Galatians is a letter Paul wrote to the churches he planted in Galatia. He sent the letter
sometime between late 40s and late 50s AD. This letter appears at least five to ten years
before any of the gospels. He writes with intense passion about the condition of the
church and his concern that they are leaving the gospel he preached for another gospel,
which is really no gospel at all. (I acknowledge my debt to NT Wright whose ideas
inspired my thoughts on the gospel of Galatians.)
Southern Galatia
Southern Galatia was Roman and a conglomeration of multiple people groups.
Much like other Roman colonies, there religious system would most likely be a
series of temples honoring various deities. Each temple has its own members.
These sects or clubs were just as much a social convention as a spiritual rite, but
some people were truly devoted. Each had a system of secret rituals and
initiations which offered members different levels of authority within the club.
Northern Galatia
Divisions of Book
I. Paul addresses the problem: They are abandoning the gospel he preached in
favor of another gospel. (1:1-9)
II. Paul defends his gospel based on his experience and authority. (1:10-2:21)
III. Paul defends his gospel through theological arguments. (3:1-4:31)
IV. Paul demonstrates how the gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit
impacts way we live. (5:1-6:10)
V. Paul concludes and offers a benediction. (6:11-18)
A. Hebrews – For the Hebrews the “good tidings” refers God redeeming them from exile
(See Isaiah 40-55)
B. Greeks – For the Greeks “good tidings” refers to the announcement of the birth or
accession of an emperor.
Jesus encompasses the Hebrew and Greek meaning of the word “gospel.” He comes as
Israel’s final king, Messiah, ending their exile, by purifying the temple, and defeating
their enemies (Is 49). At the same time, Jesus is declared Lord of the entire world: He is
bringing hope and light to all kingdoms and all peoples. He is inviting all people into the
family of God and will rescue them from a life enslaved to sin and free them to a life
animated by His Spirit.
This gospel is an announcement of God’s action in human history. God enters human
history in Jesus, defeats the powers of evil, and brings hope to all who trust in him. To
those who trust him, he welcomes them into the family of God and says that your value is
not based on race, gender, your skills, your intelligence, your family connections, your
appearance, your income and so on. Your value is derived from His blessing. He has
blessed and called you a vessel fit for honor. His loving and restoring action by the power
of the Spirit is now becoming your identity. It is revealed in and through you in a
particular way that is unique to you but at the same time it is welcoming you into a
family, the family of God—that extends beyond all racial and cultural and gender
boundaries.
1. Paul suggests the origin of his authority to preach the gospel. Jesus the Messiah
and God the Father
2. Paul encapsulates the gospel. See verse 4. “We know the meaning of those words
because Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we're in by offering himself
as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we all experience that rescue.”
Paul gives up everything for the “Good News” that’s too good to be true.
This is the nature of sin. Actions as minor as angry words, evil thoughts, lying and
so on, ripple through the fabric of creation. The consequences of sin bring death
into every aspect of creation (Romans 6:23). Disharmony threatens the
relationship between humans and God, humans and other humans, and humans
and creation. Everything is in chaos (Romans 1:18-31).
The “Good News” is that God responds by bearing the consequences of these
actions (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-11). Jesus comes to earth fulfilling Israel’s long
awaited king who will defeat their enemies and restore them. But in the process
he bears the consequences of sin (Isaiah 49:6). All sin: every bit of pain, every bit
of suffering, every bit of loneliness and depression caused by sin. He bears it all.
As we trust in Jesus, he forgives our faults and restores us from the consequences
of our own actions.
The doulos has no power of personal choice over their lives. Paul uses the term to
indicate his complete submission to the will of Jesus. He gives up his identity, his dreams,
his goals, and embraces Jesus Christ.
Paul’s identity was his service to God and Israel as a true son, a Pharisee. With a zeal like
Elijah, he studied and proclaimed the law and defended the law from those who would
water down or change the Jewish faith through outside interference. Like Elijah fighting
the prophets of Baal, Paul fights the early church because he sees it as a threat to God’s
true Israel. Like Elijah who encounters God in the shuddering silence of the wilderness,
Paul encounters God on the road to Damascus and learns that Jesus Christ is the Son of
God. This dramatic vision alters Paul’s complete grasp of reality. Everything he has
believed is challenged and changed by this encounter. He now realizes that God has been
preparing him for the Damascus road encounter from the time of his birth. Throughout
his whole life God has been shaping and preparing for the now moment in Jesus Christ.
The “Good News” is so good that he abandons everything in service of this gospel. He
gives up his established identity, and feels a compulsion to take this Good News to others
and proclaims the reality of God’s love in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:18-2:10
Paul Befriended by Peter
Paul Approved By the Leaders of Jerusalem
Paul’s Ministry to Gentiles and Peter’s Ministry to Jews Affirmed
In this series of events, Paul reveals that while he learned his “Good News” directly from
Jesus Christ and not from the leaders of the Jerusalem church, yet nevertheless they
affirm his ministry. He tells how at one point he takes an uncircumcised Gentile convert
with him to Jerusalem and they affirm the ministry, and don’t require the Gentiles to
become Jews through circumcision or by following the law. Jerusalem only asks that Paul
Galatians 2:11-21 – Peter shares table fellowship at Antioch and then withdraws.
