STUDY NOTES ON THE BOOK OF GALATIANS
                     Prepared by Jack Thompson

Introduction:

   1. Paul had planted the gospel in this area -- Gal. 4:13; 1:6.
          Cf. Acts 16:6; also, Acts 18:23.
      He had continued on to Corinth on his Second Journey, most
          likely writing this letter from Corinth, in the year 52
          or 53 A.D. Some place the time about 57 or 58 A.D., just
          after the writing of Second Corinthians and just before
          the writing of Romans. The later date would place the
          writing from Corinth, on Paul's Third Journey.
      He pauses at Ephesus briefly, Acts 18:20, 21, promising to
          return to them.
      He does return, going through Galatia first.

   2. These Christians had been very devoted to Paul -- 4:14, 15.

   3. Judaizing teachers had come; saying that they were from
          Jerusalem, that they came with authority from the
          apostles.

   4. They were teaching circumcision as being necessary and the
          Law of Moses, with its feast days, etc., was to be
          observed.  6:12; 5:2-4.

   5. But to do this they must first convince the Galatians that
      Paul was not a true apostle and that he spoke without the
      authority of the twelve.

   6. Thus, two questions are involved:
      (1) Paul defends his apostleship.
      (2) Paul defends the message which he had delivered to them.

   7. The book is divided into three main divisions:
      (1) Personal -- chapters 1 and 2.
          Proving his apostleship and authority as an apostle.
      (2) Argumentative -- chapters 3 and 4.
          The Law removed and no longer binding.
      (3) Hortatory (Exhortation) -- chapters 5 and 6.
          Admonishing them to remain strong in Christ and not to
             go back to the old Law.

   8. Some of the strongest language that Paul used is found here.
      He wrote with a great amount of emotional stress.

   9. Let us read the book:

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