Author : Keith Sharp
I. Author
The inspired apostle Paul is the writer (1:1,13-14; 5:2).
II. To Whom Written
The author addresses his book to “the churches of Galatia” (1:2). The name “Galatia” was used in two senses in the first century: to denote a geographical region in North-Central Asia Minor where ethnic Gauls had settled and to designate the Roman Province of Galatia, which encompassed a much larger area, including cities where the apostle Paul preached on each of his three evangelistic journeys.
Luke uses the name in both senses in the record of Acts of the Apostles. Paul preached in south Galatia on his first tour. South Galatia included the churches inPisidia, Lycaonia and Phrygia, but the second visit recorded in Acts 16:6 evidently refers to his going into north Galatia. The natural conclusion would be that Paul addressed the letter to all of the churches in the entire Roman Province of Galatia (Roy E.Cogdill, The New Testament: Book By Book. 68-69)
III. Background for Letter
Paul and Barnabus established the churches in southGalatia on their first preaching journey to the Gentiles (Acts 13:14 – 14:23). Paul visited here again with Silas on his second journey, strengthening the churches (Acts 16:1-5). On the second journey, Paul and Silas also preached in north Galatia (Acts 16:6). On his third journey, Paul again preached in Galatia (Acts 18:23; 19:1). After Paul had left,judaizing teachers, came in, trying to get the Galatians to be circumcised and to keep the law (Galatians 1:6,7; 3:1; 4:9-11; 5:7). Paul desired to come to Galatia personally to combat this heresy but was unable (Galatians 4:19-20).
IV. When Written
The apostle wrote to the Galatians after the apostles and elders met to consider circumcision and the law (2:1-5; cf. Acts 15) and after Paul’s second visit to Galatia (4:13; cf. Acts 16:6).
V. Purpose
Paul purposed to defeat the false teachers and their corrupted gospel, which demanded that Gentiles Christians be circumcised and keep the law of Moses (1:6-7; 2:3-5,11-14; 3:1-2; 4:9-11; 5:1-6; 6:12-13; cf. Acts 15:1-5,22-29
VI. Theme
The theme of Galatians is justification by faith apart from the law. This theme is stated in Galatians 2:16 (cf. Romans 3:21-31, especially verse 28). Galatians is the inspired declaration of freedom in Christ – freedom from the law, i.e., the Old Testament, and freedom from man made religious laws. Galatians and Romans are closely parallel in theme.
VII. Outline
A. Paul introduces the letter. – 1:1-5
1. Paul salutes the Galatians and asserts his apostolic authority. – 1:1-2
2. He blesses the Galatians. – 1:3
3. He praises God. – 1:4-5
B. Paul defends his apostleship. – 1:11 – 2:14
1. The problem of the Galatians was corrupting the gospel. – 1:6-10
2. Paul’s gospel was from Christ, not from man. – 1:11 – 2:14
a. Paul was called to the apostleship by Christ, not by man. – 1:11-24
b. Paul’s apostleship was endorsed by Peter, James, and John. 2:1-10
c. Paul confronted Peter with the truth about the law. – 2:11-14
C. Justification is by faith apart from the law. – 2:15 – 5:12
1. Paul states his proposition: Justification is by faith apart from the law. – 2:15-16
2. Paul proves his proposition. – 2:17 – 5:12
a. If righteousness is by the law, Christ died in vain. 2:17-21
b. The Spirit came by faith, not by the law. – 3:1-5
c. Abraham was justified by faith apart from the law. – 3:6-9
d. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law. – 3:10-14
e. The promise is by faith, not by the law. – 3:15-18
f. The law was a schoolmaster. – 3:19-25
g. you are children of God by faith. – 3:26-29
h. Under the law you were in bondage, but by faith you are sons. – 4:1-11
i. Paul appeals to their personal relationship to him. – 4:12-20
j. Paul compares the two covenants to Hagar and Sarah. – 4:21-31
k. To attempt to be justified by the law is to fall from grace. – 5:1-6
l. Cut off the false teachers. – 5:7-12
D. Liberty from the law is not license to sin. – 5:13 – 6:10
1. Love fulfills the law. – 5:13-15
2. If we walk by the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. – 5:16-26
3. Let us do good to all men. – 6:1-10
E. Paul concludes the letter. – 6:11-18
1. Paul wrote to them with his own hand. – 6:11
2. Judaizers glory in the flesh. – 6:12-13
3. Paul glories in the cross of Christ. – 6:14-16
4. The “marks of the Lord Jesus” are Paul’s only fleshly glory. – 6:17
5. Paul blesses the Galatians. – 6:18
