INTRODUCTION TO GALATIANS
(March 14 & 21, 2010)
KEY VERSE – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Gal. 5:1) SECONDARY THEME VERSES: “A man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ” (Gal. 2:16); “If righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing” (Gal. 2:21).
Legal Righteousness: We are justified by faith in Christ (Gal. 2:16). Moral Righteousness: Immediate Moral Change at conversion (Gal. 6:15); Gradual Moral Change through the fruit-growing work of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) which requires our cooperation (Gal 5:16-17, 25, 6:8). We cooperate by using CCRC (Concentration, Choice, Reflection, Confession/Thanksgiving. Key verse, “By one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Heb. 10:14)
TEACHING GOAL: Provide a general understanding of the background for the Letter to the Galatians.
(1) Constantly re-evaluate what they are doing; (2) Set large goals; (3) Ask- Does everything I do contribute to student learning; (4) Prepare well; (5) Check for understanding; (6) Are high in Life Satisfaction …. They like teaching; (7) Are productive in their teaching, e.g. they see results; (8) Have perseverance, grit. They don’t give up.
INTRODUCTION TO GALATIANS
1. A Short Test on Galatians
2. The Importance of Galatians for the Church Today
3. Location of Galatia
4. Paul and Barnabas in Galatia
5. Dating for the Epistle to the Galatians
6. Identification of the Judaizers
7. Reason for the Letter
8. Theme of the Letter
9. Galatians and Other New Testament Letters
10. Suggested Outlines for Galatians
II. THE IMPORTANCE OF GALATIANS FOR THE CHURCH TODAY
Between Oct. 27 and March 13, 1517 Luther lectured on Galatians as a professor at the University of Wittenburg in German. On Oct. 31, 1517 he nailed the 95 Theses onto the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg. In 1533 Luther published his commentary on Galatians. In 1677 John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim’s Progress found an old copy of the commentary and later declared it to be his favorite book. In 1738 Charles Wesley was converted while hearing the Preface of the commentary read. The lines that touched his heart: “Why, do we then nothing? Do we working nothing for the obtaining of this righteousness? I answer, Nothing at all.” The Wesley brothers were key in initiating “The Great Awakening.”
III. LOCATION OF GALATIA
The original Galatians are a Celtic tribe that were first noted in the historical record as living in Central Europe. They migrated as far north of Wales, Ireland and Scotland and as far east as Central Turkey. The province of Galatia was established by the Roman Empire before the time of Christ. The letter to the Galatians was written to Christians living in the southern area of the province of Galatia and not the ethnic Galatians (Celts) of north central Galatia.
IV. PAUL AND BARNABAS IN GALATIA
2 A.D. Born in Tarsus
12-15 Jerusalem as a student (Acts 22:3)
32 Witnessed the Martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7:58-8:1)
33 Saul’s conversion (Acts 9)
33-36 In Arabia and Damascus
36 Visits Peter and James in Jerusalem (Gal. 1:18-19)
36-40 Paul in Tarsus
40 Barnabas asks Paul to come to Antioch (Acts 11:20-22)
41-43 Paul / Barnabas serve in Antioch
44 Paul / Barnabas bring famine relief to Jerusalem (Acts 11:30)
44-46 Paul / Barnabas visit Galatia for first time (Acts 13:13-14:25)
46-49 Paul / Barnabas stay in Antioch (Acts 14:26-28)
48 Paul writes Letter to the Galatians
49 Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15)
READ: Paul and Barnabas in Galatia section by section as indicated below:
13:13 – John Mark left them? Why? What future effect did this have on Paul’s relationship with Barnabas? See Acts 15:36-40.
13:14-15 – Where and how did they start their ministry in Galatia? (Paul and Barnabas were Jewish, they were from out of town, Paul was a well educated Jew and thus well respected in this Roman backwater town.)
13:16 – Who were the two groups in the synagogue? 14:26, 43; 2:11 (Gentiles who worship God, God-fearing Gentiles, devout converts to Judaism; There were those who converted fully, accepting circumcision and became Jewish; there were those that attended the Synagogue but did not convert fully to Judaism)
13:17-41 – What do you notice about the sermon? (Historical recitation, lots of OT quotes)
ILLUSTRATION: A former pastor asked the question, “Where did we get away from story-telling, from narrative in preaching? There is a strong movement back to narrative with some people rejecting the idea of “propositional truth.”
