Galatians

The book of Galatians reminds Jesus’ followers to embrace the Gospel message of the crucified Messiah, that justifies all people through faith and empowers them to live like Jesus did.

The church in Galatia was divided over issues of Torah observance. Many leaders were requiring non-Jewish Christians to live by Jewish laws, missing the point of the Gospel message. Jesus fulfilled the law and reconciled all who believe in him. When people trust in Jesus as the Messiah, his life, death, and resurrection become theirs. They are new creations, free from the laws and the old covenant.

Galatians addresses the sensitive and complex issue of the role Old Testament Law plays in salvation, specifically regarding circumcision. Paul's main goal in his letter to the Galatians is to defend salvation by faith in Jesus, not by works of the Law. But in order to follow his argument and understand the good news he is sharing, we must grasp the true purpose of circumcision.

This sign was given to point to Abraham's future descendent who would be a blessing to all nations. That sign was fulfilled in Jesus. Therefore, faith in Jesus is the fulfillment of the command to be circumcised. As you meditate on this truth, along with its wider implications, we pray that the free and finished gift of the Gospel becomes more and more beautiful to you.

At a Glance

• Overview
• 2010 Galatians Series (Sundays)
• 2017 Galatians Series (Mid Week)

Overview

NIV Bible Galatians Introduction

Galatia was a Roman province in central Asia Minor. Paul traveled here on each of the three journeys he made to spread the message about Jesus. The Galatians received both Paul and his gospel announcement warmly. But later some people Paul calls agitators came and challenged Paul’s leadership as well as the foundation of his teaching. So Paul wrote to answer the threat to his status as an apostle and to reaffirm the core message that faith in the Messiah is the basis of membership in God’s new community.

Paul doesn’t open his letter by appealing to the apostles in Jerusalem. Instead, he insists that the gospel I preached is not of human origin … rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. Paul is compelled to share this revelation, and he notes that the other apostles support him.

Paul then proceeds to his main argument, which is that Gentiles who have become followers of Jesus do not need to be circumcised. The new worldwide family which had been promised to Abraham is created by faith in Messiah Jesus, not by keeping the Jewish law (Torah). The biblical story had been pointing to this all along.

But if following Torah is not the basis of the gospel, won’t there be anarchy? Paul answers by describing what Spirit-empowered life looks like in the community of Messiah-followers. Paul closes by emphasizing the main theme of his letter once more: Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.

Bible Project

Galatians Introduction

Spoken Gospel

2010 Galatians Series (Sundays)

Cornerstone Chapel

2017 Galatians Series (Mid Week)

Cornerstone Chapel