Outline of Galatians

Donald R. Foose
Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Fairborn, Ohio

  1. Introduction.
    1. Why is Galatians important?
      1. Galatians shows justification is by faith not works.
      2. Galatians defines the Covenant of Grace and Law.
      3. Galatians clarifies true Liberty which opposes license and legalism.
      4. Galatians pinpoints that local churches are the pillar and ground of the truth (I Timothy 3:15 ).
      5. Galatians vindicates that Christianity is all of grace, and this grace is:
        1. Loving Grace.
        2. Omniscient Grace.
        3. Omnipotent Grace.
        4. Holy Grace.
    2. To whom was Galatians written?
      1. To all churches in all ages.
      2. To specifically the churches of Galatia .
        1. Galatia is in northern central Asia Minor ( Turkey ).
        2. Galatian churches are described in Acts 16:1-6, 18:23 ; I Corinthians 16:1 with Acts 20:4.
    3. When was Galatians written?
      1. No one is sure.
      2. After Jerusalem Council of Acts 15:1 because of Galatians 2:1.
      3. Some think 52 A.D., others think 57 A.D.
    4. Why was Galatians written?
      1. To silence Judaizers.
        1. Compare Acts 15.
        2. To free Christians from legalism symbolized by the act of circumcision.
      2. Paul makes clear that the church is under a New Covenant – Grace, not Law!
        1. Ephesians 2:11-22.
        2. Romans 2:25-29.
    5. Who wrote Galatians? – Paul (Galatians 1:1)
    6. Key verse: 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
    7. General Outline of Galatians:
      1. Chapter 1 – Grace of God in His church.
      2. Chapter 2 – Grace of God to the gentiles.
      3. Chapters 3-4 – Grace of God in the covenants.
      4. Chapters 5-6 – Grace of God and liberty.

  2. Grace of God in His Church – Chapter 1.
    1. Church is the institution of Grace (Matthew 28:18-20).
      1. Keys of the kingdom.
        1. Matthew 16:18-19 and 18:17 -18.
        2. Old Covenant nation has keys removed (Matthew 21:43 ).
      2. Church is not invisible, universal church, but local church.
      3. Three ways the Greek word ecclesia (translated church) is used in the Bible:
        1. Common usage of the day (usage in the time of the writing of the New Testament) – ecclesia meant local assembly.
        2. Institutional use – Matthew 16:18.   Examples of this common usage of words include:
          1. The Jury example.
          2. The Man, Woman example – I Corinthians 11:3.
          3. Every concrete noun has a generic use.
        3. Eschatological use – Hebrews 12:23; Ephesians 5:27.
          1. Usage refers to the future, but this church will assemble.
          2. The future bride of Revelation 21:2.
          3. Metaphors for church are used the same way and include body, building, and bride.
    2. Expanded outline of Chapter 1.
      1. Introduction 1:1-5.
        1. 1:1-2, author and addressee.
        2. 1:3-5, brief definition of God’s Grace.
      2. Grace perverted (1:6-10) or another gospel.
        1. Another gospel of a different kind.
        2. Curse pronounced.
        3. The gospel of Judaizers.
      3. Grace proclaimed ( 1:11 -16), or authentic gospel.
        1. 1:11-14, origin of gospel is Grace.
        2. 1:15-16, application of gospel is Grace.
          1. Compare Acts 9 – chosen by God.
          2. Ephesians 1 and Romans 8:28-9:24 .
      4. Grace preserved, 1:17-24, or an apostle called.
        1. 1:17-21, not taught a Jewish gospel.
        2. 1:22-24, the church, not an extension of the Law.

  3. Grace of God to the Gentiles – Chapter 2.
    1. Paul offers proof that Grace replaces Law and that Gentiles are not bound to the Law.
      1. Gospel of Grace is not Jewish.
      2. Both Gentile and Jew agree on this.
      3. Faith, not circumcision.
    2. Expanded outline of Chapter 2.
      1. Application to Gentile believers, 2:1-6.
        1. 2:1-3, Gentile believers not compelled.
        2. 2:4-6, false brethren’s doctrine not tolerated.
      2. Apostleship to the uncircumcised, 2:7-8.
        1. Gospel of Grace is transcultural.
        2. Peter, an apostle to Jews.
        3. Paul, an apostle to Gentiles.
      3. Approval of the Jerusalem church, 2:9-10.
        1. 1:9, right hand of fellowship.
        2. No Jewish restrictions.
        3. Compare Acts 15:24-29.
      4. Alienation of Peter removed, 2:11-21.
        1. 2:11-13, Peter’s sin.
        2. 2:14-21, Paul’s correction.
          1. Wrong to divide Christians into Jew/Gentile.
          2. Law can’t justify, only faith in Christ.

