THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE
GALATIANS
O U T L I N E
Purpose of the book. Galatians was Written to correct two errors: (1) the Law is needed for Justification and (2) for a holy life. The second of these is most common today.
Carefulness concerning evil doctrine. Compare with 1 Corinthians to see how serious we need to be about evil Doctrine. Evil Doctrine is warned of in:
- 2 John – concerning the person of Christ
- Galatians – concerning the work of Christ.
Acts, Romans, Galatians develop the gospel. Truth in Galatians is individual, just like Romans.
- In Acts Paul is preaching the Gospel.
- In Romans Paul is teaching the gospel.
- In Galatians Paul is defending the gospel.
Galatians compared to Ephesians. The Epistle to the Galatians never takes up the standing of the Church properly. It doesn’t go beyond the inheritance of promise. The blessings of Galatians are certain privileges that we share in common with every saint. for example: Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. We too believe and are justified. on a basic level, faith has the same blessings at all times; i.e. justification from sins. We christians are children of promise, entering into the portion of faith as past saints have done before us, although we have them in a greater way, such as being “in Christ”, etc. But it does not rise up to the level of Ephesians, where God is bringing out brand new, heavenly privileges. If we take our doctrine only from the epistle to the galatians, we might get the idea that christians are no more than “graduated” old testament saints. that is why we need the truth of Ephesians along with Galatians. if we read both we see this double truth:
- Galatians – The community of blessing throughout all dispensations
- Ephesians – the special privileges that result from the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.
Setting. Written within 5 years of Paul’s bringing the Gospel to them, Acts 16:6. The error had come in through the efforts of Judaizing teachers, false brethren.
Judaizing teachers are mentioned in many of the Epistles: they had made inroads among the Corinthians (II Cor. 11:22), the Philippians (Phil. 3:2), the Colossians (Col. 2:18), but nowhere with as much success as among the Galatian assemblies.
Lines of truth in various epistles.
| – | – | – | Seated |
| – | – | Raised | Raised |
| – | – | Quickened | Quickened |
| – | Buried | Buried | – |
| Dead | Dead | Dead | – |
| Crucified | Crucified | – | – |
| Galatians | Romans | Colossians | Ephesians |
In Romans you get “in Christ” (Rom. 8:1) but it is only in the negative sense – what the position saves you from. But in Ephesians it is the positive side (Eph. 1:3) – what the position brings us into. In Romans you get “dead” in the aspect of “dead to sin” or separated from sin as to be no longer affected by its action. But in Colossians it is “dead with Christ” in a personal way.
In Romans you get “in Christ” (Rom. 8:1) but it is only in the negative sense – what the position saves you from. But in Ephesians it is the positive side (Eph. 1:3) – what the position brings us into. In Romans you get “dead” in the aspect of “dead to sin” or separated from sin as to be no longer affected by its action. But in Colossians it is “dead with Christ” in a personal way.
References:
- Smith, Hamilton. The Epistle to the Galatians: an Expository Outline. E.I.D. Reid.
- Hole, Frank B. Galatians to Philemon. Scripture Truth Publications, 2007.
- Kelly, William. Lectures on the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians: with a New Translation. Books for Christians, 1973.
- Darby, J. N. Synopsis of the Books of the Bible. G. Morrish, 1940.