Galatians

circumcision

a surgical procedure that removes the foreskin of a penis; in the Jewish tradition, the rite is viewed as a sign of the covenant that God had made with Israel.

covenant

in the Bible, an agreement or pact between God and human beings that establishes the terms of their ongoing relationship.

fruit of the Spirit

nine moral characteristics that Paul lists in Galatians 5:22-23, maintaining that they are produced in believers by the Spirit of God: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Jerusalem council

a meeting of leaders in the early church to discuss acceptance of gentiles into the new faith community (Acts 15); also called "apostolic council."

Judaizer

a term sometimes used by scholars to describe Christians who insisted that gentile Christians be circumcised and observe other practices that had traditionally identified Jews as the covenant people of God.

Northern Galatian Theory

the theory that Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians to churches founded on his second missionary journey in north-central Asia Minor.

Protestant Reformation

the religious movement of the sixteenth century that sought to reform the Roman Catholic Church and that led to the establishment of the Protestant churches.

Southern Galatian Theory

the theory that Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians to churches in southern Asia Minor prior to the Jerusalem council.

spiritual gifts

manifestations of the Holy Spirit activated by God in the lives of individuals for the common good.

works of the law

(1) meritorious acts of human achievement (keeping commandments, performing good works, etc.); or (2) covenant markers that identify Jews as belonging to God's chosen nation (circumcision, Sabbath observance, dietary restrictions, etc.).