Lecture Notes on Galatians 1-6 (NIV)
Introduction
- Author: Paul, an Apostle
- Not sent by humans, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father.
- Audience: Churches in Galatia
- Greeting: Grace and peace from God and Jesus Christ, who gave himself for sins.
No Other Gospel
- Paul is astonished by the Galatians turning to a different gospel.
- Emphasizes that any other gospel is false.
- Warns against seeking human approval over God's.
Paul's Calling
- Paul received the gospel through revelation from Jesus Christ, not human instruction.
- Previously persecuted the Church but was called by God to preach to the Gentiles.
- After three years, visited Peter in Jerusalem.
- Paul was largely unknown to Judean churches initially.
Paul Accepted by the Apostles
- After 14 years, Paul returned to Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus.
- Discussed the gospel for Gentiles with esteemed leaders.
- Not even Titus was compelled to be circumcised.
- Paul and Peter recognized different missions: Peter to the circumcised and Paul to the uncircumcised.
Paul Opposes Cephas (Peter)
- Confronted Peter in Antioch for hypocrisy.
- Peter withdrew from Gentiles fearing the circumcision group.
- Emphasized that justification is by faith, not law.
Faith or Works of the Law
- Galatians criticized for abandoning faith for works of the law.
- Reference to Abraham’s faith credited as righteousness.
- Emphasizes the curse of relying on the law.
- Christ redeemed from the curse by becoming a curse.
The Law and the Promise
- Covenant with Abraham precedes the law and is not annulled by it.
- Law added due to transgressions until the coming of the promised Seed (Christ).
- Law was a guardian until faith in Christ.
Children of God
- Through faith in Christ, all are children of God.
- In Christ, divisions like Jew/Gentile, slave/free are removed.
- Believers are heirs according to the promise.
Freedom in Christ
- Christ set believers free from the yoke of slavery (law).
- Circumcision and uncircumcision are irrelevant; only faith and love matter.
- Calls to live by the Spirit and not gratify fleshly desires.
Life by the Spirit
- Describes acts of the flesh vs. fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.).
- Encourages walking by the Spirit.
Doing Good to All
- Restore those caught in sin gently.
- Carry each other’s burdens.
- Do good to all, especially fellow believers.
Not Circumcision but the New Creation
- Paul's emphasis on new creation over circumcision.
- Boasts only in the cross of Christ.
- Marks of Jesus as signs of suffering for his cause.
Conclusion
- Final blessing of grace from Jesus Christ.
These notes provide a summary of key themes and messages from the book of Galatians chapters 1-6, as presented by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatian churches.