Galatia
Summary
A region in central Asia Minor inhabited by Celtic tribes, which became a Roman province and the location of churches founded by the apostle Paul.
☩Origin and Name
Galatia derives its name from the Galatae or Gauls, Celtic tribes who invaded Macedonia and Greece around 280 BC before crossing into Asia Minor. These were Kymric Celts, comprising the Trocmi, Tolistoboii, and Tectosages tribes. They established themselves as a robber-state, exacting tribute from rulers throughout Asia Minor until checked by Antiochus I of Syria and Attahs I of Pergamus. The region was also called Gallo-Graecia due to the mixing of Gallic and Greek populations.
☩Geography
Galatia occupied the central region of the Asia Minor peninsula, bounded by Bithynia and Paphlagonia to the north, Pontus to the east, Cappadocia and Lycaonia to the south, and Phrygia to the west. Ancyra (modern Angora) served as the capital, with Tavium and Pessinus as other leading cities. Under Roman rule, the province expanded to include additional territories beyond the original ethnic Galatian region.
☩Paul and the Galatian Churches
Paul traveled through Galatia twice, founding churches in the plural rather than establishing a single central church as at Ephesus or Corinth. His first visit occurred around AD 51 during his second missionary journey, when illness detained him among them. The Galatians received him 'as an angel of God,' showing remarkable initial receptiveness to the gospel. Paul's Epistle to the Galatians addresses doctrinal issues that arose after his departure, particularly concerning the relationship of law and grace.
Related Verses7 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Galatia," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Galatia," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Galatia," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 4.George Morrish, "Galatia," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 5.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Galatia," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).