The study of Galatians changed the trajectory of my life.

The study of Galatians changed the trajectory of my life. John MacArthur Tom Bulick

On his three famous missionary journeys [Paul] preached the gospel and planted churches in the provinces of Galatia, Asia, Macedonia (Northern Greece) and Achaia (Southern Greece.) Moreover, his visits were followed by his letters by which he helped to supervise the churches he founded. John Stott

Paul and His Letters Paul s First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14). One Letter: Galatians Paul s Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15-18). Two Letters: 1 & 2 Thessalonians Paul s Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18-21). Three Letters: 1 & 2 Corinthians, Romans Paul s Prison Epistles (Acts 28). Four Letters: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon Paul s Pastoral Letters. Three Letters: 1 Timothy, Titus, 2 Timothy

Paul and His Letters Paul s First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14). One Letter: Galatians Paul s Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15-18). Two Letters: 1 & 2 Thessalonians Paul s Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18-21). Three Letters: 1 & 2 Corinthians, Romans Paul s Prison Epistles (Acts 28). Four Letters: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon Paul s Pastoral Letters. Three Letters: 1 Timothy, Titus, 2 Timothy

History Christ s Resurrection (Sunday, April 5, 33 A.D.) Paul s Conversion (35 A. D.). Paul spends 3 years in Arabia & Damascus. Paul s First Missionary Journey to Galatia (Acts 13-14). Judaizers go to Galatia and add the law to the gospel. Paul writes Galatians to defend the true gospel of grace. The Jerusalem Council affirms Paul's position on justification by faith in Christ alone (Acts 15:2-35).

Paul s Connection with the Galatian Churches 1. After his conversion Paul spends 3 years in Arabia & Damascus (Gal. 1:16-17). 2. Paul & Barnabas meet privately with Peter & James in Jerusalem (Gal. 1:18-24; Acts 9:26). 3. Paul & Barnabas bring a relief offering to Jerusalem (Acts 11:29-30) & stand for the gospel (Gal. 2:1-10). 4. Paul & Barnabas plant churches in Galatia on the first Missionary journey (Acts 13:13-14:20). 5. Paul and Barnabas re-visit the Galatian churches to strengthen & encourage them (Acts 14:21-28). 6. Antioch incident; Paul rebukes Peter (Gal. 2:11-14). 7. Judaizers began to teach that the law and circumcision are necessary for salvation (Acts 15:1). 8. Paul writes Galatians to defend the true gospel of grace. 9. The Jerusalem Council affirms Paul's position on justification by faith in Christ alone (Acts 15:2-35). Judaizer's Teachings 1. Attacks on Paul's authority and message (1:1-2:21). 2. The Law is essential for salvation (2:15-16; 3:1-5; 3:23-25). 3. Ritual observances are required for God's favor (4:10). 4. Circumcision is necessary for all Christians (5:2-3; 6:12-15). Galatians: Epistolary Prescript: Salutation and Greeting Background: Dueling Gospels? There is only one gospel and it is by grace through Christ! Personal Defense of Paul's Authority The Gospel of Grace = Free from the Law Doctrinal Defense of Justification by Faith Practical Defense of Christian Liberty 1:1-5 1:6-9 1:10 2:14 2:15-21 3:1 4:31 5:1 6:10 6:11-17 6:18 Introduction Body Conclusion Prescript Exordium Thesis: My message comes from Christ. (1:10-12) Defense: I am independent of others. (1:13-2:21) Independent of Human Teachers - I went away (1:13-17) Independent of Major Churches - I had one brief visit (1:18-24) Independent of Jerusalem Church Leaders - they added nothing (2:1-10) Independent of the Apostle Peter - I stood against him (2:11-14) Narratio Main Idea: Justification and life come through faith in Christ, not obedience to the law. Justification by Faith (2:15-16) Life in Christ (2:18-21) Propositio Thesis: The Gospel is of faith not law. (3:1-5) Defense: Scripture and Human Experience. (3:6-4:31) Biblical Defense (3:6-25) The Old Testament: Abraham was justified by faith. (3:6-14) The Covenants: The law does not replace the covenant of faith. (3:15-18) The Law: The law leads us to our need for faith in Christ. (3:19-25) Experiential Defense (3:26-4:31) Sonship: The law made us slaves; faith makes us sons. (3:26-4:7) Appeal: Paul's labor for them was to set them free in Christ. (4:8-20) Midrash: Faith and Law have always been incompatible. (4:21-31) Thesis: We are free in Christ. (5:1) Application: Live in freedom. (5:2-6:10) No More Bondage to the Law (5:2-12) No More Bondage to the Sinful Nature (5:13-15) Free to Live in the Spirit (5:16-26) Free to Serve Others (6:1-10) The Weak and Sinful (6:1-5) Teachers (6:6-9) All men, especially believers (6:10) Probatio When Paul heard that the Galatian churches were being persuaded to follow a different gospel that emphasized the law and circumcision, he wrote a passionate appeal defending his authority as an apostle to the Gentiles, demonstrating the superiority of the faith principle over the law, and delineating the practical application of living in the freedom of grace in order to call the church back to the true gospel of grace through faith in Christ alone. Summary: Paul s Signature and Final Appeal Peroratio Epistolary Postscript: Benediction of Grace Postscript Ken Wilson 2017

