By Christopher VanDusen
All Scripture Quotations are Taken from the New American Standard Bible (1995 ed.)

Galatians 1:1-5

  1. The Author – “Paul, an apostle”
    1. His name – Paul, a Roman name that means “little”, his 2nd name after “Saul”
    2. His office – an apostle, from apostolos, “one sent on a mission” (witness – Acts 1:21-22, 26; foundation – Eph. 2:19-20a)
  2. His Uniqueness – “not sent from man nor through the agency of man”
    1. Non-human authority
    2. Non-human senders – not through the agency of man, in contrast to other missionarie and the false teachers
  3. His Authority – “through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead
    1. The Sender – Iesou Christos – “Yah is Salvation” and “Anointed One”
    2. The authority – God the Father of Jesus
    3. The proof – raised Him from the dead (Mt. 28:16-18, Acts 2:30-31)
  4. His Associates – “and all the brethren with me
    1. Their family – “brethren”
    2. Their fellowship – “with me”, in contrast to the false teachers
  5. His Audience – “to the churches of Galatia”
    1. The people – the churches, from ekklesia, “called out ones”
    2. The Place – Galatia – Roman province in modern-day Turkey, with mostly Gentiles, who were idol-worshipers (Gal. 4:8)
  6. His Blessing – “grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”
    1. The Benefit – “grace”, favor or benefit
    2. The Blessedness – peace, prosperity
    3. The Benefactor – from God our Father
    4. The King – the Lord Jesus Christ, “supreme in authority”, used for Caesar
  7. The Atonement – “who gave Himself for our sins”
    1. The perfect sacrifice
    2. The substitionary propitiation – “for our sins”; “sins” – hamartia, “to fall short”
  8. The Salvation – “so that He might rescue us from this present evil age”
    1. The Result – rescue, “might” isn’t uncertain, but conditional
    2. The enemy – this evil age
    3. Its passing nature – present
    4. Its character – evil, kakos, harmful, rotten
    5. Its nature – age, aion, “a period and its conditions”, includes man-made religion like that of the false teachers and works-based salvation
  9. The Sovereignty – “according to the will of our God and Father
    1. The Cause – the will
    2. The Creator – God
    3. The Caretaker – and Father
  10. The Purpose – “to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.”
    1. The Highest
    2. The Recognition – the glory, doxa, brightness, apparentness
    3. The duration – forevermore
    4. The certainty – amen
  11. Application
    1. True apostles were sent directly by Jesus Christ and God the Father, not from men or through people.
    2. True apostles had brethren with them and weren’t lone rangers.
    3. We have grace and peace from God and the Lord Jesus.
    4. Jesus gave Himself for our sins.
    5. Jesus rescued us from this present evil age.
    6. It’s God’s will that we live like we’ve been rescued from this age.
    7. All glory belongs to God.

Gal. 1:6-10

  1. Paul’s Expression of Amazement at the Desertion – “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel . . .”
    1. His Amazement
    2. Their Abandonment – so quickly deserting
    3. Their Audacity – Him who called them
    4. Their Aim – a different gospel
  2. His Explanation of the Gospel’s Distortion – “which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ
    1. The Truth – not another
    2. The Troublemakers – some who are disturbing you
    3. The Twistedness – want to distort the gospel
  3. His Exclamation of Accursedness for the Contradiction
    1. Its Impartiality – “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should pesach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!”
    2. Its Importance – “As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”; “accursed” – Ro. 9:3; Mt. 25:41
  4. His Establishment of His True Subjection
    1. His Choices – “for am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men?”
    2. His Chains – “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ”
  5. Applications
    1. It’s possible to desert God because of a different gospel and being disturbed by distorters of the gospel.
    2. Anyone who preaches a different gospel is to be accursed.
    3. Every gospel that is preached is to be compared to the gospel preached by the apostles.
    4. We aren’t to seek the favor of people, but God’s favor.
    5. We aren’t to strive to please people, but Christ our Master.

