We have now considered the double affirmation of the apostle, as found in

Gal. 1: - 2: 14. The first affirmation being the threefold use of "not . . . neither . . . but"

in  Gal. 1:,  whereby the apostle set forth his independent apostleship, gospel and

commission. The second affirmation is set out in Gal. 2: 1-14, where the apostle proves

by reference to Peter, James and John that this threefold independence was acknowledged

by the apostles at Jerusalem. The remainder of Gal. 2: 15-21 is a record of Paul's

personal affirmation regarding the truth of the Gospel.

On page six will be found the structure of the epistle as a whole, and Gal. 2: 15-4: 12

is set out under the title "CROSS 5: LAW", which finds a corresponding member in

Gal. 6: 11-16 "CROSS 5: WORLD".

The section, Gal. 2: 15 - 4: 12 is a lengthy one, and its teaching is condensed yet

full. To attempt a meticulous display of the structure would defeat our object both by its

length and its prolixity, for we have learned that a structure that exceeds one page of print

is too unwieldy for general use.

We have therefore indicated the great steps that the argument takes, and in one

instance, to avoid much sub-division, we have allowed a telescoping of parts in

chapter 3: 15-21, which however can be rectified when these parts are set out in fuller

detail later. The structure opens and closes with a threefold argument, using the words

"by nature" first of the Jews, and then of the so-called heathen gods. Peter's defection,

"building again the things which he destroyed", is seen to be the same in spirit as the

"turning back again to the weak and beggarly element" by the Galatians.  The

problematical exhortation of Gal. 4: 12, "Be as I am; for I am as ye are", becomes

luminous in the light of the corresponding member "I am dead to the law". For the rest

of the structure the words put into prominence, indicate the trend of the argument.

Atheteo comes twice "I do not frustrate the grace of God" (Gal. 2: 21); and "no man

disannulleth" (Gal. 3: 15). In two passages the Scriptures are personified.

"The scripture, foreseeing . . . . . preached before" (3: 8) and "The scripture hath

concluded all under sin" (3: 22). Twice the apostle uses the word exagorazo "to

redeem", once for the redemption from under the curse of the law, that the blessing of

Abraham may be received, and the second time redemption from the servile position of

being "under" the law, "under" tutors and governors, "under" the elements of the world,

in order that the blessing of adoption might be realized (3: 13, 14; 4: 1-5).

The reader is asked to give something more than a cursory glance to this structure; it

is an attempt to exhibit the hidden handiwork of God, and its presence in such a personal

epistle, is surely evidence of the inspiration of God that turns Paul's personal witness into

Holy Scripture.