  4. Grace of God in the Covenants – Chapters 3-4
    1. Paul confronts Galatians churches with their foolishness, Judaistic Grace.   He clarifies the two covenants of God.
      1. The Law is finished.
      2. Grace is the replacement.
    2. Expanded outline of chapter 3.
      1. Foolishness of Galatians, 3:1-5.
        1. 5 questions needing no answers.
        2. Gentiles are believers by faith and Spirit, not the Law Covenant.
      2. Relationship of Abraham to the Covenants, 3:6-18.
        1. 3:6, Abraham saved by faith before the Law or circumcision, Romans 4:9-12.
        2. 3:7-9, Gentiles partakers with Abraham as promised – are his children.
          1. By faith, 3:7-9.
          2. Without circumcision (the Law).
        3. 3:10-15, Law can’t save.
          1. 3:10 , Law is a curse.
          2. 3:11, Law can’t justify.
          3. 3:12, Law is not of faith.
          4. Christ redeemed us from the Law by paying the penalty.
            1. 3:13, Christ kept the Law for us – I Peter 2:24.
            2. Christ fulfilled the Law – Matthew 5:17 ,18.
        4. 3:16-18, Covenant with Abraham the real thing.
          1. Abrahamic Covenant brought real blessings to Gentiles.
          2. Promise actually made to Christ, the seed.
          3. Law can’t revoke promise to Abraham’s seed.
          4. 3:17, Confirmed means legal ramification.
      3. Purpose of the Law, 3:19-24 (Old Covenant).
        1. 3:19-20, To keep order till Christ came.
        2. 3:21-24, To be a schoolmaster.
          1. 3:21 , Not against promise to Abraham’s seed.
          2. 3:22 , To put all under sin – Romans 3:19.
          3. 3:23-24, Tobring us to Christ.
          4. Historical application – the history of redemption.
          5. Present application – the history of redemption.
      4. Purpose of the New Covenant, 3:25-29.
        1. 3:25 To end Old Covenant and its system – Romans 10:4.
          1. Law made nothing perfect-New Covenant perfects – Hebrews 7:18-28.
          2. Law had faults-it vanished – Hebrews 8:1-13.
          3. Law a type – New Covenant (the Law’s mediator) anti-type – Hebrews 9:1-28.
          4. Law a shadow – New Covenant is reality – Hebrews 10:1-39.
        2. 3:26-29 To fulfill promises to Abraham.
          1. 3:26, Entrance to New Covenant is by faith like Abraham – Romans 4:16.
          2. 3:27 , Institution of New Covenant is the church – compare Romans 6 and Hebrews 10:25 .
          3. 3:28 , People of New Covenant.
            1. Romans 2:28 ,29; 9:6-8; 10:12 .
            2. Ephesians 2:10-22.
            3. II Peter 2:5-10.
            4. Hebrews 2:16 ,17.
            5. Matthew 1:21.
          4. 3:29 , True seed of Abraham.
          5. The believer is a true New Covenant Jew.
          6. The believer receives promises of Abraham.
          7. The Covenant of Grace is better than the Covenant of Law.
            1. Law is on tablets of stone with no power and no ability to perform.
            2. Grace has law on the heart with power and ability to perform.
          8. Let us not mix Grace and Law.
    3. Expanded outline of chapter 4 – Two examples.
      1. 4:1-20, Illustration of childhood.
        1. 4:1-3, Law like childhood.
          1. Heir is a minor without full privileges.
          2. Under a governor or nanny.
          3. Under a tutor in school.
          4. Under bondage or a slave.
        2. 4:4-7, The New Covenant, like adulthood, is:
          1. Initiated by Christ.
          2. To end childhood (Law).
          3. To enter legal sonship (adoption), Romans 8:15 .
          4. Regeneration or New Covenant blessings.
        3. 4:18-20, Paul feared for the Galatians because:
          1. 4:8-10, Galatians wanted to return to Old Covenant ways.
          2. 4:11, Paul did not want his labor to be in vain.
          3. 4:12-13, Paul suffered to preach to them.
          4. 4:14-15, The Galatians loved Paul.
          5. 4:16-20, Their actions caused Paul’s doubts.
      2. 4:21-31, Allegory – the voice of the Law (Old Covenant).
        1. 4:21-28, The allegory.
          1. Abraham’s two sons, Isaac and Ishmael.
          2. Freewoman vs. bondwoman.
          3. Sarah vs. Hagar.
          4. Son of flesh vs. son of promise.
          5. Sinai vs. Jerusalem .
          6. Old Covenant vs. New Covenant.
          7. Law vs. Grace.
        2. 4:29-31, The application.
          1. Born of flesh persecutes born of spirit.
          2. Those born of Law now persecute those born of Grace.
          3. Cast out the Law and its system (not the principles of the Moral Law).
          4. Law and Grace don’t mix.
          5. New Covenant saints:
            1. A free from the Law as a system – Romans 3:31.
            2. Have same principles or laws under New Covenant – Hebrews 8:10.

