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GALATIANS
The questions `Where is Galatia?', `What cities did the apostle visit?',
`When was the epistle to the Galatians written?' have been considered in the
article entitled Chronology, Acts and Epistles, in Part 1, and evidence has
been provided to show that this epistle was the first written by the apostle
Paul.
The opening words sound like the challenge of one entering the arena.
`Paul, an apostle not of men,
neither by man,
But by Jesus Christ'.
The relationship of Galatians with the remaining epistles of Paul,
written during the Acts, will be seen set out in the article mentioned above.
Assuming that the reader is acquainted with these introductory studies,
we now turn our attention to the epistle itself.
Galatians as a whole
A
1 to 2:14. The apostle's authority. `Though an angel from heaven'.
Faith a
Jerusalem
Bondage.
v.
b
Circumcision not compelled.
Works
c
Persecution for the gospel.
B 2:15 to 4:12.
d
I am crucified with Christ.
Cross
e
Not I but Christ.
v.
f
Redeemed from curse.
Law
g
Covenant and Adoption.
A
4:13 to 6:13.
The apostle's infirmity. `As an angel of God'.
Spirit a
Jerusalem
Free.
v.
b
Circumcision availeth nothing.
Flesh
c
Persecution for the cross.
B 6:14 -16.
d
I am crucified to the world.
Cross
e
Not circumcision: but new creature.
v.
f
Peace.
World
g
Israel of God.
A
6:17,18.
The apostle's marks in his body.
Grace
and
Benediction and sign manual (see 2 Thess. 3:17,18).
Spirit
The great controversy that shook the Galatian Church and which called
forth this vehement epistle revolved around the question of justification,
whether it was by faith, or works, or a blend of both.
We might have thought that this mighty theme would meet us at the very
forefront of the epistle, but it is not so. One whole chapter and a part of
the second is occupied in establishing the absolute independence and authority
of the apostleship of Paul, so important to all subsequent teaching, and so
important to a correct appreciation of dispensational truth this apostleship of
Paul really is. The first chapter therefore can be set out as follows:
A
1:1 -5.
Paul's apostleship
Not from men.
Neither through man.