Overview of New Testament

Galatians

Key Thoughts:

"I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing." – Galatians 2:21

Ø Faith in Christ, not the Law (torah) is the basis for salvation.

"If is for freedom that Christ has set us free" – Galatians 5:1

"The only thing that counts is faith working through love" – Galatians 5:6

Background to Galatians

Ø Probably written to the churches in southern "Galatian region" established by Paul in Acts 13-14 on his first missionary journey.

Ø Acts 16:1-10 gives background characteristics of the churches in this region:

Mixed marriages between Jew and Gentile. Example: Timothy's parents
Jewish emphasis on circumcision factored into "acceptance" or "credibility" of those bringing the message. Example: Timothy.
Established influence of the church in Jerusalem concerning Gentile believers (see Acts 15, particularly vs. 22-28.
These were churches that were growing daily in numbers and strengthened in faith.
Guided by the Holy Spirit in this region: Galatia and Phrygia.

Ø Judiazers were trying to enforce Jewish law and practice upon Gentile believers. They were not opposed to Jesus, but wanted to add to the message of the gospel, Jewish practices: circumcision, and other laws. They were preaching the "Jesus plus" gospel

Ø This occasioned Paul's most vehement defense of the gospel and his apostleship

Ø Likely one of Paul's earliest letters (maybe 56 CE?)

Unique Features of Galatians

Ø Absence of any 'thanksgiving' opening that characterizes Paul's letters

Ø Diatribe using some of strongest language in any of Paul's letters

Ø Clear and succinct exposition of the history and role of the law in bringing believers to Christ

Ø Unequivocal statements of what is important

The only thing that counts is faith working through love (5:7)
What counts is a new creation (6:15)

Ø Statement of equality between those who have been clothed with Christ (baptized into Christ, 3:27-29)

Ø Proof of the power of the gospel: The work of the Spirit (3:1-5, 5:22-24)

Overview of New Testament

Galatians- page 2

Brief Outline of Galatians

Ø Basic structure (similar to Romans)

Presentation of the Gospel: Chapters 1-4
Therefore live according to the Gospel: Chapters 5-6

Ø Detailed outline and presentation of the gospel

v Salutation 1:1-5

v Statement of Amazement and Anathema 1:6-10

v Paul's "testimony" 1:11-2:14

v The Gospel Message 2:15-21

v Their immediate proof of the Gospel 3:1-5 The Spirit

v Defense of the gospel based on God's plan 3:6-4:21 Faith is key

v Exhortation to live according to the gospel 5:1-6:10 By the Spirit

v Closing 6:10-18

The Roots of the Gospel

Ø Abraham "believed God" and it was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6, Galatians 3:6)

Ø The gospel was announced to Abraham in advance (Genesis 12:3): All people of the earth would be blessed.

Hebrew the word is "goye", nation (a great nations)
In Greek the word is "ethne", meaning nations, or Gentiles

Ø Justification by faith takes precedence over works of law. The promise to Abraham came before the giving of the law at Sinai.

Ø Paul is clear: the blessing to Abraham (to the nations) comes through Christ (Galatians 3:14) –the singular one through whom the blessing comes, Christ.

Ø Paul draws on the allegory between Abraham's two sons: Issac and Ishmael through Sarai and Hagar respectively (Galatians 4:24-31):

Hagar represents the slavery of the law
Sarai represents the freedom of the promise

The Work of the Holy Spirit

1. By faith we receive the promise of the Spirit (Galatians 3:14)

2. By faith, we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope (Galatians 5:6)

3. The Spirit produces fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-24)

4. We are to keep "in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25)

5. We are to "sow" to the Spirit (Galatians 6:8)