Gal. 1:11-24

  1. Paul Received His Gospel from Jesus
    1. It’s not human
    2. It’s not from humans
    3. It’s from Christ
  2. He Raced to the Top of Judaism
    1. He persecuted the church
    2. He surpassed many of the Jews
  3. He Retreated After He was Justified
    1. God chose him
    2. God called him
    3. God communicated to him
    4. He didn’t consult with people
    5. He was cast into Arabia
  4. He Revealed Himself to James and Cephas
    1. 3 years had passed
    2. He stayed with Cephas for 15 days
    3. He only saw Cephas and James
    4. He swears by God
  5. He was Reputed to be Preaching Jesus
    1. He left Israel
    2. He wasn’t known well
    3. He was known by word of mouth
    4. He brought glory to God
  6. Applications
    1. The gospel we have is a message from Jesus Christ.
    2. We ought to advance in Christianity and be extremely zealous for the Word.
    3. WE ought not to question or doubt the truth of the gospel, since God revealed His Son in us.
    4. WE ought to get acquainted with the New Testament.
    5. WE ought to glorify God for the salvation of the lost.

Gal. 2:1-10

  1. They Submitted the Gospel to the Apostles (1-2)
    1. After 14 years
    2. With Barnabas and Titus
    3. Because of a revelation
    4. Privately
    5. For fear of worthless ministry
  2. They Stood Against Circumcision (3)
    1. Titus was with Paul
    2. Wasn’t forced to be circumcised
  3. They were Spied on by False Brethren (4)
    1. Secretly brought in
    2. Targeted their Christian liberty
    3. Aimed to enslave them
  4. They Stood Fast Against the Spies (5)
    1. Didn’t yield for a moment
    2. So that the gospel would remain with the Gentiles
  5. They were Supported by the Pillars (6-10)
    1. They were only reputed to be pillars
    2. They didn’t give any more truth
    3. They saw God’s work in Paul’s gospel
    4. They recognized God’s grace for Paul
    5. They partnered together
    6. They only reminded them of the poor
  6. Applications
    1. Be aware of opposing views in evangelism and discipleship, the opinions of Christians who are more trusted than us can change people’s views of our teaching. We must be aware of contradictory teaching coming from them that can affect our mission field. For example, other denominations have different ways of explaining the gospel.
    2. We must not force any Christian to do something that will give the impression that we think they must do something to be saved. For example, sinner’s prayers or coming to the front of the sanctuary. Help Christians have assurance of salvation.
    3. We must beware of false Christians who sneak in to spy on our liberty and to enslave us to false teaching.
    4. We must not compromise the gospel in any way, nor yield to any false teacher. WE must not give any impression that we’re okay with a false gospel by submitting to false teaching.
    5. When we see that someone has the gospel and has been given grace to share it, we should treat them as partners in the ministries of evangelism and caring for the poor of the church.

Gal. 2:11-21

  1. Paul Withstood Peter to His Face (v. 11)
    1. Contrast
    2. Tables turned – Cephas came to Antioch
    3. Confrontation
    4. Condemnation – “he stood condemned”
  2. Peter Withdrew from the Gentiles from Fear (12)
    1. The coming – certain men from James
    2. His communion – “used to eat”
    3. His coldness – “began to withdraw”
    4. His cowardice – fearing
  3. Peter Wasted the Jews’ Fellowship (13)
    1. Their pretending – hypocrisy
    2. Their power – even Barnabas
  4. Paul Witnessed to the Jews’ Falsehood (14a)
    1. He saw their falsehood – not straightforward
    2. He said it to Cephas publicly
  5. Paul Whammed on the Jews’ Faithlessness (14b)
    1. The Jews Enslaved the Gentiles by making them live like Jews
    2. They Knew Justification by Faith Alone (15-16)
      1. Naturally Jewish
      2. No justification by works
      3. Need faith in Christ
      4. Not by works
      5. No flesh justified by works
    3. They Never could Jeopardize Faithfulness (17)
      1. They were seeking justification in Christ
      2. They were seen as sinners
      3. Christ was said to be a servant of sin
    4. They Needed to Jettison the Law (18-19)
      1. They demonstrated their sin by rebuilding law-keeping
      2. They were dead to the Law because of the Law
      3. They were alive to God
    5. They were Now Joined to Jesus by Faith (20)
      1. They were crucified with Christ
      2. They were controlled by Christ
      3. They were counting on the Son of God
      4. They were cherished by Him
      5. They cost Him Himself
    6. They were Nullifying the Grace of the Father (21)
      1. Christ’s death was worthless if righteousness comes from works
  6. Applications
    1. Condemning sin must be opposed.
    2. Christ must be feared.
    3. Cloaks must be condemned.
    4. Compromise must be avoided.
    5. Christianity must be remembered.
    6. Carnal legalism must be understood.
    7. Christians live to God.
    8. Crucifixion must mean our life.
    9. Canceling God’s grace is forbidden.