Like a surgeon going after a malignant tumor that needs to be excised immediately, Paul preps his patients with a brief greeting in order to remind them of what's at stake: grace, peace, the gospel of Christ s redeeming death and miraculous resurrection, and the very glory of God. It means life or death for the churches in Galatia. Chuck Swindoll

Greeting Paul s authority (1-2) Paul s Gospel (3-5) Paul s prayer, praise, thanksgiving (?)

Paul's letter openings typically include four formal elements: an identification of the sender(s), an identification of the recipient(s), a grace and peace wish, and a thanksgiving. The first three are readily identifiable in verses 1-3. The fourth is absent. Douglas Moo

Greeting Paul, an apostle sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead and all the brothers and sisters with me, To the churches in Galatia: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Galatians 1:1-5

Paul s Message is Legitimate. Galatians 1:1-2

Legitimate Message Paul, an apostle sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead and all the brothers and sisters with me,... Galatians 1:1-5

Apostle (Αποστολος) An apostle is literally one sent from. In the New Testament an apostle is one who is commissioned by the resurrected Jesus and because of this carries the authority of Jesus with him as he or she delivers the particular message they have been given.

Tests of an Apostle Eyewitness to the Resurrection (Acts 1:21-26; 1 Cor. 9:1) Confirmation by Miracles (2 Cor. 12:12) Selection by the Risen Lord (Acts 9:3-6)

Paul therefore is probably making two slightly different points in these phrases: the ultimate source of his apostleship was not human; nor did he receive it from, or through, any [individual] human being. Douglas Moo

Christ s Death is Sufficient. Galatians 1:3-5

Sufficient Sacrifice... to the churches in Galatia: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Galatians 1:1-5

But these are no formal and meaningless terms. Although grace and peace are common monosyllables, they are pregnant with theological substance. In fact, they summarize Paul's gospel of salvation. The nature of salvation is peace, or reconciliation peace with God, peace with men, peace within. The source of salvation is grace, God's free favor, irrespective of any human merit or works, his loving-kindness to the undeserving. And this grace and peace flow from the Father and the Son together. John Stott

Salvation comes purely by grace and results in peace with God. That's the cause and effect of the gospel summed up in just two words. Chuck Swindoll

This language itself is rooted in the application of the Isaiah servant prophecies of Christ and his death. Isaiah 53 resembles Galatians 1:4 in portraying the servant as giving himself for sins at the will of the Lord. Douglas Moo

deliver, rescue (εξαιρέω) This word is only used once by Paul. It is used frequently in Acts and always indicates being rescued or delivered from a seriously dangerous situation or enemy. The greek version of the OT uses the word to describe Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being rescued from the fiery furnace of Nebuchadnezzar.

