Kress Biblical Resources :: Introductory Matters

Introductory Matters of Galatians

The True Gospel Boasts in Christ Alone Rather Than Mixing Law with Grace

1. The author (Gal 1:1-2a)
   1. The human author¹
      1. The man—Paul (Gal 1:1a)
      2. His mandate from God (Gal 1:1b)
      3. The mention of “all the brethren” with him (Gal 2:2a)
   2. The Divine Author (2Ti 3:16; 2Pe 3:15-16)
2. The audience (Gal 1:2b)
   1. The original recipients (Gal 3:1; Gal 4:19-20)
      1. Their identification as churches
      2. Their location in Galatia (Act 13; Act 14; cf. Act 16:6-8; Act 18:23)
   2. The current recipients (2Ti 3:16-17; 2Pe 3:15-16)
3. The aim
   1. To confront desertion from the true gospel (Gal 1:6-10)
      1. The concern over desertion from the gospel (Gal 1:6-7)
         1. Anything other than the grace of Him who called you is a different gospel (Gal 1:6)
         2. Anything other than the grace of Him who called you is a distorted gospel (Gal 1:7)
      2. The condemnation of those who preach a different gospel (Gal 1:8-9)
         1. Anyone—even if an Apostle or Angel—preaching a gospel contrary to what was originally preached is to be accursed (Gal 1:8)
         2. Again, anyone preaching a gospel contrary to what you have received is to be accursed (Gal 1:9)
      3. The commendation of God as the goal—not the commendation of men (Gal 1:10)
   2. To call believers to stand firm in the true gospel of grace—and turn away from the deadly mixture of law and grace
      1. Personally (Gal 1:11-24; 2)
      2. Doctrinally (Gal 3; 4)
      3. Practically (Gal 5; 6)

¹ For a biblical biography of the Apostle Paul see Act 7:58; Act 8:1; Act 9:1-30; Act 11:25-30; Act 12:25-28:31; 1Co 15:30-32; 2Co 6:4-5; 2Co 11:23-30; Gal 1:13-2:16; Phl 3:4-14; 2Th 3:8.