An Overview of Galatians- The Blessed and Pure Foundation

Outline

Introduction

Founding documents

Background of Galatians

Paul is the author of Galatians (1:1)

Paul is writing to all of the churches in the region of Galatia probably around the year 47-48 AD; roughly 1 year before the Jerusalem council.

First letter of Paul and possibly the first letter of the NT written.

Main Point of Galatians

The main point of Galatians is to define and defend the Gospel as defined as being justified with God on the basis of Christ’s righteousness alone through faith alone.

The Gospel is used a total of 13x’s

6x’s in Ch.1

5x’s in Ch. 2

1x in Ch.3

1x in Ch.4

The Gospel is summarized 4 times

1:3-5

1:15-16

2:19-21

4:3-9

The Gospel is also swapped with...

The grace of Christ (1:6; 2:9)

Him (Christ) (1:16)

The faith (1:23)

The blessing of Abraham (3:14)

The Truth (4:16; 5:7)

Why should we study Galatians?

The Gospel is the only means of salvation

By faith alone

Faith is used 22x’s in the book of Galatians and 12 of those times it is directly used to discuss how one’s righteous standing before God is by/through/with/in faith in Christ.

(1:23; 2:16x2; 2:20; 3:2; 3:5; 3:7; 3:8; 3:9x2; 3:11; 3:12; 3:14; 3:22; 3:23x2; 3:24; 3:25; 3:26; 5:5; 5:6; 6:10)

We must believe in the Gospel and be able to proclaim the Gospel

There are 14 times in the book off the Galatians that Paul directly references how the Gospel is preached, proclaimed, or taught.

(1:8; 1:9; 1:11; 1:16; 1:23; 2:5; 2:9; 3:2; 3:5; 3:8; 4:13; 4:16; 5:11; 6:6)

Romans 10:10–15 ESV

For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

The Foundation of Christianity

The means by which we were called is the means by which we continue

We continue by faith

(2:20; 3:3; 5:6; 5:16; 5:18; 5:25)

Ephesians 2:20–22 ESV

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Ephesians 4:11–14 ESV

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Matthew 16:18 ESV

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

1 Corinthians 3:11 ESV

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

We are called to protect and contend for the faith

(1:8-9; 2:4; 5:1; 5:10-12; 6:15-16)

Jude 3 ESV

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

1 Timothy 3:15 ESV

if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.