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Author
– Paul
Time – 48 – 50 A.D.
Summary
– The letter to the churches in Galatia focuses on the divisions
that Jewish Christians were causing among new Gentile converts.
These Judaisers were trying to convince the Gentiles that
first, Paul’s authority was given by men and not by God, and
secondly, that they needed to be circumcised and to keep the
ritual law in order to be saved. Paul argues that both Jew
and Gentile alike enjoy in Christ complete salvation. Through
Christ they can be justified, that is, reckoned right with
God, by association with the Promises made to Abraham. Reliance
on the Law would only lead to death, and could not produce
life–giving freedom, as only Christ could grant that freedom.
Paul was showing that all legalistic variations of the Gospel
are perversions of it and should be shown as such.
Key
Verses – "If righteousness comes through the law,
then Christ died in vain" Galatians
2 v 21
"Abraham
believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness"
Galatians 3 v 6
"We
... wait for the hope of righteousness by faith" Galatians
5 v 5
Introduction
and salutation – Chapter 1 v 1 to 5
The
purpose of the letter – Chapter 1 v 6 to 9
Personal
details – Illustrating the authenticity of Paul’s Gospel –
Chapter 1 v 10 – 2 v 21
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Doctrinal
– A declaration of the Gospel – Chapter 3 v 1 to 4 v
31
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Passage
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Subject
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3
v 1 to 14
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Justification
by faith
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3
v 15 to 29
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Faith’s
relation to the law
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4
v 1 to 31
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Relationship
of faith to the law illustrated
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Practical
– the demands of the Gospel – Chapter 5 v 1 to 6 v 10
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Passage
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Subject
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5
v 1 to 12
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The
call to liberty
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5
v 13 to 26
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Liberty
in reality
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6
v 1 to 10
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Freedom
in Christ must be mutually enjoyed
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Concluding
review – Chapter 6 v 11 to 18
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