Gal. 3:1-14

  1. You Received the Spirit by Faith (1-5)
    1. They were foolish – “Galatians”
    2. They were fascinated – “bewitched”
    3. They were forgetful
    4. They were fleshly
    5. They were unfeeling
    6. They were fruitful
  2. You’re Reckoned a Son of Abraham by Faith (6-9)
    1. Faith saved Abraham
    2. The Faithful are sons of Abraham
    3. The Faith was spoken to Abraham
    4. The faithful share with Abraham
  3. You’re Redeemed from Suffering Wrath through Fulfillment (10-14)
    1. Judaizers are Cursed
    2. The Justified are Christians
    3. Judaism is Carnal
    4. Jesus was Cursed
    5. Justification was Consummated
  4. Applications
    1. Forgetting that we believe Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins is foolish.
    2. Anything that makes us forget that Jesus was crucified for our sins is demonic.
    3. We can only become more pleasing to God by believing God’s Word more.
    4. God provides us with the Spirit and works through us only through our faith in His Word.
    5. We are Abraham’s sons.
    6. We are blessed with Abraham.
    7. We live by faith, not by experience.
    8. Christ redeemed us from God’s curse.
    9. The blessing of Abraham came to us in Christ Jesus.

Gal. 3:15-29

  1. The Law Has No Effect on the Promises (15-18)
    1. Human covenants are permanent
    2. God’s covenant was promised to Christ
    3. God’s covenant was unchanged by the Law
  2. The Law made Known the Enslavement of People (19-22)
    1. It was for Transgressions
    2. It wasn’t for life
    3. It was for locking up
  3. The Law was a Nanny Until the Promise (23-25)
    1. It Imprisoned People to the Faith
    2. It Instructed People Toward the Faith
    3. It’s Intended Purpose was Fulfilled
  4. The Life is for None but the Progenitor’s (26-29)
    1. The faithful are God’s sons
    2. The baptized are Garbed in the Son
    3. The Clothing Gulps up separations
    4. Christians are Abraham’s Successors
  5. Applications
    1. The promises spoken to Abraham are promises to all believers.
    2. God granted the inheritance to believers through HIs promise.
    3. Our righteousness isn’t based on obeying Old Testament laws.
    4. Unless we are trusting in Jesus Christ for God’s forgiveness, we are shut up under sin.
    5. We aren’t obligated to obey Old Testament laws.
    6. We become sons of God by trusting in Christ.
    7. If we’re trusting in Christ, we’ve been baptized into Christ, and are clothed in Him.
    8. Ethnicity, social status, and gender make no difference in our standing with God.
    9. If we belong to Christ, then we are Abraham’s descendants, and heirs of the new earth and eternal life.

Gal. 4:1-11

  1. Christians Go from Slaves to Sons (1-7)
    1. Child Heirs are Enslaved (1-2)
      1. Own everything
      2. Under overseers
      3. Until adulthood
    2. Christian heirs were enslaved (3)
      1. While minors
      2. Under basic things
    3. Christ Redeemed His Adopted (4-5)
      1. At the full time
      2. Through the sending forth
      3. In the flesh
      4. Under the Law
      5. for redemption
      6. for adoption
    4. Children of God are Adopted (6-7)
      1. God gave the Spirit to them
      2. God gave sonship to them
  2. Christians Can Fall Into Seeking Slavery (8-11)
    1. They were Slaves to Idols (8)
    2. They are Seeking Enslavement (9-10)
      1. They are known by God
      2. They are now back to gods
      3. They are nodding to garbage
    3. They are Spitting on Paul’s Efforts (11)
  3. Applications
    1. Unbelievers can’t handle eternal life.
    2. They are enslaved to the basics of religion.
    3. They can be redeemed.
    4. They can be adopted.
    5. Believers cry out “dear Father” to God.
    6. Believers are free from the basics of religion.
    7. Unbelievers don’t know God.
    8. They are enslaved to false gods and demons.
    9. Believers know God and God knows them.
    10. They ought not to seek the basics of religion again.
    11. Observing religious days, months, seasons, or years to earn God’s acceptance is evil.
    12. If you do this, then you may be throwing away every spiritual thing that’s helped you before, and you might not be a child of God.

