1Galatians 1:1-10 – Introduction

1. How many letters did Paul write? Can you name them in order? How many are written to churches? To individuals? Why are they arranged in the order in which we find them in the NT?

2. What other NT book gives us the historical and geographical setting for many of Paul’s epistles? Acts 13-14 tells us about Paul’s ministry in Galatia? Can you locate Galatia on a map? Who was Paul’s companion on the first missionary journey to Cyprus and Galatia and what do we know about him?

3. When did Paul write the epistle to the Galatians? Why did he write this letter? Who were the Judaizers?

Salutation (1:1-5)

4. What is the typical sequence that is found in the salutations of all of the NT letters? Paul always mentions “grace” and “peace” in his salutations. What do these two terms mean?

5. Why do you think Paul emphasizes who called him to ministry in v.1? Why did Christ die for us according to v.4?

No Other Gospel (1:6-10)

6. What is missing in Galatians that is found in almost all of Paul’s other epistles as he gets under way (v.6)?

7. Why is Paul so upset with the Galatian Christians (vv.6-7; cf. 3:1)? Who is he even more upset with (cf. 5:12)? How can we tell how upset he really is (vv.8-9)?

8. Is it possible to be a God-pleaser and a men-pleaser at the same time (v.10)? Why or why not?

[Next week: Gal. 1:11-2:10]

Galatians 1:11-2:10 – Paul’s Conversion and Mission

Paul’s Conversion (1:11-24)

1. 1. How can Paul be so sure that his gospel is the correct one and that all other teachings must be rejected (vv.11-12)? He will spend the rest of chapter 1 and all of chapter 2 defending his apostleship.

2. What was Paul’s life like before his conversion (vv.13-14; Phil. 3:4-6; Acts 8:1-4; 9:1-2; 22:4)? Why do you suppose Paul emphasizes his pre-conversion fanaticism?

3. 3. What three things did God do for Paul, according to vv.15-16? To get a full description of Paul’s conversion experience, we can turn to Acts 9:1-19. Where did Paul go after his conversion (v.17; cf. Acts 9:20-25)? What do you suppose he was doing in Arabia?

4. 4. After his escape from Damascus, where did Paul go and for how long and with whom did he meet there (vv.18-20; Acts 9:26-30)? Where did Paul go after leaving Jerusalem (vv.21-24)? Why does he keep emphasizing his limited contact with the apostles?

Paul’s Acceptance by the Apostles (2:1-10)

5. 5. After 14 years, Paul makes another trip to Jerusalem, this time taking along Barnabas and Titus (v.1). Many believe that this is the visit described in Acts 15. If so, what has Paul been doing during these 14 intervening years (Acts 11:25-26; 13:1-14:28)?

6. 6. Why was the Jerusalem Council convened (Acts 15:1)? Paul decided to take Titus along as a “test case” to see if he would be required to be circumcised as certain right-wing Jewish Christians were insisting (Acts 15:5). Paul’s private meeting with the leaders is described in Gal. 2:2-5. What was the outcome regarding Titus?

7. In vv.6-10, Paul emphasizes how those who were pillars in the church in Jerusalem offered to him and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship. Why is this significant? According to these verses, what was to be the focus of Paul’s ministry?

[Next week: Gal. 2:11-21]

Galatians 2:11-21 – Paul Confronts Peter at Antioch

[As Paul defends his apostleship in these first two chapters, he appeals to his radical conversion (1:11-17), his limited contact with the Twelve (1:18-24), his acceptance by the Jerusalem “pillars” (2:1-10), and now his rebuke of Peter (2:11-21).]

1. In vv.11-13, Paul describes the scene in Antioch. When certain Jewish Christian legalists came down to Antioch after the Jerusalem Council, Peter began to withdraw from table fellowship with his Gentile brothers. Why did he do this (v.12; cf. Prov. 29:25)? Did Peter know better (Acts 11:15-18; 15:7-11)? How do we some-times fall into the same trap today?

2. What effect did Peter’s hypocrisy have upon others (v.13)? What is our responsibility to our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ? Am I my brother’s keeper (cf. I Cor. 8:13)?

3. How did Paul respond to Peter’s actions (vv.11, 14)? What was at stake and was Paul justified in rebuking Peter “in front of them all”? What did Peter’s separation from Gentile Christians imply?

4. As Paul continues in vv.15-16, he appeals to all Jewish Christians to remember the basis of their justification. In fact, he states it no less than three times in v.16: salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and not by observing the law. What exactly is justification?

