Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mankato
St. Paul—His Life and Letters
Paul’s Letter to the Galatians – Part II

XII. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians – Part II

1. To what does Paul first refer when seeking to explain the gospel of grace?

   Galatians 3:1-5—

2. To what historical figure does Paul refer?

   Galatians 3:6-9—

3. What principal does Paul establish on the basis of Old Testament Scripture?

   Galatians 3:10-14—

4. What legal argument does Paul present to support this principle?

   Galatians 3:15-18—

5. What purpose was the law to serve?

   Galatians 3:19-25—

   Regarding verses 19-20: "The last remark that the Law was promulgated through the hand of a mediator is explained further in verse 20. The mediator is not there for one; but God is one. The mediator about whom Paul had just been speaking, Moses, was not there for God. God did not need him. The many-headed multitude had interposed him. They were people ruled by the Law; they feared God and therefore needed a mediator. So it happened that the Law was given through him. But that shows how the fact that a mediator served at the giving of the Law is one of the signs of the lesser importance of the Law in comparison with the Gospel." John Koehler, The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians, p. 95.

   The word translated "tutor" in Galatians 3:24 (NKJV) designated the slave in ancient Grecian times who was responsible to bring and return the child of a wealthy family to school or the playground. The idea is not one of an educator, but rather a family servant much like a nanny or butler in England.

6. What does Paul here maintain, and upon what basis?

   Galatians 3:26-4:7—

7. Of what does Paul remind the Galatians?

   Galatians 4:8-20—

8. To what final historical illustration does Paul allude, and for what reason?

   Galatians 4:21-31—

Discussion Topics:

1. Reread Galatians 3:10,13. These two verses are powerful statements on the question of how we are to obtain eternal salvation. Discuss the meaning of the "curse" mentioned, and Christ’s role in removing that curse.
2. Reread Galatians 3:28. Feminists within the church frequently use this passage to support women’s sufferage and women clergy. If it applies, how does it apply? If not, why not?
3. Reread Galatians 4:4-5. This is one of very few direct references to the birth of Christ found in the epistles. Only two of the four Gospels record the details of Jesus’ birth. Christ’s resurrection, on the other hand, is recorded in all four Gospels, the Acts, and is repeatedly mentioned throughout the epistles. Why do you believe this is the case? Is this fact significant in any way? Should this fact have any bearing on our celebration of festivals within the church?