Study questions, maps, charts, key words, history, background, outlines, and links to help you study Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians.
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul argues that there is one voice to listen to above all others and that is the voice that speaks the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Bible Study: Galatians:Living by Faith
Basics
- Author: Apostle Paul (not disputed)
- Who was Paul?
- Date: c 49 AD (some say mid-50s)
- Recipients: Galatia
- Occasion: There is controversy in Galatia over whether believers must also be circumcised and keep the law. Paul’s authority is challenged and he is viewed as inferior to the earlier apostles (“pillars).
- Who were the Judaizers?
Structure
- Rebuke – Gal 1:6-4:11
- Autobiography Gal 1:13-2:21
- Argument from Scriptures Gal 3:6-29
- Request – Gal 4:12-6:10
- Autobiography Gal 4:12-20
- Argument from Scriptures Gal 4:21-31
- Ethical instruction Gal 5:1-6019
- Subscription – Gal 6:11-18
Detailed Outline of Galatians
Genre: Understanding Epistles
Background & Outlines
Paul’s use of the Old Testament
Blue Letter Bible: Chronology of Acts/Epistles
Blue Letter Bible: Galatians Outline
Ray C. Stedman: Overview of the Book
John MacArthur: Author, Date, Background
ESV: Introduction to Galatians
ESV: The Global Message of Galatians
NIV: Introduction to Galatians
James van Dine: Intro to Galatians
David Malick (Bible.org): An Introduction To The Book Of Galatians
David Malick: An Argument Of The Book Of Galatians
Maps
Journeys
Paul’s Conversion and Early Ministry– Holman Bible Atlas
Paul’s 1st Journey – Bible-History.com
1st Missionary Journey of Paul– Holman Bible Atlas
Paul’s 2nd Journey – Bible-History.com
2nd Missionary Journey of Paul– Holman Bible Atlas
Paul’s 3rd Journey – Bible-History.com
3rd Missionary Journey of Paul– Holman Bible Atlas
Paul’s Journeys– Holman Bible Atlas
Paul’s Arrest and Imprisonment– Holman Bible Atlas
Paul’s Voyage to Rome– Holman Bible Atlas
Pentecost and the Jewish Diaspora– Holman Bible Atlas
Apostles’ Journeys – Bible-History.com
Geography
Israel in New Testament Times – Bible-History.com
New Testament Jerusalem – Bible-History.com
Herod the Great’s Kingdom – Bible-History.com
Herod’s Kingdom Divided – Bible-History.com
The Kingdom of Herod Agrippa I – Holman Bible Atlas
The Kingdom of Agrippa II– Holman Bible Atlas
Expansion of the Early Church in Palestine– Holman Bible Atlas
Key words in Galatians
Occurrences are based on New American Standard Text. “4x/3v” means the word appears 4 times in 3 verses. “3x” means the word appears 3 times in 3 verses.
Paul (and pronouns relating to him) – I (119x/71v); me (22x/17v)
Christ (38x/33v) – Gal 1:1; Gal 1:3; Gal 1:6; Gal 1:7; Gal 1:10; Gal 1:12; Gal 1:22; Gal 2:4; Gal 2:16; Gal 2:17; Gal 2:20; Gal 2:21; Gal 3:1; Gal 3:13; Gal 3:14; Gal 3:16; Gal 3:22; Gal 3:24; Gal 3:26; Gal 3:27; Gal 3:28; Gal 3:29; Gal 4:14; Gal 4:19; Gal 5:1; Gal 5:2; Gal 5:4; Gal 5:6; Gal 5:24; Gal 6:2; Gal 6:12; Gal 6:14; Gal 6:18.
law (25v) – Strong’s G3551 in Gal 2:16; Gal 2:19; Gal 2:21; Gal 3:2; Gal 3:5; Gal 3:10; Gal 3:11; Gal 3:12; Gal 3:13; Gal 3:17; Gal 3:18; Gal 3:19; Gal 3:21; Gal 3:23; Gal 3:24; Gal 4:4; Gal 4:5; Gal 4:21; Gal 5:3; Gal 5:4; Gal 5:14; Gal 5:18; Gal 5:23; Gal 6:2; Gal 6:13.
faith (21x/19v) – Strong’s G4102 in Gal 1:23; Gal 2:16; Gal 2:20; Gal 3:2; Gal 3:5; Gal 3:7; Gal 3:8; Gal 3:9; Gal 3:11; Gal 3:12; Gal 3:14; Gal 3:22; Gal 3:23; Gal 3:24; Gal 3:25; Gal 3:26; Gal 5:5; Gal 5:6; Gal 6:10.
