A Space for Growth and Study
Verse-by-Verse Bible Study
Explore a deeper connection between God’s Word and the daily struggles faced by the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Practical wisdom for modern issues.
[Vs1—2] Galatians is one of Paul’s earliest letters [epistles]. He wrote this letter to confront the false gospel, being preached to the Churches in Galatia.
As we know, Paul was an apostle [messenger from God] to preached the gospel of grace and sent by the resurrected Son of God – given authority to declare salvation by grace through faith in Christ, READ Mt 11:27; Jn 8:42; Ac 9:6, 20:24, 22:10—21, 26:16 – Ac 18:23.
There are serious consequences for rejecting this message. Open your mind and listen to what it means to be saved by grace [independent of works]. Encourage one another!
[Vs3—4] God is holy and cannot overlook sin and rebellion against His Word; therefore, no sin goes unpunished!
Because God is love, He sent His only Son [Jesus] to die on the cross to pay for our sin – gearing the wrath of His father against sin.
Henceforth, those who trust in what Christ had done for us on the cross [not in themselves; good works] will be saved.
Christ’s sacrifice on the cross not only justifies believers for Heaven; it delivers us from the power of sin in this present world, READ Rom 6:23; Ti 2:14; Mt 20:28; Rom 4:25; 1Co 15:3; Gal 2:20; 1Th 3:13; 1Pt 3:17.
I urge you to trust in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, not self and you will have eternal life. Encourage one another!
Galatians
[V6] No other gospel:Jesus, the “Substitute Atonement”, gave His life for us and on the third day God raised Him from the dead – having paid the full penalty for our sins. Without such, we are doomed to death and cannot be delivered from this present evil age!
Like the Corinthian, false teachers had infiltrated the Churches in Galatia. Seemingly, they are Judaizers [in Acts 15:1], who told the Gentile Christians that they cannot be saved unless they were circumcised [according to the customs, which Moses prescribed]; undermining justification [being made righteous before God through faith in Christ].
Subsequently, the Galatian believers would question the authenticity of their salvation [believing in Jesus’ sacrifice for sin]; hence, the urge to return to the Law of Moses, as to be sanctified, READ 1Pt 1:15.
Christians, your works will be paid in full [rewards in Heaven]; however, no work is required to ascertain a place in God’s family. Jesus had paid the price in full, 2000 years ago. Encourage one another!
[V7] Paul is writing to the Galatian Church because some Christians are deserting Jesus and turning to another gospel [Moses Law].
The Galatians had believed the true gospel [Christ crucified and rose again], when Paul and Barnabas went to them [Ac 13:43, 48—49], but Judaizers [a faction of Jewish-Christians] were preaching a false gospel – that one cannot be saved without observing the Law of Moses: circumcision, dietary law.
This was an attempt to distort the gospel of Christ; hence, leaving grace and returning to the Law, which paralleled a loss in Christian liberty, READ Ac 4:12; 1Co 3:11; Jd 4.
We are created unto good works [Eph 2:10], but we can’t do good [Rom 3:12, 23; Ps 14:3] and if we say we have no sin, God’s truth is not in us [1Jn 1:8]; therefore, you can only be saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone [Eph 2:8—9]. Encourage one another!
[Vs8—9] Judaizers – a faction of Jewish-Christians – went to the Gentiles, who had received salvation through Paul’s preaching [faith in Christ], teaching them that salvation required faith in Christ plus obedience to the Law of Moses. Still, many Christians are preaching this same error today.
This swayed some Galatian believers; hence, Paul, in the authority of his apostleship, declared, if anyone, to include an angel from Heaven, insist on adding obedience of Old Testament laws to the gospel of salvation [or warps the gospel in anyway] from the gospel he proclaimed, should be cursed.
Lesson: the Law of Moses was a covenant between God and the sons of Israel, through their obedience [Ex 34; Lev 26:46; Deu 29:1]. The Israelites could not keep the law; hence, Christ came to save them [Christ crucified] superseding the old covenant and the Law [Mt 5:17; Rom 10:4; Eph 2:15; Heb 8:13].
When you sin, you broke the law; therefore, no one on Earth can ever keep the Law; hence, the cross. God’s grace is sufficient, run to the cross not the law. Amen. Encourage one another!
[V10] Paul called by God: After Paul left Galatia, Judaizers went and convinced some believers that more was required to be saved. They taught ‘good works’ – an addition to Paul’s message: ‘saved by grace’ lone [v4; Eph 2:9—9]; attempted to make Jesus’ death on the cross meaningless [Gal 2:21].
