When we compare the epistle to the Galatians with the second epistle to the

Corinthians, we discover that much of the conflict that had been fought in Galatia was

repeated in slightly modified form in Corinth. For example, the strange reference to the

apostles at Jerusalem "these who seemed to be somewhat" of Gal. 2: 6, finds an echo in

the reference to "the extra-super apostles" of II Cor. 11: 5. The preaching of "another

gospel" in Galatia (Gal. 1: 6-9); has its counterpart in the preaching of "another Jesus",

"another spirit" and "another gospel" of II Cor. 11: 4. In both epistles reference is made

to "false brethren" (Gal. 2: 4 and II Cor. 11: 26); and the comparison of Gal. 2: 8, "He

Who wrought effectually in Peter . . . . . the same was mighty in me", is repeated in

another form in the words of II Cor. 11: 5, "for I suppose I was not a whit behind the

very chiefest apostles". If to the Galatians Paul spoke of "the marks of the Lord Jesus"

which he bore in his body (6: 17), to the Corinthians these "marks" are given in fuller

detail. Five times was he given the "forty stripes save one" of the synagogue scourging,

thrice was he "beaten with rods", once he was "stoned", thrice "shipwrecked"

(II Cor. 11: 24, 25).  He repeats the figure of "devouring" one another (Gal. 5: 15;

II Cor. 11: 20), as also the argument of Gal. 3: 3 "having begun in the Spirit, are ye

now made perfect by the flesh", "That as He had begun, so He would also perfect in you

the same grace" (II Cor. 8: 6) and finally, in both epistles there is the triumphant

reference to the "new creature" (Gal. 6: 15; II Cor. 5: 17).  Parallels can be found

between other of the early epistles and that of the Galatians, but these will fall into their

place better when those other epistles are before us.

When we read in the Acts of Peter's hesitancy to go to the Gentile Cornelius, and of

the opposition manifested by the church when they heard that "the Gentiles had also

received the word of God", and when we read that the circumcision party did not hesitate

to contend with Peter saying "Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with

them" (Acts 11: 3) then we are somewhat prepared for the challenge that Paul's

apostleship and gospel received, and for the elements of strife that permeate these early

epistles. Jealousy for the law of Moses, for the rite and privileges of circumcision,

marched side by side with a belief in the gospel, but in many cases, alas, the pure grace of

the gospel was so adulterated with legal and ceremonial additions, that the apostle had to

speak of it as "another gospel" or the preaching as the preaching of "another Jesus".

The presence of these features makes the epistle to the Galatians of great importance

to all who love the truth and who would be made both wise as to the nature of the

opposition and equipped to meet it adequately and spiritually. Here in this epistle we

have laid bare the devices of the opposition and the example of this foremost champion

of the faith in meeting them. The foe is still the same, the truth is still the same, the call

is still the same. May these and future studies be used by the God of all grace to

enlighten the eyes and equip the minds of all who in this our day and generation have

been chosen to be "good soldiers of Jesus Christ".