GALATIANS THE CHARTER OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY LIBERTY

GALATIANS GALATIANS I. Authorship: Paul 1:1, 5:2 I. Authorship: Paul 1:1, 5:2 A. Generally Accepted – One of Big Four A. Generally Accepted – One of Big Four Galatians Romans 1 & 2 Corinthians Galatians Romans 1 & 2 Corinthians B. Paul the Apostle B. Paul the Apostle 1. Importance: -- Evangelized 5 Provinces 1. Importance: -- Evangelized 5 Provinces -- Wrote 13 NT books -- Wrote 13 NT books 2. Pre-Christian Life: --Jewish religion Phil 3 2. Pre-Christian Life: --Jewish religion Phil 3 -- Greek culture -- Greek culture -- Roman citizenship -- Roman citizenship

B. Paul the Apostle B. Paul the Apostle 3. Conversion: Damascus road experience Acts 9 3. Conversion: Damascus road experience Acts 9 4. Ministry: Missionary 4. Ministry: Missionary --- Antioch --- Antioch missionary journeys missionary journeys major imprisonments major imprisonments Writer Writer --- to single churches – 8 letters --- to single churches – 8 letters --- to groups of churches – 1 letter --- to groups of churches – 1 letter --- to individuals – 4 letters --- to individuals – 4 letters

II. Date From Where? When? II. Date From Where? When? Antioch After 1 st MJ Before Jerusalem Conf (49 AD) Antioch After 1 st MJ Before Jerusalem Conf (49 AD) oror oror Corinth During 2 nd MJ After Jerusalem Conf (51-52 AD) Corinth During 2 nd MJ After Jerusalem Conf (51-52 AD) III.Recipients – Churches in Galatia Gal 1:2; 3:1 III.Recipients – Churches in Galatia Gal 1:2; 3:1 1. Geographical/Ethnic Meaning North Galatia – settled by Gauls 1. Geographical/Ethnic Meaning North Galatia – settled by Gauls 2. Political Meaning South Galatia – Roman Province Churches planted on 1 st MJ 2. Political Meaning South Galatia – Roman Province Churches planted on 1 st MJ

Paul’s First Missionary Journey Map

IV. RECIPIENTS CIRCUMSTANCES: New Converts Confused by Judaizers IV. RECIPIENTS CIRCUMSTANCES: New Converts Confused by Judaizers Paul’s Opponents Paul’s Opponents 1. Nature – Gospel perverters 1: Nature – Gospel perverters 1: Impact – effective 1: Impact – effective 1: Message – Christ plus legalism - law 3:3-5 - circumcision 5:2-3, 6 - holy day observances 4:10 3. Message – Christ plus legalism - law 3:3-5 - circumcision 5:2-3, 6 - holy day observances 4:10 4. Methods – Challenged Paul’s 4. Methods – Challenged Paul’s - motives 1:10 - authority 1: consistency 5:11 5. Motives - personal ambition 4:17; 6:13 - to avoid persecution 6:12 5. Motives - personal ambition 4:17; 6:13 - to avoid persecution 6:12

V. Theme: Justification by Faith not Works Key passage: 2:15-21 V. Theme: Justification by Faith not Works Key passage: 2:15-21 VI. Structure: VI. Structure: 1. Paul defends his apostolic authority Ch 1-2 Autobiographical 1. Paul defends his apostolic authority Ch 1-2 Autobiographical 2. Paul defines justification by faith not law Ch 3-4 Theological 2. Paul defines justification by faith not law Ch 3-4 Theological 3. Paul describes freedom in Christ by the Spirit Practical Ch Paul describes freedom in Christ by the Spirit Practical Ch 5-6

VII. Key Lessons 1. No Other Gospel than Paul’s Message 1: No Other Gospel than Paul’s Message 1:6-10 “I am astonished that … you are turning to a different gospel (heteron: `different kind`) which is really no gospel at all (allo: `not same kind`).” “I am astonished that … you are turning to a different gospel (heteron: `different kind`) which is really no gospel at all (allo: `not same kind`).”

GALATIANS – Key Lessons (continued…) GALATIANS – Key Lessons (continued…) 2. The Purpose of the Law 2. The Purpose of the Law A. To increase consciousness of sin (temporary addition) 3:19-20 A. To increase consciousness of sin (temporary addition) 3:19-20 B. To decrease amount of sin B. To decrease amount of sin … “jailor” to shut up people until promise (“faith revealed”) 3:21-23 … “jailor” to shut up people until promise (“faith revealed”) 3:21-23 … “pedagogue” to lead us to Christ 3:24-29 … “pedagogue” to lead us to Christ 3:24-29 … “guardian” to supervise child before old enough to receive inheritance “Heir like slave until he becomes of age” … “guardian” to supervise child before old enough to receive inheritance “Heir like slave until he becomes of age” C. To provide moral guidance for Holy Living 5:13-14 C. To provide moral guidance for Holy Living 5:13-14

GALATIANS – Key Lessons (continued…) GALATIANS – Key Lessons (continued…) 3. The Christian Lifestyle 5: The Christian Lifestyle 5:1-15 Christian Lifestyle Not Legalistic Regulations Not Sinful License But Is Spirit Directed “Faith expressing itself through love” 5:6

GALATIANS – Key Lessons (continued…) GALATIANS – Key Lessons (continued…) 4. The Struggle of the Christian Life 5:17 4. The Struggle of the Christian Life 5:17 FLESH BELIEVER SPIRIT Lustful Sin Christian Character VICTORY ‘WALKING BY THE SPIRIT’