Galatians

In his epistle to the Galatians the apostle Paul passionately defends the gospel he received by revelation of Jesus Christ against the error of legalism (performance-based religious system). He deals with this error in relation to both justification and sanctification. Legalism is still a very prevalent error today. 

Key verses: 2:16, 20 

There were false teachers that always came in behind Paul’s ministry in an area to try and influence the churches he established away from his message of grace. They taught the people that they must be circumcised and do the works of the law to be saved and/or to stay saved. They were having success in Galatia. 

The scripture not only reveals doctrine, it also reproves and corrects for failure to believe and live by the doctrine. A balanced Bible-based ministry both teaches (positive aspect) and reproves and corrects (negative aspect). Although the apostle Paul wrote Galatians before Romans, it follows Romans in the order of the church epistles because it is a letter of correction for doctrinal failure. The churches at Galatia were listening to doctrine contrary to the doctrine of salvation by grace as laid out in Romans. The Corinthian letters contain reproof for practical failure; their conduct was not in line with the doctrine of Romans. 

Doctrinal and moral failure is not to be tolerated in the church because it takes just a little leaven to leaven the whole lump. Leaven represents corruption that spreads (1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9). Doctrinal corruption produces moral corruption (1 Cor. 15:33; 2 Tim. 2:15-18). Sound doctrine produces godliness when it is truly believed (Titus 1:1). 

It is important to notice exactly how the letter is addressed (1:1-2). He is writing to local churches in the region of Galatia. He is careful not to say “to the saints” (Eph. 1:1). There are no lost people in the church which is the Body of Christ but there are usually some lost people in the local church. This explains what Paul meant by, "fallen from grace" (5:4). He did not say, "fallen out of grace." Those who are in the Body of Christ cannot lose salvation (Rom. 8:35-39). Those who are seek to be justified by the law have not trusted in Christ. There were some in Galatia that heard the message of grace, but chose rather to put themselves under the law. 

I. Personal (1-2) – Defense of Paul’s Distinct Message and Ministry

II. Doctrinal (3-4) – Grace and the Law do not Mix (Rom. 11:6)

III. Practical (5-6) – The Grace Life 

The first two chapters clearly establish that Christ gave Paul a message and ministry that was distinct from the 12 apostles. 

Paul shows the precedent of God imputing righteousness by faith with the case of Abraham. We are children of Abraham in the sense that we are also counted righteous by faith (3:6-4:7). 

Many that preach salvation by grace teach sanctification by works. Putting believers under the law does not stop sin, it actually increases it (Rom. 6:14; 1 Cor. 15:56)! The grace life is lived on a higher plan than the law system (5:13-26). We are not under the law of Moses, but the law of Christ and of sowing and reaping still apply today (6:1-10).