Galatians Intro

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO THE
GALATIANS
Galatians Intro
This letter contains 6 chapters and 149 verses and 3,084 words.
Two chapters a day will complete the letter in 3 days.
Author
Gal 6:11; 1:1
11Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with
mine own hand.
Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man,
but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised
him from the dead;)
Date
GALATIANS was probably the first letter written by Paul.
The Roman province of Galatia—organized in 25 B.C.—
included Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, which Paul
visited on his first missionary trip (Acts 13–14).
The date of the epistle is fairly uncertain. Writers’ conjectures
vary between

A.D. 51 and 58.
The book is written AFTER the council of Jerusalem,
which is apparent by the remarks in Galatians chapter 2.
It is certainly written more than fourteen years after Acts
chapter 9.
If Paul was saved in A.D. 36 (three years after the
Resurrection and Ascension), he wrote Galatians in A.D.
51 or
(if we count the “three years” of Gal. 1:18 as an addition to
the “fourteen” of Gal. 2:1) in A.D. 54.
Gal 1:18 Then after three years I went up to
Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen
days.
Gal 2:1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to
Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
Purposeof the Letter
This epistle is a defense of the gospel of the grace of God and its
redeeming power of salvation.
As Romans proves that a man is justified by faith for salvation,

the Book of Galatians proves that a man is justified by faith
AFTER salvation.
Romans is written to counteract the heresy of Acts 15:1.
Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from
Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be
circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be
saved.
Galatians plainly answers the false doctrines of Catholicism,
Seventh-day Adventism, and other Arminian groups as they first
appear in Acts 15:5.
Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the
Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to
circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of
Moses.
The Error of the Galatian Christians
was allowing another gospel to be proclaimed among them
prompted the righteous outburst in Gal 1:9-14.
Gal 1:9-14 9 As we said before, so say I now again,
If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that
ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I
now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please
men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the
servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that
the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I
taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For
ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the
Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted
the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in
the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own
nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the
traditions of my fathers.
Only one who had lived under the letter of the law, as Paul
(Saul) had and known the damning effects of self-
righteousness, could have been so opposed to this false
teaching.
The Judaizers
advocated that the works of the law supplement the gospel
of Jesus Christ, but this issue was already decided by the
Apostles in the special meeting of Acts 15.
The official decree declared that salvation is obtained by
grace through faith (Acts 15:9-11).
Acts 15:9-11 9 And put no difference between us
and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now
therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the
neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we
were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the
grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even
as they.

Gentile Legalists
have added many other works to supposedly verify salvation.
The common addition is the water baptism of Acts 2:38,
but the proponents of this Jewish water baptism advocate
different modes of baptism.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift
of the Holy Ghost.
Paul adamantly wrote that justification is not dispensed
through a wafer, water, or any other work (Gal 5:4; Eph
2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7) and all preachers who pervert the gospel
of the grace of Christ are accursed (Gal 1:6-9).
Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you,
whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are
fallen from grace.
Eph 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not
of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:4-7 4 But after that the kindness and love of
God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by

works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of
regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ
our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we
should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal
life.
Since God is saving men by His grace,
the teaching that man's deeds must supplement God's salvation
in order to make it complete- is heresy.
Any such teaching serves only to frustrate the grace of God (Gal
2:21).
Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if
righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Unique Notes in the Letter
This is the only epistle written by Paul not addressed to a
specific church but rather, to all the people and churches in a
specific region.
(1:2) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the
churches of Galatia

This is the only epistle which does not begin with an expression
of thanks to God for those he is addressing.
This is the only epistle which does not addressed any one as a
“saint” (Eph. 1:1) or as being
Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of
God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful
in Christ Jesus:
“in God” (1 Thess. 1:1) or
1Thess 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the
church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and
in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace,
from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
“of God” (1 Cor. 1:2).
1Cor 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth,
to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be
saints, with all that in every place call upon the name
of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
Because of this we will find verses in the epistle that are to
LOST people as well as to SAVED people. (Galatians 3:4;
5:4.)
Gal 3:4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it
be yet in vain.

Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you,
whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are
fallen from grace.
The word faith is used in some form twenty-three times in this
little epistle.
Body of the Letter
Paul likened those that preach
Another Gospel
(grace plus works) to the practice of witchcraft (Gal 3:1-5).
Gal 3:1-5 1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched
you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes
Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among
you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the
Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now
made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have ye suffered so many
things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 5 He therefore that
ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among
you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing
of faith?

