I. Introductions 1:1-9
A. Greeting 1:1-5
B. Condemnation of error 1:6-9
II. Defense of apostolic authority 1:10-2:21
A. Apostolic call: the divine source of Paul's gospel 1:10-16
B. Apostolic confirmation 1:17-2:21
III. Scriptural basis for the gospel message 3:1-4:31
A. Identifying the Old Testament roots of the gospel 3:1-25
B. Clarifying the meaning of the gospel: sonship vs.
slavery 3:20-4:21
IV. Implications of the gospel message for Christian
living 5:1-6:10
A. Avoiding the extremes of legalism and licence 5:1-15
B. Walking in the power of the Holy Spirit 5:16-26
C. Serving one another according to the law of Christ 6:1-10
V. Conclusion 6:11-18
A. Personal signature 6:11
B. The church's problem: external legalism 6:12,13
C. The solution: the cross and the new creation 6:14,15
D. Benediction, request, and salutation 6:16-18
