16.13

Northern and Southern Galatian Theories (Box 16.2)

“Northern Galatian Theory”—Sequence of Events

• Paul evangelizes cities in southern Galatia (Acts 13:14–15; 14:1).
• Conference takes place in Jerusalem (Acts 15; Gal. 2:1–10).
• Paul evangelizes Galatian tribes in northern Galatia (Acts 16:6; 18:5).
• Paul writes the Letter to the Galatians to churches in northern Galatia.

The Northern Galatian Theory recognizes that the people usually known as the “Galatians” lived in the northern part of the province visited by Paul after the Jerusalem conference.

“Southern Galatian Theory”—Sequence of Events

• Paul evangelizes cities in southern Galatia (Acts 13:14–15; 14:1).
• Paul meets with church leaders in Jerusalem (Gal. 2:1–10).
• Paul writes the Letter to the Galatians to churches in southern Galatia.
• Conference takes place in Jerusalem (Acts 15).

The Southern Galatian Theory resolves what would be inconsistencies between Galatians 2:1–10 and Acts 15 if these passages were viewed as describing the same event.