NT SURVEY // UNIT III // LESSON - 4 // GALATIANS // EPHECIANS // PHILIPPIANS //

GALATIANS

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Importance of the Epistle. Galatians, tough one of Paul's shorter epistles, is highly esteemed as one of his greatest most influential. Since both Romans and Galatians teach the doctrine of justification by faith, the former has been considered by some to be an expansion of Galatians and the latter has been called "a short Romans.”

In the early church, as the separation between Judaism and Christianity was

taking place, the letter to the Galatians no doubt helped clarify that cleavage. it was located in Asia Minor in a general area

previously known as Phrygia. Its inhabitants were generally

considered to be impassionately intelligent people.

 

AUTHORSHIP:-

 

Galatians 1:1 clearly identifies the apostle Paul as the writer of the epistle to the Galatians.

 

RECIEPIENTS:-

 

It is a letter from Paul the Apostle to a number of early Christian communities in Galatia The Epistle of Galatians was addressed "to the churches in

Galatia" (1:2).

 

DATE AND PLACE OF WRITING:-

 

Written in the late 50's (A. D. 57 - 59) probably from Corinth. Those who identify the recipients of Galatians as the believers in the southern cities of Galatia generally consider that the epistle was written from Antioch of Syria in about A.D. 48 just before the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15).

 

MAIN MESSAGE OF THE BOOK:

 

The main message of the book is to be found in Gal 5:1.

 

PURPOSE OF WRITING:-

 

The churches in Galatia were comprised of both Jewish and Gentile converts. Paul’s purpose in writing to these churches was to confirm them in the faith, especially concerning justification by faith alone, apart from the works of the Law of Moses.

 

MAIN THEMES:-

 

One of the man themes of the book of Galatians is found in 3:11 “the righteous shall live by faith”. We must stand firm in this truth. Any compromise with legalism or the mixture of human effort and the grace of God for salvation leads to heresy. If we could be saved through the keeping of the Law, the Jesus did not need to dies (Gal 2:21) .

 

OUTLINE

 

I. Introduction (1:1-10)

A. The salutation (1,1-5)

B. The denunciation (1:6-1)

II. Personal: A Defence of Paul's Authority (1:11-2:21)

A. He was independent of the apostles (1:11-24)

1. Thesis: Paul's gospel was a revelation (1:11-12)

2. Events before Paul's conversion (1:13-14)

3. Events at Paul's conversion (1:15-16a)

4. Events after Paul's conversion (1,16b-24)

B. He was recognized by the apostles (2.1-10)

C. He rebuked the reputed chief of the apostles (2:11-21)

III. Doctrinal: A Defence of justification by Faith (chaps. 3-4)

A. Vindication of the doctrine (chap. 3)

1. By the experience of the Galatians (3:1-5)

2. By the example of Abraham (3:6-9)

3. By the effect of the Law (3:10-12)

4. By the work of Christ (3:13-14)

5. By the permanence of faith (3:15-18)

6. By the purpose of the Law (3:19-25)

7. By the believer's present position (3:26-29)

B. Illustration of the doctrine (chap. 4)

1. A legal illustration (4:1-7)

2. A personal plea (4:8-20)

a. An appeal not to turn to legalism (4:8-11)

b. An appeal to remember their relationship (4:12-16)

c. An appeal to consider Paul's attitude toward them (4:17-20)

3. A biblical illustration (4:21-31)

a. The historical facts (4:21-23)

b. The allegorical interpretation (4:24-27)

c. The personal application (4:28-31)

IV. Practical: A Defence of Christian Liberty (5:1-6:10)

A. A life apart from Law (5:1-12)

1. Turning to Law ruins grace (5:1-2)

2. Turning to Law makes man a debtor (5:3)

3. Turning to Law is to fall away from grace (5:4-6)

4. Turning to Law hinders the progress of believers (5:7-10)

5. Turning to Law removes the offense of the Cross (5:11-12)

B. A life apart from license (5:13-15)

C. A life according to the Spirit (5:16-26)

1. The promise of victory over sin (5:16-18)

2. The peril to victory over sin (5:19-21)

3. The power for victory over sin (5:22-23)

4. The provision for victory over sin (5:24-26)

D. A life of service (6:1-10)

1. Toward the Christian who has sinned (6:1)

2. Toward the Christian who is burdened (6:2-5)

3. Toward the pastor-teacher (6:6-9)

4. Toward all men (6:10)

V. Conclusion (6:11-18)

A. Paul's autograph (6:11)

B. Paul's adversaries (6:12-13)

C. Paul's boast (6:14-16)

D. Paul's benediction (6:17-18)

 

