Paul the Apostle of Freedom
I. The Context (See Dr. Mark's Chronology, 55 C.E.)
II. The Rhetorical Situation: The proclamation of a different gospel message
A. Who were the ones "unsettling" the Galatians and what did they teach? (4:10; 5:2–4)
B. Paul's Attitude Towards Them (1:8–9; 5:12)
C. A Rhetorical Problem: The Undermining of Paul's Authority (1:1, etc.)
III. The Rhetorical Response: A Defense of the Messenger/Message and an Appeal to Faithfulness
A. Introduction (exordium) and Thesis (propositio) in 1:6–12
1. Paul's astonishment at their turning to a different, "human" gospel
2. Paul's curse on any who preach a different gospel
3. Implied Thesis: "There is no other gospel than the one revealed to me, and I'm going to prove it"
B. Arguments (argumentatio)
1. First Heading (1:13–2:21): The gospel is proven by Paul's experience of:
a. Receiving a gospel given by the risen Christ, not (a) man (1:11–24)
b. Successfully defending the gospel he proclaims at the Jerusalem conference (2:1–10)
c. Successfully opposing the circumcision party and Peter in Antioch (2:11–21)
d. Realizing that Jews too are justified by faith in Christ, not by works of the Law (2:15–3:21; cf. James 2:14–26)
2. Second Heading (3:1–4:11): The gospel is proven by the Galatians' experience of:
a. The Spirit (3:1–5)
b. The blessing of Abraham (3:6–29)
c. Going from slaves to sons (4:1–4:11)
C. Conclusion (peroratio) in 4:12–6:18
1. A pathetic appeal (conquestio) alluding to the arguments and the exordium (4:12–20)
a. "Brothers, I beg you, become as I . . ." (v. 12a; see III.B.1.d)
b. ". . . because I also became as you" (v. 12a; see III.B.2.c)
c. An emotion-laden reminder of Paul's initial preaching of the Gospel (vv. 12b–20; cf. 1:1–9)
2. Refutation: An allegorical refutation of those who wish to be under the Law (4:21–5:1)
3. Exhortation: "For freedom Christ has set up free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery" (5:1; 5:1–6:18)
a. The ultimatum: Either Christ and the Spirit or the Law and the Flesh (5:2–12)
"In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love" (5:6)
b. Freedom to love (5:13–6:10)
(1) "The whole Law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'" (5:14; Lev 19:18)
(2) The Works of the Flesh vs. the Fruit of the Spirit (vv. 16–26)
(3) Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the Law of Christ (6:1–10)
c. An Emphatic Final Warning and Blessing (6:11–18)
IV. Paul's Shocking Declarations and Insinuations about the Law of God
A. The Law puts people under a curse (3:10–14)
B. The Law of God may not be entirely "of God" (3:19–20; 4:1–11)
C. The Law is a jailor/disciplinarian/slave master (3:22–26; 4:21–31 will be discussed in a later lecture)
D. "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision are anything" (5:6; 6:15)
V. Did Paul later think he got a little carried away with his rhetoric?
A. Consider what he will say about the same issues in Romans
B. Consider what he will do on his last trip to Jerusalem (Acts 21:15–28)