Analysis

• 1. THE ARGUMENT FROM EXPERIENCE (1:1 – 2:21)

  • a. Greeting (1:1–5)

  • b. The subject of the letter introduced (1:6–9)

  • c. Paul’s conversion (1:10–24)

    • 1. Paul’s protest (1:10–12)

    • 2. Paul’s life before his conversion (1:13–14)

    • 3. Paul’s conversion and subsequent events (1:15–24)

  • d. Later relations with Jerusalem church leaders (2:1–10)

  • e. The clash with Peter (2:11–16)

  • f. Death and the new life (2:17–21)

• 2. THE ARGUMENT FROM THEOLOGY (3:1 – 5:1)

  • a. Introduction (3:1–6)

  • b. Abraham’s faith (3:7–9)

  • c. Who is under the curse? (3:10–14)

  • d. Does law annul promise? (3:15–18)

  • e. What is the purpose of the law? (3:19–29)

  • f. The difference between son and infant (4:1–11)

  • g. A personal appeal for better relations (4:12–20)

  • h. An argument from rabbinics (4:21 – 5:1)

• 3. THE ARGUMENT FROM RESULTS (5:2 – 6:18)

  • a. The goal of the gospel (5:2–6)

  • b. A personal aside (5:7–12)

  • c. The true use of freedom (5:13–18)

  • d. The ‘natural results’ of human nature (5:19–21)

  • e. The harvest of the spirit (5:22–26)

  • f. How to deal with an offender (6:1–6)

  • g. Sowing and reaping (6:7–10)

  • h. The autographed conclusion (6:11–18)