GALATIANS
Freedom in Christ — But Freedom From What?
Galatians is one of Paul's strongest letters.
He wastes very little time getting to the problem.
People had come among the churches of Galatia teaching that faith in Christ was not enough. Gentile Christians also needed to accept circumcision and come under the Law of Moses.
Paul saw something much bigger at stake than circumcision.
What is the basis of our relationship with God?
Is it Christ and what He has done?
Or must people also come under the covenant God gave Israel through Moses?
For Paul, adding the Law to the gospel did not improve the gospel.
It changed it.
Who Wrote Galatians?
Paul identifies himself immediately:
“Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father...” — Galatians 1:1
That becomes important because Paul's authority and his gospel were being challenged.
Paul insists that the gospel he preached did not originate with him.
It came from Christ.
To Whom Was It Written?
Paul writes “to the churches of Galatia.” — Galatians 1:2
Unlike Romans, which was addressed to one church in Rome, Galatians was intended for a group of congregations.
Exactly which part of Galatia Paul had in mind is debated. That question can affect the proposed date of the letter, but it does not change Paul's central argument.
These churches included Gentile believers who were being pressured to accept circumcision and the Law of Moses.
Why Did Paul Write?
Paul is astonished.
He says:
“I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.” — Galatians 1:6
The issue wasn't whether people should obey God.
The issue was which covenant defined God's people now that Christ had come.
Must Gentiles become Jews in order to belong to Abraham's family?
Must they be circumcised?
Must they live under the Law given through Moses?
Paul's answer is emphatic.
No.
Abraham Comes Before Moses
This becomes one of Paul's major arguments.
God made His promise to Abraham centuries before the Law of Moses.
Paul writes:
“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, heirs according to the promise.” — Galatians 3:29
That is enormously important.
The promise does not finally reach the nations by turning Gentiles into Jews.
It reaches them through Christ.
Jew and Gentile become one in Him.
Then Why Was the Law Given?
Paul anticipates that question himself:
“Why then was the law given?” — Galatians 3:19
His answer will become central to our study.
The Law had a purpose.
But it also had a place in God's unfolding plan.
And Paul says it was added “until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.”
The Law was never God's final destination.
Christ was.
What About Faith and Works?
Galatians is often reduced to a debate between faith and works.
But we need to let Paul define the argument.
What works?
What law?
What problem is Paul addressing?
If we take Paul's words out of their argument, we can make Galatians answer questions Paul was not asking.
So throughout this study we will keep coming back to three questions:
What was the problem?
What does Paul actually say?
How does this paragraph fit his argument?
What Is Christian Freedom?
Paul will eventually say:
“For freedom Christ has set us free.” — Galatians 5:1
But Christian freedom does not mean freedom to do whatever we please.
Paul immediately warns against using freedom as an opportunity for the flesh.
Instead:
“Through love serve one another.” — Galatians 5:13
Freedom from the Law of Moses does not mean freedom from Christ.
It means belonging to Christ and living by the Spirit.
Follow the Argument
Galatians moves rapidly.
Paul defends the gospel he preached.
He explains his relationship with the other apostles.
He confronts Peter.
He goes back to Abraham.
He explains the purpose of the Law.
He contrasts slavery with freedom.
Then he shows what a Spirit-led life actually looks like.
We will take it a section at a time.
But we will keep the whole letter in view.
Because our purpose isn't merely to collect verses about faith, law, grace, or works.
It is to hear Paul's argument as Paul made it.
Read the paragraph.
Follow the argument.
Check the context.
TEXT B4 TRADITION
Read First. Conclude Later.