 

EPHESLANS

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Ephesus was a leading center in the Roman Empire. Paul had spent a short time in Ephesus on his way back to Antioch from his second missionary journey (Acts 18:19-22) On his third missionary journey he stayed in Ephesus three years (Acts 20:31). Several remarkable things happened in Ephesus. Paul baptized a dozen of John the Baptist's followers (Acts 19:1-7). He had discussions in the hall of Tyrannus (19:8-10). Unusual miracles occurred (19:11-12) strange events took place (19:13-16), sorcerers were converted (19:17-20), and the city rioted over silversmith Demetrius' loss of business because of people who turned to Christ from worshiping the great Ephesian goddess Artemis (19:23-41) On Paul's return to Jerusalem from his third mission, journey he gave a moving farewell address to the Ephesian elders at the coastal town of Miletus (20:13-35). That was his last time to see them (20:36-38), unless Paul visited Ephesus after he was to Rome (cf. 1 Tim. 1:3 with 3:14).

 

AUTHORSHIP:-

Twice in this epistle Paul referred to himself by name as the author of the book (1:1; 3:1). Ephesians was probably delivered by Tychicus (Eph. 6:21-22), who also took Paul's letter to the Colossians (Col. 4:7-9).

 

PLACE AND DATE:-

Paul was a prisoner at the time he wrote this letter (Eph. 3:1; 4:1; 6:20). Scholars differ on whether Paul wrote this letter while he was imprisoned in Caesarea (Acts 24:27) in A.D. 57-59, or in Rome (28;30) in A.D. 60-62, All things considered, the Roman imprisonment seems more likely. Along with Ephesians, the Books of Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon are thought to have been written during the same time period and hence are called the "Prison Epistles" (cf. Phil. 1:7; Col. 4:0; Phile. 9), Since Ephesians gives no hint of his release from prison, as do Philippians (1:19-26) and Philemon (v. 22), it is reasonable to think that he wrote it in the early part of his stay, or about A.D. 60.

 

THEMES:

LAW THEMES: rivalry between believers; grieving the Spirit through unfaithfulness; marital unfaithfulness; spiritual warfare.

GOSPEL THEMES: baptism; election by God’s grace; justification by grace alone; the mystery of Christ revealed; unity in Christ’s Body.

 

OUTLINE

I. The Calling of the Church (chaps. 1-3)

A. Prologue (1:1-2)

B. Praise for God's planned spiritual blessings (1:3-14)

1. The provision of spiritual blessings (1:3)

2. The basis of spiritual blessings (1:444)

C. Prayer for wisdom and revelation (1:15-23)

1. Commendation (1:15)

2. Supplication (1:16-23)

D. New position individually (2:1-10)

1. The old condition: dead to God (2:1-3)

2. The new position: alive in God (2:4-10)

E. New position corporately (2:11-22)

1. Statement of the union (2:11-13)

2. Explanation of the union (2:14-18)

3. Consequence of the union (2:19-22)

F. Parenthetical expansion of the mystery (3:1-13)

1. The introduction (3:1)

2. The mystery (3:2-6)

3. The ministry (3:7-12)

4. The injunction (3:13)

G. prayer for strengthened love (314-21)

1. The approach to prayer (3.14-15)

2. The appeal in prayer (3:16-19)

3. The ascription of praise (3:20-21)

II. The Conduct of the Church (chaps 4-6)

A. Walking in unity (4:1-16)

1. The basis of unity (4:1-6)

2. The preservation of unity (4:7-16)

B. Walking in holiness (4:17-32)

1. Presentation of the old man (4:17-19)

2. Presentation of the new man (4:20-32)

C. Walking in love (5:1-6)

1. The positive: to love others (5:1-2)

2. The negative: to abstain from evil (5:3-6)

D. Walking in light (5:7-14)

1. Not becoming involved with evildoers (5:7-10)

2. Not becoming involved with evildoers' works (5:11-13)

3. Conclusion: enlightenment of Christ (5:14)

E. Walking in wisdom (5:15-6:9)

1. Admonition (5:15-21)

2. Application (5:22-6:9)

F. Standing in warfare (6:10-20)

1. Putting on the armour (6:10-13)

2. Standing with the armour (6:14-16)

3. Receiving the final pieces of armour (6:17-20)

G. Conclusion (6:21-24)

1. Information (6:21-22)

2. Salutation (6:23)

3. Benediction (6:24)

 

 

PHILIPPIANS

 

