Introduction.
This is one of Paul's shortest books. Galatians is the book of Christian freedom, which makes Christianity separate and apart from Judaism. This 'freedom' launched Christianity on a career of missionary conquest and was the cornerstone of the Protestant reformation because of its teachings of salvation by grace alone. It became the dominant theme of the preaching for the reformers.
Methods of Study
There are two different methods of study. The Synthetic method and the critical method.
I. THE BOOK AS A WHOLE. The Synthetic method .
To really appreciate the arguments made to the Galatians the book should be read as a whole with no paragraphs or chapters as they appear in the English bible. Read it through several times. At the end of each reading the results ought to be noted on paper. The interpretation of a book in its totality by such a process of repeated and final analysis is called the Synthetic method. 1st reading you get the main theme. 2nd reading development of that theme. 3rd and 4th reading the outline.
II. QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BOOK? ----The critical method.
Critical study deals with two main fields. Historical or higher criticism and textual or lower criticism. The terms higher and lower do not refer to any particular superiority or inferiority resident in these fields but rather the origin.
A. The authorship of Galatians.
The word apostle simply means 'one sent forth' which defines his authority. The 1st and 2nd chapters are autobiographical.
B. Unity of Galatians.
Paul wrote it with his own hand to emphasize the truth contained in the letter.
C. The origins of Galatians.
Decedents of the Gauls who invaded Asia Minor. There is a South and North Galatian theory.
D. Occasion for writing the Galatians. Jews teaching you must obey the law of Moses in order to be saved.
E. The date of the letter dependent of which missionary journey.
III.THE MAN BEHIND THE GALATIANS.----Th Biographical method.
Paul presented his autobiography as a defense against the slanderous charge of his opponents that he was only a time server who was attempting to become popular and gain favor by changing the requirements of God's methods. That is, changing the law of God to a milk and water faith that had no duties attached to it.
A. The collection of all the biographical facts in the document under consideration.
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The comparison with that document of all available facts from other sources and the careful analysis and interpretation of these facts as they related to the main theme of the book.
B. The biographical narrative of Paul. His background, his zeal and his advancement in Judaism.
C. The biographical argument.
The autobiographical narrative indicates that he and had not espoused the cause of the Gospel because he had some kind of inclination toward the gospel. He was previously under the law. His sudden change of faith was by direct result of divine intervention. He did not receive from men nor was it taught by men.
IV. THE HISTORICAL SETTING---The historical Method.
A. The interpretation of any piece of literature like Galatians depends on its relation to the historical background of that book. The book had to be written after the founding of the churches of Galatia and after the visit of Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem following their initial meeting at Antioch.
B. The history of the Galatian Church.
The Galatian Churches were the first fruits of Paul's leadership in his ministry to the Gentiles. The outcome of the conference at Jerusalem was important to the churches of Galatia.
C. The Chronology of Galatians
Conversion of Paul on his visit to Arabia and his return to Damascus----------------------------31.A.D.
First visit to Jerusalem _______________________________________________________14 years
Second visit to Jerusalem_______________________________________________not dated
First missionary journey implied about 48-49 A.D.
V. THE THEOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK.....The theological method.
There are three aspects of the theological method that may be pursued in the study of any book of the bible.
1. To endeavor to define the assumptions that underlie the teaching of the book.
2. The topical codification of the explicit teachings which are prominent in the text.
3. The separate treatment of any section of the book that may be predominantly theological in nature.
a. Doctrinal teachings. Justification by faith as opposed to works. The word to justify is used eight times in the text and means to be counted righteous. The legal term is to vindicate. Justification is not an escape from sin but to be delivered from the wages of sin.
b. The doctrinal section of the book.
Starts with the third chapter and extends through the 4th chapter. This is the heart of the book. The central question of the Galatians is doctrinal. Men are made right with God by trusting in what
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He has done for us and not what we can do for Him.
c. The argument from the OT. The function and nature of the law . The argument from superiority in being mature in Christ. Under the law all spiritual life was regulated by precept and rule. Jews thought of the law as a taskmaster whose laws must be kept (at least later Jews).
F. The argument from danger and reaction.
The dangers of returning to the law.
G. The argument from contrast of motives. Sincerity or legalism and a passion for religious snobbery .
H. the argument from contrast of bondage and liberty. The contrast and allegory used by Hagar and Sarah. One born free and one born into slavery.
VI.. THE ART OF EXPRESSING GROWTH—THE RETORICAL METHOD.
A. Figures of Speech –All literature contains figurative speech and the bible is no exception. Galatians and many other important teachings of the book are symbolic.
B. 1. Simile 2. Metaphor 3. Allegory 4. Metonymy 5. Synecdoche 6. Hy parable
C. Figures of form. 1. Irany 2. litoes 3. Meiosis 4. Euphemism 5.Rhetorical questions.
One of the controversial points of exegesis in Galatians is the allegory of 4: 21-31. Was it original or did he borrow it from his rabbinical background.
VII. Throughout each book of the bible runs a web of topical structure representing the leading ideas of the books composer. Two types are possible. The direct method which is the easier way to examine the book. This consist of finding a word or phrase and isolating them in the text.
by Lane Rogers