  5. Grace of God and Liberty – Chapters 5-6.
    1. Paul concludes his argument that Grace replaces Law and then makes application to our Liberty under Grace.
      1. We must stand fast in Liberty .
      2. We must use our Liberty in daily life by Spirit.
      3. Liberty is the power and ability to do right.
        1. Romans 14.
        2. I Corinthians 6:12; 8:9; 10:23 ,31 .
    2. Expanded outline of Chapter 5.
      1. 5:1-12, Conclusion of argument of Law or Grace.
        1. 5:1, Stand fast in Liberty of Grace (as sons of freewoman, 4:31 ).
          1. Christ author of Liberty – Hebrews 12:1 ,2.
          2. Law Covenant was bondage, don’t go back!
        2. 5:2-6, Christ, not circumcision.
          1. 5:2, Circumcision plus Grace equals no Grace.
          2. 5:3, Judaizers must keep whole Law.
          3. 5:4-5, Those under Law do away with Christ.
          4. 5:6, Grace sees faith not circumcision.
            1. I Corinthians 7:19; Colossians 3:11; Galatians 6:15.
            2. Circumcision of the heart – Romans 2:28 ,29.
        3. 5:7-12, Cut off the Judaizers.
          1. 5:7-8, Judaistic teaching came from man.
          2. 5:9, Judaistic teaching is leaven.
          3. 5:10 , Paul’s confidence in them and God.
          4. 5:11 , Personal argument.
          5. 5:12, Paul’s desire, cut the Judaizers off.
            1. Castrated a step beyond circumcision.
            2. To render impotent their teaching.
      2. 5:13-26, Application of Liberty to Church conduct.
        1. 5:13-15, Grace gives Liberty to fulfill Law.
          1. Written on heart – Hebrews 10:16-25.
          2. Law fulfilled in love – Matthew 22:36-40.
        2. 5:16-26, Grace gives Spirit to lead in Liberty .
          1. 5:15-21, Flesh vs. Spirit conflict.
            1. Progressive sanctification – Romans 7:14-25.
            2. 5:18 , Spirit lead people not under Law.
            3. 5:19-21, Works of flesh.
            4. 5:21 , No kingdom for those in flesh.
          2. 5:22-26, Fruit of the Spirit.
            1. 5:21-23, Benefits of New Covenant.
            2. 5:24-25, Definitive sanctification – Ephesians 1:4; I Corinthians 6:9-11; Romans 6:1-7:6.
    3. Expanded outline of Chapter 6.
      1. 6:1-5, Application of Liberty to church discipline.
        1. 6:1, Conduct of discipline.
          1. Compare Matthew 18:15-18.
          2. Restoration before excommunication.
        2. 6:2-5 Compassion of discipline.
          1. 6:2-3, Bear heavy burdens of others as it fulfills the Law.
          2. 6:4-5, Bear your own light burdens (military term for your backpack).
      2. 6:6-18, Appendix: concluding remarks.
        1. 6:6, Start paying the pastor.
        2. 6:7-10, Stop being deceived.
          1. 6:7-8, Law of sowing and reaping – one gets what he plants and doesn’t get what he doesn’t plant.
          2. 6:9, Harvest comes if we don’t faint.
          3. 6:10, Therefore, walk in Spirit, not flesh.
        3. See my letter.
        4. 6:12-16, Suffer persecution for cross.
          1. 6:12, If you want pain in the flesh (circumcision), get it by preaching true gospel of Grace.
          2. 6:13, Judaizers glory in the flesh (circumcision).
          3. 6:14, Paul’s glory is in the cross.
          4. 6:15-16, To true Israel, circumcision is moot.
        5. 6:17 ,18, So long, folks.
          1. 6:17, Issue is settled.
          2. May Grace apply to you.

Bibliography.