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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.