INTRODUCTION

On his second missionary journey Paul visited Philippi. Through his ministry there

several people trusted Christ as the Savior. Some of these were Lydia and her

family and the Philippian jailer and his family (Acts 16:14-34). Soon after Paul's visit a local church was established in Philippi. The church helped the apostle in different ways so this epistle was written to acknowledge their help, as well as to help them. Philippians is personal and practical in its tone and teaching. Paul

emphasized the need for believers to rejoice in Christ. "Joy" (chara) is used four

times (Phil. 1:4, 25; 2:2; 4:1); "rejoice" (chairo) occurs eight times (1:18 time (1:18

[twice]; 2:17-18; 3:1, 4:4 [twice], 10); and "glad" occurs thrice (2:17-18, 28). (In

1:26 the word "joy" is a different Gr. word; there it is the word "glad," "boast," or

"glory," [kauchema], which also occurs in 2:16 and 3:3.) Paul wrote frequently in

this epistle about the mind of a child of God. One's manner of life is truly a

reflection of what occupies his mind.

 

The Theme of the Epistle. Though many exhortations and challenges are given,

one major theme or emphasis pervades the book. All the teachings are expressions

or ramifications of this one central truth. This theme is "living the Christian life."

The Human Author. Most scholars agree that the Apostle Paul wrote the Book of

Philippians. Clearly the work purports to come from him (1:1). Reference to

Timothy is also significant since he was with the apostle when Philippi was

evangelized (cf. Acts 16). Also the information the writer gave about himself (Phil.

3:4-6) harmonizes perfectly with Paul's life In addition, the writings of the early

church fathers attest to Pauline authorship.

 

The Date of the Epistle. Paul was in bondage when he wrote Philippians. But all

do not agree which imprisonment he was experiencing when he wrote the book.

Most believe he was in Rome at the time; some suggest he was in Caesarea; and a

few argue for Ephesus. The Scriptures give no clear indication of any imprisonment in Ephesus. As for Caesarea, Paul was confined there for two years, but imminent martyrdom is not suggested in the account which describes this confinement (Acts 23-24). His reference to the palace guard (Phil. 1:13) as well as his concern about facing possible death (vv. 20-26) argue for his writing from Rome. The date of the writing would then be A.D. 61 or 62.

 

The Purposes for the Epistle. The initial reason for writing, as indicated, seems to

have been to thank the Philippians for their love gift. But Paul also took advantage

of this opportunity to address some of the problems in their church. Apparently

rivalry and personal ambition were present among some of the saints (2:34; 4:2). The Judaizers were also gaining hearing (3:1-3). In addition, an antinomian tendency was creeping in (3:18-19).

 

OUTLINE

 

I. Encouragement for Living the Christian Life (1:1-30)

A. Paul's praise of the saints at Philippi (1:1-8)

1. Introduction (1:1-2)

2. Praise for their constant witness (1:3-6)

3. Praise for their concern for the gospel (1:7)

4. Praise shown by his love for them (1:8)

B. Paul's prayer for the saints at Philippi (1:9-11)

1. Prayer for love (1:9-10)

2. Prayer for the fruit of righteousness (1:11)

C. Paul's presentation of himself to the saints (1:12-30)

1. Stalwart testimony (1:12-18)

2. Settled convictions (1:19-26)

3. Solemn exhortations (1:27-30)

II. Examples for Living the Christian Life (2:1-30)

A. The Son of God whose attitude the believer is to share (2:1-8)

1. The declaration (2:1)

2. The exhortations (2:2-4)

3. The humiliation of Christ (2:5-8)

4. The exaltation of Christ (2:9-11)

5. The exhortations continued (2:12-18)

B. The servants of God whose manner of life the believer is to follow (2:19-

30)

1. Timothy and Paul (2:19-24)

2. Epaphroditus and Paul (2:25-30)

III. Exhortations for Living the Christian Life (3:1-21)

A. Believers are the flesh (3:1-14)

1. The exhortation introduced (3:1)

2. The example to be followed (3:2-3)

3. The example to be followed (3:4-14)

B. Believers are to have a walk that pleases God (3:15-21)

1. A walk of maturity (3:15-16)

2. A walk of watchfulness (3:17-19)

3. A walk completed (3:20-21)

IV. Enablement for Living the Christian Life (4:1-23)

A. Christ at the center (4:1-7)

1. Standing fast in Him (4:1-3)

2. Rejoicing in Him (4:4)

3. Living in the light of His presence (4:5-7)

B. God’s presence with believers (4:8-9)

1. Thinking worthy thoughts (4:8)

2. Doing worthy deeds (4:9)

C. God’s supply of human needs (4:10-20)

1. The lesson of contentment (4:10-13)

2. The blessing of giving and receiving (4:14-20)

D. Conclusion (4:21-23)