Spirit/spirit (18x/15v) – Strong’s G4151 in Gal 3:2; Gal 3:3; Gal 3:5; Gal 3:14; Gal 4:6; Gal 4:29; Gal 5:5; Gal 5:16; Gal 5:17; Gal 5:18; Gal 5:22; Gal 5:25; Gal 6:1; Gal 6:8; Gal 6:18.
gospel (11x) – Strong’s G2098 in Gal 1:6; Gal 1:7; Gal 1:11; Gal 2:2; Gal 2:5; Gal 2:7; Gal 2:14; Gal 4:13.; Strong’s G2097 in Gal 1:8; Gal 1:9; 4:13; Strong’s G4283 in Gal 3:8.
promise (9x/8v) – Strong’s G1860 in Gal 3:14; Gal 3:17; Gal 3:18; Gal 3:22; Gal 3:29; Gal 4:23; Gal 4:28; Strong’s G1861 in Gal 3:19.
covenant (2x) – Strong’s G1242 in Gal 5:1; Gal 5:13.
grace (7x) – Strong’s G5485 in Gal 1:3; Gal 1:6; Gal 1:15; Gal 2:9; Gal 2:21; Gal 5:4; Gal 6:18.
free (7x) – Strong’s G1658 in Gal 3:28; Gal 4:22; Gal 4:23; Gal 4:26; Gal 4:30; Gal 4:31; Strongs G1659 in Gal 5:1.
freedom (2x) – Strong’s G1657 in Gal 5:1; Gal 5:13.
Commentaries & Study Bibles
Top 5 Commentaries on the Book of Galatians by Keith Mathison- Ligonier.org
Best Commentaries on Galatians – Tim Challies
Galatians Commentaries Reviews
Review of Galatians Commentaries – Gospel Renewal
Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible: Galatians
Albert Barnes Notes on the Whole Bible: Galatians
Alfords Exegetical Commentary: Galatians
Matthew Henry’s Complete Complete Commentary on the Bible: Galatians
Reformation Study Bible Notes: Galatians
Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: Galatians
Understanding Galatians by John A. “Jack” Crabtree
Commentaries that can be borrowed from Internet Archive
Galatians by Moo, Douglas J. (2013)
Galatians : Paul’s charter of Christian freedom by Morris, Leon (1996)
The message of Galatians by Stott, John R. W. (1968)
The Epistle of Paul to the churches of Galatia 10 ratings – Herman N Ridderbos (1953)
Galatians and Ephesians by Lehman Strauss (1957)
Liberated for life : Galatians by MacArthur, John
Galatians : the wondrous grace of God by MacArthur, John
The letter of Paul to the Galatians : an introduction and commentary by Cole, R. A. (Tyndale series)
Galatians : Pentecostal commentary by Fee, Gordon D
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Galatia
Holman Bible Dictionary: Galatia
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Galatia
McClintock and Strong: Galatia
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Galatia
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Galatia
1911 Encyclopedia Britannica: Galatia
Galatians
Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary: Galatians Theology of
Holman Bible Dictionary: Galatians, Epsitle to
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Galatians, Epistle to
McClintock and Strong: Galatians, Epistle to
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Galatians, Epistle to
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Galatians
Paul
Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary: Paul the Apostle
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Paul
Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Paul
Fausset Bible Dictionary: Paul
Holman Bible Dictionary: Paul
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Paul the Apostle
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Paul
Morrish Bible Dictionary: Paul
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Paul, the Apostle
McClintock and Strong: Paul
The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Paul
The Jewish Encyclopedia:
Journal Articles
The Apostle Paul’s Redemptive-Historical Argumentation in Galatians 5:13-26 – Walt Russell
G. K. Beale, “Peace and Mercy Upon the Israel of God: The Old Testament Background of Galatians 6,16b,” Biblica 80 (1999): 204-223.
David Alan Black, “Weakness language in Galatians,” Grace Theological Journal 4.1 (Spring 1983): 15-36.
F. F. Bruce, “Galatian Problems. 1. Autobiographical Data,” Bulletin of the John Rylands Library Manchester 51.2 (Spring 1969): 292-309.
F. F. Bruce, “Galatian Problems. 2. North or South Galatians?” Bulletin of the John Rylands Library Manchester 52.2 (Spring 1970): 243-266.
F. F. Bruce, “Galatian Problems. 3. The ‘Other’ Gospel,” Bulletin of the John Rylands Library Manchester 53.2 (Spring 1971): 253-271.
F. F. Bruce, “Galatian Problems. 4. The Date of the Epistle,” Bulletin of the John Rylands Library Manchester 54.2 (Spring 1972): 250-267.
F. F. Bruce, “Galatian Problems. 5. Galatians and Christian Origins,” Bulletin of the John Rylands Library Manchester 55.2 (Spring 1973): 264-284.
F. F. Bruce, “The Curse of the Law,” M.D. Hooker & S. G. Wilson, eds., Paul and Paulinism. Essays in Honour of C. K. Barrett. London: SPCK. Hbk. ISBN: 028103835X. pp.27-36.
David R. Bundrick, “Ta stoicheia tou kosmou (Gal 4:3),” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 34.3 (Sept. 1991): 353-364
C. John Collins, “Galatians 3:16: What Kind of Exegete Was Paul?” Tyndale Bulletin54.1 (2003): 75-86.
Christopher W. Cowan, “Context Is Everything: “The Israel of God” in Galatians 6:1,”Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 14.3 (Autumn 2010): 78-85.
