In 1876, J. Willis Westlake, a literature professor in Pennsylvania, penned a manual titled How to Write Letters. The professor gives detailed instructions and samples. But he finishes by emphasizing just how important letters are for cultural and historical documentation. In letters, Westlake says, “We get nearer than anywhere else to a man’s inner life—to his motives, principles, and intentions.”

The book of Galatians is a letter inspired by the Holy Spirit and written by the apostle Paul, a letter of great spiritual and historical value. Not only does this letter give us insight into the early church, but it also provides doctrinal instruction and spiritual mentorship. Galatians may have been Paul’s first epistle, and it is certainly one of his most personal. Paul uses this letter to teach his readers and plead with the Galatian churches to change course.

The believers in Galatia were close to Paul’s heart. He had traveled through that region on his first missionary journey (Acts 13–16) and founded this network of small house churches. At that time, the Christian community had powerfully experienced the Spirit’s work. But not long after Paul left, outside teachers had arrived and created confusion. They cast doubts on Paul’s authority and message, stirring up fear in the Galatians that felt like bondage.

Paul begins this letter by highlighting the source of his apostolic calling. He was not called by man, but by God (v. 1). Paul explains that a whole Christian community (“brothers and sisters”) joins him in sending this exhortation (v. 2), evidence of his credibility. He extends grace and peace to the Galatians—a divine grace and peace, coming from “God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age” (vv. 3–4).