Jewish sermons were a kind of historical chronology. Greek culture had their own rhetorical style, argumentation, which you see in Galatians and Romans.
Narrative preaching is based on the philosophical belief that language creates reality. If you cannot say something, you cannot experience it. Language is what creates people and communities. Communication is not about content, it is about connecting in the moment. . . . The story is the reality. . . . the idea that form and content cannot be separated; what the text does is as important as what it says. They argue that texts don’t just have a past, they have a present and a future through their readers and hearers. . . . In preaching, we construct an alternate world. (Taken from Wikipedia)
Built into this concept is that propositional truth is secondary and in fact is not important at all. Narrative is supreme. Jewish sermon types were historical, at least those we have listed in the NT. Pauline sermons follow Greek rhetoric where a proposition is stated, a truth and then it is proven by rational argument which will include anecdotes, Old Testament proof texts, logic etc.
13:42-45 – What was the response to Paul’s sermon?
13:46-48 – Paul turns to the Gentiles.
Paul notes in Galatians that he was called to preach Christ to the Gentiles (Galatians 1:16) and the Apostles agreed (Galatians 2:9). Barnabas started his ministry to the Gentiles in Antioch and asked Paul to join him (Acts 11:19-26).
13:49-51 – Expelled from Pisidian Antioch. How long were they there?
14:1 – How did they initiate their ministry in Iconium?
14:2 – Who opposed them? The Jews stirred up the Gentiles.
14:3 – What did God do to strengthen their ministry?
14:4-6 – Learned of a plot to stone them, fled. How long in Iconium?
14:6-10 – How did they start their ministry in Lystra? Healing
14:11-13 – Note “Lycaonian” and Greek religion.
14:15-17 – What is the difference in this message on the one in the synagogue? Does not quote Scripture, refers to General Revelation.
14:19-20 – Paul stoned, dragged out of the city. How long in Lystra?
14:21 – Derbe, good results. How long were they there?
14:21b-26 – Revisiting their churches. How long did this take? What kind of courage did it take?
QUESTION: How long were Paul and Barnabas in Galatia?
V. DATING – WHEN WAS GALATIANS WRITTEN?
2 A.D. Born in Tarsus
12-15 Jerusalem as a student (Acts 22:3)
32 Martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7:58-8:1)
33 Saul’s conversion (Acts 9)
33-36 In Arabia and Damascus
36 Visits Peter and James in Jerusalem (Gal. 1:18-19)
36-40 Paul in Tarsus
40 Barnabas asks Paul to come to Antioch (Acts 11:20-22)
41-43 Paul / Barnabas serve in Antioch
44 Paul / Barnabas bring famine relief to Jerusalem (Acts 11:30)
44-46 Paul / Barnabas visit Galatia for first time (Acts 13:13-14:25)
46-49 Paul / Barnabas stay in Antioch (Acts 14:26-28)
48 Paul writes Letter to the Galatians
49 Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15)
There is debate about the exact date of the crucifixion of Jesus but based on our chronology it was about 31 AD.
Based on the above chronology Paul was converted in his early thirties and wrote his letters in his fifties.
Paul had much time, at least 10 years, for reflection between his conversion in 33 AD and his ministry in Galatia in 44 AD. During those years he was also involved in teaching which of course demands much study. Paul started sharing with the Jews immediately after his conversion that Jesus was the Son of God and had to flee Damascus by being lowered in a basket over the wall. (Acts 9:19-25)
The central debate of Galatians is should Gentile converts be circumcised in order to join the church. Paul says no in Galatians but why did he not quote the Jerusalem Conference that specifically said that circumcision was not necessary. (Acts 15:23-29)
The letter to Galatians is possibly the earliest of Paul’s letters. Scott McKnight, Ronald Fung, John Stott date the letter around 48-49 AD. I place it prior to the Jerusalem Conference and Paul’s second missionary journey.
Why is this important? Paul spends the first two chapters of Galatians defending his apostleship and refers to several visits to Jerusalem. For the sake of his argument we need to have some idea for the dates of those visits and the writing of Galatians.