In the latter part of 2 Corinthians, Judaizers questioned whether Paul was a true apostle. More so, it seems they were suggesting that Paul did not require the Gentiles to follow Moses’ Law because he wanted to please them.
Paul clarified, he was not trying to please man but sought God’s approval in everything he did. And so, if this were the case, why he did not accept what the false teachers did; instead of, pronouncing a curse on anyone, who added to the gospel [Christ crucified], which he taught them? READ 1Th 2:4.
No one can do good [Rom 3:23]. We know that when the Israelites were commanded to obey the Law they failed miserably; hence, Jesus’ sacrifice and now, we can only be saved by grace – saved by grace plus something else is false. Encourage one another!
[Vs11—12] Paul defended his authority as an apostle of Christ; declaring that Christ sent him with the message of grace [not works; works were required only under the Law]. It was Christ, who revealed the gospel of grace to Paul; it is not from ‘man’, READ 1Pt 4:13; 1Co 11:23, 15:3.
Everyone who preaches that works must be added to acquire salvation, implies that Christ’s blood was not enough to saved and that ‘man’ must do something for themselves [2Co 12:9]. Christ came to save those, who were under the law [Gal 4:4—5]; the law could not save [Rom 10:4; Gal 2:16, 3:11; Rom 3:20]. Hence, obeying the Law cannot be a criterion to heaven as no one can keep the Law [Ac 15:10]; hence the cross.
Paul preached, by grace we are saved and not of works [Eph 2:8—9]. Encourage one another!
[Vs13—14] Anyone, who preaches another gospel than Christ crucified, is preaching something entirely false and worthy of being cursed.
Now, Paul tells of his personal story. He was a prominent persecutor, who wanted to destroy the Church, using violence [Ac 23:6]. The Church was a hindrance to the Jewish religion even for Paul, who held onto the tradition of his Jewish ancestors, READ Ac 8:1—9; Php 3:5—6; Mk 7:3.
Like Judaizers, Paul had studied the Old Testament Law extensively and were more advanced than them; hence, he kept the law more rigorous than they.
‘Good works’ is not a criterion to enter Heaven – only God’s grace. Tomorrow, we will find out why Paul left the Law and traditions to follow the One, whom he persecuted. Encourage one another
[V15] What Paul taught the Galatians about Christ was directly from God, not man. He gave his own life’s story in Judaism as a prominent Pharisee persecuting the Church of God.
Today, he is saying that God appeared to him and turned his life around [Ac 9:1—22]. Looking back, he now understands that God sets him apart for the role of apostleship even before he was born. God had intervened and placed Paul as an apostle – the role God had destined him to fill.
Furthermore, Paul was called by God; not that he earned his role, but he was positioned to represent God to the Galatians by God’s grace. The only thing Paul did was, simply received it.
You too, can obtain salvation through God’s grace, if you believe that Christ died for your sin Encourage one another!
[V16—17] Paul tried to convince the Galatian Church, what he preached [Christ crucified] to them, God revealed to him, after a zealous career as a Pharisee [holding fast the Law and traditions].
When God revealed His Son to Paul on the road to Damascus [Ac 9:3—9, 22:6—11, 26:12—18], God displayed His divine sovereignty, election and grace and in the process, saved Paul from the destruction of Judaism. This emphasizes that salvation is an act of God’s mercy; rather than, something man can earn [Eph 2:8—9, Rom 9:18].
God saved Paul to spread His Word – this is what Paul was born to do! And because the gospel was not from man, Paul needed no training from man – having received power from the Holy Spirit to carry out his earthly ministry. Encourage one another!
[Vs18—19] Paul told the Galatian believers that his apostleship did not derive from the apostles, who were before him; they did not ordain him; neither did he get his gospel authority from Peter.
He claimed, when he went to Jerusalem, he stayed with Peter for 15 days and the only other apostle he saw, while in Jerusalem was James – the brother of Christ, READ Ac 9:26; Jd 1.
Paul’s gospel authority came directly from Christ, so I urge, when you preach the gospel, preach the one, which was given to Paul [Christ crucified and rose again, minus works]. Encourage one another!
[V23] Paul committed one of the vilest sins ever – persecuting the Church [Body of Christ], holding fast the Law and traditions before converting to Christianity – saved by the mercies of God [God have mercy on whom He will, Rom 9:15—18].
Paul’s story reminds us that no man is beyond God’s grace. Even the vilest of all sinners can repent and believe, READ Ac 8:1—3; Jd 3.
Know this, if you had committed murder, theft, adultery, fornication or the likes, you are no longer condemned by the Law; you have hope if you believe in the resurrected Christ. Encourage one another!
