Overview of Galations

Background from the NT: Galatians 1-6 (Adapted from J. Vernon McGee's Through The Bible Commentaries)

Galatians is often call the Magna Carta of the Early Church and the Emancipation Proclamation of Legalism. The churches of Galatia were scattered across what is now Northern Turkey up to the Black Sea. Paul was very successful there during each of his three missionary journeys. Their newness of faith left them prone to spiritual attack, however, and they soon found themselves caught up in doctrines of Judaism that left little room for the complete work of the Cross. Paul wrote this epistle to them to set the record straight on a number of matters.

A. Introduction (Ch 1:1–10)

1. A cool greeting unlike any of his others (v 1–5 )

2. He gets right to the point stating the problem ( v 6–10 )

B. His Authority as an Apostle and Glory of the Gospel (Ch 1:11–2:14

Here he needs to counter what his critics are saying about him, that he's not a "real" apostle.

1.      Experience of Paul in Arabia (v 11–24 )

2.      Experience of Paul with the Apostles in Jerusalem ( v 1–10 )

3.      Experience of Paul in Antioch with Peter ( v 2:11–14 )

C. Doctrinal—Justification by Faith (Ch 2:15–4:31)

1.      The Doctrine clearly stated ( v 2:15–21 )

2.      "Who hath bewitched you…?" ( v 3:1–5 )

3.      Clarifying the doctrine through the illustration of Abraham ( v 3:6–4:18 )

4.      Clarifying the covenant through the allegory of Hagar and Sarai ( v 4:19–31 )

D. Practical—Sanctification by the Spirit (Ch 5:1–6:10)

1.      Living by Law perpetuates falling from Grace ( v 5:1–15 )

2.      Walking in the Spirit produces fruit of the Spirit ( v 5:16–26 )

3.      Fruit of the Spirit brings Christian character ( v 6:1–10 )

E. Autographed Conclusion, Chapter 6:11–18

1.      Paul’s own handwriting ( v 11 )

2.      Paul’s own testimony (v 6:12–18 )

a)      Cross of Christ vs. Circumcision ( v 12–15 )

b)      Christ’s Handwriting on Paul’s Body ( v16–18)