Galatians
Salvation is by Faith And Not by Feeling
The main argument of the Judaizers was that Gentiles had to become Jews in order to become Christians. To show the error of their way Paul now turns from subjective experience to the objective evidence of the Word of God. We should never judge the Scriptures by our experience but …
Paul Confronts Peter About Hyprocrisy.
Apparently sometime after the conference described in the previous verses, Peter came from Jerusalem to Antioch (v. 11). At first he mingled freely with the Gentiles, enjoying their fellowship. Then some men from Jerusalem arrived who were following strict Jewish traditions. They …
A Comparison Between The Two Sons of Abraham
It is written that a barren woman, who has not given birth to children should break forth with a joyful shout, because of not feeling birth pangs, in comparison to the desolate woman who has many more children than she who has a husband (v. 27). This quotation from (Isaiah 54:1) …
Building up People in Their Faith
Paul knew how to balance rebuke with love. Within this text he shows through sentimental argument how he is genuinely and passionately interested in the Galatians personally. He turns from “spanking” to “embracing” as he reminds them of how they have loved him …
Christ Died to Set us Free From Laws And Regulations
Christ died to set us free from sin and from a long list of laws and regulations. He came to set us free but not free to do whatever we want because that would lead us back into slavery to our selfish desires. Paul says to stand fast in our liberty in Christ (v. 1). He often tell …
The Provison For Victory Over Sin
The fruit of the Spirit in this passage has to do with character (vv. 22-23). It is important that we distinguish the gift of the Spirit which is salvation (Acts 2:38) and the gifts of the Spirit which have to do with service (I Cor. 12). In some Christian circles there is a tend …
Freedom From The Law
Paul rebukes these Galatian believers for backsliding into false teaching. They had turned from the Gospel of Grace and were following the path of legalism. Paul uses the following six argu?ments to prove that God saves sinners through faith in Christ and not by how they feel …
Paul explains his conversion
Three years after Paul’s conversion he goes to Jeru?salem and visits with Peter. This was his first visit to this city as a Christian. He stayed fifteen days and only saw Peter and James (vv. 18-20). It would appear that the Apostles were suspicious of him and he had a tough …
The Promise of Victory Over Sin
Paul describes the two conflicting forces that operates within every believer (vv. 16-17). The believer still has within him the old nature, the flesh; it is not eradicated, as some would have you believe, but is to be made subject to the new nature. The terrible mistake made by …
Salvation is Not of The Law
The basis of salvation is the issue in this passage. Is salvation through Christ alone or does it come through Christ and adherence to the law. If observing the Jewish laws cannot justify us, why should we still obey the ten commandments and other Old Testament laws? Paul says we …