Chapter 2
Chapter 1
[V1] The Apostles accepted Paul: Paul is still proving that Judaizers’ claim of obtaining salvation – that the Gentiles must keep the Law – is wrong. At His crucifixion, Christ ended the Law for righteousness, inaugurating a new covenant [Rom 10:4; Heb 8:6, 13].
Now, Paul recalls a trip he made to Jerusalem with Barnabas [a Jewish Christian] and Titus [a Gentile, Greek Christian], READ Ac 11:27—30, where all the apostles agreed that Gentiles, like all people, are saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone – Eph 2:8; not through the Law of Moses – Eph 2:9].
When you sin, you don’t go to the Law, for it is the Law, which reveals your sin and propels you to the cross, where your sin is forgiven. Seek the blood and encourage one another!
[V3] Yesterday, we learned, while in Jerusalem Paul met privately with Church leaders – communicating to them that Christ’s death on the cross was sufficient for the forgiveness of sins [2Co 12:9]; thus, He fulfilled the requirements of the Law [Mat 5:17]. They all perceived the same gospel.
Jesus substituted Himself for us on the cross and now, there is no need to keep the Law of Moses to be saved. Christ died for those, who were under the Law [Gal 4:4—5], as no one could keep the Law [Rom 3:20, 23; Gal 3:11; Jms 2:10].
To bolster his argument, Paul points to Titus [a Greek Christian]. Titus knew that submitting to circumcision added nothing to his salvation, as required under the Law [Ex 12:48]. You can’t keep the Law so look to the cross. Amen. Encourage one another!
[V4] When the Church was born, the people were mostly Jewish, who followed the Law; then placed their faith in Christ after His death and resurrection.
The ‘false brothers,’ who penetrated the Church were not true followers of Christ. Their goal was to enslave the Church to legalism; to earn salvation and sanctification by observing the Law; this is a false gospel [2Pt 2:1].
No one can do good [Mk 10:18; Rom 3:10—12]; no one can keep the Law [Rom 3:20; Gal 2:16, 3:11; Jms 2:10]. More so, salvation is unearned [Rom 11:6] and if so, it means all have sinned [Rom 3:23]. And if all have sinned, our only hope is faith in Christ Jesus [death on the cross].
On your best day, you are like dignified dirt, and you cannot do anything to earn your way to Heaven. Christ already did it all. Encourage one another!
[V5] Paul received the gospel message of grace from Christ Himself – insisting that nothing is required of humans to acquire salvation, because Jesus already paid the price in full on the cross.
Judaizers could not accept this, they insisted that the Law must be kept for salvation and sanctification. Many Judaizers today are making the same mistake; trusting in their performance; rather than, trusting in the blood of Jesus. If your works were good enough, Christ didn’t have to die, 2Th 2:10.
Grace is the unmerited favour of God [and cannot be diluted with works], Eph 2:8—9. Trust in Christ, not yourselves. Encourage one another!
[V6] Paul describes a meeting he had with the Church leaders in Jerusalem; discussing the gospel of grace, which God [not man] had given him to preach to Gentiles. The leaders agreed with Paul that we are only saved through faith in Christ [Eph 2:8—9].
Neither baptism, nor Sabbath, nor circumcision nor other work is required for salvation [Gal 5:6; Col 2:16; Rom 3:20]. Those who preach these conditions, Paul calls them “false brothers” [Judaizers], v4.
When you sin, it leads you to the cross, where your sin was paid for not to ‘good work’ [Law], which could not save; hence, Jesus’ death on the cross [Rom 8:3]. Encourage one another!
[V6] Paul describes a meeting he had with the Church leaders in Jerusalem; discussing the gospel of grace, which God [not man] had given him to preach to Gentiles. The leaders agreed with Paul that we are only saved through faith in Christ [Eph 2:8—9].
Neither baptism, nor Sabbath, nor circumcision nor other work is required for salvation [Gal 5:6; Col 2:16; Rom 3:20]. Those who preach these conditions, Paul calls them “false brothers” [Judaizers], v4.
When you sin, it leads you to the cross, where your sin was paid for not to ‘good work’ [Law], which could not save; hence, Jesus’ death on the cross [Rom 8:3]. Encourage one another!
[Vs7—8] Disciples, who worked with Jesus worked in unison with Paul, who became an apostle after Jesus’ resurrection, concerning the gospel of God’s grace [alone].
Primarily, Peter and Paul preached to 2 different groups [Jews (circumcised) and Gentiles (uncircumcised), respectively], they preached the same message, that all must be saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ apart from works [Eph 2:8—9; Ti 3:5]. They agreed that no ritual, tradition or works is required to be saved.