Peter enjoys table fellowship with church at Antioch. This is a significant act for a Jew
because they are mixing with a people the Jews normally avoid, who do not have the
same sanitary laws and eat foods the Jews consider unclean. Table fellowship is a one of
the predominant images of this early church. Rich and poor alike are welcomed at the
table. Jew and Gentile alike feast at the table. It is a clear sign of the kingdom of God
removing the status barriers of culture, race and even gender. All are welcome equally in
the kingdom. Table fellowship points to the great end of time feast when all nations will
gather for the great “wedding feast” between Jesus and his Bride (the people of God).
Pressure from new arrival Jews causes Peter segregate from Gentiles and eat with Jews
only. Peter’s action forms a domino effect and soon Barnabas and other Jews are joining
him. Paul rebukes Peter directly and others indirectly by reminding them of the “Good
News.” The “Good News” includes the announcement my racial identity is completely
subsumed in Christ. I enjoy a relationship with Christ that is similar the relationship with
the Father (See John 17 and John 15). This same level of intimacy extends from the love
between the Father, Son and Spirit to each person with faith in Christ and between each
person, shaping them into a unique family that trumps all racial, cultural and even
denominational barriers.
Galatians 2:20 is addressed to Peter and the Jews, but Paul is recounting it to Gentiles,
and applying a message of faith over law (or faith in Christ as the basis for our identity
before God and not racial origin as Jews). This verse is the pivotal verse in Galatians and
becomes one of the pivotal verse in Christianity, reminding us of our uniquely intimate
connection with Christ.
With this in mind, let us return to the idea of the “Good News.”
The ultimate result of the “Good News” is that the death and disharmony in this
world are being overturned. His life is working itself out through all creation to
restore all things (Romans 8:18-30; Colossians 1:19). He is creating and revealing
a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1). Because God is personal He
works out the gospel in personally in the lives of all who trust His action to
restore them in and through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus (John 1:12;
John 3:16; Romans 10:9-13).
Joy replaces sorrow. Peace replaces worry. Love replaces fear (Romans 14:17;
Galatians 5:22). Over time, the outworking of the gospel works in our lives in
personal ways that reveal His glory in us. He brings his harmony or reconciliation
to the world through us in personal ways. Paul grew up as a Pharisee, a teacher of
the law. God’s grace shines into Paul’s life in way that his teaching gift is
Think about your identity. Those things you mentioned that you like other people
to know about you, your strengths. God works through these to restore harmony
(reconcile the world to Himself). He works through your interests and your
passions to reveal His glory. So your uniqueness is an essential part of Him
revealing His glory. He is not making you into Jesus. He is revealing Jesus
through you (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Now think about those things you’d rather people didn’t know about you. Think
about the areas where you feel unsure of yourself or even embarrassed. Think
about the areas where you feel weak. The thoughts or actions or habits that you
don’t like to reveal or talk about. He is also revealing His glory there. In fact, the
great mystery of the “Good News” is that the weak areas are even more
significant in God’s purposes. You cannot always understand how, but in your
weakness He is revealing His glory and bringing harmony to the world (2
Corinthians 12:9).
This is exactly what He revealed Paul, so that Paul realizes that he can even glory
in his weaknesses.
In verses 5 and 6, Paul mentions three of his favorite themes: faith, hope and love. These
three are defining elements of life in the Spirit and actually set the stage for the rest of his
discussion on life in the Spirit. So what does Paul mean by “faith, hope, and love?” Each
of us have heard sermons, read passages and probably thought deeply about the meaning
of these words. I would like to offer a few thoughts on Paul’s use of these words
throughout his letters.
But when we live a life characterized by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And
those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:22-25
Throughout his letters, Paul uses language that indicates our condition (indicative) and
language that commands us to act (imperative). In verse 25, Paul says, “If we live in the
Spirit” (indicating a state of grace that we live in), “let us walk in the Spirit”
(commanding to live out the reality of our condition). In one sense, the complete work of
grace means that we have been grafted into the family of God and are being transformed
into his nature. Because this is true and assured, we now seek to live out the reality of this
life in all we say and do.
Remember the Three Musketeers? They’re a team. They look out for one another—they
have each other’s back. This is the mystique that my wife used to see in the Mafia—a
family. You don’t cross the family because they look out for one another. The most
important trait in the “family’ is loyalty.
Now in reality, the Mafia is poor imitation of true family. There is no grace; there is no
forgiveness and betrayal means death. This is not the family of God. The family of God
covers one another, protects one another, and looks out for one another. Unlike the Mafia,
if someone falls into sin, we gently restore them. Unfortunately, sometimes we’ve
behaved more like the Mafia—cutting off those who have fallen.
The good news of God’s action in history means that we have been incorporated into a
family that spans across space and time. Part of working out our faith is learning to live
and act in such a way that we cover, protect and seek to restore our family.
Paul, every so gently, addresses the importance of providing for those who tend the flock.
