1. “You foolish Galatians!” Galatians

2.  Galatia: a Roman province in central Anatolia (modern-day Turkey)  Which churches?  When? (48–50s CE)  Rival Teachers Jews who preached salvation through Christ is only for Jews (followers of Torah) Gentiles must commit to Jewish law and circumcision to correctly follow Christ Date and Place

3.  Paul’s authority vs. rivals Rivals claim Paul is new to the gospel Galatians should therefore follow James and Peter Paul claims his authority is directly from God  Christ and the law  Justification by faith(fulness)  God’s universal favor  Fullness of time has come in Christ  Spirit realizes what law cannot Theological Themes

4.  Paul appeals to experience “Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard?” (3:2)  Paul appeals to Abraham’s example God promised Abraham through faith, before circumcision Like Abraham we “receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (without circumcision, 3:14)  Paul appeals to sociocultural values Law enslaves; Spirit frees and makes us children; “For freedom Christ has set us free” (5:1) Spirit and the Law

5.  Salutation (1:1–5)  Another gospel!? (1:6–10)  Paul’s gospel is from God (1:11–2:21) Meets Peter and James after four years Meets Jerusalem elders after fourteen years Argues with Peter in Antioch  Spirit (not circumcision) makes God’s people (chaps. 3–5)  Children of God through faith(fulness) Slavery and freedom; Hagar and Sarah  Exhortations and closing (5:26–6:18) Outline