Noteworthy, the same Jesus, who worked through Paul in his ministry is the same Jesus, who worked through Peter and his ministry. The only difference was the audience, but same message. Encourage one another!
[V9] Paul’s message of salvation by God’s grace was approved by the influential leaders in Jerusalem: James, Peter, John, READ v15.
They agreed that Christ had revealed Himself to Paul and called him as an apostle. Henceforth, those 3 Church leaders gave to Paul and Barnabas ‘the right hand of fellowship’ [KJV]; meaning, the seal of approval; the New Testament acceptance and inclusion into the group.
Thereafter, James, Peter and John would go to the circumcision [Jews] and Paul and Barnabas to the heathen [Gentiles], preaching the same gospel [grace alone]. READ Jd 1; Jn 1:42.
Henceforth, anyone who rejects the gospel, which was revealed to Paul [1Co 15:1—4] – adding other requirements to salvation, beyond faith in Christ, are ‘false brothers [v4] and subject to condemnation [Gal 1:8—9]. Take heed. Encourage one another!
[V10] Freedom from the Law: We are aware, Jerusalem Church leaders: James, Peter and John, agreed with the gospel of grace, a mystery God revealed to Paul [Damascus Road].
While in Jerusalem, the apostles asked Paul to remember the poor. In the Old Testament, God often take care of the poor and oppressed [including marginalized and widow], Ex 22:22; 23:6; Lev 19:10.
In 1 John 3:17, the Church is commanded to take care of the poor. Paul also commanded the Corinthians Church to gather a collection for the poor Church in Jerusalem, 1Co 16:1—3. Other Ref: Rom 15:26
God’s agenda for the poor should be our agenda as well. Let us help those, who are in need. Encourage one another!
[V11] Freedom from the Law: No apostle preached to Paul. It was God, who saved, and revealed the gospel of grace directly to him. Paul was not under the authority of Peter or other apostles, but directly under God’s.
However, when Peter visited Antioch in Syria, Paul confronted him about an issue. We will learn more about what Peter was doing wrong. Say tuned. Encourage one another!
[V14] Peter believed that Jews and Gentiles were now saved the same way – by God’s grace through Faith in Jesus. He was scared, when men saw him eating with Gentiles at a table; he got up and left – a hypocritical example of the gospel. Apparently, these men were Judaizer, who believe that God’s grace saves; in addition to, observing the Law, READ Rom 3:20, 14:2; Gal 3:2, 5, 10.
Paul openly confronted Peter about his action, for the sake of the gospel. Christians do have two models: a Jewish and the other Gentiles; all are saved by God’s grace alone through faith alone – no addition [Eph 2:8—9].
Christ’s redemptive work on the cross is enough. Any addition to this is a false gospel and the one, who preaches it must be accursed [Gal 1:8—9]. Encourage one another!
[Vs12—13] Under the Law the Jews were forbidden to eat with Gentiles; they were not circumcised, and the foods they ate were unclean. Hence, to fellowship with Gentiles over a meal, makes Jews spiritually unclean before God.
Prior, God showed Peter different unclean foods [according to the Law] in a vision and commanded him to eat, READ Ac 10:9—13.
The interpretation is, God was not only telling Peter that now he can eat any kind of food, but with all kinds of people [Jews, Gentiles] – all are equal before God [Gal 3:28; Ac 10:34; Pro 22:2].
While in Antioch, Peter ate with his Gentile brothers, but in sight of other Jews, he withdrew himself – fearing, Judaizers, who were still acting under the Law and did not approve associating with Gentiles.
Peter’s action was hypocritical; preaching a unifying gospel but separated himself. Furthermore, Christ’s death tore down the middle wall [Eph 2:14] and now all things are made clean [Ac 10:15; 1Tim 4:4]. Encourage one another!
[V16] Paul began teaching about justification. In Christian theology, justification simply means to be made righteous before God.
To be saved, one must be righteous and since we are all sinners, we cannot achieve this through the works of the Law [Gal 2:16, 3:11; Rom 3:20]. We can only achieve justification through faith in Christ, READ Rom 3:23—24, 4:3—6, :1, 9; 2Co 5:21.
‘Man’ in his own righteousness [a false brother] is teaching additions to the gospel of grace [let him be accursed]. They did not learn from the self-righteous Pharisees, who trusted in themselves; ignoring the Saviour right in front of them. Encourage one another!
[V17] Paul is answering an objection – if righteousness is so free [only require faith in Jesus], then everyone will go sinning? Maybe, they looked at Peter, who was eating ‘unclean meat’ and with Gentiles [according to tradition]. Instead of, searching Scriptures for answers, Christians are making the same objection today.
