GALATIANS BIBLE - UNDERSTANDING PAUL'S THEOLOGY AND THINKING

I. KEY QUESTIONS IN PAUL’S THEOLOGY OF GRACE

A. QUESTION 1: What is the nature of the true gospel?

B. QUESTION 2: How does Christ fit into the drama of redemption?

1. Adamic Theology and Its Significance

a. The First Adam and Slaves to Sin

Slavery and all acts of sin are marks of remaining affects of sin

Galatians 4:3 ESV

In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.

Galatians 4:8–9 ESV

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

Romans 6:20 ESV

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

b. 2. The Last Adam and Slaves to Righteousness

Slavery and all acts of obedience are marks of New Creation in Christ

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

C. QUESTION 3: What is the Redemptive Historical nature of Gospel by Grace?

A. The Nature of Sacrifice

B. The Distinction of Law/Gospel

D. QUESTION 4: What are the Implications of the Gospel of Grace to Individuals and Community?

II. THE INTERPRETIVE FRAMEWORK OF UNDERSTANDING PAUL’S THEOLOGY OF GRACE

A. The Driving Thoughts:

1. The Value and Worth of man is found only in the grace of God that is our through Christ, unmerited

2. Grace Reconstitutes us into being True Humanity by making Us What We Were Created

a. The First Adam: Our eternal relationship with God could be changed because of sin

Access to the tree of life was removed

b. Second Adam: Our relationship with God cannot be changed because of sin

Romans 5:14-17 -

Romans 5:14–17 ESV

Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:54-57 -

1 Corinthians 15:54–57 ESV

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

B. Defining Framework

1. Union with Christ and Community by and through Participation: Paul’s Teaching of A Theology of the Cross

a. Co crucifixion: The Christian’s Active Participation in Modeling the Willing and Intentional Death of Christ in Their Own willing and Intentional Death to Self (Self-Denial)

i. What Does This Look Like Individually

1 Cor 9:24-27-

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 ESV

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

2. Framework 2: Union with Christ and Community by and through Participation: Paul’s Teaching of A Theology of the Grace

a. Co Resurrection: The Christian’s Active Participation in Embodying the Sin-shattering and Sin forgiving Love of Christ by demonstrating the Willing and Intentional Sacrificial Love of God In and Through Their Love for Others

i. What does this look like Individually?

- Personally Working to Display Humility before God and Man

Philippians 2:5-8:

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

- Personally Seeking Christ and His Life Continually

Colossians 3:1-4-

Colossians 3:1–4 ESV

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

ii. What does this look like Communally?

Galatians 5:13-15-

Galatians 5:13–15 ESV

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Galatians 6 1-2

Galatians 6:1–2 ESV

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6 8-10

Galatians 6:8–10 ESV

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Philippians 2:3-4 -

Philippians 2:3–4 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Romans 13 8-10

Romans 13:8–10 ESV

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Romans 12:3-21-

Using our gifts (12:3-8)

Genuine love (12:9-10)

Outdoing one-another in honor (12:10)

Contribute to the needs of the saints (12:13)

Be at peace with one-another and do not condemn (12:14, 19-21)

Rejoice and weep together in unity (12:15)

Do not treat people as less than yourself (12:16)

Romans 14-16:

Do not wound the conscience of the weaker brother

C. The Fruit of the Framework: Honor, Worth and Truly Human

1. How Is Honor, Worth and Being Truly Human the Fruits of this Framework?

a. The gospel has redefined honor, worth and truly human to be the result of the Christ -Gift (Grace) and not Merit

b. Therefore, growth in this grace demands a constant battle with seeing true honor, true value and true humanity as being in Christ and actively participating in His death and resurrection.

c. Therefore, my true value and, as a consequence, my way to battle against remaining effects of sin is found in this two-fold passionate, intentional pursuit:

i. Love for the Lord

ii. Love for His saints and sinners

- True and genuine honor, worth, value and humanity is only found in the loss or giving away of self. This is what it means to embody the Christ-Event

Phil 2:8-11-

Philippians 2:8–11 ESV

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

d. Therefore, when we embody the Christ-Gift (Christ-Story) two things will continually happen without fail and will create an EMBASSY of Heaven that Is Attractive and Transformational

- We are valued: We Are Served and Honored by Others (honor)

- We add Value: We Serve and Outdo Others In Honor (honor and gifts)