Galatians is Paul's most passionate letter. The churches in Galatia were being deceived by false teachers who insisted that Gentile believers must follow Jewish law to be fully saved. Paul writes urgently to defend the gospel of grace.
The Problem
After Paul planted churches in Galatia, teachers arrived insisting that faith in Christ wasn't enough—believers also needed to be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses.
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel." — Galatians 1:6
Paul is astonished. Adding anything to grace destroys grace entirely.
There Is Only One Gospel
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." — Galatians 1:8
Strong words! The stakes couldn't be higher. Distorting the gospel is not a minor issue—it's a matter of eternal consequence.
Paul's Authority
Some were questioning Paul's apostleship. He responds:
- His gospel came by direct revelation from Christ (1:12)
- He was called by God from birth (1:15)
- The Jerusalem apostles affirmed his message (2:1-10)
- He even corrected Peter publicly when Peter compromised the gospel (2:11-14)
Justification by Faith Alone
The heart of Galatians is the doctrine of justification:
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." — Galatians 2:16
Three times in one verse Paul drives home the point: justification is by faith, not by works.
United with Christ
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." — Galatians 2:20
This is the believer's new identity—crucified with Christ, alive in Christ.
The Law's Purpose
If the Law doesn't save us, why did God give it?
"Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made." — Galatians 3:19
The Law was a temporary guardian, designed to:
- Reveal sin
- Show our need for grace
- Lead us to Christ
"The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." — Galatians 3:24
Sons, Not Slaves
"Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." — Galatians 4:7
Through faith in Christ, we become children of God with full inheritance rights. Why would we go back to slavery?
Called to Freedom
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." — Galatians 5:1
What Freedom Is Not
Freedom in Christ is not license to sin:
"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh." — Galatians 5:13
What Freedom Is
Freedom is empowerment to love and serve:
"But by love serve one another." — Galatians 5:13
Walking in the Spirit
"Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." — Galatians 5:16
Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit:
Works of the Flesh (5:19-21)
Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, hatred, strife, jealousy, wrath, and more.
Fruit of the Spirit (5:22-23)
"Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance."
The Christian life isn't achieved by following rules but by walking in step with the Spirit.
Sowing and Reaping
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." — Galatians 6:7
Our choices have consequences. Sow to the flesh, reap corruption. Sow to the Spirit, reap life everlasting.
Applying Galatians
- Guard the gospel — Don't let anyone add conditions to grace
- Rest in justification — You are declared righteous by faith
- Live as a child of God — Not as a slave trying to earn favor
- Stand in freedom — Refuse legalism while avoiding license
- Walk by the Spirit — Let Him produce His fruit in you
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." — Galatians 6:14
May we, like Paul, glory only in the cross and the freedom it brings!