One of the clearest Scriptures is Galatians 2:16: ‘no man is justified by the works of the Law, but by faith in Christ.’ Adding any other requirements to the gospel of grace is false [Gal 2:4] and worthy of condemnation [Gal 1:8—9].
So, does this idea of justification by faith makes Jesus the minister of sin? Paul said, “certainly not.”
Peter did not lose his salvation; he was not living a sinful life and justification by faith gives Christians the urge to glorify God; rather than, sinning wilfully! Encourage one another!
[V18] No one can be justified by the works of the Law, but only through faith in Christ, v16. And justification by faith does not permit anyone to sin nor does it make Christ the Minister of sin!
Before Paul was converted, he was a Pharisee, who kept the Law and persecuted those, who did not. Now, he says, the real sin was turning back to the Law, after one had been justified by faith in Christ – building up what was torn down.
Christ does not encourage sin and certainly, God’s forgiveness does not condone sin, READ Rom 6:1, 15; Gal 3:21.
It is the Law, which reveals our sinfulness; however, it is God’s grace, which saves us from our sinfulness [Ac 20:32; Rom 2:25, 27; Jms 2:9, 11. Encourage one another!
[V18] No one can be justified by the works of the Law, but only through faith in Christ, v16. And justification by faith does not permit anyone to sin nor does it make Christ the Minister of sin!
Before Paul was converted, he was a Pharisee, who kept the Law and persecuted those, who did not. Now, he says, the real sin was turning back to the Law, after one had been justified by faith in Christ – building up what was torn down.
Christ does not encourage sin and certainly, God’s forgiveness does not condone sin, READ Rom 6:1, 15; Gal 3:21.
It is the Law, which reveals our sinfulness; however, it is God’s grace, which saves us from our sinfulness [Ac 20:32; Rom 2:25, 27; Jms 2:9, 11. Encourage one another!
[V19] Paul is still making the case that no one is justified by the works of the Law. In its context, this verse is difficult to fully understand. As a former Pharisee, Paul teaches – no one [except Jesus] – can perfectly keep the Law [Rom 3:23]; hence, death became the penalty [Rom 6:23].
The Law revealed how sinful Paul was and condemned him to death. However, Christ paid the penalty on the cross he owed for not being able to keep the Law. He imputed [credited] His righteous to him [2Co 5:21; Rom 4:22—24]] and now, Paul is declared righteous [holy] before God.
Through Christ we are dead to the Law so we can ‘live unto God.’ Christ died for those, who were under the law [Gal 4:5]; hence, we are redeemed. The Law condemns; however, it is God’s grace, which saves us. Encourage one another!
[V20] When we are saved and justified through our faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross, we become part of Him and therefore, have died with Him; thereafter, He begins to live in us.
Adding any requirement of ‘good works’ and, or rituals is contrary to the Gospel, READ Gal 1:8—9, 2:16.
Christ died in our place and so, we were crucified with Him. The sinful man died and replaced by the resurrected Christ, who indwells us. Because we still have the flesh, we still have desires to sin, and we do sin, but now, it is the Holy Spirit, who guides our lives, READ Rom 6:1—6; Ti 2:14; Lk 20:38; Rom 14:8; Heb 1:2; 2Th 2:13; 2Co 13:5.
Why did Christ die? He loves us! [Jn 3:16]; therefore, he gave Himself as a sacrifice for us, so we can have eternal life. Trust in what Christ did on the cross and not your own performance [like the Pharisees]. Encourage one another!
[V21] If it were possible to acquire righteousness by the works of the Law, why did Christ die? If this were true, then Christ’s death was in vain; hence, the gospel of grace is irrelevant. The two cannot co-exist, “If it is by grace then it’s no longer works” [vice versa], Rom 11:6.
Noteworthy, grace is not a license to sin. Being justified by faith in Christ means we’ve died to the Law; henceforth, by the power of the Holy Spirit we seek to obey God, though we sin in the flesh READ Rom 7:1—5, 9:31; Gal 5:4; Php 3:6; 1Co 8:11.
Put your faith in Jesus’ shed blood and righteousness, not your own performance [good works, the Law]. The Law could not save; hence, Christ died, Rom 8:3—4. Encourage one another!
Chapter 3
[V1] Faith or Works of the Law: Paul still addressing the people in the region of Galatia, who believed faith in Christ saved, but is now being fooled by Judaizers that Gentiles must be circumcised and keep the Law to be saved.
