Galatians

Question 1

Galatians - Overview

Answer 1

Theme: Paul reaffirms to the Galatian churches that justification is by faith alone apart from works (2:16-21).

Author: Paul

Date/Location: Written shortly after the Jerusalem council (A.D.49) from Antioch.

Audience: Paul confronts the Galatian infatuation with the Judaizers (1:6) and their works based Gospel (2:16).

Question 2

Galatians 1

Answer 2

Paul is amazed by the Galatians’ seduction with a damning Gospel and reminds the Galatians that his Gospel came directly from Christ (1:11 - 12), therefore it supersedes any other Gospel preached by men or angels

Question 3

Galatians 2

Answer 3

Paul informs the Galatians of the Jerusalem Council at which the apostles decided against circumcision as a necessity for salvation (2:9) and reminds them of his confrontation with Peter at Antioch (2:11) over non-kosher food.

Paul concludes the chapter with the principle of justification by faith in Christ alone (2:16)

Question 4

Galatians 3 - 4

Answer 4

Paul illustrates justification by faith through Abraham who is the spiritual father of the believers (3:29) and allegorizes the OT and NT covenants with Sarah and Hagar (4:23 - 31)

Question 5

Galatians 5

Answer 5

Paul summarizes his argument in that Christ justified us for freedom (5:1) so believers should not seek to place themselves under the Law. While exalting the Christian freedom from the Law he warns the Galatians against antinomianism (5:13) and shows that true believers produce fruits of the Spirit (5:18-23)

Question 6

Galatians 6

Answer 6

Paul encourages the Galatians to help those who are tempted by legalism (6:1 - 5); invest into the ministry (6:6 - 10) and boast only in Christ not in their works (6:13 - 14)