Greek word · G1053

Γαλατία

galatia

Galatia

Either the ethnic territory of the Celtic Galatians in north-central Asia Minor, or the larger Roman province of Galatia, which also took in southern cities such as Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe.

Appears 4 times in 4 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

Γαλατία, -ας, ἡ,

Galatia;

1. a gentilic region in Asia Minor, settled by Gauls (iii/B.C).

2. A Roman Province which included this region (DB, ii, 85ff.): 1 Corinthians 16:1, Galatians 1:2, 2 Timothy 4:10 (T, Tr., mg., Γαλλίαν), 1 Peter 1:1.

† (AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of 1 Corinthians 16:1

Range of meaning

Either the ethnic territory of the Celtic Galatians in north-central Asia Minor, or the larger Roman province of Galatia, which also took in southern cities such as Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe.

Against the English

No translation problem. The question is historical: which churches, and when were they given directions?

Used elsewhere in the period

Gal 1:2 ('the churches of Galatia'). Acts 16:6; 18:23. 1 Pet 1:1. Roman provincial records.

From the study of 2 Timothy 4:10

Range of meaning

(1) The Roman province of Galatia in central Asia Minor, named after Celtic settlers. (2) Since those settlers were 'Galatai', the Greek word for Gauls, Greek writers sometimes used 'Galatia' for Gaul in western Europe.

Against the English

All the major English versions print 'Galatia'. Some mention 'Gaul' in a footnote.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek historians such as Polybius and Diodorus use Galatai/Galatia for the Gauls of the west. Eusebius (Church History 3.4.8) says Crescens was sent to Gaul. Later tradition links him with the church at Vienne in Gaul.

Similar words

Where it appears

1 Corinthians · 1

  1. 1 Corinthians 16:1 Γαλατίας, of Galatia,

    Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia:

    Here: The region or Roman province in central Asia Minor (modern Turkey) where Paul had founded churches. It is the only other set of churches named in this letter, and it serves as the precedent.

Galatians · 1

  1. Galatians 1:2 Γαλατίας· of Galatia:

    and all the brothers with me, To the churches of Galatia:

2 Timothy · 1

  1. 2 Timothy 4:10 Γαλατίαν, Galatia,

    because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

    Here: Either the Roman province in central Asia Minor (modern Turkey) where Paul planted churches, or Gaul (modern France), which Greek writers could also call 'Galatia'. Some manuscripts read 'Gaul' outright.

1 Peter · 1

  1. 1 Peter 1:1 Γαλατίας, Galatia,

    Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect who are exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen

    Here: The large Roman province of central Anatolia. Its name came from Celtic (Gallic) settlers, and it stretched south to towns Paul visited, such as Iconium and Lystra.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.