bible_galatian
PAUL’S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS
OUTLINE
by Ray Shelton
I. Introduction (1:1-10)
A. Salutation (1:1-5)
B. The occasion of the letter (1:6-10)
II. Paul’s Gospel (1:11-2:21)
A. Is of divine origin (1:11-17)
B. Not received from the apostles (1:18-24)
C. Accepted by the church (2:1-10)
D. Applied in the conflict with Peter (2:11-21)
III. Paul’s Doctrine of Justification (3:1–4:31)
A. Doctrinal Issue: Faith or Works (3:1-5)
B. The Blessing of the Faith of Abraham (3:6-9)
C. The Curse of the Works of the Law (3:10-14)
D. The Promise of the Abrahamic covenant (3:15-18)
E. The function of the law (3:19-22)
F. Sonship versus slavery (3:23–4:7)
1. The position of a son (3:23-29)
2. The meaning of sonship (4:1-10)
G. Appeal against a return to bondage (4:8-31)
1. Personal appeal (4:11-20)
2. Allegory of Hagar (4:21-31)
IV. Paul’s Doctrine of Christian Freedom (5:1–6:10)
A. Christian Freedom threatened by legalism (5:1-12)
1. Declaration of Christian Freedom (5:1)
2. Danger of Circumcision (5:2-12)
B. Christian Freedom and love (5:13–6:10)
1. Freedom is not license but love (5:13)
2. Love fulfills the law (5:14-15)
3. Spirit versus the flesh (5:16-25)
a. Spirit and flesh are opposed to each other (5:16-18)
b. Works of the flesh (5:19-21)
c. Fruit of the Spirit (5:22-23)
d. Christ’s have crucified the flesh (5:24)
e. Exhortation to walk in the Spirit (5:25)
4. Practical life of love (5:26–6:10)
V. Conclusion: Postscript in Paul’s Hand (6:11-18)
A. Circumcision and the Cross (6:11-17)
B. Benediction (6:18)