5. Since salvation does not depend on what we must do to earn it, some might argue that freedom from the law could lead to godless living and therefore that grace promotes sin. Paul says, “Absolutely not!” (v.17). If I choose to go back to a works righteousness, I am the one who is to blame (v.18). What does Paul mean in v.19?

6. Verse 20 is one of the most often quoted verses in Paul’s letters. What does it mean to “be crucified with Christ”? Or to state it different-ly, what does it mean to be “in Christ”, an expression that Paul uses 81times in his letters? How does a works righteousness make the death of Christ unnecessary (v.21)?

[Next week: Gal. 3:1-18]

Galatians 3:1-18 – The Case For Grace

[In Chs. 1-2, Paul defended his apostleship (autobiographical). Now in Chs. 3-4, Paul explains his gospel (doctrinal), 60 verses of intense argument in which he defends the gospel of salvation by grace alone.]

The Personal Argument (3:1-5)

1. In vv.1-5, Paul appeals to the Galatians’ own experience to make his point. I like how J. B. Phillips paraphrases v.1: “O you dear idiots of Galatia, who saw Jesus Christ the crucified so plainly, who has been casting a spell over you?” Paul asks them twice (vv.2, 5) how they received the Spirit? What is the obvious answer?

The Scriptural Argument (3:6-14)

2. In this section, Paul draws upon six OT quotes to build his case for grace. According to v.6, Abraham believed and it was credited to him as righteousness. What did he believe (Gen. 15:1-6)? What did he have to do? Who are the true children of Abraham (v.7)?

3. According to vv.8-9, how was the gospel announced beforehand to Abraham in Gen. 12:3? How would you define grace?

4. According to vv.10-12, why is the legalist who depends on a works righteousness doomed from the very start (Dt. 27:26; Lev. 18:5)? If the Law cannot save us, what then is our only hope (Hab. 2:4)?

5. How has Christ freed us from the curse of the law (v.13; Dt. 21:23)? What was the purpose of the cross and why is our receiving of the Spirit so important (v.14)?

The Logical Argument (3:15-18)

6. In these verses, Paul argues that the law of Moses cannot change the promise made to Abraham. How does he illustrate this in v.15? In v.16, Paul uses a collective noun (“seed”) that might equally have a singular meaning and therefore can refer to Christ.

7. What is Paul’s point in v.17? Law has nothing to do with inheritance (v.18). If it did, then no one would inherit, since no one can keep the law. Why then was the law given (next week’s concern)?

[Next week: Gal. 3:19-4:7]

Galatians 3:19-4:7 – The Purpose of the Law

1. If no one is able to keep the law and therefore to be saved by it, then why was the law given in the first place? Paul says that “it was added because of transgressions,” but what does that mean (v.19; cf. Rom. 3:20; 4:15; 5:20)? I like how J. B. Phillips paraphrases Rom. 3:20 – “....it is the straight-edge of the Law that shows us how crooked we are.”

2. Not only is the law unable to save anyone. We also learn in vv.19-20 that it is temporary and that it is inferior to the promise given to Abraham. How does Paul make this clear in these verses?

3. Is the law in competition with the promise? Why or why not (v.21)? How did a person become a believer during the period between Moses and the cross? Why does Paul say that “the whole world is a prisoner of sin” (v.22), and that before faith came, “we were

3 held prisoners by the law” (v.23)?

4. So the law was given, first, to define sin and to make us guilty (v.19). The law is a mirror to show us our sins, but you can’t wash your face with a mirror! What then is the second reason why the law was given (vv.24-25)? How has the law served as our paidagwgo<j (lit. “boy-leader,” not “schoolmaster” as in KJV)?

5. According to vv.26-29, there are three results of our placing faith in Jesus Christ. First, we are sons of God (v.26). What does Paul mean in v.27? Second, Paul says there is “neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female” (v.28). What does he mean by this? Third, we are Abraham’s seed (v.29). What was earlier applied to Christ (v.16) is now applied to the Church, his body.

6. In 4:1-2, Paul points out that until an heir reaches his majority, he is an immature child, no better than a slave, and under guardians. How does Paul apply this to us in v.3? How does the coming of Christ into the world enable us to reach our full rights as sons (vv.4-5)?

7. How does the Holy Spirit help to affirm that we are no longer slaves, but sons of God and heirs of the promise (vv.6-7)?

[Next week: Gal. 4:8-31]

Galatians 4:8-31 – Paul’s Appeal to the Galatians

1. Paul’s formal argument for salvation by faith rather than by works is finished, but he turns now to an appeal to the Galatians not to go back to legalism. How does he describe their pre-Christian days (vv.8-10)? Why is legalism such a miserable way of life? Why then are people attracted to it?

