Galatians

Author: Paul

Period: Written sometime from 48 to 57 A.D.

Summary: The letter to the congregations in Galatia focuses on the divisions that Jewish-Christians were causing among new Gentile converts. These Judaizers were trying to convince the Gentiles that first, Paul’s authority was given by men and not by God, and second, that they had to be circumcised and to keep the ritual law in order to be saved. Paul argues that both Jew and Gentile alike enjoy in Christ complete salvation. They are justified, adopted, renewed and made heirs according to the promises of the Abrahamic covenant. Reliance on the Law was only a bondage to death and could not produce life-giving freedom, a freedom only available in Christ. Paul was showing that all legalistic variations of the Gospel are perversions of it and should be exposed as such.

CHRIST: THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD FOR US

Key Verses:  

“. . . if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” Galatians 2:21

“. . . Abraham ‘believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.'” Galatians 3:6

“. . . if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.” Galatians 3:21

“We … wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” Galatians 5:5

Breakdown:

Introduction and salutation: Chapter 1:1-5

The purpose of the epistle: Chapter 1:6-9

Narration: Personal details illustrating the authenticity of Paul’s account of the gospel: Chapter 1:10- 2:21

Exposition: doctrinal–a declaration of the Gospel: Chapter 3:1 – 4:31

• Justification by faith: 3:1-14
• Faith’s relation to the Law: 3:15-29
• Relationship of faith to the Law illustrated: 4:1-31

Exhortation: practical–the demands of the Gospel: Chapter 5:1 – 6:10

• The call to liberty: 5:1-12
• Liberty in reality: 5:13-26
• Freedom in Christ must be mutually enjoyed: 6:1-10

Concluding review: Chapter 6:11-18