Galatians

Paul's first missionary journey covered the island of Cyprus and the southern region of Galatia, which included Antioch (not to be confused with the Antioch in Syria, the home base of the early missionaries), Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. This letter therefore addressed believers living in these cities which Paul preached and planted churches.

Following closely behind the heels of the apostle were the Jewish legalists, hijacking and undoing what Paul was trying to accomplish, by replacing the gospel of justification by faith with a gospel of works through observance of the law. As a former Pharisee of the strictest sect, Paul knew the futility of keeping the law to earn salvation. When he heard what happened in these churches, he wasted no time in writing this letter to correct the Gentile believers who were misled and deceived by these proselyting Judaizers.

Though Christianity has its basis in the Old Testament, Judaism was never meant to be the bedrock of the Christian faith, but only a type that points to the Rock of Salvation—Christ. Being well-versed in the law, Paul aptly used his knowledge of the law to build his argument in defense of faith in the finished work of Christ.

While believers are no longer under the law, this newfound liberty is no license for lawlessness, as the legalists wrongly inferred. The solution is not to give up that freedom and come under the bondage of the law; rather, through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Christian can enjoy this freedom by obeying Christ's commandment of love.

5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works through love.

OUTLINE OF GALATIANS

1. Introduction (1:1-9)
        a. Greetings  (1:1-5)
        b. Reason for Writing (1:6-9)
2. Proof of the Apostle's Authority (1:7-2:21)
        a. His Calling in the Gospel  (1:10-12)
        b. His Conversion Experience (1:13-24)
        c. His Commissioning (2:1-10)
        d. His Confrontation with Peter (2:11-14)
        e. His Personal Conviction (2:15-21)
3. Proof of the Gospel's Superiority (3:1-4:31)
        a. Natures of the Gospel and the Law  (3:1-29)
        The Spirit vs the Flesh
        Abraham's Example – Faith not Works
        Basis of Justification – Faith not the Law
        b. Comparisons of the Gospel and the Law  (4:1-31)
        Not under the Law but under Grace
        Heirs by Grace not by the Law
        Law and Grace Mutually Exclusive
4. Proof of the Believer's Liberty (5:1-6:10)
        a. The Law of Christian Liberty  (5:1-26)
        Stand Fast in this Privilege
        Love One Another through Practical Ways
        Walk in the Power of the Spirit
        b. The Practice of Christian Liberty (6:1-10)
        Bear Each Other's Burdens
        Persevere in Charity
5. Conclusion (6:11-18)
        a. Jews' Boasting in Circumcision  (6:11-13)
        b. Paul's Boasting in Christ (6:14-18)