INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY: BOOK OF GALATIANS

INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY: BOOK OF GALATIANS

By Dennis Schmidt 4/2008

RETURN TO THE: BIBLE PAPERS HOME PAGE

This paper discusses the book of Galatians. The book of Galatians has been compared with the Magna Charta. In this case, the church gets its liberty. The epistle has been written against the teachings of the Judaizer’s who insist that Gentiles (Galatians 1:6-8, 2:16, 5:1-4) must keep the ceremonial laws for their salvation. All scriptures are from the King James' version Bible.

GALATIANS THEME:

- DEFENSE OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH NOT BY WORKS OR KEEPING THE LAW

Galatians 2:16 "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

- WARNINGS OF NOT FALLING UNDER THE LAW BUT STANDING FAST IN THE LIBERTY IN CHRIST

Galatians 5:1-4 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. {2} Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. {3} For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. {4} Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."

CHAPTER THEMES & ELEMENTS

BOOK STRUCTURE	GOD'S PLAN	OUTLINE	CHAPTER(S) THEMES
Gospel & fall back into law	Gospel of faith/grace vs law/work	Introduction {1:1-10} Gospel Revealed {1:11-24}	(1) Gospel of grace through Jesus by faith vs. law & works of Jewish religion with some Christians falling back into law.
Gospel justified by faith	v	Paul’s Apostle Jerusalem visit {2:1-10} Correct law problem {2:11-14} Faith Justification not works {2:15-21}	(2) Christians turning back to law & works (stop this). Justification by faith & not of law or work by grace.
Faith before law & has Spirit	Christ is end of law & only way to be justified vs law & work bondage	Spirit by Faith not by law {3:1-14} Salvation by faith over law {3:15-24} Christian Son-ship {3:25-29}	(3) Faith 430 years before law with its works. Spirit verified God's plan of faith by justification, redemption, & Spirit
Redeemed turned back to law	v	Christian Son-0ship not slaves {4:1-7} Return to bondage {4:8-20} Law slavery & bondage {4:21-31}	(4) Redeemed from law, but turned back to law
Liberty by faith Spirit led	v	Freedom not law bondage {5:1-12} Live by Spirit not flesh {5:13-26}	(5) Liberty from law through faith & Spirit leading to love one another.
Do good to all reap what you sow	v	Doing good to others {6:1-10} Conclusions {6:11-18}	(6) A man sows, he reaps: flesh to corruption or Spirit to eternal life. Circumcised do not keep law & glory in flesh. Glory in cross.

AUTHOR: Apostle Paul DATE: 48 AD FROM: Rome TO: Christians at Galatia

PURPOSE:

- ENCOURAGE CONVERTS FROM FALLING BACK UNDER THE LAW

Galatians 3:1-5 "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? {2} This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? {3} Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? {4} Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. {5} He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

- TEACH JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH

Galatians 3:11-12 "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. {12} And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them."

KEY VERSES:

Galatians 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

KEY WORD(S)/VERSES: [ righteousness ] (2, 3, 5) ; [ grace ] (1, 2, 5, 6) ; [ circumcised ] (2, 5, 6) ; [ works ] (2, 3, 5, 6) ; [ justified ] (2, 3, 5) ; [ law ] (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) ; [ faith ] (1, 2, 3, 5, 6) ; [ free ] (3, 4, 5) ; [ liberty ] (2, 5) ; [ redeemed ] (3, 4); [ gospel ] (1, 2, 3) ; [ Spirit ] (3, 4, 5)

SPECIAL KEY WORDS (LIMITED):

Faith: 1:16; 2:16, 20; 3:2, 5, 7-9, 11, 12, 14, 22-26; 5:5, 6, 22

Grace: 1:3, 1:6, 1:15; 2:9, 2:21; 5:4; 6:18

Liberty: 2:4; 5:1, 5:13

Freedom: 4:22, 4:23, 4:26, 4:30, 4:31; 5:1

The cross: 5:11; 6:12, 6:14

OUTLINE FOR GALATIANS:

I) INTRODUCTION PAUL'S AUTHORITY & DENUNCIATION: {GALATIANS 1:1-10}

A) GREETINGS: {GALATIANS 1:1-5}

B) DENUNCIATION: {GALATIANS 1:6-10}

II) INDEPENDENCE FROM APOSTLES, GOD'S JUSTIFICATION MESSAGE: {GALATIANS 1:11-2:21}

A) GOSPEL REVEALED BY CHRIST: {GALATIANS 1:11-24}

B) PAUL'S VISIT TO JERUSALEM CHURCH: {GALATIANS 2:1-10}

C) PAUL CORRECTS PETER'S PROBLEM WITH LAW: {GALATIANS 2:11-14}

D) JUSTIFIED BY FAITH IN CHRIST & NOT WORKS OR LAW: {GALATIANS 2:15-21}

III) JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH AND LIBERTY EXPLAINED: {GALATIANS 3:1-4:31}

