INTRODUCTION TO GALATIANS- No 1-2 Write ups…see video audio for chapters 1-2 breakdown…
AUTHOR: St. Paul the Apostle
DATE: The references to time and place in Galatians are unclear-therefore making its exact historical setting and date uncertain...
MAJOR THEME: The true gospel versus the false gospel: After initially believing in the gospel of Jesus Christ as a gift of God, many in Galatia had turned to the teaching of the Jewish legalizers, who claimed that Christians must also follow the laws of the Old Covenant, Paul writes to call them back to "the grace of Christ" (Galatians 1:6): SUBTHEMES INCLUDE:
(1): A DEFENSE OF PAUL'S APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY- (Galatians 1:1-2:21)
(2): THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THE CHURCH- (Galatians 5:1-6:18)
(3): THE CROSS OF CHRIST
(4): THE LIFE OF FAITH
BACKGROUND: St. Paul had established churches in a number of cities in the Roman province of Galatia in Asia Minor: This is the only New Testament letter Paul addressed to a group of churches- (Galatians 1:2):
OUTLINE:
(1): INTRIDUCTION- (Galatians 1:1-10)
a. Greeting-(Galatians 1:1, 2)
b. The true gospel versus the false gospel- (Galatians 1:3-10)
(2): THE APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY- (Galatians 1:11-2:14)
a. The call to apostleship- (Galatians 1:11-24)
b. Apostles are guided by councils- (Galatians 2:1-10)
(3): THE CONTENT OF THE TRUE GOSPEL- (Galatians 2:15-4:31)
a. Jesus Christ and faith-(Galatians 2:15-21)
b. Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit-(Galatians 3:1-14)
c. Jesus Christ and sonship-(Galatians 3:15-4:31)
(4): LIVING IN THE TRUE GOSPEL-(5:1-6:10)
a. The liberty of the Spirit-(Galatians 5:1-6:10)
b. Living in the love of the Spirit-(Galatians 5:13-6:10)
(5): CONCLUDING REMARKS- (Galatians 6:11-18)
a. The rule of faith- (Galatians 6:11-17)
b. Benediction- (Galatians 6:18)