Bible Book: Galatians

Because the Bible is practical, here is an overview of the book.

Author: Paul

Type of Book: Epistle

Outline
Introduction (1:1-10)
Greetings (1:1-5)
Abandonment, Distortion and Defense of the True Message of Christ (1:6-10)
Personal: Paul Defends His Authority as a Messenger of Spiritual Freedom and Faith (1:11-2:21)
It Was Revealed to Him By Christ (1:11-24)
It Was Recognized and Confirmed by James, Peter and John (2:1-10)
It Was Tested and Proven in Conflict With Peter (2:11-21)
Doctrinal: Paul Defends His God-Given Message of Spiritual Freedom and Faith (3:1-4:31)
Receiving the Spirit and New Life Is by Faith Rather Than by Works (3:1-14)
Salvation Is Through the Promise Rather Than Through the Law (3:15-18)
The Purpose of God’s Law Is to Reveal Sin and Point Us to Christ (3:19-24)
Those Who Trust in Christ Are Children Rather Than Slaves (3:25-4:7)
The Galatians Must Reconsider Their Views and Actions (4:8-20)
Those Who Rely on the Law Are Slaves Rather Than Children (4:21-31)
Practical: Paul Defends the Life of Spiritual Freedom and Faith (5:1-6:10)
Christian Freedom Relates to Salvation by Grace (5:1-12)
Stand Firm in Christian Freedom (5:1)
Refuse to Rely on the Law for Salvation (5:2-12)
Christian Freedom Must Not Become an Excuse for Sin (5:13-26)
Serve One Another in Love (5:13-15)
Live by the Spirit, Not by the Sinful Nature (5:16-26)
Christian Freedom Must Be Expressed Through Love and the Law of Christ (6:1-10)
Carry Each Other’s Concerns (6:1-5)
Assist Ministers of the Word (6:6)
Do Not Become Weary in Doing Good (6:7-10)
Conclusion (6:11-18)

Theme: Spiritual Salvation and Freedom by Grace Through Faith

Date of Writing: c. A.D. 49

Background
Paul wrote this letter (1:1; 5:2; 6:11) “to the churches in Galatia” (1:2). Some believe that the Galatians were the Gauls in north-central Asia Minor (descended from those who invaded the area in the third century B.C.). But it is far more likely that Paul wrote this letter to churches in the southern region of the Roman province of Galatia (Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe) that he and Barnabas had founded during their first missionary journey (Ac 13-14; see map of Paul’s first missionary journey). It is most likely that the letter was written shortly after Paul finished that journey and returned to the church that commissioned him in Antioch of Syria and just prior to the church council in Jerusalem (Ac 15).
The main issue addressed in Galatians is the same one that would be debated and resolved at the council in Jerusalem (c. A.D. 49; cf. Ac 15). It involved a two-part question: (1) Is faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (i.e., the Forgiver of sins and the Leader of life) the only requirement for a person to receive salvation and a personal relationship with God? (2) Or is obedience to certain OT Jewish practices and laws required in order to be spiritually saved and have a right relationship with God? It appears that Paul wrote Galatians before the controversy was formally debated at Jerusalem and the church’s official position was confirmed. This would mean that Galatians was the first letter that Paul wrote.

Purpose
Paul had learned that certain Jewish teachers were confusing and unsettling his new Christian converts in Galatia (i.e., those whom he had led to faith in Christ) by trying to impose on them the restrictions and requirements of the Mosaic law (the commands God originally gave Moses for Israel; see article on The Old Testament law). One of the main laws they were attempting to force upon the new believers was the practice of circumcision, which involved cutting away the foreskin of the penis (an OT sign of being in a covenant relationship with God; see Ge 17:11, note). The false teachers said that following such laws was a necessary requirement to be spiritually saved and included in the church. After hearing this, Paul wrote (1) to firmly deny that legal requirements such as circumcision have anything to do with the gift of God’s grace (i.e., his unearned favor, love, spiritual ability) that makes spiritual salvation possible through faith in Jesus Christ and (2) to reaffirm clearly that we receive the Holy Spirit and renewed spiritual life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and not by relying on the OT law.

Survey
According to the contents of this letter, Paul’s Jewish opponents in Galatia were attacking him personally in order to weaken his influence in the churches. Paul’s opponents claimed that (1) he was not among the original apostles (i.e., Jesus’ core group of disciples and those he personally commissioned to spread his original message and to help establish his church; see Ac 14:4, note) so he had no legitimate spiritual authority (cf. 1:1, 7, 12; 2:8-9); (2) his message was not consistent with the salvation message preached at Jerusalem (cf. 1:9; 2:2-10); and (3) his message of grace would result in lawless and careless living (cf. 5:1, 13, 16, 19-21). These claims were in error.
Paul responded directly to all three charges. (1) With compelling strength and clarity, he defended his authority as an apostle—a pioneer messenger—of Jesus Christ, which came by direct revelation from the Lord and was supported by James, Peter and John, three of Jesus’ original disciples (chs. 1-2). (2) He passionately defended the message of spiritual salvation and freedom as being a gracious gift of God received only through faith in Christ (chs. 3-4). (3) Finally, Paul firmly maintained that the true gospel—the “good news” of forgiveness and new life through Christ—involves a freedom from Jewish legal traditions, as well as freedom from the rebellious acts of the sinful human nature. True Christian freedom involves living by the power of the Holy Spirit and fulfilling the “law of Christ,” which is a lifestyle of loving submission to God and loving consideration toward others (chs. 5-6).
Galatians contains a description of the characteristics of the Jewish teachers who opposed Paul in Galatia, Antioch and Jerusalem (Ac 15:1-2, 5) and throughout most of the places where he ministered. Paul describes them as ones who bring confusion and misrepresent the message (1:7); their teaching puts obstacles in the path of the believers (5:7); and they attempt to make a good impression outwardly so they could avoid true suffering for the cause of Christ (6:12). Therefore, they are people-pleasers (1:10), false brothers (2:4), the circumcision group (2:12) and manipulators (3:1). For more on this topic, see article on False teachers.

Special Features
Four unique features characterize this letter. (1) It is the most powerful NT defense of the basic nature of the gospel—the message that forgiveness, freedom and spiritual salvation are possible only because of God’s gracious gift through the life, death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ. It is a gift we can only receive by putting our faith in Christ and actively yielding our lives to him. The tone of this letter is sharp, serious and urgent, as Paul deals boldly and firmly with his opponents (e.g., 1:8-9; 5:12) and rebukes the Galatians for allowing themselves to be so open and accepting of such false teaching (1:6; 3:1; 4:19-20). (2) It is second only to 2 Corinthians in the amount of autobiographical references (i.e., the author, Paul, referring to himself). (3) This is Paul’s only letter clearly addressed to several churches (see, however, the introduction to Ephesians). (4) It contains a list of the fruit of the Spirit (i.e., character traits and effects of God’s Spirit working in a Christian’s life, 5:22-23) and the most complete NT list of the acts of the sinful human nature (5:19-21; see article on The acts of the sinful nature and the fruit of the Spirit).

Giving credit where credit is due.  These informational notes about this book come from the Full Life Study Bible, also known as the Fire Bible.  Don Stamps, editor.  Originally published by Life Publishers.