Paul uses the language of this age and the age to come (Eph. 1:21). This age is also designated as the present world age (1 Tim. 6:17), and believers are not to be conformed to this present age (Rom. 12:2) as Demas was (2 Tim. 4:10), for the world dominates the lives of unbelievers (Eph. 2:2). Believers have been granted to live the life of the age to come in the midst of the present age (Titus 2:12). Tom Schreiner

Perhaps without even re-dipping his pen, Paul turned from glorifying the Father for his marvelous grace to chastising the Galatians for their amazing apostasy. Chuck Swindoll

Warning The decision of the Galatians (6) The activity of the false teachers (7) The response of Paul (8-9)

Warning I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God s curse! Galatians 1:6-9

Apostasy is a Tragedy. Galatians 1:6-7a

Appalling Apostasy I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel which is really no gospel at all. Galatians 1:6-7a

astonished, amazed, shocked (θαυμάζω) This emotionally packed word is used of the reaction to something that is unexpected. In the New Testament it is used of the response to the miracles of Jesus or his knowledge of the scripture when he was twelve. When the Apostles s preaching in the early chapters of Acts was accompanied by signs and wonders, this is the response of the people. The response may include fear or simple astonishment.

turned, changed, apostatize (μετατίθημι) This word indicates a considered significant change of beliefs. It is used to describe a transfer of allegiance. In the army it is used of soldiers who desert or revolt. It is used of changing philosophical or political loyalty. In a religious sense the word is used of turning from the truth toward false teaching. In a technical sense it is used of apostasy.

Their departure was a decision to live in B.C. days when A.D. days had arrived. Scot McKnight

so quickly If Paul wrote Galatians some time during his stay in Antioch after the first missionary journey, it may have taken only a matter of weeks before the Galation Christians turn tail in the face of bullying from the Judaizers. Chuck Swindoll

Live in the grace of Christ God has decisively manifested himself in Christ, thus sidelining the law, and his saving work in Christ is completely a matter of grace, to which humans can only respond with faith, not works of any kind. The grace of Christ is the touchstone of Paul s argument against the Judaizers. Douglas Moo

Distortion is a Inevitable. Galatians 1:7b

Dangerous Distortion Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:7b

alter, pervert, distort (μεταστρέφαι) This is a word used to indicate a strong contrast or a radical change. This is the word use when Jesus changed water into wine. It is used of changing fresh water into salt water and turning feasting into mourning, and daylight into darkness.

Gospel of Christ (το ευανγγελιον του χριστου) This grammatical construction can be either a subjective genitive (the gospel is from Christ) or an objective genitive (the gospel is about Christ). Either can be true, both are true, and it is possible that Paul is using a double entendre to communicate that the gospel he is defending is both from Christ and about Christ.

This doctrine Paul simply will not tolerate. What? Add human merit to the merit of Christ and human works to the work of Christ? God forbid! The work of Christ is a finished work; and the gospel of Christ is a gospel of free grace. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, without any admixture of human works or merits. John Stott

Discipleship It doesn't take many years in ministry to discover that one of the characteristics of a new Christian is gullibility. If you're involved in escorting a person into the family of God, never forget how vulnerable that person remains for some time until he or she becomes grounded in the truth. Think of that new believer s spiritual life as a fragile seed freshly planted in soil. It takes time for the faith to take firm root and grow a strong stock and bear fruit. As older, more mature believers, we need to help them during this critical time. Chuck Swindoll

Passion is Appropriate. Galatians 1:8-9

Dangerous Distortion But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God s curse! Galatians 1:8-9

accursed, under God s curse, (ανάθεμα) This word is used to mean final destruction, damnation and condemnation. It is, obviously, a very harsh word and captures Paul s mood and tone. The word is actually cursing and it is on the verge of what we would call cussing. Paul s intensity is captured in the NET translation, let him be condemned to hell.

Paul repeats his anathema, perhaps to make clear that what he says in verse eight is not a momentary, irrational outburst but a carefully considered warning that needs to be taken with the greatest seriousness. Douglas Moo

The Gospel Truth: The truth of the gospel of grace is worthy of passionate protection.

Indeed, the churches greatest troublemakers (now as then) are not those outside who oppose, ridicule and persecute it, but those inside who try to change the gospel. John Stott

Application The Gospel is worth a passionate fight. Are you passionate about the gospel? The Gospel must be known well to see distortion. Can you present the gospel?

The Gospel The Gospel is Trinitarian. Pursuit: The grace of God Provision: The sacrifice of Christ Power: The enablement of the Holy Spirit The Gospel is two facts and an act (Acts 15:1-11). The death of Christ The resurrection of Christ The response of faith

The Gospel For God so loved the world He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Application The Gospel is worth a passionate fight. Are you passionate about the gospel? The Gospel must be known well to see distortion. Can you present the gospel? The Gospel changes the way we approach God. Are you performing or responding to grace?

The Gospel Truth: The truth of the gospel of grace is worthy of passionate protection.