is theologically significant as the setting of Paul's most urgent epistle — Galatians — written to defend the gospel of grace against Judaizing teachers who insisted on circumcision for Gentile believers. The churches of Galatia had been diverted from the pure gospel; Paul writes with passion to call them back. The letter to the Galatians remains the Magna Carta of Christian liberty, the definitive exposition of justification by faith alone.