VI. IDENTIFICATION OF THE JUDAIZERS
“In Jerusalem there were several currents of Christianity, the two major parties being the progressive Hellenistic wing (out of which Paul came) and the conservative Hebrew wing (out of which the Judaizers came). (Scott McKnight, 32)
Paul writes his letter targeting a very specific group of false teachers from the conservative Hebrew wing who were bringing false doctrine into the Galatian churches.
QUESTION: How do Paul and Luke identify this group of false teachers?
“some people” (1:7)
“false brothers” (2:4)
“men from James: (2:12)
“circumcision group” (2:12)
“those people” (4:17)
“the one” (5:10)
“those agitators” (5:12)
“those” (5:12)
“circumcised believers” (Acts 10:45, 11:2)
“men from Judea” (Acts 15:1)
“believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees” (Acts 15:5)
“some that went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said” (Acts 15:24)
“those dogs, … men who do evil, … mutilators of the flesh. (Phil.3:2)
These opponents were Christian-Jewish Missionaries who followed Paul into Galatia. These “men from James” were coming to do follow-up evangelism on Paul’s missionary work.
The whole letter of Galatians is challenging the teaching of Christian Jews not non-Christian Jews.
These Jewish Christians were true believers who really trusted in Christ for salvation but still were dragging the chains of the law after them.
These “false brothers” were probably still in these churches and would have heard Paul’s letter as it was read (and would probably try to refute it).
These Judaizers did not see themselves as opponents of the Gospel!
“The church’s greatest troublemakers are not those outside who oppose, ridicule, and persecute it, but those inside who try to change the Gospel.” (John Stott, Galatians)
VII. REASON FOR THE LETTER
It is important to keep in mind that Jews had little love or respect for Gentiles (e.g. all non-Jews). Some quotes from literature of the time: “God loves only Israel of all the nations he has made.” “God will judge Israel with one measure and the Gentiles with another.” “The best of the snakes crush; the best of the Gentiles kill.” “God created the Gentiles to be fuel for the fires of Hell.” This was the spirit which made the law lay it down that it was illegal to help a Gentile mother in her sorest hour, for that would only be to bring another Gentile into the world. (Barclay, 4-5)
The big break-through to the Gentiles was Peter in the House of Cornelius when the whole household received the Holy Spirit and the people movement in Antioch under the ministry of Barnabas (Acts 11:21).
QUESTION: In Paul’s sermon in the synagogue (Acts 13:16-41) what verse best summarizes the Gospel message that Paul and Barnabas took to Galatia?
Paul and Barnabas spent two years in Galatia evangelizing sharing one simple, basic message: “Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:39)
The Christian-Jewish missionaries came to Galatia to correct or improve on Paul’s Gospel … they wanted to preach the “full gospel” that included circumcision so that the Galatians could fully be integrated into the two thousand year old Jewish community as true heirs of Abraham.
They claimed that these Gentile converts would never belong to the Jewish people and receive the full blessing of God apart from circumcision and of course they needed to honor the Sabbath and also follow certain food laws (4:10). (Hanson, 15)
The Gospel of justification by grace alone, through faith alone was insufficient. You needed to add circumcision. Circumcision is mentioned 12 times in 6 chapters.
To the Judaizers “Christ alone” was not sufficient. The full gospel was “Christ plus Moses.” The claim was that Paul was proclaiming a ‘lawless’ Gospel.
In the first Latin commentary written on Galatians, the theologian Marius Victorinus (About 303 AD) wrote, “The Galatians are going astray because they are trying to add Judaism to the Gospel of faith in Christ.” (Ryken, 8)
Paul is counter-attacking the erroneous teaching and false ‘gospel’ of the Christian-Jewish brothers, the Judaizers. The Judaizers are saying that faith in Christ alone is inadequate for eternal salvation. In order to be saved such faith must be accompanied with adherence to Mosaic law, especially circumcision. Gentiles can become Christians but they must first become Jews.
If the “circumcision party” would have won, the Gospel would have been emasculated.
VII. THEME OF THE LETTER
QUESTION: From all that we studied so far what do you feel would be a good theme for this letter?