If keeping the law saves, then Christ died for nothing, c2, v21. Paul calls the people, who believe this lie – fools. In Scripture, a fool is not someone, who lacks formal education or intelligence, a fool is a person, who lacks spiritual sense, READ Rom 1:14; Mt 27:22.
To believe that you are saved by the Law, after the truth has been preached to you [Christ crucified], is a fool [Scripture]. Stay focused on Christ, not self. Encourage one another!
[V2] False teachers claimed that faith in Christ is not enough to obtain salvation – falling for this is ‘foolish’.
From this, Paul began to ask a series of questions to help the Galatians reevaluate their stance. First, ‘when you got saved, did you receive the Holy Spirit by observing the 10 commandments? Or by hearing of faith?’ Clearly, the Galatians received the Holy Spirit, when they put their faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross!
Don’t be fooled, in Christ alone is your hope, not by works of the Law. Encourage one another!
[V3] The people of Galatia started to believe that they needed to live like the Jews – observing the Law and its traditions, to be saved. Paul describes this as ‘foolish’.
If the Holy Spirit indwells the believer, when they first believed, why are they now believing that they need to follow the Law to be accepted by God? They began in the power of the Holy Spirit and now they believe that they are made perfect in their own effort – in the flesh – to live according to the Law – obviously not!
Sanctification is derived through empowerment of the Holy Spirit – 2Co 3:17—18 – not self-performance. Encourage one another!
[V4] Paul is asking the Galatians a series of questions concerning their salvation through God’s grace while dismantling their self-effort, vs1—3.
So, he asked, have you suffered in vain?’ Maybe he was referring to the persecution they faced for their faith in Christ. Early Christians were mistreated for following Christ. Henceforth, if they go back to observing the Law, Paul says, their suffering was meaningless, READ Php 1:29.
However, this suffering [Greek word epathete, also means an ‘experience’] and instead of persecution, it could also refer to the supernatural experiences God had shown them, since they’ve come to faith in Christ. This argument coincides with verse 5.
Either way, Paul is asking the Galatians to consider whatever experiences they encountered [persecution or supernatural] and know that it is God and not their own works. Encourage one another!
[V5] Paul continues the series of questions to the Galatians. ‘Who works miracles among you? Is it the Spirt of God or the Law?
Noteworthy, early Christians had often received God’s Spirit with a demonstration of His power to include miracles. Now, miracles include the supernatural phenomena, which no one can demonstrate. This was only possible through faith in the power of the Holy Spirit.
After all, the Galatians had not experienced the power of the Holy Spirit by observing the Law, the Spirit had come upon them after they believed and before any works can be done.
Philippians 4:13 says, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ [KJV]. Take heed, Mk 13:22. Encourage one another!
[V6] Paul concluded his attempt to show the Galatians that they’ve been lied to; no one is required to be circumcised along with faith in Christ to be saved!
Even before the Law was given to Israel, those who believed were made righteous (no work included). Paul referenced Abraham – God promised him an entire nation.
Abraham did not try to earn that promise. He did not get circumcised; instead, he simply believed what God said to him and he was declared righteous on account of his faith in God, READ Jn 14:1; Gen 15:6.
So, why asked the Galatians to be circumcised to be saved? I urge you, believe in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection and you will be saved. Encourage one another!
[Vs7—9] A ‘works-based’ version of Christianity is false. Judaizers taught that salvation begins with believing in Jesus and; thereafter, one must be circumcised and follow the rituals of the law to be saved – a false gospel!
Abraham’s sons [his spiritual children; both Jews and Gentiles] are those, who exhibit faith in God and not the people who endeavour to observe the Law.
The gospel [faith in God] was announced to Abraham ahead of time, when God told Abraham that all nations will be blessed through him [Gen 12:3]; through Christ [Gal 3:16, 19] Refs: Jn 8:37, 39; Gen 16:15, 18:18; Heb 2:16.
God’s blessing is extended to those who have faith in Him, like Abraham, who exerted faith even before the Law and so, keeping the Law to gain acceptance from God is meaningless. Encourage one another!
[Vs7—9] A ‘works-based’ version of Christianity is false. Judaizers taught that salvation begins with believing in Jesus and; thereafter, one must be circumcised and follow the rituals of the law to be saved – a false gospel!
Abraham’s sons [his spiritual children; both Jews and Gentiles] are those, who exhibit faith in God and not the people who endeavour to observe the Law.
The gospel [faith in God] was announced to Abraham ahead of time, when God told Abraham that all nations will be blessed through him [Gen 12:3]; through Christ [Gal 3:16, 19] Refs: Jn 8:37, 39; Gen 16:15, 18:18; Heb 2:16.
