Galatians
Galatia is present day turkey. During first missionary journey Acts 13:2-14:28).Paul visited Iconoium, Lystra and Derbe cities in Galatia. When Paul went back to Antioch, Jewish Christians (probably by the influence of Pharisees) accused Paul stating that Paul is diluting the gospel. Their argument is that the gentiles have to become Jews and follow the rituals before becoming Christian. Paul wrote the epistle in response to the threat he sensed. He explains that salvations are by grace through faith and not by deeds or the laws of the OT. Paul wrote the letter around AD49, shortly before the Jerusalem council (Acts15), which settled the dispute between the grace and law.
Over view
Ch:1,2: Defending the gospel of grace
Paul argues that the Galatian believers have to follow the gospel of grace and he states the following reasons
- Message was received directly from Christ 1:12
- He had been an exemplary Jew 1:13, 14
- Had special Conversion experience 1: 15, 16
- He had been confirmed and accepted by in his ministry by the other apostles 1: 18-2:19
- He had been an exemplary Jew 1:13, 14
- Had special Conversion experience 1: 15, 16
- He had been confirmed and accepted by in his ministry by the other apostles 1: 18-2:19
Ch 3, 4: Explaining the gospel of grace
1. Galatians began by faith and their growth in Christ must continue to be by faith 3:1-5
2. Abraham was justified by faith and the same principle applies today 3:6-9
3. Christ has redeemed all who trust in Him from the curse of law 3:10-14
4. Believers in Christ are adopted sons of God - no longer bound by the law 3:23-4:7
5. Believers have to regain their original freedom in Christ 4:8-20
6. Abrahamic covenant and Mosaic covenant 4:21-31
2. Abraham was justified by faith and the same principle applies today 3:6-9
3. Christ has redeemed all who trust in Him from the curse of law 3:10-14
4. Believers in Christ are adopted sons of God - no longer bound by the law 3:23-4:7
5. Believers have to regain their original freedom in Christ 4:8-20
6. Abrahamic covenant and Mosaic covenant 4:21-31
Ch 5, 6 : Applying the gospel of grace.
Christ died to set us free from sin and from the long list of laws and regulations. Christ came to set us free – not free to do whatever we want because that would lead us back into slavery to our selfish desire
5:2-4 If we concentrate on rituals and legalism we will be alienated from Christ.
5:6 Faith has to be expressed by love
5:11 If we stand for truth we will be persecuted
5:13-15 Serve one another in love
5:16-26 Live by the spirit and you will not gratify the desires of flesh
6:1 If one is caught in a sin, we have to restore him.
6:4, 5 We have to compare with ourselves not with others
6:10 We need to continue to do good to others
6:12-16 Judazisers versus paul
5:6 Faith has to be expressed by love
5:11 If we stand for truth we will be persecuted
5:13-15 Serve one another in love
5:16-26 Live by the spirit and you will not gratify the desires of flesh
6:1 If one is caught in a sin, we have to restore him.
6:4, 5 We have to compare with ourselves not with others
6:10 We need to continue to do good to others
6:12-16 Judazisers versus paul
Flesh—Our fallen human nature, inherited from Adam, which is twisted with rebellion and self-centeredness and prone to sin.
Spirit—Holy Spirit, third person of the trinity, God himself.
Work of the Flesh
Realm of Sexuality
Realm of Sexuality
Misuse of Our Sexual Nature.
Sexual immorality, general sexual misconduct, especially referring to sexual relations between unmarried people.
Impurity, unnatural vice, sexual sins against our created sexual nature—one man and one woman for one lifetime.
Sensuality, indecency, an open and reckless contempt of propriety
Realm of Religion
Sins Against God.
Idolatry, good and basic things elevated to the level of ultimate things which then become necessary for us to have in addition to God (also false Gods).
Sorcery, the tampering with the spiritual powers of evil
Realm of Social Interaction
Sins against Others.
Enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy
Realm of Drink
Misuse of Substances.....
Drunkenness, the improper and immoderate use of alcohol
Orgies, entering into improper sexual relationships as a result of chemical misuse.
Fruit of the Spirit
The Best toward God
Love, the first of all Christian virtues.
The Best toward God
Love, the first of all Christian virtues.
Joy, the result of God’s reconciliation with us.
Peace, the result of God’s reconciliation with us.
Peace, the result of God’s reconciliation with us.
The Best toward Others
Patience, longsuffering toward those who aggravate us/God.
Patience, longsuffering toward those who aggravate us/God.
Kindness, the inner disposition toward others.
Goodness, the external working of kindness.
The Best toward Ourselves
Faithfulness, reliability, orientation to the truth of forgiveness.
Faithfulness, reliability, orientation to the truth of forgiveness.
Gentleness, Christ’s meekness, power under control.
Self-control self-mastery so that we can be of use to others.
