Outline of Galatians

Ancient writers did not always follow hierarchical outlines. Nevertheless, one may provide a working outline of Galatians, provided that one recognizes that some lines or passages (such as 5:1, or even 5:2–12) are transitional and hence are readily placed by different interpreters in different sections. The section 3:1–5:12 could easily be divided further, especially given two different argument sections from Scripture (3:6–25; 4:21–31) interspersed with pathos (4:12–20; 5:2–12). For an argument with grammar as choppy as that which Galatians sometimes displays, the larger structure of Paul’s case in the letter remains well organized.

I. Epistolary Prescript: Gospel Greetings (1:1–5)

II. Thesis and Refutation: No Other Gospel (1:6–12)

III. Narrative Defense of the Gospel (1:13–2:21)

God Reveals the Gospel to Paul (1:13–17)

Far from Judea (1:18–24)

Consensus in Jerusalem (2:1–10)

Kephas Compromises Gospel Truth (2:11–14)

Made Right with God through Christ Alone (2:15–21)

IV. Argument Especially from Scripture (3:1–5:12)

Trading God’s Presence for Rules (3:1–5)

Either Abraham’s Blessing or the Law’s Curse (3:6–14)

Stick with the First Agreement (3:15–20)

The Formal Law as a Stopgap (3:21–25)

You Are All Heirs Already (3:26–29)

A More Mature Era in Christ (4:1–7)

Returning to Empty Practices (4:8–11)

Plea to Return to Earlier Relationship (4:12–20)

Abraham’s Free Heirs versus His Slave Children (4:21–5:1)

Circumcision Cannot Supplement Christ before God (5:2–6)

Beware of Your Deceivers (5:7–12)

V. The True Basis for Ethics (Refuting Detractors) (5:13–6:10)

Serving One Another (5:13–15)

Following the Spirit’s Steps (5:16–25)

The Ways of Christ’s Law (5:26–6:10)

VI. Closing Appeal (6:11–18)

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