But at the same time, he offers a vision for how life works. The willingness to support
their ministers is a also a sign of their willingness to give and live by the Spirit. He says
we can live in such a way that we sow to the Spirit or we live purely for selfish gain—
sowing to the flesh.
But the ministry of grace is that we’ve already reaped a harvest before we sow. We’ve
actually already reaped an abundance of the goodness of God. If we realize this, we
might life out of this abundance, freely giving of ourselves on behalf of others—this
impacts everything about the way we live from money to time to attitudes.
But if we live out of a sense of scarcity, we will always be striving to get more for fear
there won’t be enough. This inward-focused living can only result in a diminished life
that is characterized by lack. In other words, our own attitude and actions and fear of
scarcity will result in a life characterized by scarcity.
Paul ends his discussion about living in the reality of the good news by focusing on the
cross. While some may be embracing an outward symbol (circumcision), Paul says the
true mark of the Christian is bearing the cross. For Paul, the cross of Christ is the
entrance or breaking forth of the new heaven and new earth into the here and now.
In the end Paul finishes his letter in the same place he started—grace. It is God’s grace
from first to last. Christ alone is our hope and our sustainer in all things.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
NKJV
Colossians 1:3-5
We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because
of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven,
NKJV
Ephesians 1:15
Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the
saints,
NKJV
Ephesians 3:17-18
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith ; that you, being rooted and
grounded in love,
NKJV
1 Thessalonians 1:3-4
3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith , labor of love, and patience of hope in
our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren,
your election by God.
NKJV
In the New Testament, hope is still focused on this future revealing of God’s justice but
now is rooted in the mercy and grace of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Hope is not
opposed to faith but anticipates faith. Jesus Christ incorporates his followers into the
family of God, and as partakers of this blood covenant, they now have the same claim
and hope in the final unveiling of God’s justice or the second coming of Christ (same
thing). When Christ is fully unveiled, all evil will be vanquished, all wrongs will be
righted, and we will stand blameless and holy before God.
Hope sees this future reality and draws power from it in the present. Hope gives me the
capacity to live by faith.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His
abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection
of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and
that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power
of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have
been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much
more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to
praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen
you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy
inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of
your souls.
1 Peter 1:3-9
B. Faith enters into a trusting relationship with the Father through Jesus by the
power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus suggests this same loving relationship with the Father is available to all those who
trust in him.
"If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He
will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — 17 the Spirit
of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows
Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not
leave you orphans; I will come to you. 19 "A little while longer and the world
will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 At
that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he
who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself
to him."
John 14:15-21
This life of faith is not static but dynamic—it is a growing relationship with the Father.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to
salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written,
"The just shall live by faith."
Romans 1:16-17
We grow from faith to faith. Remember Abraham? This every deepening relationship can
also be understood as growing from glory to glory or strength to strength.
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory , just as by the
Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
C. This relationship with the Lord is manifested in the expression of His life
characterized by love.
Jesus came to welcome us into the life of God. The dynamic, joyful, loving, unending life
(zoe) expressed between the Father, the Son and the Spirit.
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:10
Love is the heart of Paul’s understanding of the gospel. God’s love for man. Man’s love
for God, and man’s love for one another.
1. Man’s love for God only mentioned
6 overt references (Rom 8:28; 1 Cor 1:9; 8:3; 16:22; Eph 6:24; 2 Tim 3:4)
3 ambiguous references (Rom 5:5; 2 Cor 5:14; 2 Thess 3:5) Love to God or love
of God flowing through us.
Paul calls us to trust in God’s love for us, believe on Him, and love others.
2. Loving others is the most important characteristic of the Christian life. Paul’s whole
concept of holiness is rooted in loving others.
Gal 5:5-6
5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything,
but faith working through love.
NASU
Gal 5:13-14
13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into
an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
NASU
Eph 3:14-21
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be
strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being
rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length
and height and depth,
Eph 4:1-16
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of
the calling with which you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one
another in love,
3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of
your
calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.
8 Therefore it says,
"WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH,
HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES,
AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN."
9(Now this expression,” He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had
descended into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens,
so that He might fill all things.)
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists,
and some as pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the
body of Christ;
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness
of Christ.
14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves
and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness
in deceitful scheming;
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is
the head, even Christ,
16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint
supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the
growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
NASU
12-13-14 – Many charismas/one body. Love hold the diversity in a complex unity. Love
in the community brings a revelation of Christ which transforms us and clarifies our
vision. Our gifts are not to promote ourselves but to build up one another in love.
Diversity – Division – Charisms/Gifts – Love. Love is the force that holds opposing
tensions together to form energy. Only diversity can produce harmonic unity.
Practical love.
Rom 12:1-13
12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies
as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by
the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's
will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself
more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in
accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has
one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same
function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member
belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given
us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is
serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let
John 13:31-35
31 When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is
glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself,
and will glorify him at once.
33 "My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and
just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you
must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if
you love one another."
NIV
John 15:1-17
9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If
you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my
Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy
may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love
each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay
down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's
business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my
Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and
appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give
you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
NIV