Most commentators consider J.B. Lightfoot’s (1828-1889) commentary on Galatians to be a classic. Lightfoot begins his commentary by writing: “The two threads which run through this epistle – the defense of the Apostle’s own authority, and the maintenance of the doctrine of grace – are knotted together in the opening salutation (The first five verses).” (PGR, 6)
John Stott says that there are two themes: Paul’s Gospel and Paul’s Apostleship.
Some feel that Galatians 1:4 sums up the letter: Christ gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age.
Wake up to the real world you Galatians! God’s redemptive act is done. (JLM, 90)
Paul’s principal argument: Whatever practices detract from the all-sufficiency of Christ and the enabling ministries of the Spirit must be opposed; whatever practices build walls between people who believe in Jesus Christ must be torn down; whatever practices seek to supplement trust in Christ and dependence on the Holy Spirit must be cleared away; whoever seeks to demand any such things must be countered. In effect, whatever message that is not Christ and the Spirit alone is a perversion and must be radically denounced. (SM, 34-35)
KEY VERSE – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Gal. 5:1) SECONDARY THEME VERSES: “A man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ” (Gal. 2:16); “If righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing” (Gal. 2:21).
Salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone gives absolute freedom to serve our heavenly Father in the power of the Holy Spirit apart from the yoke of the law.
VIII. GALATIANS AND OTHER NT LETTERS
Many commentators have taught that I Thessalonians is the earliest of Paul’s letters. Many commentators and I think I agree that Galatians is the earliest of his letters.
These commentators would order the key NT letters as follows: Galatians, I&II Corinthians and Romans.
You come to this order because you see the idea of Galatians amplified in the Corinthian letters and then again in Romans. But Galatians is no rough draft of Romans.
Yet we must see Paul as developing through the guidance of the Holy Spirit theological ideas throughout his life …. After his conversion in Arabia, during his time in Damascus and Tarsus and then in Antioch. During his missionary trip to Galatia as he spoke he probably received a clearer understanding of some of his ideas. Thus we have an articulate Hellenistic Jewish Christian writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the Letter to the Galatians.
IX. SUGGESTED OUTLINE OF GALATIANS
For a rough outline Philip Graham Ryken’s (26-27) is fine:
1. Biography (Chapters 1-2)
Theme verse 1:11-12 – I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
2. Theology (Chapters 3-4)
Theme verse 3:11 – Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”
3. Ethics (Chapters 5-6)
Theme verse 5:1 — It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
GALATIAN’S OUTLINE
(Scot McKnight, 32)
I. Introduction (1:1-9)
A. Salutation (1:1-5)
B. Occasion of Letter (1:6-9)
II. Paul’s Personal Vindication of His Message (1:10-2:21)
A. The Declaration of His Independence (1:10-12)
B. The Demonstration of His Independence (1:13-2:21)
1. From Human Teachers (1:13-17)
2. From the major Churches (1:18-24)
3. From the Jerusalem Pillars (2:1-10)
4. From the Apostle Peter (2:11-21)
III. Paul’s Theological Vindication of His Message (3:1-4:31)
A. The Thesis Stated (3:1-5)
B. The Evidence Given (3:6-4:31)
1. From the Old Testament (3:6-14)
2. From Covenants (3:15-18; excursus 3:19-25)
3. From Sonship (3:26-4:20)
4. From the Law (4:21-31)
IV. Paul’s Practical Application of His Message (5:1-6:10)
A. thesis (5:1)
B. Applications (5:2-6:10)
V. Conclusion (6:11-18)
SO WHAT???
1. Although we acknowledge that historical and narrative style sermons are fine we realize that Christianity is a propositional religion and appreciate and use propositional style sermons.
2. God used healing to strengthen the proclamation of the Gospel in the early church and God often uses healing to bring non- Christians to Christ today.
3. Galatians is probably Paul’s earliest letter, written even before Jerusalem Conference of Acts 15.
4. The Christian community must be aware that the Gospel will be attacked and undermined and we must stand to defend its message of grace.
5. Salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone gives absolute freedom to serve our heavenly Father in the power of the Holy Spirit apart from the yoke of the law.