A) RECEIVED SPIRIT BY FAITH & NOT BY WORKS OR LAW: {GALATIANS 3:1-14}

B) SALVATION BY FAITH PROMISE OVER THE LAW WITH ITS PURPOSE: {GALATIANS 3:15-24}

C) CHRISTIANS ARE SONS NOT SLAVES: {GALATIANS 3:25-4:7}

D) GALATIANS FALL BACK INTO BONDAGE UNDER THE LAW: {GALATIANS 4:8-20}

E) TRUST IN THE LAW LEADS TO SLAVERY & BONDAGE: {GALATIANS 4:21-31}

IV) JUSTIFICATION OF FAITH AND LIBERTY APPLIED BY LOVE: {GALATIANS 5:1-6:10}

A) FREEDOM NOT CIRCUMCISION & IN BONDAGE TO WHOLE LAW: {GALATIANS 5:1-12}

B) LIVE BY THE SPIRIT & NOT BY THE FLESH: {GALATIANS 5:13-26}

C) ASSIST OTHERS BY DOING GOOD: {GALATIANS 6:1-10}

V) CONCLUSION: {GALATIANS 6:11-18}

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

Acts 16:6-9 "Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, {7} After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. {8} And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. {9} And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us."

Acts 18:23-28 "And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. {24} And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. {25} This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. {26} And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. {27} And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: {28} For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ."

1 Peter 1:1-2 "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, {2} Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied."

LOCATION:

Galatia: A region in Asia Minor, settled by an ancient tribes Gaul, from which it derives its name. Caesar Augustus established the Roman province of Galatia, annexing a number of cities to the province.

I) INTRODUCTION PAUL'S AUTHORITY AND DENUNCIATION: {GALATIANS 1:1-12}

A) GREETINGS: {GALATIANS 1:1-5}

WHO: PAUL, AN APOSTLE

Galatians 1:1 "Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by M Jesus M T Christ T, and /\ God /\ the /\ Father /\, who raised T him T from the dead)"

Paul: Saul means asked for and Paul means little or small. Apostles started many churches and appointed Elders to the church. He care for the church is of more importance.

See my paper: "Apostles" for more information on this subject.

Apostle: An Apostle is one sent by God, with power of attorney and authority, to act (with power) in place of sender. He was chosen and ordained to the position to be a witness of what God shows him.

1 Corinthians 9:1-2 "Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? {2} If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord."

2 Corinthians 12:12 "Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

Galatians 2:8 "(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)"

Hebrews 2:4 "God also bearing <them> witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?"

See my paper: "Church Offices & Their Qualifications" for more information on this subject.

Jesus Christ and God the Father: God is a triunity. God can not be divided. Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit are the way the one God reveals himself. If one sees Jesus, he also sees the Father and the Holy Spirit at the same time since God can not be separated (Colossians 1:15). Jesus is perfect man and God.

See my paper: "Triunity - Father, Son, & Holy Spirit" for more information on this subject.

Colossians 2:9 "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."

John 14:9-10 "Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou <then>, Show us the Father? {10} Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."

TO WHOM: THE CHURCH IN GALATIA

Galatians 1:2 "And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:"

Galatia: French invaded Greece in Asia Minor and the land was a mixture of many races including Jews. Paul made his second missionary journey to the area & helped form the Galatians church.

Galatians 1:3 "[ Grace ] <be> to you and peace from /\ God /\ the /\ Father /\, and <from> our /\ Lord /\ M Jesus M T Christ T," Opening prayer Galatians 1:3-5

Grace: Getting what we do not deserve as compared with mercy: not getting what we deserve.

See my paper: "Grace" for more information on this subject.

Peace: Hebrew word Shalom used for hello, goodbye & God bless you. Only God gives peace to ones spirit of forgiveness & restoration.

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Peace the opposite to anxiety. Tranquillity & worry free.

Galatians 1:4 "Who gave T himself T for our sins, that T he T might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of /\ God /\ and our /\ Father /\:"

Present evil world:

1 John 2:15-16 "Love not the world, neither the things <that are> in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. {16} For all that <is> in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

Galatians 1:5 "To /\ whom /\<be> glory for ever and ever. Amen."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KEY WORD: GOSPEL {GALATIANS 1:6-4:13}

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: {Galatians 1:6}

(2) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. {Galatians 1:7}

(3) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. {Galatians 1:8}

(4) As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. {Galatians 1:9}

(5) But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. {Galatians 1:11}

(6) And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. {Galatians 2:2}

(7) To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. {Galatians 2:5}

(8) But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; {Galatians 2:7}

(9) But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? {Galatians 2:14}

(10) And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. {Galatians 3:8}

(11) Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. {Galatians 4:13}

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

B) DENUNCIATION: {GALATIANS 1:6-10}

WHAT: REMOVED FROM HIM THAT CALLED YOU UNTO ANOTHER GOSPEL WHEN: SO SOON

Galatians 1:6 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from T him T that called you into the [ grace ] of T Christ T unto another [ gospel ]:"

Grace of Christ unto another gospel: Gospel = good news about Jesus

2 Corinthians 11:3 "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. {4} For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or <if> ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with <him>."

See my paper: &qu