THE APOSTLE OF THE RECONCILIATION 55

If we observe Paul's method with the Corinthians and apply it to the Galatians, we shall expect that upon hearing

of their defection from the truth, his method would be, first, an epistle; second, a visit. The effect of the epistle was

to strengthen their faith. In Acts 18:23 the word `strengthen' is epi-sterizon. We quote Bishop Wordsworth here:

`The epistle represents the Galatians in an unsettled state, but the epistle was designed to settle them. When this

previous work of reparation and recovery had been performed by an epistle, then it was prosecuted (as might

have been expected) by a visit, which the epistle had pre-announced as probable (4:20). The visit completed the

work happily commenced by the epistle. Paul went through the region of Galatia episterizon - giving additional

strength and stedfastness to all the disciples'.

The Bishop argues that if Scripture tells us that the apostle's visit here had a steadying and settling effect, it is too

much to ask us to believe that soon after that such a state of affairs arose as to warrant the epistle to the Galatians.

For two years Paul was near at hand, at Ephesus. Although Bishop Wordsworth did not know of the facts brought to

light concerning South Galatia, he evidently felt that the epistle was written much earlier than some did. He places

it immediately after Thessalonians.

It is an open question whether the words to proteron of Galatians 4:13 should be rendered `the former of two

visits', or, `then', as compared with `now'. We see no strong reason for binding ourselves to allow two visits to the

Galatians before writing the epistle: and when we take into consideration all the factors, we cannot but conclude that

Galatians is the apostle's opening challenge to the world. Of this we shall see more when dealing with the epistle.

The way in which the apostle speaks of Barnabas in the epistle shows that he was personally known among

them. `Even Barnabas' speaks volumes. Paul explains to them that Titus was a Greek, and that Peter, James and

John seemed to be pillars, but Barnabas they knew. Barnabas is implied in the `we', `the gospel "we" preached unto

you'. Barnabas was separated with Paul for the evangelizing of South Galatia. At the close of Acts 15 Barnabas

leaves Paul and goes to Cyprus. We have no record that Barnabas ever again accompanied Paul upon a missionary

journey. Now observe, if the North Galatia view be adopted, Paul visited that region after Barnabas had left him.

The churches of North Galatia would have no personal knowledge of him, and his example would be robbed of its

weight. All is clear if South Galatia be intended.

The statements in Acts regarding Timothy, and the statement in Galatians 2 regarding Titus, may be taken as a

reflection of the charge made against the apostle, and its refutation.

With him.

With me.

Greek (mother a Jewess).

Took and circumcised.

Not circumcised.

Because of Jews (dia).

Because of false brethren (dia).

Decrees from Jerusalem.

Nothing added at Jerusalem.

Ministry to the Gentiles.

Ministry to the Gentiles.

Macedonia (Europe).

There are many other links with this early section of the Acts which will be touched upon in the course of the

exposition of the epistles themselves. Moreover, we cannot hope to compress into one chapter the argument which

has been put forward for looking upon the South Galatian cities visited in Acts 13 and 14 as the churches of Galatia.

The reader who desires to search the subject through is referred to the several publications of Professor Ramsay:

`The Church in the Roman Empire before A.D. 170'; `St. Paul the Traveller and the Roman Citizen'; and `Historical

Commentary on the Galatians'; besides all the publications, large and small, which have come into being as a result

of the controversy.

So far as the date of the epistle is concerned, it has been assigned by different critics to the close, and to every

intermediate stage, of its author's epistolary activity. Marcion places `Galatians' first. Accepting as we do the

teaching that Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe are the churches of Galatia, the necessity for placing the writing of