Book Study: Galatians

Book Overview

Paul Writes to the Galatians concerned that they are forgetting the true grace of the gospel for one that is dependent on works of law and not grace. He exposes that the law, particularly circumcision, is contrary to the freedom found in Christ. Christians are no longer slaves to the law but guided by the Spirit as children of God.

Brief Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1

Paul is amazed by their departure from the gospel. Paul defends his Jewish roots and details his early conversion giving a detailed account of his early biography and conversion.

Chapter 2

Paul continues his autobiography outlining his dispute with Peter over the law and circumcision. Paul defends that works of the law do not justify but we are justified only by faith in Christ.

Chapter 3

Paul contrasts their current relationship with God from the slavery of the law. He argues that the promise to Abraham’s seed is by faith specifically intended for those who would later believe in Christ. He explains the law as instructional for us until the revelation of Christ.  

Chapter 4

Paul explains further our transformation as sons of God through Jesus. Those under the law were slaves but now we are free children. He argues that Abraham’s true children represent how God related to man before Jesus and how he now relates to us. Before, like Hagar we were slaves but now in Christ we are free. Like Abraham’s free son we also are free from the law and therefore free from sin.

Chapter 5

Paul concludes his defense indicating circumcision is no longer of value. Christ has set us free. The spirit not the law now motivates Christian behavior. Paul ends the chapter contrasting the deeds of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. He instructs them to remain united and not to divide over these matters of law and freedom.

Chapter 6

Paul states they must carry one another’s burdens and restore those who fall into sin while being cautious to test their own actions. He tells them they will reap what they sow. They are told to continue in good works. He ends emphasizing the main matter is to be a new creation and that he boasts only in the cross.  

Key Verses

Galatians 1:8

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!”

Galatians 2:16

“Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.”

Galatians 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 3:24

“So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.”

Galatians 4:6

“Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’”

Galatians 5:22–23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 6:14

“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

‍