Grace Baby, Grace

In Galatians 1-3, Paul addresses the churches in Galatia, confronting the perversion of the Gospel by some who advocate adherence to the Mosaic Law for salvation. Paul, asserting his apostolic authority, declares that he received the Gospel through divine revelation. He emphasizes that justification is attained solely through faith in Christ, not by works of the law. Paul recalls his confrontational encounter with Peter over his hypocritical behavior, elucidating that both Jews and Gentiles are justified by faith. He illustrates the purpose of the Law as a guardian leading to Christ, highlighting the believers' status as Abraham’s descendants and heirs to the promise through faith. The overarching theme is the supremacy of faith over the law for attaining righteousness in Christ.

Galatians 1-3

Read these Chapters
Galatians 1

In chapter 1 of Galatians, Paul expresses his astonishment at the Galatians' quick desertion from the Gospel of Christ to a different gospel, which is no gospel at all. He vehemently condemns those who distort the gospel message, emphasizing that the Gospel he preaches is not of human origin but was received through a revelation from Jesus Christ. Paul recounts his own conversion experience and his early years as a Christian, illustrating how he had been zealous for Jewish traditions but was set apart by God and called to preach to the Gentiles. He affirms that his message and apostolic authority are divine, having consulted with no human being post his conversion, not even the original apostles, for a substantial period.

Galatians 2

Chapter 2 continues with Paul validating his apostolic authority and the divine origin of his Gospel. He relates his visit to Jerusalem and his meeting with the prominent apostles, where he received endorsement for his ministry among the Gentiles. Paul also describes a conflict with Peter in Antioch, where he rebuked Peter for his hypocrisy concerning Gentile believers. Peter had withdrawn from eating with Gentiles due to fear of those who belonged to the circumcision group. Paul emphasized the essence of the Gospel: that both Jew and Gentile are justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law. This chapter underscores the importance of maintaining the truth of the gospel and living in line with it.

Galatians 3

In chapter 3, Paul moves to address theological concerns directly, chiding the Galatians for their foolishness in turning away from faith to legalistic observance of the Law. He reminds them of their initial reception of the Spirit through faith and their experience of God’s work among them. Paul explains that Abraham was justified by faith, and those who have faith are his true children. The Law, Paul clarifies, was a temporary measure, serving as a "guardian" to lead people to Christ, but now that faith has come, believers are no longer under this guardian. Paul concludes by stating that in Christ, all are sons of God through faith, baptized into Christ, and there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, but all are one in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 10-13
Summaries
Galatians 4-6
Galatians 1-3 Sermons