2. Why do you suppose Paul changes his wording in the middle of v.9? Who takes the initiative in our coming to know (ginw<skw) God?? What is Paul’s fear in v.11??

3. In vv.12-20, Paul’s deep pastoral concern for the Galatians shines through as he pleads with them as “brothers” (v.12) and as “my dear children” (v.19; only here in Paul). What does Paul mean in v.12: “become like me, for I became like you” (cf. I Cor. 9:20-22)? How does Paul use their past treatment of him as a basis for his appeal to them (vv.13-16)? Do you see the irony in v.16?

4. Who is Paul referring to in v.17? It is fine for the Galatians to be zealous, but not only when Paul is with them (v.18)! How would you contrast Paul’s attitude toward the Galatians in vv.19-20 with that of the Judaizers in v.17? It is no wonder that Paul says in v.20, “I am perplexed (“at my wits’ end” NEB) about you!”

5. In one last effort, Paul allegorizes the Isaac and Ishmael story to try to convince the Galatians of their foolish behavior. He begins by reminding them of the circumstances surrounding the birth of Abraham’s two sons. How were Hagar and Sarah different and how did their conceptions differ (vv.21-24; cf. Gen. 16; 21)?

6. Paul then allegorizes the story in vv.24-26 as follows:

Hagar, the bond woman Sarah, the free woman

Ishmael, a natural birth Isaac, a supernatural birth

The old covenant The new covenant

Mt. Sinai [Mt. Zion]

Earthly Jerusalem Heavenly Jerusalem

Judaism Chritianity

What is Paul’s point in quoting the passage from Isa. 54 (v.27)?

7. In vv.28-31, Paul applies the allegory to the Galatians. What is he asking them to do (v.30)? Do we see v.29 happening today and, if so, how are we to respond?

[Next week: Gal. 5:1-15]

Galatians 5:1-15 – Freedom in Christ!

[In Chs.1-2, Paul defends his apostleship (autobiographical), in Chs.3-4, he explains his gospel (doctrinal), and now in Chs.5-6, he applies his gospel to the Galatians and to us (practical).]

1. Before moving into the final section of his letter, Paul includes a verse that summarizes all that has gone before and provides a transition to what follows. In fact, v.1 is the key verse of the entire Epistle. Remember Mel Gibson’s cry in Braveheart: “Freedom!” This is also our cry as believers. In what sense are we free and how does living by the law place us under a yoke of slavery?

2. What does Paul mean in v.2? Is he opposed to circumcsion (cf. Acts 16:1-3)? Not only does legalism demean the cross of Christ. What is another problem with legalism (v.3; cf. Jas. 2:10)? Again in v.4, Paul emphasizes the peril of legalism. What does he mean when he says, “you have fallen away from grace?”

3. In vv.5-6, Paul contrasts our attitude as believers (“we” is emphatic) with the faltering Galatians. Freedom is all about faith (not works) and the Spirit (not the flesh) and hope for the future. Does circumcision really matter (v.6)? Not really. What really matters is faith working through love!

4. In vv.7-12, Paul now addresses the problem of the Judaizers and their interference in the lives of the Galatian believers. In v.6, he uses the analogy of the race track. Although the Galatians had been running a good race, someone had “cut in” (e]gko<ptw) on them. Who is Paul referring to and who was the ultimate source of this “persuasion” (v.8)? What is Paul’s point in v.9?

5. Paul is confident in the Lord that the Galatians will ultimately get back on track and that the perpetrator of legalism will suffer God’s judgment (v.10). What is Paul’s point in v.11? How would his preaching circumcision remove the offense (ska<ndalon) of the cross (v.12)? How does Paul’s anger show at the end of v.12?

6. In vv.13-15, Paul moves to application. What is the risk that always comes with freedom (v.13)? The NASB translates, “...do not turn your freedom into an opportunity [a]formh<] for the flesh.” What is the antidote to the abuse of our freedom (vv.13b-14)? What does v.15 suggest about the situation in Galatia? How can we have freedom in Christ when we are his bondslaves (I Pet. 2:16)?

[Next week: Gal. 5:16-26]

Galatians 5:16-26 – Walking by the Spirit

1. In vv.13-15, we saw that love is the GUARD against the abuse of the freedom that we have in Christ. According to v.16, who is the Christian’s GUIDE against that abuse? A literal translation of v.16 reads, “But I say, keep on walking [peripatei?te] by the Spirit and you will never [ou] mh> tele<shte] fulfill the desire of the flesh.” What does it mean to walk by the Spirit?

