GALATIANS, EPISTLE TO THE (ante), was universally received in the early church as a genuine work of the apostle Paul, and is clearly shown to be such by its contents, style, and manner. In the introduction (i. 1-5) Paul announces to the Gala tians his apostolic authority as derived directly from the Lord, and salutes them in the name of the Father and of Christ. In the body of the epistle there is, I. A discussion of the subject which had occasioned it: 1. Paul vindicates his apostolic authority and teaching, by showing that lie was sent out neither by the church at Jerusalem, nor by the apostles there, but directly by Christ, who had personally revealed himself to him. Consequently lie was fully equal to any of the apostles (i. 6-ii. 21). 2. He shows that justification is by faith in Christ and not by works of the law; that the design for which the law had been given was to convince of sin as well as to restrain from transgression; that it was temporary, while preparatory to the gospel by showing the necessity of a perfect righteousness which only Christ could give. Such being the design of the law, Christians now are freed from it, as a son, on attaining his majority, is freed from tutors and governors 7). 3. He condemns the weakness and folly
of the Galatians in taking on themselves the yoke of the law which they had never known, and thereby forfeiting the blessings of the gospel which they had so recently obtainedt(iv. 9-v. 9). II. Practical instructions and exhortations: 1. Instructions con cerning the right of Christian liberty; the fulfilling of the law by mutual love; the rari ous„works of tile flesh; the manifold fruits of the spirit (v. 13-26). 2. Exhortations, to win back the erring; to cherish mutual sympathy and render mutual help; to guard against self-deception; to persevere in well-doing; to do good to all—especially to Christians—in proportion to ability and opportunity. In conclusion, the apostle repeats his confidence in the cross of Christ as the only ground of justification, renews the dec laration that according to the teaehing of true Christianity outward observances are of no avail without purification of heart and life, and commends the church to the grace of Christ.