Welcome to week two of the first ever Bible study hosted here on StephanieAdele.com. Hosting Bible studies on this site has been a dream of mine from the very beginning. I am so excited to study Paul’s life and his letters Galatians – Colossians. You can view all posted study materials here.
Day 6 – Monday : Galatians 3:15 – 29
In today’s reading, Paul is continuing to compare the Law with the coming of Christ. One thing to note is that he addresses the Galatians as “brothers” (vs. 15). This term of endearment signifies Paul’s love for the churches in Galatia, though they might not be feeling the love as they were reading this letter.
In vs. 15, Paul is using a modern reference of a contract made between to people. Those involved would not attempt to change the contract once it is official. God’s promise to Abraham came hundreds of years before the Law was given to Moses. Therefore, the Law didn’t change the promise God made with Abraham. God promised Abraham an offspring (or seed) through which God’s blessings would come. That promise always pointed to Christ. From the very beginning, the coming of Christ was God’s plan.
So why was the Law given? The Hebrews coming out of Egypt during the Exodus just could not follow God’s plans. The Law was given so that the people would recognize their need for a Savior. They kept trying to go their own way (against God’s plans). The Law could never provide salvation. Only Christ could do so. Rather than give life, the Law made the people slaves to their own sins.
Vs. 25 –29 identify all believers as children of God, regardless of their heritage. A common morning prayer of Jewish men thanked God for not being born a Gentile, a slave, or a woman. Vs. 28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek (a.k.a. Gentile), there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Paul is not using this to say that there are no distinctions in these people, because in Ephesians, we will read specific instruction Paul gives to slaves and masters, and husband, wives, and children. Rather, Christ unites us all.
Question for Thought:
In light of Galatians 3:25 – 29, how should we address the racial tensions and gender inequality we so often heard today?
Day 7 – Tuesday : Galatians 4:1 – 20
In vs. 1-8 Paul is comparing the slavery that came from the Law, or for the Gentiles, from their pagan religions, to the adoption that comes through Christ. Adopting a grown man as heir was a common practice in the time of the early church. God has adopted us through our belief in Christ’s saving work. We are then granted the first portion of our inheritance, the Holy Spirit.
Paul returns to addressing the main issue at hand in vs. 9-20: the false teaching being presented to the Galatians Christians. Paul challenges the Galatians for returning to “weak and worthless elementary principles” (vs. 9) when they have come to know the true God. They are returning to slavery. These false teachers are looking for a following. They want flattery and power.
Paul mentions an ailment in vs. 13. His prolonged illness kept him in Galatia to share the Gospel. His relationship with the Galatians is very dear to him, as evidenced by Paul’s referring to them as his “little children” (vs. 19).
Question for Thought:
As adopted children of God, what is our inheritance?
Day 8 – Wednesday : Galatians 4:21 – 31
Background Information for Today’s Reading:
Paul references the story of Abraham and his two sons found in Genesis 15 through 21. God promised Abraham an offspring even though he was already in his old age. Sarah, Abraham’s wife gave her servant Hagar to Abraham because Sarah was barren, and Hagar bore Ishmael. God spoke to Abraham again and told him the promised offspring would come through Sarah, his wife. Abraham and Sarah had not waited for God’s promise, which resulted in Ishmael being born of a slave. Sarah’s son Isaac would become the true heir. There was nothing special about Ishmael’s birth. It occurred as any other birth would. Isaac’s birth was miraculous. Sarah had been barren all her life, and bore Isaac when she was ninety-years-old. Eventually, Hagar and Ishmael would be cast out into the desert.
Today’s Reading:
Paul compares the story of Hagar and Sarah to present-day Christians. Those resembling Hagar’s offspring are bound by their sins. Those who resemble Sarah’s offspring are freed through the promise fulfilled in Christ.
Like Sarah and Isaac, the children of promise – Christians – will face persecution. Christians should not tolerate false teachers, but instead, they should cast them out, as Hagar and Ishmael were cast out into the desert.
Questions for Thought?
What makes us children of promise? Did we earn this status?
Day 9 – Thursday : Galatians 5: 1 – 15
Paul once again addresses the false teaching in the church. The false teachers in the Galatian churches want them to be circumcised, insisting this requirement from Jewish Law is necessary. Paul argues that to add any human requirement to the salvation that comes through Christ is wrong. It is a false gospel. Justification comes either through Christ or through the Law. There is no other option.
Paul is not saying that true believers can lose their salvation. Instead, he is saying that, they are not true believers if they can so easily be persuaded into believing something else.
The freedom we receive in Christ does not mean that we can then live however we want. We are to to live by God’s moral law. We are to serve one another in love. Paul warns against dissent in the church. Dissension is often a greater problem for the church than persecution. Persecution drives us to band together, while dissension tears us apart, causing us to live contrary to God’s expectations.
Question for Thought:
How can Christians today band together to fight dissension in the church?
Day 10 – Friday: Galatians 5: 16 – 26
Our actions reflect our hearts. In vs. 19-21, Paul provides a list of actions associated with giving in to our sinful natures (the works of the flesh vs. 19) These sins are broken into four categories: sexual immorality, false gods, conflict, and drunkenness. This is not meant to be a complete list. The verb tense Paul uses implies those who are continually displaying these behaviors. Such actions reflect our spiritual status.
Likewise, if we concern ourselves with abiding in the Holy Spirit, our lives will produce very different fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is a lofty list, but it is what we are to constantly strive for. When we receive the Holy Spirit through belief in Christ, the process of sanctification begins in us. Sanctification is the Holy Spirit’s work of changing our hearts.
Question for Thought:
How can we foster the growth of spiritual fruit in our own lives?
I would love for you to share your thoughts or things you are learning as you read through Galatians! Look for Week Three study materials next Monday, and again, you can find all materials already posted here.
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