Kress Biblical Resources :: Overview Outline

Overview Outline of Galatians

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

1. The gospel of grace defended personally (Gal 1; 2)
   1. The damning consequences of distorting the gospel of grace introduced (Gal 1:1-10)
      1. The author (Gal 1:1-2a)
      2. The audience (Gal 1:2b)
      3. The address/salutation and ascription (Gal 1:3-5)
      4. The aim (Gal 1:6-10)
   2. The Divine origin of the gospel of grace defended (Gal 1:11-24; Gal 2;)
      1. Jesus Christ is the source of the gospel—not man (Gal 1:11-12)
      2. Jesus Christ is the source of Paul’s gospel authority—not any of the other Apostles (Gal 1:13-24; Gal 2;)
2. The gospel of grace delineated doctrinally (Gal 3; 4)
   1. An examination of personal salvation and the gospel of grace (Gal 3:1-6)
      1. The questions about the Galatians’ salvation (Gal 3:1-5)
      2. The quotation about Abraham’s salvation (Gal 3:6)
   2. An exposition of the biblical data concerning salvation by faith rather than law-keeping (Gal 3:7-29; Gal 4:1-7)
      1. The promised blessings of Abraham—salvation by faith to the nations (Gal 3:7-14)
      2. The purpose of the Law (Gal 3:15-25)
      3. The privileged position of those who trust in Christ [rather than law-keeping] (Gal 3:26-29)
      4. The proper relationship between the law and salvation by grace through faith (Gal 4:1-7)
   3. An exhortation to turn away from legalism and turn back to the gospel of grace (Gal 4:8-31)
      1. Recognize that legalism/law-keeping is just as much slavery as paganism (Gal 4:8-11)
      2. Remember the blessings of coming to Christ and the freedom of gospel-based fellowship (Gal 4:12-20)
      3. Recognize the distinction between children of the flesh and children of the promise—between fleshly means and faith (Gal 4:21-31)
3. The gospel of grace displayed practically (Gal 5; 6)
   1. Stand firm in your freedom in Christ (Gal 5:1-12)
      1. Christ is our freedom—not law-keeping (Gal 5:1-6)
      2. Combining law-keeping and “Christianity” abolishes the scandal of the Cross and perverts the gospel (Gal 5:7-12)
   2. Serve one another in love because of your freedom in Christ (Gal 5:13-15)
      1. Love-Inspired service is the anecdote for sin—not legalism (Gal 5:13)
      2. Love is the true fulfillment of the Law (Gal 5:14)
      3. Legalism leads to spiritual cannibalism and self-destruction (Gal 5:15)
   3. Seek sanctification by the Spirit—not law-keeping (Gal 5:16-26)
      1. Walking by the Spirit introduced (Gal 5:16-18)
      2. Walking by the flesh evidenced (Gal 5:19-21)
      3. Walking by the Spirit evidenced (Gal 5:22-23)
      4. Walking by the Spirit summarized (Gal 5:24-26)
   4. Serve one another with humility and generosity (Gal 6:1-10)
      1. Serve those who are struggling spiritually (Gal 6:1-5)
      2. Serve those who serve/minister to you (Gal 6:6-9)
      3. Serve everyone—but especially believers (Gal 6:10)
   5. Seek to glory in the cross of Christ and His grace—rather than the flesh (Gal 6:11-18)
      1. Legalism demands emphatic Apostolic intervention (Gal 6:11)
      2. Legalism makes a good showing in the flesh, but does not satisfy the true demands of the Law (Gal 6:12-13)
      3. Learning to glory in Christ’s Person and work alone is the only path to freedom and peace (Gal 6:14-18)