The Book of Galatians
Introduction
The Book of Galatians
Introduction |
Chapter 1 |
Chapter 2 |
Chapter 3 |
Chapter 4 |
Chapter 5 |
Chapter 6
The Christian's Declaration Of Independence
In Galatians, Paul uses strong rhetoric to summarize his main points. Galatians 5:1 summarizes the theme of the epistle: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Gal 5:1
Galatians has been called the "Magna Charta of Christian Liberty" or the "Christian's Declaration of Independence."
A Master Epistle
The epistle is masterfully constructed. Paul uses sound logic, quotations from the Old Testament, metaphor, allegory and personal authority to show that salvation is based solely on man's acceptance of Christ. Men are justified by the finished work of the Redeemer and in no manner by the forms and ceremonies of the Mosaic Law or any other religious expression.
The same principle could be applied to any effort on the part of man to add to the sacrifice of Jesus. In general this adding to is called "religion". Religion usually has a negative context in the Bible. It is what people do in attempt to please God in their own way. It is arrogance. For example, if I try to improve upon the Lord's sacrifice by participating in seven sacraments, then I am an arrogant religious person.
Are You Religious?
Sometimes people will ask me "Are you religious?" They want to fit me into an available slot in their minds. They would place me as a round peg in a round hole. When you hear that question you should interpret it like this: "Are you one of those poor, deluded, weak fools who relies on the crutch of religion to help you through life?"
I like to answer the question by saying "No, I have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. I am his disciple and a child of God. I have a spiritual walk. He is molding me into the image of Christ." "You see religion in the Bible usually refers to man's own arrogant attempts to please God in his own way, and that is not what I am."
Reason For The Epistle
After Paul had evangelized the churches of Galatia, he received disturbing news that they were falling away from the gospel he had taught them (1:6). Religious "troublemakers" had persuaded the Christians there that the gospel presented by Paul was insufficient for salvation (1:7). In addition to faith in Jesus Christ, they insisted that a person must observe the law of Moses in order to be saved. These teachers are sometimes referred to as JUDAIZERS, since they taught that both faith and works-belief in Jesus and obedience to the Law are necessary for salvation.
News of the troublers' "perversion of the gospel" (1:7) was disturbing to Paul. Paul quickly rose to the Judaizers' challenge and produced this letter. From the outset he was ready for debate. He dispensed with his customary introduction and launched immediately into his argument against the perverters.
Paul Defends His Authority
The Judaizers had taught that Paul was an inferior apostle, if one at all, and that his gospel was not authoritative (1:10). Paul countered with an impassioned defense of his conversion (1:11-17) and of his approval by the leaders of the church at Jerusalem (1:18-2:10).
Paul's Divine Revelation
Paul claimed direct divine revelation as the source of the gospel that he preached to the Galatians. It was not his own, nor was he taught it; but it came "through the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1:11-12). Those who presumed to change it were meddling with the very plan of God (1:7-8).
If Paul had not been successful in his argument for justification by faith alone, Christianity could have become just a sect within Judaism, rather than becoming the way of salvation for all believers.
God's Plan Of Salvation
God's plan has always been that Jews and Gentiles are justified before God by faith alone. This plan can be traced to the beginning of Israel's history, for Abraham, "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness" (Gal 3:6; also Gen 15:6).
The Law Was Our Schoolmaster
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith" Gal 3:24.
The law, which did not come until 430 years after Abraham (3:17), was never intended to replace justification by faith. Rather, the law was to teach us of our need for Christ (3:24-25). Christ, therefore, is the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham.
Outline:
Galatians falls into three sections, each two chapters long.
The first third of the letter is a defense of Paul's apostleship and gospel (chaps. 1-2).
The middle section (chaps. 3-4) is devoted to the question of salvation. In it Paul uses a variety of means-logic (3:15-20), quotations from the Old Testament (3:7-14), metaphor (4:1-6), personal authority (4:12-20), and allegory (4:21-31)-to argue that salvation comes not through obeying the Mosaic law, but by receiving the grace of God through faith.
The third section of Galatians concerns the consequences of saving faith (chaps. 5-6). The Christian is free to love (5:1-15); the Holy Spirit produces fruit in his life (5:16-26); and the needs of others lay a rightful claim on his life (6:1-10).
Paul concludes by summing up the main points of the letter (6:11-16), along with a closing admonition that he bears the marks of Jesus in his body (6:17), and a blessing (6:18).
I. Introduction (1:1-5)
II. The apostolic vindication (1:6-2:21)
A. The occasion (1:6-7)
B. The authenticity of his gospel (1:8-10)
C. The divine origin (1:11-24)
D. The official endorsement (2:1-10)
E. The explanation of his conduct (2:11-21)
III. Doctrinal justification (3-4)
A. The faulty conduct of the Galatians (3:1-5)
B. Abraham's example (3:6-9)
C. Legal deliverance by Christ (3:10-14)
D. The purpose of the law (3:15-18)
E. Law related to the promise (3:19-22)
F. Superiority of the condition under faith
compared with that under law (3:23-4:11)
G. Paul and the Galatians (4:12-20)
H. The two covenants (4:21-31)
IV. The practical application (5:1-6:10)
A. Warning of the right use of freedom (5:1-15)
B. The way to spiritual growth (5:16-26)
C. Exhortation to patience and brotherly love (6:1-5)
D. Exhortation to liberality (6:6-10)
E. Warning against Judaizers (6:11-16)
V. Conclusion (6:17-18)
The Book of Galatians
Introduction |
Chapter 1 |
Chapter 2 |
Chapter 3 |
Chapter 4 |
Chapter 5 |
Chapter 6