OVERVIEW: The priority of grace in Paul’s message and life (chapter 1); the priority of grace in Paul’s ministry (chapter 2); the preeminence of grace over law (chapters 3 and 4); the priority of standing in liberty and walking in the Spirit in grace living (chapters 5 and 6).
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
Understanding the key issues facing the churches in Galatia causes the six chapters of this book to be some of the most practical in the entire New Testament. The fact is, the 1st century “Galatian” problem is alive and well in Christianity in the 21st century! Let’s begin with a little background information.
Whereas the other letters written by Paul to local churches were addressed to one specific local church in one specific city (i.e. Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossae, and Thessalonica), this letter was written to a group of local churches in a particular region. That region, known to us as modern-day Turkey, was known in the 1st century as Galatia. It was this area that was settled by the Gauls of France, and thus, became known as Galatia, or “Gaulatia”, if you will. The local churches in this region were established by Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. The specific churches were the churches in the cities of Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia. (See Acts 13:14–14:23)
Obviously, these churches were comprised of Gentile believers who had responded to Paul and Barnabas’ proclamation of the gospel which they received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. After receiving Christ, Acts 14:22–23 lets us know that Paul and Barnabas spent time “confirming the souls of the disciples” in each of these churches, making sure that “they had ordained them elders in every church.” Not long after Paul and Barnabas had grounded these churches in the truth, however, false teachers began infiltrating these churches with what Paul called “another gospel”. (1:6) Much to Paul’s utter shock and dismay, the “disciples” (Acts 14:22) and “elders” (Acts 14:23) in these churches dropped Paul and his gospel like a hot potato, for a false, powerless, and even damnable “gospel”. (1:6-9) Paul, literally, could not believe it! He writes to rebuke and to correct these churches using some of the strongest language found in any of his letters.
These false teachers are known historically as “Judaizers” or “legalists.” They were Jews, who like Paul before his conversion, were incredibly zealous for Judaism (the Jewish religion), and thus, the title, “Judaizers”. Their basic point of attack upon these Galatian believers was that if they, as Gentiles, really wanted to BE saved, and/or, if they really wanted to STAY saved, and/or, if they really wanted to “be SPIRITUAL”, they would have to “become like them”. In other words, they would first have to become Jewish proselytes, and live under the requirements and ramifications of the law, and thus, the title, “legalists” (the word “legal” being connected to “law”). Luke summarizes their basic false teaching in Acts 15:1: “Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”
Paul’s reaction to this false teaching is what actually prompted the writing of this scathing letter to the Galatian churches. Paul is absolutely livid with these false teachers, not to mention the Galatian believers themselves! In chapter 1, verses 8–9, he says that those who preach this false gospel give evidence that they are worthy of hell (1:8-9), and he goes on to say that those who are swayed by them give evidence that they have not only been misinformed or deceived, but actually, “BEWITCHED”! (3:1) Wow! What a strong word! Paul is letting them know that they were acting as if they were under some sort of a Satanic spell!
The content of this letter is of utmost importance because the Judaizers of the 1st century were not the last preachers and teachers to infiltrate churches, and even lead churches, who propagate that there is something “MORE” that you need to “DO” in order to:
- BE saved. (i.e. “You must be baptized,” or “You must keep the sacraments,” etc.)
- STAY saved. (i.e. “You must hold out faithful to the end.”)
- Be SPIRITUAL. (i.e. “You must be like us. You must dress like this—not like that. You must wear your hair like this—not like that. You must listen to this kind of music—not that kind. You can go to these places—but not those. etc, etc, etc.”)
Understanding Paul’s simple message through the Book of Galatians is vital in keeping us off the endless treadmill of legalism. What the Galatians didn’t understand, as is the case with most believers today, is that they were already as SAVED as they would ever be, and already as SPIRITUAL as they would ever be! That incredible standing before God isn’t based on anything WE DO or DO NOT DO, it is based solely and wholly upon WHO CHRIST IS, and what He has DONE! Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that we were “MADE the righteousness of God in Him” the moment we were saved! It’s impossible to get more righteous than that! Quite simply, our righteous standing before God isn’t ACHIEVED, it is RECEIVED! Paul said in Ephesians 1:6 that we were “MADE accepted” with God the moment we were placed “in Christ”! That means that God accepts us in the very same way He accepts Christ, His beloved Son! It’s impossible to be more accepted than that! Again, don’t miss the fact that this is all totally apart from anything WE DO or DO NOT DO!!! That lesson is foreign to most believers, and typically comes long and hard! The difference, however, is the difference between legalism and a life of walking in the flesh, and true, genuine biblical Christianity and a life of walking in the Spirit! Quite honestly, it is the difference between a life of bondage and a life of freedom.
The message of the Holy Spirit through Paul to the Galatian believers, and to believers today, is simply this: Christ, through His death, set us free from the law! In chapter 3, verses 2–3, Paul asks, “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” The obvious answer is that it was through faith and by His Spirit that we were saved, and were placed on the road to maturity. Based on that reality, Paul admonishes us, first, to learn to STAND: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (5:1) So that, secondly, we can learn to WALK: “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (5:16)
Understanding the practical teaching and ramifications of the Book of Galatians for new believers cannot be overemphasized. It will literally save 20 years (conservative estimate) of frustration, as the flesh tenaciously seeks and strives to produce what can only be produced by the Spirit (5:22-23) through the faith of Christ. (2:16, 20. See also Phil. 3:9; Rom. 3:20-22.) Pray that God will open your eyes to the wondrous and freeing truths found in this incredible little Book of Galatians.