Introduction
Christ has freed his followers from the law, so use the freedom wisely.
Verses
1Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
2Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing.
3Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace.
5For we, through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.
6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.
7You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth?
8This persuasion is not from him who calls you.
9A little yeast grows through the whole lump.
10I have confidence towards you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgement, whoever he is.
11But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been removed.
12I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off.
13For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.
14For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
15But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don’t consume one another.
16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire.
18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness,
20idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies,
21envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practise such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,
23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
25If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit.
26Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.
Questions
1. What are the problems of desiring to be justified by the law?
v 4 You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace.
2. How does Paul say we should use our freedom?
v 13 For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.
3. What are the advantages of walking by the spirit?
v 16 and 17 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Summary Points
- v 1 to 6 Paul encourages the believers to hold onto the freedom from the law brought through being “in Christ”
- v 7 to 12 Paul is concerned that the influence of those who want to keep the law will spread through the congregations in Galatia
- v 13 to 15 Believers must use their freedom from law to love one another rather than hurting each other by their selfishness
- v 16 to 18 There is a conflict going on in believers between their natural inclinations (the “flesh”) and what God would have them do (the “spirit”)
- v 19 to 26 Paul gives examples of works of the “flesh” to avoid and qualities of the “spirit” to develop
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