2. There is an inner warfare that is constantly being waged within our lives as Christians (cf. Rom. 7:14-25). I want to be more holy, but my flesh/sinful nature is against it (v.17). How does Satan use the flesh as a “hook” to catch us? How can we gain victory over our sinful nature (Rom. 6:11-14)? Can this be a permanent victory?

To be led by the Spirit removes any thought of legalism (v.18).

3. In vv.19-21, Paul includes an ugly list of 15 works of the flesh that seem to fall into four categories: sexual sins (first three); religious sins (next two); social sins (next eight); and pagan sins (last two). Is this list exhaustive? Paul adds a solemn warning in v.21. Does this mean that if a Christian falls into one of these sins, he will thereby lose his salvation? Why or why not?

4. In vv.22-23, Paul introduces the fruit of the Spirit. Are we expected to have all nine of them in our lives? How does the fruit of the Spirit differ from the gifts of the Spirit? The following listing of these fruit with a brief description of each can launch our discussion:

• love (a]ga<ph) – unconditional; sacrificial (as demonstrated at Calvary)

• joy (xara<) – not dependent on circumstances (much deeper than happiness)

• peace (ei]rh<nh) – indescribable contentment even in the midst of the storm

• patience (makroqumi<a) – lit. “long-spirited” (refusal to retaliate); tolerance

• kindness (xrhsto<thj) – a sincere desire for the happiness of others

• goodness (a]gaqwsu<nh) – the activity calculated to advance that happiness

• faithfulness (pi<stij) – trustworthiness; reliability; integrity; honesty

• gentleness (prau~thj) – gentleness, but not weakness (“tender steel”)

• self-control (e]gkratei<a) – “inner strength” to control our passions

There is obviously no law against these positive qualities (v.23b).

5. How then are we to triumph in the battle with our sinful nature (v.24)? First, since our “old nature” is dead, we must continually reckon it to be so (Rom. 6:11). And secondly, since we have been made alive by the Spirit, we must “keep in step [stoixw?men] with the Spirit,” lest we “become conceited, provoking and envying each other” (vv.25-26). Walking by the Spirit removes all such evils.

[Next week: Gal. 6:1-18]

Galatians 6:1-18 – Serving Others

Caring for the needs of one another (6:1-10)

1. What is our responsibility to a Christian brother or sister who has fallen into sin (v.1)? What is our human tendency in such cases? Paul says we are to “continue restoring” (katarti<zete – used of mending nets in Mk.1:19) such a person “in a spirit of gentleness” (prau~thj; cf. 5:23). What is Paul’s warning at the end of v.1?

2. A second important Christian responsibility is to “continually bear [basta<zete] one another’s burdens” (v.2). How do we do this? Bonhoeffer says: “It is the fellowship of the Cross to experience the burden of the other. If one does not experience it, the fellow-ship he belongs to is not Christian. If any member refuses to bear that burden, he denies the law of Christ” (contrast Mt. 23:1-4).

3. How can pride and conceit and self-comparison prevent us from getting involved in the needs of others (vv.3-4)? Does v.5 contradict v.2? Although we are to bear one another’s heavy burdens (v.2; ba<rh), each of us must ultimately carry our own load (v.5; forti<on).

4. In vv.6-10, Paul focuses on stewardship, particularly in the use of material possessions. What is Paul’s point in v.6 (cf. 1 Cor. 9:14)? How do we see the principle of “reaping what we sow” worked out in everyday experience (vv.7-8)? How can we keep from growing weary and giving up in serving others (v.9)? How does v.10 apply to our giving to secular vs. Christian causes?

Concluding remarks (6:11-18)

5. What does Paul mean by v.11 (cf. 1 Cor. 16:21; Col. 4:18; 2 Th. 3:17)? Did Paul normally do his own writing (cf. Rom. 16:22)? What does he mean by “large letters” in v.11?

6. In vv.12-13, Paul summarizes the problem of the Judaizers and exposes their selfish motives. What two motives does he identify? Note their hypocrisy (v.13). How is Paul’s cause for boasting totally opposite that of the Judaizers (v.14)? For Paul, cirucumcision counts for nothing. What does matter is “a new creation” (v.15)!

7. Paul wishes peace and mercy to all who follow his teaching, “even to the Israel of God” (v.16). Who is the Israel of God? After an appeal for their cooperation and a reminder of his sufferings, Paul blesses the Galatians with a benediction of grace (vv.17-18).

THE EPISTLE

OF GALATIANS

A Discussion Guide

Prepared by Arlan Birkey