Gal. 4:12-20

  1. Paul Begs Them to Imitate Him (12a)
  2. He Blames None for Injuring HIm (12-13)
  3. He Blesses Them for Honoring Him (14-15)
  4. He Balks at Them for Indicting Him (16)
  5. He Blasts the Judaizers for Ensnaring Them (17-18)
  6. He Bemoans Their Infancy (19-20)
  7. Applications
    1. Be worthy of imitation.
    2. Receive godly teachers of God’s Word as if they’re angels or Christ.
    3. Sacrifice yourself for brethren’s well-being.
    4. Appreciate truth-tellers.
    5. Beware of teachers who eagerly seek you.
    6. Eagerly seek teachers of the truth.
    7. Labor to be Christlike and to help others be Christlike.

Gal. 4:21-31

  1. He Chastises Them (21)
    1. For wanting to be under law
    2. For not listening to the Law
  2. 2 Conceptions (22-23)
    1. Bondwoman vs. free woman
    2. Fleshly birth vs. promised birth
  3. 2 Covenants (24)
    1. The mothers = the covenants
    2. 1 is from Mt. Sinai with slave children – Hagar
  4. 2 Cities (25-27)
    1. Hagar = Mt. Sinai = present Jerusalem (AD 50s)
    2. Present Jerusalem enslaved with its inhabitants
    3. Jerusalem above is our mother
    4. Barren woman = Sarah = Jerusalem above
    5. Children of the desolate = Christians
    6. Children of the married woman = Jews
  5. 2 Children (28-29)
    1. Christians = children of promise like Isaac
    2. Born according to flesh vs. born according to the Spirit
    3. The Jews persecuted Christians
  6. 2  Conditions (30-31)
    1. Cast out vs. heirs
    2. Bond vs. free

Gal. 5

  1. Stand Firm Against Slavery (1)
    1. Christ freed us
    2. Stay free
  2. Show Fear About Slavery (2-6)
    1. Judaizing Nullifies Christ
    2. Judaizing Necessitates Complete law-keeping
    3. Judaizing Necessitates Condemnation
    4. Christians hope for righteousness
    5. Christians have faithful love
  3. Sinister False Teachers are Stumbling Blocks (7-12)
    1. Their Run was Hindered
    2. Their Rebellion was Heretical
    3. Their Rebellion was Wholesale
    4. Their Repentance is Hopeful
    5. Paul’s Preaching is Hated
    6. Paul’s Rage is Holy
  4. Serve the Family, Avoid Sin (13-15)
    1. Use your freedom to serve
    2. Understand that it fulfills Scripture
    3. Understand your fighting is self-destructive
  5. Stride Faithfully Against Sin (16-18)
    1. Live through the Spirit
    2. Labor through the Spirit
    3. Be Liberated through the Spirit
  6. Separate Fleshliness from Spirituality (19-24)
    1. Fleshly deeds are stark
    2. Some sexual
    3. Some spiritual
    4. Some social
    5. Some superfluous
    6. All are serious
    7. Fruit of the Spirit
      1. Sacrifice
      2. Serenity
      3. Steadfastness
      4. Service
      5. Sincerity
      6. Strength
    8. Followers of Christ have crucified the flesh
  7. Sacrificially Follow the Spirit (25-26)
    1. We live through the Spirit
    2. Live up with the Spirit
    3. Loathe social sins
  8. Applications
    1. Fight against law-keeping.
    2. Flee from law-keeping.
    3. Face off against law-preachers.
    4. Freely love.
    5. Faithfully live.
    6. Factually look.
    7. Affirm your liberty.
    8. Follow the Spirit.

Gal. 6

  1. Gently Restore the Trapped (1)
    1. Recognize the Trespass
    2. Restore the Trespasser
    3. Remove the Temptation
  2. Humbly Realize the Law of Christ (2-5)
    1. Carry Others’ Burdens
    2. Consider your Boast (Phil. 2:16)
  3. Do Righteousness for Life (6-10)
    1. Share in the Good with Shepherds (Ro. 10:15)
    2. Sow to God the Spirit
    3. Steadfastly Do Good to Sinners and Saints
  4. The Cross is Life (11-18)
    1. Paul Personally Writes
    2. He Prosecutes the Boasters
    3. He Praises the Cross
    4. He Promotes the New Creation, Israel (Gal. 3:7, 16, 29; 4:26, 28; Ro. 9:6b; 11:25-27; Ro. 2:28-29, Phil. 3:3)
    5. His Persecution is His Boast
    6. He Prays for Grace
  5. Applications
    1. Gently restore the trapped.
    2. Bear others’ burdens.
    3. Examine your work.
    4. Do good to others.
    5. Boast in the cross.
    6. Walk by the rule of the new creation.
    7. Seek the grace of Christ.