God’s blessing is extended to those who have faith in Him, like Abraham, who exerted faith even before the Law and so, keeping the Law to gain acceptance from God is meaningless. Encourage one another!
[V10] Law and promise: Today, Paul is quoting Moses, cursed is everyone, who fails to do everything written in the Law. Anyone, who tries to keep the Law to be saved is always under the threat of being cursed by God, READ Deut 27:26.
No one can perfectly keep the Law [Rom 3:23] and anyone, who keeps the entire Law and stumbles at one point, he is guilty of all [Jms 2:10]; hence, Christ died for those, who were under the Law [Gal 4:4—5]. Ref: Rom 4:15.
Therefore, we can only be saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ [Eph 2:8—9]. Encourage one another!
[V11] Paul is still making his case, pointing to the Old Testament, which underscores that we are justified through faith [Hab 2:4]. Hence, no one can be saved by observing the Law, READ Rom 8:3—4.
God’s intention has always been for us to be saved through Jesus, His Son [Eph 2:8; 1 Co15:1—4]; not by the works of the Law, READ Eph 2:9], READ Php 1:21. Encourage one another!
Heading 4
[V13] Old Testament books of Deuteronomy, Leviticus and Habakkuk show that living by faith in Christ and living under the Law are not compatible; they cannot co-exist!
Christ died and redeemed those, who were under the Law from the curse of the Law [Gal 4:4—5]. He took our curse upon Himself, for cursed is anyone who was hung on a tree – hence fulfilling the Old Testament Scripture [Deut 21:23]. Ref: 1 Pt 2:24; Ac 5:30.
This is the essence of the gospel [good news]. No one can keep the Law without breaking it; hence, we were cursed by the Law, separated from God and need a saver.
Christ stepped in; he became the perfect sacrifice for our sins, which frees us from the Law and gives us the opportunity to be save through faith in Him. Encourage one another!
[V12] The Galatians are drifting away from the truth: from salvation through faith alone to salvation by faith plus works, lured by a group called the ‘Judaizers.’
Paul addressed this false idea. He presented arguments from the Old Testament that living under the Law, was to live under a curse [Deut 27:26]. In Habakkuk 2:4, Scripture says, the righteous shall live by faith.
Paul adds, the Law is not of faith; it is of works and those who live under the Law, must do all the Law without failing [Lev 18:5].
Henceforth, faith and law cannot co-exist. If you live under the Law, you must do what the Law says and since, no one can perfectly keep the Law, they are cursed.
To be saved you must trust in Christ’s blood, which makes you righteous before God. You can’t add works to it. Encourage one another!
[V14] To rely on the Law to make us righteous before God is to live under a curse, c3, v10—13. The Law reveals our sin; however, it cannot save, as it was never intended for salvation.
God had a plan to save us, when the time was right, he sent His Son to die for us on the cross, defeating sin and death—something the Law could not do.
God had promised to bless [justification] all the nations [Jews, Gentiles], v8, 14; Gen 12:3, through the Seed of Abraham [Jesus Christ], v16, 19; Rom 4:16.
Christ fulfils the Law; therefore, all who exhibit faith in Christ received the promise of the Holy Spirit, activating the perfect righteousness of Christ in us. Encourage one another!
[V15] The Law cannot save! The Galatians received the Holy Spirit, when they believed, not by observing the Law. Too, the Old Testament pronounced that faith in Christ saves, starting with Abraham. This was a promise made and cannot be broken!
To bolster his point, Paul makes a reference of a legal agreement [likely a will] between men. Once the agreement was completed and signed and the person dies, under the Grek law, it could not be altered.
Even among man, some contracts cannot be revoked or changed. More of this in our next study. Stay tuned. Encourage one another!
[Vs16—17] In v15, we learn that a human will cannot be altered; similarly, God’s covenant with Abraham was binding, even after the giving of the Law and; therefore, could not be supplanted by the Mosaic Law.
Today, if you trust in what Christ did on the cross you will receive the blessing, which was promised to Abraham’s descendants, READ Gen 15:1—21. Other Refs: Gen 12:7, 13:15, 17:8; Ex 12:40; Ac 7:6.
Seek Christ, do not rely on your own performance. Encourage one another!
[V18] Paul continues to demonstrate that salvation is not acquired through the Law. God promise to Abraham and his offspring were not made based on ‘man’s’ deeds or his performance; it was cemented on the premise of belief.
Too, God did not ask Abraham to do anything. After hearing God’s promise, Abraham simply believed. Therefore, saying the Law brings salvation is to say that God’s Law destroyed His promise to Abraham.
