The Epistle To The Galatians - Executable Outlines

1 The < strong >Epistlestrong > ToThe GalatiansA Study Guide With Introductory Comments,Summaries, < strong >Outlinesstrong > , And Review QuestionsMARK A. COPELANDThe < strong >Epistlestrong > To The GalatiansTable Of ContentsIntroduction3 Chapter One7 Chapter Two10 Chapter Three13 Chapter Four17 Chapter Five21 Chapter Six25 This study guide was developed in preparation for teaching adult Bible objectives for each section are usually things I plan to emphasize during have found that summarizing and outlining helps me to better understand the Wordof God. It is a practice I highly recommend to generally delete the answers to the review questions before printing the materialand giving it to the students.

2 But that you might know what answers were intendedby the questions, I have included them in these material is from , a web site containing sermon outlinesand Bible studies by Mark A. Copeland. Visit the web site to browse or downloadadditional material for church or personal < strong >Outlinesstrong > were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style. ToGod be the glory! < strong >Executablestrong > < strong >Outlinesstrong > , Copyright Mark A. Copeland, A. CopelandThe Book Of < strong >Galatiansstrong > 2 The < strong >Epistlestrong > To The GalatiansIntroductionAUTHORThe apostle Paul (1:1; 5:2).

3 This was the unanimous view of the early church, and even those moderncritics who challenge the authorship of many of the New Testament books concede that < strong >Galatiansstrong > istruly OF THE EPISTLED uring his first missionary journey (46-48 ), Paul together with Barnabas had the opportunity to establish several churches in the Roman province of Galatia (Ac 13:14-14:23). On his second trip(49-52 ), Paul and Silas visited them again (Ac 16:1-5).It wasn't long, however, before some Jewish Christians came in and began teaching that GentileChristians needed to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses (similar to what happened at Antiochof Syria, cf.)

4 Ac 15:1). In an effort to persuade the < strong >Galatiansstrong > , it appears the tactic was to discredit Paulas an apostle, challenge his concept of the gospel of Christ, and charge his doctrine with leading toloose AND PLACE OF WRITINGD ating < strong >Galatiansstrong > is affected by one's view of whether the churches of Galatia were located in the north central < strong >partstrong > of Asia Minor (ethnic Galatia), or in the south central < strong >partstrong > (the Roman province of Galatia).The "North Galatia Theory" maintains that the churches were in the north, and that Paul had notbeen there until the beginning of his third missionary journey (54-55 ; cf.

5 Ac 18:23). This wouldrequire that Paul wrote his < strong >Epistlestrong > sometime toward the end of that journey, or afterward ( , around57-58 or later).I subscribe to the "South Galatia Theory", which identifies the churches of Galatia as thoseestablished on Paul's first journey (cf. Ac 13:14-14:23). I also believe that the meeting described in Ga2:1-10 took place during the "Jerusalem Conference" related in Ac 15:1-29. This view opens severalpossibilities for the place and time of writing:wCorinth, in the period of Ac 18:1-17wAntioch, in the period of Ac 18:22wEphesus, in the period covered by Ac 19:1-41wMacedonia or Achaia in the period of Ac 20:1-3 Mark A.

6 CopelandThe Book Of < strong >Galatiansstrong > 3 With such uncertainty one cannot be dogmatic, but in view of Paul's lengthy stay in Ephesus, that wouldseem a likely possibility, and the date would be approximately OF THE EPISTLEThe churches in Galatia were being influenced by those who would "pervert the gospel of Christ"(1:6-7; cf. 3:1). Known as "Judaizing teachers", these individuals taught that Gentile Christians neededto be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses (cf. Ac 15:1). Paul recognized that this doctrine wouldjeopardize the salvation of those souls who accepted it (cf.)

7 5:4). Because the enemies of the truegospel were trying to support their case by undermining Paul's authority as an apostle of Christ, it wasnecessary to verify that he was truly an apostle "not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christand God the Father" (1:1). Therefore, Paul writes:TO VERIFY HIS APOSTLESHIPANDTHE GOSPEL OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH IN CHRISTB ecause of his outstanding defense of the gospel of Christ in which we have freedom from sin and theLaw, this < strong >Epistlestrong > has frequently been called "The Magna Carta Of < strong >christianstrong > Liberty."KEY VERSE: < strong >Galatiansstrong > 5:1"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and donot be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

8 "OUTLINEINTRODUCTION (1:1-10) (1-5) for the letter (6-10) 'S DEFENSE OF HIS APOSTLESHIP (1:11-2:21) DIVINE ORIGIN OF HIS GOSPEL (1:11-17) : His gospel received directly from God (1:11-12) pre- < strong >christianstrong > years, and conversion (1:13-17) RELATIONSHIP TO THE OTHER APOSTLES (1:18-2:21) first visit with Peter, and early years as a < strong >christianstrong > (1:18-24) council at Jerusalem (2:1-5) sanction by James, Cephas, and John (2:6-10) rebuke of Peter at Antioch (2:11-21) 's hypocrisy (2:11-13) speech to Peter, how we are justified by faith in Christ (2:14-21)Mark A. CopelandThe Book Of < strong >Galatiansstrong > 'S DEFENSE OF THE GOSPEL OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH (3:1-4:31) PERSONAL ARGUMENT (3:1-5) they received the Spirit (3:1-4) whom they received the Spirit (3:5) SCRIPTURAL ARGUMENT (3:6-25) example of Abraham (3:6-9) curse of the Law (3:10-14) priority of the Promise over the Law (3:15-18) purpose of the Law (3:19-25) PRACTICAL ARGUMENT (3:26-4:7) Christ they are one, as children of God, Abraham's seed, and heirs of the promise(3:26-29) from the law, and adopted as sons, they are no longer slaves, but heirs (4.)

9 1-7) SENTIMENTAL ARGUMENT (4:8-20) fears over their returning to bondage (4:8-11) past and present relationships to him (4:12-20) ALLEGORICAL ARGUMENT (4:21-31) allegory for those who desire to be under the Law (4:21-24a) of the two covenants; one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, and theother from the Jerusalem above which makes free (24b-31) CALL TO STAND FAST IN THE LIBERTY OF THE GOSPEL (5:1-6:10) LIBERTY THAT EXCLUDES THE NECESSITY OF CIRCUMCISION (5:1-6) not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage (5:1) means nothing; requiring it results in falling from grace (5:2-4) should wait for the hope of righteousness with faith working through love (5:5-6) LIBERTY THAT FULFILLS THE LAW (5:7-15) of those who would bind the Law (5:7-12) your liberty as an opportunity to serve one another with love, and you will fulfill theLaw (5:13-14) beware that you do not use it as an opportunity for the flesh in which you consume oneanother (5:13b,15) LIBERTY IN WHICH ONE IS TO BE LED BY THE SPIRIT (5:16-26) is not an excuse for license (5.

10 16-18) works of the flesh contrasted with the fruits of the Spirit (5:19-23) who are Christ's have crucified the flesh and are walking in the Spirit (5:24-26)Mark A. CopelandThe Book Of < strong >Galatiansstrong > LIBERTY WITH A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY (6:1-10) helping those with burdens (6:1-5) doing good to all, thus sowing to the Spirit (6:6-10)CONCLUSION (6:11-18) final rebuke to those who would bind circumcision (6:11-13) 's confidence in the cross of Christ (6:14-17) (6:18)REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION1)According to the "South Galatia Theory", on which journey did Paul establish thechurches in Galatia?