Date.  It was written from Macedonia (probably Philippi) fall of A.D. 57.

Analysis.

   Introduction, 1:1-7.

I. Paul’s Trials, Principles and Consolation as a Preacher, 1:8- 7:16.

   1.  His interest in the Corinthian church. 1:8-2:11.

   2.  His service both to God and men, 2:12 end.

   3.  His appointment by the Holy Spirit, Ch. 3.

   4.  His power given by God, Ch. 4.

   5.  His hope of future blessedness, 5:1-19.

   6.  His exhortation and appeal to the church. 5:20-7:4.

   7.  His joy at their reception of the word, 7:5 end.

 II.  The Collection for the Poor Saints, Chs. 8-9.

   1.  The appeal for liberality, 8:1-15.

   2.  The sending of Titus and two other brethren, 8:16-9:5.

   3.  The Blessedness of liberality, 9:6 end.

III.  Paul’s Apostolic Authority. 10:1-13:10.

   1.  He vindicates his apostolic authority, 10:1-12:13.

2.  He warns them that his coming will be with apostolic authority, 12:14-13:10.

   Conclusion, 13:11 end.

For Study and Discussion. (1) Paul’s reasons for not going to Corinth, 1:15-2:4. (2) The glory of the gospel ministry, 4:1-6. (3) His affectionate injunction, 6:11-18. (4) The grace of liberality, Chs. 8-9.  Make a list of (a) ways of cultivating this grace, (b) the blessings it will bring to the possessor, to others and to the whole church. (5) Paul’s boasting, 11:16-12:20. (a) Of what things did he boast? (b) When is boasting justifiable? (6) Paul’s self-defense?  When should we defend ourselves? (7) The vision of the third heaven, 12:1-4. (8) The thorn in the flesh, 12:7-9. (9) The personal attacks on Paul.  Note the hints in 2:17; 4:3; 5:3; 10:8; 10:10; 11:6.

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Chapter XXXI.

Galatians and Ephesians.

Galatians.  The Country. (1) Politically it was the Roman province which included Lycaonia, Isauria, and parts of Phrygia and Pisidia. (2) Geographically it was the center of the Celtic tribes, and in this sense it seems to be used in this epistle and in Acts (Gal. 1:1; Acts. 13:14; 14:6; 16:6).

The Celtic People.  They were descended from the Gauls who sacked Rome in the fourth century B. C. and in the third century B. C. invaded Asia Minor and northern Greece.  A part of them remained in Galatia. predominating in the mixed population formed out of the Greek, Roman and Jewish people.  They were quick-tempered, impulsive, hospitable and fickle people.  They were quick to receive impressions and equally quick to give them up.  They received Paul with enthusiastic joy, and were then suddenly turned from him (Gal. 4:13-16).

The Churches of Galatia.  Just how and by whom these churches were established we do not know.  The great highway from the East to Europe passed through this region, making it possible for some of those present at Pentecost to have sown the seed of the gospel there.  It could have sprung up from work done by Paul while at Tarsus from the time of his return from Arabia to his going to Antioch with Barnabas.  But the scripture gives us no word about this.