Galatians
An Outline
Background
- Galatia
was a
region in what was
called Asia Minor. Paul was
addressing several churches in this region. This is seen by
the
fact that when writing to christians in a city he
uses the
singular. cmp. Gal.1:2
& I Cor.1:2
- Which
specific churches Paul was
addressing has been the subject of much debate; the simplest answer is:
the churches he had visited and established on his journeys. Not that
it matters, for often these debates detract from the real
message
of the book.
- Galatians
is
probably one of Paul's
earliest, if not the earliest of the, letters. It would appear to have
been written in between the first two missionary journeys when the
question
of circumcision cropped up. Acts. 15
- The
message
of Galatians is clear and
so necessary for all believers.
Message
In the early church
Jews,
whether converts or
not, had tried to bring the Gentiles Christians into bondage by
imposing on
them the old Mosaic law. This, Paul argues, negates justification
by
faith and walking in the Spirit. The Christian life is NOT lived by
following
some external law(s) but by living and walking in the Spirit.
A series of studies on Galatians can be found here
Chapter
Outline
Jesus
Christ our liberator
| Section |
Sub-section |
Notes |
| A. God or
man? Ch.1-2 |
| Paul's example in... |
The Galatians.. |
Apostleship
1:1-5 |
|
| |
...are soon
removed
1:6-10 |
| Receiving the Gospel
1:11-17 |
|
Labouring
1:18-2:10 |
|
| Rebuking the works of the flesh
2:11-19 |
|
Living the life
2:20-21 |
|
|
1. Paul is set forth as an example to us.
I Tim. 1:16
2. No word
of praise or thanksgiving for the Galatians.
3. No request for prayer.
4. Begins with a reproof instead.
|
| B. Flesh
or Spirit? Ch.
3-5:15 |
| Two ways |
The Galatians.. |
| |
Bewitched
3:1-4 |
Faith or works
3:5-14 |
|
Promise or law
3:15-25 |
|
Sons or servants
3:26-4:7 |
|
| |
Turned back
4:8-20 |
| Jerusalem above or Sinai
below 4:8-31 |
|
Liberty or bondage
5:1-6 |
|
|
- The Mosaic law was
added because of transgression and was only temporary until Christ
should come.
3:19
- The
Mosaic law
was only a
schoolmaster to bring us to
Christ, and having come to Him we are no longer under it.
3:24-28
- The Old Covenant brings bondage,
the New Covenant
liberty 4:19-31
-
Going
back to
the law is works of the flesh and we become fallen from grace.
5:1-16
- The word
law
can mean
different things in scripture.
The two relevant meanings here are either : the Mosaic law; or a
general principle. The context determines which meaning is implied.
|
| C. Fruit
or works? Ch. 5:16
-6:18 |
| End
results |
The Galatians |
| |
Hindered 5:7-15 |
Either flesh or Spirit
5:16-18 |
|
Works of the flesh
5:19-21 |
|
Fruit of the Spirit
5:22-23 |
|
Fruit seen in practice
5:24-6:18 |
|
|
Notice
the three bares !
a) Bearing each
others' burdens 6:2
(=gk. infirmities)
b) Bearing one's own burdens 6:5
(=
gk.
responsibility)
c) Bearing the marks of the Lord
6:17
ie.
marks of being persecuted.
|
Some
key words
-
1:6 Removed
= to
transfer
-
1:7
Pervert = change to the opposite
-
3:1 Bewitched
= to fascinate
-
5:1 Liberty
= in greek society a slave to the temple
would had been
deemed to have been bought by the 'gods', and could never be sold as a
slave to anyone else.
-
5:7
Hinder = break
up the
road/place an obstacle
-
5:8 Persuasion
= Influence
in order
to win round.
-
5:13
Occasion = Bridgehead
Final
Words
Although
this
is a small
epistle, its message is very important.
We are to stand in the freedom Christ has given to us and not allow
anyone or anything to draw us back into the works of the
flesh.
For example: modern Judaisers, religion of any sort, external do's and
don'ts or anything else that gives an occasion
for
the flesh.
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
|
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