## Introduction to Galatians **Author:** The Apostle Paul **Audience:** The Churches in the territory of Galatia **Date Written:** mid 50s (possibly 57), prior to the Jerusalem Council **Literary Type:** Personal letter (epistle) **Key Ideas or Themes:** apostolic authority, gospel, freedom, justification by faith This letter written by the Apostle Paul is possibly one of his earliest (some scholars believe either it or 1 Thessalonians to be the first, though there are two different views on dating). Ethnic Galatia was located in central Asia Minor (near modern Antalya Turkey). The Roman Province of Galatia covered a much larger area. The occasion of the letter was to warn the church of the danger of supplanting the true gospel which brought Christian freedoms with another gospel comprised of legalism leading to bondage.