Paul's Letter to the Galatians
Judaizers were Jewish Christians who believed, among other things, that a number of the ceremonial practices of the Old Testament were still binding on the New Testament church. Following Paul's successful campaign in Galatia, they insisted that Gentile converts to Christianity abide by certain Old Testament rites, especially circumcision. The Judaizers argued that Paul was not an authentic apostle and that out of a desire to make the message more appealing to Gentiles he had removed from the gospel certain requirements. Paul responds by writing this letter.
The opening verse identifies the author as the apostle Paul. Various dates have been given for the writing of this letter, but it was probably written around A.D. 50. This may have been the first letter Paul wrote.
Galatians stands as an eloquent and vigorous defense for the essential New Testament truth that we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ - by nothing less and nothing more - and that we are sanctified by the obedience that comes from faith in God's work for us, in us and through us by the grace and power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Some have called the letter the Magna Carta of Christian liberty.
I. Introduction: Greetings and Denunciation (1:1-9)
II. Authentication of the Apostle of Liberty and Faith (1:10-2:21)
III. Justification of the Doctrine of Liberty and Faith (3:1-4:31)
IV. Practice of the Life of Liberty and Faith (5:1-6:10)
V. Conclusion (6:11-18)
II. Authentication of the Apostle of Liberty and Faith (1:10-2:21)
III. Justification of the Doctrine of Liberty and Faith (3:1-4:31)
IV. Practice of the Life of Liberty and Faith (5:1-6:10)
V. Conclusion (6:11-18)
In chapters 1-2, Paul gives his testimony about how he had received the
authentic Gospel message. He warns that if anyone presents another Gospel message other than the one he was preaching that person is “As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!” (1:9). Paul was speaking of the one true Gospel that he had received; see 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
Chapters 3-5:12, Paul begins by declaring that salvation is through faith and trust in Jesus Christ “Alone”, and cannot be obtained through the
keeping of the Law. “You foolish Galatians! Who put you under a spell? Was not Jesus the Messiah clearly portrayed before your very eyes as having been crucified? I want to learn only one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? Having started out with the Spirit, are you now ending up with the flesh?” (Galatians 3:1-3). The Law (10 Commandments) is our tutor to lead us to salvation in Jesus Christ, “the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith” (3:24). No one can obey the 10 Commandments, it is impossible, every person has broken them. Therefore, we can only attain salvation through trusting in our Savior Christ Jesus.
Chapters 5:13-6, He teaches the Fruits of the Spirit and tells us to “walk by
the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh”(5:16).
continue to Ephesians...
