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BIBLE STUDY on the book of Galatians

Lesson # 1 Introduction

I will do the Galatians Commentary similar to my other Commentaries . . . in that I will bring the verse or verses in the KJV, followed by what it is saying to me. What I write will be a personal comment, it is NOT Scripture.

After Paul visited the Galatians, the Judaizers had followed him and the churches were listening to them. Paul wrote this letter to counteract the Judaizers false message and to clearly state the True Gospel.

Paul visited the Galatian churches on each of his three missionary journeys. There is no mention in the epistle of another visit to the churches. This letter was apparently Paul’s last word to these churches, written after he had visited them on his third missionary journey.

In the Book of Acts we read that the Galatians wanted to make Paul a god one day, and the next day they stoned him (Acts.14:11, 19). The Epistle to the Galatians has a particular message for us because it was written to people who were like us in many ways. They had a like temper, and they were plagued on every side by innumerable cults (false religions) which attempt to remove us from our true anchor which is only in the Gospel of grace. BEWARE of the multitude Satanic smooth talking FALSE preachers in today’s world! . . . http://www.worldlychaos.org/w_c_1_false_teachers.1.htm

# 1. It is a stern, severe, and solemn message. Paul does not correct conduct in the Galatian Epistle as he does in the Corinthian letters, but it is corrective. The Galatian believers were in serious danger because the foundations of their faith were being attacked . . . everything was threatened. Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: [7] Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. [8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. [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. (KJV) . . . The letter contains no word of commendation, praise, or thanksgiving. There is no request for prayer, and there is no mention of their standing in Christ. No one with him is mentioned by name. If you compare this letter with the other Pauline epistles, you will see the difference.

#2. In this Letter, the heart of Paul the apostle is laid bare, and there is deep emotion and strong feeling. This is his fighting epistle . . . he is ready for war. He has no tolerance for legalism. Someone has said that the Epistle to the Romans comes from the head of Paul while the Epistle to the Galatians comes from the heart of Paul.

#3. This epistle is a declaration of freedom from legalism of ANY type. Legalists do not spend much time with Galatians. It is a rebuke to them. This was Martin Luther’s favorite epistle. This is the Letter that moved John Wesley. He came to America as a missionary to the Indians. But he made a startling discovery. He said, “I came to America to convert Indians, but who is going to convert John Wesley?” He went back to London, England, and was converted.

#4. Galatians is the strongest declaration and defense of the doctrine of justification by faith in or out of Scripture. It is God’s argument on behalf of the most vital Truth of the Christian faith against any attack. Not only is a sinner saved by grace through faith plus nothing, but the saved sinner lives by grace. Grace is the way TO life and the way OF life.

OUTLINE
I. Introduction, - - - Chapter 1:1–10
A. Greeting, Chapter 1:1–5
B. No Other Gospel, Chapter 1:6–10

II. Personal - - - Authority of the Apostle and Glory of the Gospel, Chapters 1:11–2:14
A. Paul’s Calling and Receiving Gospel Was By God, Chapter 1:11–24
B. Paul with the Apostles in Jerusalem, Chapter 2:1–10
C. Paul in Antioch with Peter, Chapter 2:11–14

III. Doctrinal - - - Justification by Faith, Chapters 2:15–4:31
Faith vs. Works, Liberty vs. Bondage
A. Justification by Faith - - - Doctrine Stated, Chapter 2:15–21
B. Justification by Faith - - - Experience of Galatians, Chapter 3:1–5
C. Justification by Faith - - - Illustration of Abraham, Chapters 3:6–4:18
D. Justification by Faith - - - Parable of Hagar and Sarai, Chapter 4:19–31

IV. Practical - - - Sanctification by the Spirit, Chapters 5:1–6:10
Spirit vs. Flesh, Liberty vs. Bondage
A. Saved by Faith and Living by Law Means Falling from Grace, Chapter 5:1–15
B. Saved by Faith and Walking in the Spirit Produces Fruit of the Spirit, Chapter 5:16–26
C. Saved by Faith and Fruit of the Spirit Reveals Christian Character, Chapter 6:1–10

V. Autographed Conclusion, Chapter 6:11–18
A. Paul’s Handwriting, Chapter 6:11
B. Paul’s Testimony, Chapter 6:12–18
1. Cross of Christ vs. Circumcision, Chapter 6:12–15
2. Christ’s Handwriting on Paul’s Body, Chapter 6:16–18

The churches in Galatia were formed partly of converted Jews, and partly of Gentile converts as was usually the case. Paul declares his apostolic character and the doctrines that he taught, that he might confirm the Galatian churches in the faith of Christ, especially with the regard to justification by faith alone. The subject - - - “Justification By Faith Alone” is the same as he discussed in his letter to the Romans. But, in this letter to the Galatians, particular attention is focused on - - - justification by faith without the works of the Law of Moses.

Paul wrote this letter as a protest against the corruption of the Gospel of Christ. The fundamental Truth of justification by faith - - - rather than justification by works of the Law had been obscured by the Judaizers’ insisting that a believer MUST keep the Law if they ever wanted to be perfect before God. When Paul learned that “justification by works” was penetrating the Galatian churches, and that it had alienated them from the Truth, he wrote this fiery protest in this letter.

KEY VERSES IN GALATIANS

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (KJV)
Galatians 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. (KJV)
Galatians 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. (KJV)
Galatians 4:5-6 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. [6] And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (KJV)
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (KJV)

Book of Galatians

Ch.1 . Ch.2 . Ch.3 . Ch.4 . Ch.5 . Ch.6

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