Chapter 1
Galatians
Paul astonished that the Galatians are deserting the gospel of grace for a different message; he defends his apostleship as received directly from Christ, recounting his former persecution and independent call.
The book of Galatians contains important teachings and narratives from Scripture.
Explore the narrative arc of Galatians through thoughtful chapter summaries
Galatians
Paul astonished that the Galatians are deserting the gospel of grace for a different message; he defends his apostleship as received directly from Christ, recounting his former persecution and independent call.
Galatians
Fourteen years later Paul presents his gospel to Jerusalem leaders, who add nothing; he opposes Peter in Antioch for withdrawing from Gentiles, proclaiming that justification comes by faith in Christ, not by works of the law.
Galatians
Paul rebukes the ‘bewitched’ Galatians: the Spirit was received by faith, as with Abraham; the law brought a curse that Christ bore, and Scripture imprisoned all under sin so that the promise might be given to believers.
Galatians
He illustrates heirs versus slaves: believers are adopted sons through the Spirit of God’s Son; warns that turning back to legal observance is spiritual slavery, using Hagar and Sarah allegorically to contrast law-bondage with gospel-freedom.
Galatians
Christ set believers free—stand firm and do not submit to circumcision; faith working through love counts, not law-keeping; live by the Spirit, producing love, joy, peace, and crucifying fleshly works.
Galatians
Bear one another’s burdens, sow to the Spirit rather than the flesh, and do good to all—especially believers; Paul writes large letters emphasizing that the new creation, not circumcision, is what matters; grace be with the faithful.