Introduction (1:1-10)
1. The Gospel: Paul's Paul's Authoritative Message (1:11-2:21)
2. The Gospel: Legal Bondage Is Not for Today (3:1-4:31)
3. The Gospel: Christian Liberty Is for Today (5:1-6:10)
Conclusion (6:11-18)

Introduction (1:1-10)

The first ten verses of chapter 1 form what we might call an introduction to Paul’s letter. In this introduction we find information not only about who wrote the letter and to whom it was written, but we get clues as to why the letter itself was being written. Paul telegraphed what was on his mind as he began to write this letter. We see several themes that he developed as the letter unfolded. These themes are especially evident as we look back at the introduction having read the entire letter.

So then, in this introduction we see that Paul defended his apostleship and the source of that apostleship. And he wrote of the death and resurrection of Christ for our deliverance “from the present evil age.” But of particular importance, Paul held up the message of the true gospel of Christ as opposed to any other so-called gospel. It was this message of good news that was under attack in the churches to which he was writing. Paul felt the urgency of defending that message.

As part of the introduction, the letters of Paul regularly included a word of greeting. Following that, he would often express thanksgiving for those to whom he was writing. However, among the letters of Paul, Galatians is unique in this regard. The greeting included in Paul’s salutation is followed by a rebuke, not thanksgiving. What is unusual in this letter is that Paul followed the greeting with an expression of his evident concern for the state of the churches to which he is writing. This concern actually takes the form of a rebuke, going so far as to offer a curse upon those who oppose his message of the true gospel.

These first ten verses, which form an introduction or opening to Paul’s letter, can be divided into two sub-sections.
  1. A Salutation (1:1-5)
  2. A Rebuke (1:6-10)

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