Galatians was written to the churches of Galatians which were
primarily Gentile. They had been convinced that besides
accepting Christ, they needed to also keep the law of Moses.
Paul advances three main arguments against this: chapters 1-2
show from his personal history that his gospel came from God;
chapters 3-4 show from the Old Testament that justification by
faith in Christ was God's plan all along; and chapters 5-6 show
that only faith in Christ allows a person to live righteously.
Read the following:
1:1-12 the different gospel
vv. 8-9 the curse
v. 12 the origin of Paul's gospel
2:11-21 Paul's confrontation with Peter
v. 16 justified not by works of law
v. 20 crucified with Christ
3:10-14 curse of the law
v. 13 Christ became a curse for us
3:23-4:7 the custodian and the child
v. 27 baptized into Christ
v. 28 one in Christ
v. 4 fulness of time
5:1-25 the argument from practical Christian Living
v. 3 bound to keep whole law
v. 4 fallen away from grace
vv. 19-21 works of the flesh
vv. 22-23 fruit of the Spirit
6:11-15 Paul's personal postscript in his own handwriting
Briefly answer the following questions on another sheet of paper
for homework. Be sure to put your name on it.
What does Paul say the different gospel that the Galatians
were turning to really was?
What does Paul say should happen to him if he should change
and preach a different gospel?
When Cephas refused to eat with Gentiles any more at Antioch,
who did he influence to do the same that surprized Paul?
What curse are people under who try to be saved by doing the
works of the law?
As long as an heir is a child, he is no better than what?
Although in Christ, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is
of value, what is?
Bonus: Christians are not to use their freedom for what?
