Intro to Galatians & Chapter 1-Elder Tom Goddard

 

Galatians

Overview & Chapter 1                                                                                                    1

 

Introduction – Why Galatians?

 

Overview Goals

Basics - Who, What, When, Where, Why

Overview - Be familiar with Galatians from an overall perspective

Themes - Identify key themes and ideas to guide us as we go into the chapters

Applications – Begin thinking about how Galatians applies to us today

 

Purpose – To defend the true gospel of grace against the counterfeit gospel of works.

 

Basics                                                                                                       

Who? Written by Paul to churches in Galatia:  New believers, mixed Jews & Gentiles

Judaizers – Said Gentile must become Jewish to be Christians   Acts 15:1

What? Letter for churches in an area to counter error and a counterfeit gospel

When? Among Paul’s earliest letters, after 1st missionary journey, likely before the Jerusalem council in Acts 15, so about 48-49 AD.

Where?  South Asia Minor, most likely.  Roman province of Galatia.

Mentioned in Acts, but as a region, not a city; “to the churches of Galatia”

South – mentioned in Acts as cities of Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Phyrgia

Why? Paul is troubled about what he’s hearing so soon after leaving them

“Another gospel” – a counterfeit gospel, is harming the churches.

 

Simple Outline

Introduction 1:1-10 – Paul Astonished

Source- The Gospel is Authentic    1:11 -  2:21

Defenses of the Gospel against perversion and of Paul’s apostolic authority

Defense – The Gospel is Superior 3:1 – 4:31

Bondage vs. Freedom, Legalism vs. Justification, Works vs. Faith

Impact – The Gospel is Liberating   5:1 – 6:10

Do good; Bear each other’s burdens; Walk in the Spirit; Serve through love

Conclusion   6:11-18  Boasting in the Cross of Christ

 

Key Phrases, Repeated Words, Themes

Gospel

Bondage, Liberty

Legalism, “another gospel”

Freedom – How does a slave live when liberated?

Legalism & works vs. Faith & grace

Warnings against leaving the gospel

Place and right use of the Law

 

What is the Gospel?

82 ref. in NT; more with the word, not the phrase

I Cor 15:1-4, Luke 4:18, Rom 1:16

 

Application Thoughts

We’re all tempted to desert the gospel – how?

We’re all tempted to add to the gospel – how?

We’re all tempted to trade our freedom for bondage – how?

 

Galatians

Overview & Chapter 1                                                                                                   2

 

 Chapter 1

 

1:1-5 - Greetings 

Paul’s claim of apostolic authority

Clear statement of the gospel at the outset

 

 

 

1:6-9 - Rebuke

Compare greetings from some of Paul’s other epistles:

Eph 1:3ff, 1:15-16, Phil 1:3-6,   Col 1:3ff

Why does Paul begin as he does?

What is being deserted?

Accursed, anathema – Why repeated?