The Law
placed one under a curse (Gal 3: 10), cannot justify (Gal 3:11),
sent Christ to the cross (Gal 3:13), showed men to be
transgressors (Gal 3:19), kept one in bondage (Gal 3:23) and
served to bring one to Christ (Gal 3:24).
Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are
under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that
continueth not in all things which are written in the
book of the law to do them.
Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the
sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the
law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is
every one that hangeth on a tree:
Gal 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added
because of transgressions, till the seed should come to
whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by
angels in the hand of a mediator.
Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the
law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be
revealed.
Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to
bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Obviously, those seeking to obtain or maintain salvation by
keeping the law have been deceived.
(Gal 3:13; Gal 3:25)
Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer
under a schoolmaster.
Allegorical Lesson
Chapter 4 presents an allegorical lesson. When God used
parables, He said so.
This is the only Biblical passage identified by the Holy Spirit as
an allegory.
Many would teach that the Bible is not to be taken literally
but when the Lord intended for something to be taken
figuratively, he said so; otherwise the text is literal.
Nine Contrasts
used in the allegory of Galatians 4:
1. Isaac versus Ishmael

2. Sarah versus Hagar
3. Mt. Zion versus Mt. Sinai
4. New Jerusalem versus earthly Jerusalem
5. The freewoman versus the bondwoman
6. One born after the promise versus one born after the flesh
7. The new testament versus the old testament
8. The children of promise versus the children of bondage
9. Grace versus law
These all point to the contrast between the saved child of God
and the Jew under the law.
Admonition to those not Deceived:
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us
free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage (Gal
5:1).
Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ
hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the
yoke of bondage.
The chapter is a call to consider
the true nature of law-keeping.

It raises the question, "Do you really understand the law?
You could not keep it before you met Jesus, so what makes
you think you can keep it now?"
In the latter portion of this chapter we see that one who lives
under grace is enabled to live a better spiritual life than one who
seeks to abide by the letter of the law (Gal 5:16-26).
Gal 5:16-26 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and
ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh
lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh:
and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye
cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of
the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of
the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry,
witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness,
revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I
have also told you in time past, that they which do such
things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance:
against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's
have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If
we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let
us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another,
envying one another.

ConcludingRemarks
Even the concluding remarks in this epistle carry a tone of
anger.
The Lord rebukes those who seek to add legalism to
salvation by pointing out that they do not keep the law they
seek to bind upon others (Gal 6:12-13; 15).
Gal 6:12-13 12 As many as desire to make a fair
shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be
circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution
for the cross of Christ. 13 For neither they themselves
who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have
you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision
availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new
creature.
God's purpose in savingus.
Galatians shows God's purpose in saving us.
God saved us to restore us to
fellowship
with Him.

We are not saved so that we can be taken to heaven for had
this been God's purpose, we would be there.
The extent to which we enjoy fellowship with God depends
upon the measure of our conformity to the image of His Son.
The Life of Liberty in The Spirit
(Gal 2:19) (Gal 2:20) (Gal 3:3) (Gal 4:9) (Gal 5:1) (Gal 5:24)
(Gal 6:14)
Gal 2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I
might live unto God.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live;
yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now
live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who
loved me, and gave himself for me.
Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are
ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Gal 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather
are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and
beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in
bondage?

Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ
hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the
yoke of bondage.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh
with the affections and lusts.
Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the
cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is
crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
A Christian will I allow the Holy Spirit to control his life, yet he
remain free.
When he again takes control of his life (even for seemingly
God-honoring motives) he loses Liberty and becomes Entangled
again.
Paul declares:
I have been crucified with Christ
but so, have my affections and lusts.
Galatians also presents
Five Aspects of The Crucifixion:
I am crucified with Christ (Gal 2: 20).

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I
live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life
which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the
Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified (Gal 3:
1).
Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you,
that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes
Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified
among you?
They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh (Gal 5:24).
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the
flesh with the affections and lusts.
The world is crucified unto me (Gal 6:14).
Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in
the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world
is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
And I unto the world (Gal 6:14).
Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in
the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world
is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Quick Reference
Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are
ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Gal 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I
tell you the truth?
Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when
he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for
whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Galatians Intro

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Galatians Intro