Galatians
The apostle Paul writes to the churches of Galatia, expressing concern that they are turning away from the true gospel and towards the law. He shares his personal history, including his conversion through a revelation of Jesus Christ, and emphasizes that his gospel is from Christ, not men. Paul recounts his visit to Jerusalem, where he was given the right hands of fellowship to preach to the Gentiles, and confronts Peter for withdrawing from eating with Gentiles. The Galatians are rebuked for turning away from faith in Christ and towards the law, and Paul explains that Christ has redeemed believers from the curse of the law. He uses the allegory of Abraham's two sons to illustrate the two covenants, and asserts that believers are children of the promise, not of the bondwoman. Paul urges the Galatians to live by faith and walk in the Spirit, producing love, joy, and other virtues, and warns against returning to bondage by trying to follow the law. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of spiritual restoration, bearing one another's burdens, and fulfilling the law of Christ.
Chapter 1
Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ and greets the churches of Galatia, expressing his concern that they are turning away from the true gospel. He emphasizes that the gospel he preaches is not from men, but from Jesus Christ, and warns against accepting any other gospel. Paul shares his personal history, including his former persecution of the church and his conversion through a revelation of Jesus Christ, and notes that he did not receive his gospel from other apostles, but rather from Christ himself.
Chapter 2
The apostle Paul recounts his visit to Jerusalem where he privately shared the gospel with church leaders to ensure he wasn't running in vain. He refused to circumcise Titus, a Greek, despite pressure from false brethren. Paul and Barnabas were given the right hands of fellowship by James, Cephas, and John to preach to the Gentiles, while they focused on the circumcision. Paul later confronted Peter in Antioch for withdrawing from eating with Gentiles, arguing that this contradicted the gospel truth that justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the law.
Chapter 3
The Galatians are rebuked for turning away from faith in Christ and towards the law, despite having begun in the Spirit. Those who are of faith are considered children of Abraham and are blessed with him, whereas those who rely on the law are under a curse. Christ has redeemed believers from the curse of the law, and the law was added to the promise made to Abraham because of transgressions, serving as a schoolmaster to bring people to Christ. Ultimately, all believers are children of God by faith in Christ Jesus and are heirs according to the promise.
Chapter 4
The heir, though lord of all, is under tutors until the time appointed by the father, illustrating humanity's bondage under the elements of the world until God sent Jesus to redeem those under the law. As sons of God through Christ, believers are no longer servants but heirs, and should not return to the weak and beggarly elements of the law. The apostle Paul expresses concern that his labor may have been in vain as the Galatians turn back to observing days and months, and he reminds them of their initial reception of him as an angel of God. Paul uses the allegory of Abraham's two sons to illustrate the two covenants, one from Mount Sinai leading to bondage and the other from the promise leading to freedom, and asserts that believers are children of the promise, not of the bondwoman.
Chapter 5
Christ has set believers free from the law, and they should not return to bondage by trying to follow the law. Those who try to follow the law will be required to keep the entire law, and Christ will be of no benefit to them. Instead, believers should live by faith and walk in the Spirit, which produces love, joy, and other virtues. The flesh and the Spirit are in conflict, and believers should not give in to the desires of the flesh, but rather live in the Spirit and love one another.
Chapter 6
Those who are spiritual should restore those who have fallen into sin with meekness, while being mindful of their own vulnerability to temptation. Believers should bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ, but ultimately each person will be responsible for their own actions. Those who teach the word should be supported by those they teach, and individuals will reap what they sow, either corruption or eternal life.
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