An Overview of the Book of Galatians

Last month I started writing a series of posts from the book of Galatians. I was dealing with subjects such as "Only One Gospel", "No Flesh is Justified by the Law", and "False Gospels". I started writing posts on the book of Galatians because students where I attend church will be Bible quizzing on the book of Galatians. They'll also be quizzing on Ephesians, Phillippians, Colossians, and Philemon. I felt it would be appropriate to write posts on the themes that highlight Galatians. I'm certain I'll be writing posts about the other books just mentioned as well. Before starting the series of posts, I didn't present an overview on the book of Galatians. I feel it would be appropriate for me to do so. It will give you blog readers an idea about what Galatians contains and what was the purpose of it. That's what I'm going to take the time to do right now. I have a quick note I just want to mention. I'll be starting a series of posts probably next week on Revelation chapters 2 and 3. I will be delving into the subject of the seven churches. I will give an overview on both chapters and then I'll individually write about each individual church that Jesus addressed and what historical significance each of those churches possess. Stay tuned for these upcoming posts.

Galatians is an epistle written by the Apostle Paul written possibly around 55 or 60 A.D. It was addressed to the churches in Asia Minor. The themes of this book are a defense of the Doctrine of Justification by Faith, and warnings against reversion to Judaism and a vindication of Paul's apostleship. This epistle has been called by some writers as THE MAGNA CHARTA OF THE CHURCH. The primary argument is in favor of Christian liberty in opposition to the teachings of the Judaizers. These false teachers were promoting that the ceremonial law was an essential part of the plan of salvation. They were also promoting the doctrine of circumcision to the Gentile believers saying they needed to be circumcised. There are four parts to this epistle.

Part I. The salutation and introduction. Chapter 1:1-9.

Part II. A narrative of Paul's experiences in support of his claim of true apostleship. (1) The gospel which he preached came directly by Revelation through Jesus Christ,while he himself was a zealous Jew persecuting the church. (Ch. 1:10-16). (2) For years he was away from the church at Jerusalem and labored independently of the other apostles. (Ch. 1:17-23) (3) The church at Jerusalem endorsed his apostleship, and work among the Gentiles. (Ch.2:7-10) (4) He had not hesitated to rebuke Peter, Barnabas, and other Christian Jews, when he saw that they were yielding to ritualistic tendencies. (Ch. 2:11-14)

Part III. Paul's Defense of the Doctrine of Justification by Faith apart from the Works of the Law. (1) By showing the folly of Christians, Jews abandoning their new faith and light, and returning to the old legalism. (Ch. 2:15-21) (2) By appealing to the former spiritual experience of the Galatians (Ch. 3:1-5) (3) By showing that Abraham was justified by faith. (Ch. 3:6-9). (4) By showing that the law had no redeeming power, but brought a curse upon the disobedient, from which Christ redeemed believers. (Ch. 3:10-14) (5) By proving that the law could not disannul the covenant of salvation by faith. (Ch. 3:15-18) (6) By indicating the purpose of the law as a schoolmaster to prepare the way for Christ. (Ch. 3:19-25) (7) By showing the losses of those who surrender their faith in Christ, and relapse into legalism. (a) They lose the blessing of their inheritance as children of God. (b) They have lost the sense of appreciation for labors performed in their behalf. (c) They are in danger of becoming the children of Abraham after the flesh, instead of the children of promise. (d) They not only lose their spiritual liberty, but make Christ's sacrifice of no avail for them.

Part IV. Warnings, Instructions, and Exhortations.
(1) Warnings in regard to false teachers, and the misuse of liberty. (Ch. 5:7-13)
(2) Exhortations concerning the spiritual life.

(a) The conflict between the flesh and Spirit (Ch. 5:17-18)
(b) The works of the flesh which exclude from the kingdom of God. (Ch. 5:19-21)
(c) The fruits of the Spirit which should be manifest in Christian life. (Ch. 5:22-26)

(3) The characteristics of the spiritual life.

(a) Charitableness, and burden bearing. (Ch. 6:1,2)
(b) Humility, self-examination, self-reliance, and benevolence. (Ch. 6:3-6)
(c) The law of sowing and reaping holds good in the moral realm. (Ch. 6:7-9)

(4) The contrast between the doctrine of false teachers and that of Paul. The former, glory in ceremonial rites and the markes in the flesh; the latter, in the cross, and the marks of the Lord Jesus. (Ch. 6:12-17)