Freedom in Christ (Primary)
The New Covenant Replaced the Old Covenant
From Paul the Apostle (Gal 1:1)
To the churches in Galatia (Gal 1:2), which was an ancient kindom in central Asia Minor
(now Turkey) and which later became a Roman province.
Paul had established churches in Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe (all in Galatia) (Ac
13-14), where he had gotten fierce opposition and persecutuion from the non-believing Jews
He writes regarding the false teachings of the Judaizers (Gal 1:7), false teachers who
taught obedience to Jewish customs and laws.
The false teaching was that one must obey the law of Moses (including circumcision) to be
a true Christian and to be saved.
Some were deserting true Christianity for this false teaching (Gal 1:6, Gal 3:1, Gal
4:9-11), so Paul feared for their salvation (Gal
Their relationship with Paul had formerly been characterized by hospitality, joy, and
loyalty (Gal 4:12-15)
Their relationship was now strained by the arrival of false teachers and their false
teachings (Gal 4:16-17)
Paul likens his feelings toward the Galatians to those of being in childbirth, which was
the same feeling he had when he first taught them the gospel (Gal 4:19-20)
1 One Gospel of God
2 Confirmed by the Apostles
3 Role of the Law
4 Children of God
5 Freedom
6 Recovery
1:1-5 greeting and context
1:6-10 Astonishment - different gospel
1:11-24 source of Paul's gospel is revelation
2:1-10 later endorsement by the Apostles
2:11-21 confrontation with Peter in Antioch
3:1-5 foolish Galatians, now trying to attain your goal by human effort
3:6-9 the promise to Abraham was by faith to all who would believe
3:15-20 a duly established covenant (promise to Abraham) is not set aside, even by the Law
3:21-25 the Law's fulfilled purpose was to lead us to Christ
3:26-4:7 you are sons of God instead of slaves of God
4:8-4:21 why are you turning back to slavery?
4:22-4:31 you are children of promise, not children of the slave woman
5:1-5:12 stand firm, do not be circumcised and fall from grace
5:13-5:26 use your freedom to love, not to sin
6:1-6:10 persevere, be humble, and restore one another
6:11-6:18 reject the circumcision teaching