Galatians

This is the fourth in a series of twenty-one summaries of the New Testament letters.  The fourth is Galatians, and the outline comes from Nancy Bedford:

a   Introduction and Salutation, 1:1-5
     b   The Gospel is Truly Good News, 1:6-2:21
           c   Walking by Faith in Freedom, 3:1-27
                d   God's Relationship With Creation, 3:28-4:7
           c'  Walking by Faith in Freedom, 4:8-5:26
     b'   The Gospel is Truly Good News, 6:1-17
a'  Final Blessing and Conclusion, 6:18

The 'a' pattern links Paul's introduction to his conclusion.

The 'b' pattern links two sections on how there is no other gospel.  In the first section, Paul speaks of his direct revelation of the gospel from Jesus Christ, not receiving it "from any man," (1:12) yet the apostles "praised God" because of him (1:24), and recognized that he was "entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised" (2:7) and gave him and Barnabas "the right hand of fellowship." (2:9).  In the section, Paul counsels the Galatians to test their own actions without comparing with others, while still sharing good things with their instructors, a more generalized version of what he himself has done.  In the first section, Paul speaks of three years away and fourteen years away.  In the second section, he tells the Galatians that at "the proper time" they will reap a harvest if they do not give up.  Finally, Paul speaks in both sections about participation in Christ's crucifixion.

The 'c' pattern links two sections on the kind of life this would be.  In the first section, Paul asks the Galatians why, if they have begun by the Spirit, are they finishing by the flesh. (3:3)  In the second section, he asks how it is, since they know God, that they are "turning back to those weak and miserable forces?" (4:9).  Paul speaks in both sections about running races.  The first section discusses becoming children of God through faith. (3:26)  In the second section, Paul talks about being "in the pains of childbirth." (4:19).  Paul talks in both section about how those who would live by the law are obliged to obey the whole law.  In the first, Paul talks about receiving the Spirit.  In the second, Paul talks about what life in the Spirit looks like.

The 'd' section is central, emphasizing the Trinitarian dynamics of the new community God is forming.