No one can keep the Law; therefore, it cannot be a criterion for salvation and, when you fall short of God’s standards, go to the cross, where you’ve been redeemed, not to the Law, which reveal your sinfulness. Encourage one another!
[V19—20] The Law cannot save, vs10—12. So, why was it instituted? Because of transgression; it identifies sin; actions, which were contrary to God’s will. The Covenant: If Israel obey the Law, God blessed them; if they disobeyed, He punished them.
Additionally, the Law served as a temporary measure; given until the promised Seed [Jesus Christ, v16] came – Christ is the end of the Law’ – Rom 10:4.
God’s promise to bless [justify] the nations through Abraham was fulfilled in Christ, v8, 14, who ushered in a new covenant making the Law obsolete. v8, 14; Heb 8:13; Eph 1:9—12.
Moreover, the Law was ordinary; put in place through angels by an intermediary. This was a two-way covenant – angels represented God [Ac 7:53; Heb 2:2] and Israel by Moses [Ex 32:15—16].
However, God is still one; He does not require humans’ involvement to make a covenant, as seen between God and Abraham – a unilateral covenant. Trust in Christ, not the Law. Encourage one another!
[Vs21—23] God does not work contrary to Himself. It is simple, we must know what the Law can or cannot do. READ Rom 8:3—4, 3:22, 10:9; Mk 11:24; Jn 3;16; Ac 10:43; 1Pt 1:8—9; Jd 3.
No one can be saved by observing the Law. ‘People’ sin everyday Rom 3:23]; hence, it is impossible to obey the Law. ‘We’ need a saviour; hence, Christ came.
The Law cannot empower us to obey, neither can it give life; instead, the Law revealed God’s righteous standard and imprisoned us under the power of sin. It positioned us to receive the promise, which is faith in Christ’s finished work.
The Law is like a mirror; it reflects our sinfulness, but it cannot fix what it reveals; hence, Christ died to save us [Rom 6:23]. Relying on the Law for righteousness is to tell Christ His sacrifice was meaningless. Encourage one another!
[V24] Paul continues, the Law played a vital role for Israel from Moses’ time until Jesus – ‘Christ is the end of the Law’ – Rom 10:4.
Paul compares the Law to paidagogos – the Greek word meaning, guardian’, a household slave, who was tasked with providing moral instructions and discipline to children.
This comparison suggests, God safeguarded and disciplined Israel until the time was right for Christ to come [Col 2:17; Heb 9:10]. The Law wasn’t the teacher; it could not save the people. It only provided direction and discipline until all can be justified through faith in Christ, READ Mt 5:17. Encourage one another!
[Vs25—26] Continuing from v24, when the children became adults, they left the guardian behind for he had fulfilled his purpose – directing and disciplining children until they’ve grown!
Similarly, when Christ came and the Law had served its purpose – to direct and discipline Istrael, the Israelites were no longer under the Law [Rom 6:14—23]. The real saviour had come; He is the end of the Law [Rom 10:4].
Since Christ came, all [Jews, Gentiles] are now children of God through their faith in Christ, not the Law, READ Jd 3. Encourage one another!
[V27] Sons and Heirs: All [Jews, Gentiles] who are in Christ are now children of God. Everyone, who put their faith in Christ is baptized into His body and clothed with His righteousness [1Co 12:13].
This baptism is not John’s water baptism [the outward water ritual of repentance with Jesus’ inner transformation]; rather it is spiritual baptism, which delivers the active power of the Holy Spirit, Ac 1:5.
Spiritual growth is the on-going process of the Holy Spirit, synching our condition to that of our position. Encourage one another!
[V28] Distinctions did not cease to exist – that’s not what Paul is claiming. He is saying, despite our human differences we are all united because we are one in Christ.
Instead, believers are fully united in Christ. There is no value distinction among us in the eyes of God. Jews do not have a higher ranking than Gentiles; a free person holds no greater honour than a slave. Men are not superior to women, and no ethnicity is inferior to another. READ Jn 8:33, 17:11; Rom 10:12; Gal 5:6.
Hence, the Galatians didn’t have to observe the law and circumcise, nor was it necessary for them to become Jews to be saved, for by grace are ye saved through Christ Eph 2:8—9. Encourage one another!
[V29] Christ is the true Seed of Abraham and those who are united with Him through faith are heirs with Christ and Abraham’s offspring spiritually – a promise made, READ vs7—9.
Our position before God, has nothing to do with following the Law, but everything to do with having faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross.
Romans 4:13—14 – KJV – say, “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. ” “For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:” Other refs: Rom 8:17, 11:1. Encourage one another!
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