Paul’s Letter to the Galatians

1. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians By: Zoila Rivera and Kristen Henning

2. Background • Author: Paul the Apostle • Written around 54 A.D. • sent to Galatians and other Gentile converts in Galatia and Asia Minor

3. Situational Details • Judaizers claimed that in order to be perfect Christians • Converts must be circumcised and • Follow the Law of Moses • Judaizers desired the approval of non-Jews

4. Structure of the Letter • Chapters 1 and 2: Paul’s biography • Chapters 3 and 4: emphasizes the necessity of faith in Christ • Chapters 5 and 6: defines the source and nature of: • Our freedom in Christ • Life in the Spirit

5. Key themes • Defense of the True Gospel • Man can be put into a right relationship with God by faith in Christ alone • Unity of believers in 3 ways: • All are the same before God despite social status, nationality, and the time in which we lived • Liberty • Our liberty is from the works of the Law as the means of gaining favor with God

6. Summary of chapter 1 • Paul introduces himself in the greeting and states that he was not sent by man, but through Jesus and God the Father. • Key verse: 1:11-12 • For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. • Then explains his former life as Saul and explains his conversion by God

7. Summary of chapter 2 • Paul defends his Gospel in Jerusalem • Explains that he, Barnabas, and Titus did not subject to those who wanted to arrest them so that the message of Jesus can go out to the people • Key Verses 2:19-21 • For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer who I live, but Christ lives in me; life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly

8. Summary of chapter 3 • Paul explains that faith brings righteousness by asking the audience if they heard with faith when they received the Spirit by the works of the Law • Says that people of faith are descendants of Abraham • the faithful are blessed with Abraham the believer • Explains that the Law was the tutor that lead to Christ so that the believers may be justified by faith • Key verses 3:26-29 • States that all are one within Jesus Christ and that if they belong to Christ then they are heirs according to the promise

9. Summary of chapter 4 • Preaches freedom as Children of God • 4:4-5 ; But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law that we might receive the adoption as sons • Also preaches that they, like Isaac from the Old Testament, are children of promise.

10. Summary of chapter 5 • If one goes through circumcision, then Christ is not of benefit to them, as they must then follow the whole Law • If one walks by the Spirit, they will not carry out the temptation they feel in the flesh • If lead by the Spirit, one is not under the Law • Key Verse 5:22-23 • States that the fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control

11. Summary of chapter 6 • If one is trespassing on the other, help restore the trespasser’s spirit to one of gentleness • Each person will bear their own load • Key Verse: Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap • One who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption • Those who sows to the Holy Spirit will reap eternal life