Description
Paul writes to the churches of Galatia who have fallen away from the gospel message he preached to them earlier. False teachers have isolated Galatia’s churches, holding them captive to a false understanding of the gospel. Paul must correct the churches by reminding them of how the works of man can add up to nothing in accordance with salvation in Christ Jesus. Not by works of the law are we saved, but by faith in Christ. Not by the works of the flesh, but by the gifting of the Holy Spirit can we live the life of a born-again Christian.
NOTE: Study references include the “Holman Everyday Study Bible, KJV (King James Version) as well as the “Crossway Illuminated Scripture Journals, ESV (English Standard Version), New Testament Set. All KEY VERSES included in each chapter summary will be translated in the English Standard Version.
Chapter 1
Paul opens his letter to the churches of Galatia first by stating his position as an apostle, meaning the words he speaks are not of himself nor his own authority, but of God’s. His major topic of discussion is of the Galatian’s sudden change in belief, turning to an “alternative” gospel preached by false Christians. Paul makes a clear statement, there is no other gospel than the one he previously preached to them when he was in Galatia. If anyone, including he or any angel, ministers unto them using a different gospel then let them be condemned. He then discusses his call to be an ambassador for the gospel of Christ, how he received the revelation of Christ not from any man, but by Christ Himself. Even with Paul’s former life of persecuting and killing Christians, Paul’s new life of ministry stands as a major testimony which grabs the attention of listeners, causing many to glorify God and believe for themselves.
KEY VERSES: Galatians 1:8 ~ “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one, we preached to you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:15-16 ~ “But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;”
Chapter 2
One major topic false Christians preached to the Galatians was the requirement of circumcision to be saved. Paul discusses the story of meeting with the church leaders in Jerusalem after many years, taking his brothers in the faith, Barnabas, and Titus with him. He uses Titus (an uncircumcised Greek Gentile) as a test case to demonstrate how he has never caved into this false preaching on circumcision, never “running in vain” from the false preachers. His message is backed up further with the acceptance of his ministry to the uncircumcised by the church leaders. Paul shifts the example over to Cephas (Apostle Peter), how he was to eat with and minister unto the Gentiles. However, when the “circumcision party” arrived (see Matthew 9:10-13) Peter “ran in vain”, stumbling the other Jewish brothers in the faith (including Barnabas), causing much confusion and dismay. Paul calls out Cephas for being inconsistent with his ministry. Circumcision and uncircumcision mean nothing to the salvation/justification found in Christ (see Acts 15). Only through the cross of Christ are we justified and can live in a state of purity and righteousness. If it were possible to gain God’s righteousness through keeping the law, the death of Christ on the cross would have been in vain.
KEY VERSES: Galatians 2:5 ~ “to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.” Galatians 2:20-21 ~ “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.”
Chapter 3
Paul continues the topic of being justified by faith over the works of the law. He refers to the Galatians as foolish, asking them if they received Christ’s Spirit by faith or by works of the law, or if the Spirit is in effect because of their flesh? He reminds the Galatians that sanctification comes by Christ Jesus, who died on the cross (was hanged on the tree) for our sins (see Deuteronomy 21:23). He backs up these claims by including the promise of Abraham, how before Abraham was circumcised, he believed in God’s promise by faith! God gave the promise centuries before the law. “The righteous shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4) and not according to their own fulfilling works of the law. Fulfillment of the law by our own merit is not possible. The law was created to expose sin and our sinful nature, to be a temporary guardian, so that the promise of Christ would restore us, becoming the eternal guardian to those who put their faith in Him.
KEY VERSES: Galatians 3:2 ~ “Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?” Galatians 3:18 ~ “For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.” Galatians 3:22 ~ “But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” Galatians 3:29 ~ “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”
Chapter 4
Paul gives an example of the dynamic of being justified by faith above the law by evaluating the scenario of an underaged heir having no right to his inheritance. For the time being the heir would be held under the watch of a guardian or manager (tutor). During the pre-transitional time, the heir would have no more rights than that of a slave until he reaches the necessary age to acquire the inheritance. The same can be describe as for God’s people, being temporarily under the principles of the law until the appointed time when Christ lived and died for us. Christ lived the life of a man; He understands all that we go through. He set us free out of the “slave market” of the law. If we are justified by faith, then we have been made heirs, God’s adopted sons and daughters. These false teachers in Galatia were excluding Galatia from the other Gentile churches so they could not call these lessons to reproof. Paul has told the church the truth they needed to hear, even if that truth hurts (it should). Paul then gives another example using Ishmael and Issac, how one son of Abraham was born out of the flesh, impatience, and outside the promise of God, while the other was born out of God’s anointing, and appointed time. Ishmael would go on to persecute Issac for his inheritance, just as the pharisees and Judaizers persecute the gentile, Christians.
KEY VERSES: Galatians 4:7 ~ “So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” Galatians 4:9 ~ “But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?”
Chapter 5
Hope remains for Galatia’s churches, Paul exclaims. Christ set them free, they should stand confidently in that truth, receive the true gospel, and do not return to a life gratifying the flesh. Paul reminds the Galatians that he has never preached circumcision within the gospel, for it does not amount to any portion of salvation. If you are justified by the law, then Christ is not with you. You then forfeit your salvation. Paul advises the church to hold fast to this knowledge, for false insight can spread quickly. Paul goes on to discuss a life lived by the flesh compared to one encompassed by the spirit. The works of the flesh are described in summary as the sinful natures of mankind, gratifying one’s own selfish desires. The fruits of the spirit consist of godly acts which glorify God and serve others in love, yielding spiritual maturity and righteousness. The call to walk in the spirit is a continuous effort, a constant battle for purity. We belong to Christ; our passions and fleshly desires were hanged on the tree. Let us then hold fast to the way of godly living so we may not be shaken.
KEY VERSES: Galatians 5:1 ~ “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:13 ~ “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:24-25 ~ “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we then live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Chapter 6
Paul concludes his letter by reminding the Galatians how they ought to fulfill the law of Christ; serving one another lovingly, correcting each other gently when one falls into sin. We are to bear each other’s burdens, being weary not to fall into sin ourselves (a daily endurance in of itself). Let those who are taught the gospel reach out and represent the words of God to others. God knows His anointed people, for they sow in love and reap fruitfully in time. He asks his family in the faith to be good to everyone, not acting according to the flesh (see Chapter 5). We are a new creation; Paul writes with his own hand. Not according to the works of the flesh are we sanctified, but by justification, through faith we are a redeemed vessel for the handiwork of God. The mark of man’s works is nothing compared to the marks of Jesus. Amen.
KEY VERSES: Galatians 6:2 ~ “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:9 ~ “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:17 ~ “From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.”