John J. Davis, “Some reflections on Galatians 3:28, sexual roles, and biblical hermeneutics,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 19.3 (Summer 1976): 201-208.
Anne Davis, “Allegorically Speaking in Galatians 4:21–5:1,” Bulletin for Biblical Research 14.2 (2004): 161-174.
Jason S. DeRouchie & Jason C. Meyer, “Christ or Family as the “Seed” of Promise? An Evaluation of N. T. Wright on Galatians 3:16,” Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 14.3 (Autumn 2010): 36-48.
Janet Fairweather, “The Epistle to the Galatians and Classical Rhetoric, Parts 1 & 2,” Tyndale Bulletin 45.1 (1994): 1-38.
Janet Fairweather, “The Epistle to the Galatians and Classical Rhetoric,” Tyndale Bulletin 45.2 (1994): 213-243.
Ronald Y. K. Fung, “A note on Galatians 2:3-8,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 25.1 (March 1982): 49-52.
Ronald Y. K. Fung, “Revelation and Tradition: The Origins of Paul’s Gospel ,” The Evangelical Quarterly 57.1 (Jan.-Mar. 1985): 23-41.
T David Gordon – Abraham and Sinai Contrasted in Galatians 3:6-14
Sigurd Grindheim, “Apostate Turned Prophet: Paul’s Retrospective Self-Understanding and Prophetic Hermeneutic with Special Reference to Galatians 3:10-12,” New Testament Studies 53 (2007): 545-565.
Sigurd Grindheim, “Ignorance Is Bliss: Attitudinal Aspects of the Judgment according to Works in Matthew 25:31-46,” Novum Testamentum 50 (2008): 313-331.
Sigurd Grindheim, “Not Salvation History, but Salvation Territory: The Main Subject Matter of Galatians,” New Testament Studies 59 (2013): 91-108.
Colin J. Hemer, “Acts and Galatians Reconsidered,” Themelios 2.3 (May 1977): 81-88.
Martin Hengel “Paul in Arabia,” Bulletin for Biblical Research 12.1 (2002): 47-66.
Karen H. Jobes, “Jerusalem, Our Mother: Metalepsis and Intertextuality in Galatians 4:21-31” Westminster Theological Journal 55.2 (1993): 299-320.
Philip H. Kern, “Rhetoric, Scholarship and Galatians: Assessing an Approach to Paul’s Epistle,” Tyndale Bulletin 46.1 (1995): 201-203.
J.J. Kilgallen, “The Strivings of the Flesh (Galatians 5,17),” Biblica 80 (1999): 113-114.
Jan Lambrecht, S.J., “The Right Things You Want to Do A Note on Galatians 5,17d,”Biblica 79 (1998): 515-524.
Jan Lambrecht, S.J., “Abraham and His Offspring A Comparison of Galatians 5,1 with 3,13,” Biblica 80 (1999): 525-536.
Richard N. Longenecker, “The pedagogical nature of the law in Galatians 3:19-4:7,”Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 25.1 (March 1982): 53-61.
Brice Martin – Paul on Christ and the Law – JETS 26, 1983
Douglas Moo – Law, Works of the Law and Legalism – WTJ 45, 1983
Stephen Motyer, “The Relationship Between Paul’s Gospel of ‘All One in Christ Jesus’ (Gal. 3:28) and the ‘Household Codes’,” Vox Evangelica 19 (1989): 33-48
Andrew Perriman, “The Rhetorical Strategy of Galatians 4:21-5:1,” The Evangelical Quarterly 65.1 (Jan.-Mar. 1993): 27-42
Walter Russell- Who Were Paul’s Opponents in Galatia?
Torrey Seland, “Saul of Tarsus and Early Zealotism Reading Gal 1,13-14 in Light of Philo’s Writings,” Biblica 83 (2002): 449-471.
Robert H. Stein, “Relationship of Galatians 2:1-10 and Acts 15:1-35: two neglected arguments,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 17.4 (Fall 1974): 239-242.
Joseph B. Tyson, “‘Works of law’ in Galatians,” Journal of Biblical Literature 92.3 (Sept. 1973): 423-431.
Timothy Wiarda, “Plot and Character in Galatians 1-2,” Tyndale Bulletin 55.2 (2004): 231-252.
Timothy Wiardia – The Jerusalem Council and the Theological Task – JETS 46: 233, 2003
David Larsen: The Critical Nexus of the Two-Stage Parousia
GotQuestions.org
Treat like any commentary: Read carefully and thoughtfully.
What are the Pauline epistles?
What can we learn from the life of Paul?
What does it mean to be crucified with Christ?
Does this teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?
What does it mean to ‘fall from grace’?
What are the works of the flesh?
What is the fruit of the Holy Spirit?
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is love?
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is joy?
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is peace?
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is patience?
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is kindness?
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is goodness?
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is faithfulness?
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is gentleness?
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is self-control?
Do Christians have to obey the Old Testament law?
what does it mean to not grow weary in doing good?
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