Paul’s letter to the Galatians
Paul’s letter to the Galatians
The Charter of Christian Liberty
Where is Galatia?Where is Galatia?
Chronological order of the EpistlesChronological order of the Epistles
1) Galatians 8) Philemon2) I Thessalonians 9) Ephesians3) II Thessalonians 10)Philippians4) I Corinthians 11) I Timothy5) II Corinthians 12)Titus6) Romans 13) II Timothy7) Colossians 14) Philemon
Outline of the EpistleOutline of the Epistle
Four parts
1. 1:1-9 Greetings & Introduction
2. 1:10 – 2:14 Paul’s experiences
3. 2:15 – 5:6 Doctrinal Defence
4. 5:7 – 6:17 Warnings, exhortation,
instruction
Galatians chapter 1Galatians chapter 1
Amazed –
Anxiety –
Angels –
Anathema –
fallen away so soon!
at perversion of Gospel
not authorised to preach
curse on those who teach
error
Galatians 2Galatians 2
Jerusalem visit – cf. Acts 15
14 years from when?
Peter – not so perfect after all!
Yet Peter later endorsed Paul’s
writings (cf. II Pet 3:15-16)
Galatians 3Galatians 3 Law, legalism & grace
Example of Abraham – faith, not works
Blessings of Abraham – Gen 12, 13, 15
Gal 3:15 – confirmed covenant 3:29
Seed of Abraham – Rom 4:1-12; Col
2:11
No Jew/Gentile, slave/free,
male/female
Galatians 4Galatians 4
Child versus slave
Law as paedagogue
v. 13 Paul’s “illness” / weakness /
infirmity
v. 19 Paul’s intercession in Spirit
Galatians 5Galatians 5
5:7 ~ Who hindered you?
5:10 ~ Was there a particular “bad
egg”?
5:13 ~ liberty, not licence -
antinomianism
5:16 ~ flesh/spirit vs. Law/Spirit
Galatians 6Galatians 6
Who bears whose burden? vv. 2 & 5
Principle of sowing & reaping
Link back to fruit of spirit in 5:22
Walk in (by) spirit/Spirit
Paul’s thorn in the fleshPaul’s thorn in the flesh Gal 6:11 – large letters = eye
problems?
II Cor 12:7-10 : who or what?
In OT, “thorn” = metaphor for enemy
Cf. Num 33:55, Josh 23:13, Judg 2:3
“Satan's messenger”
For Further StudyFor Further Study The Untold Story of the New Testament
Church The Pulpit Commentary (e-Sword) The Bible Exposition Commentary. © 1989 by
Chariot Victor Publishing
Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc
http://bible.org/seriespage/womenleadership-part-2
