The book of Galatians is one of the most important books in the New Testament. Written by the apostle Paul likely around 49 AD, it addresses several key theological issues that were present in the early church. Here are some common questions people have about the book of Galatians:
What is the major theme of Galatians?
The major theme of Galatians is justification by faith alone. Paul wrote this letter to combat the false teaching that Christians must obey the Old Testament law and Jewish customs in order to be saved. Throughout the letter, Paul argues vigorously that people are justified by faith in Christ alone, not by works of the law. Salvation is a free gift received by faith, not something earned (Galatians 2:16).
Why was the book written?
Paul wrote Galatians in response to a crisis that was taking place in the churches of Galatia. After Paul had preached the gospel there and established several churches, false teachers known as “Judaizers” infiltrated the churches and began teaching that Gentiles must be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law in order to be saved. Paul wrote to denounce this grave theological error and call the Galatian believers back to the true gospel of justification by faith alone.
What false teachings was Paul refuting in Galatians?
The primary false teaching Paul confronted was the idea that Christians must follow the Mosaic Law and Jewish customs like circumcision in order to be justified before God. The Judaizers were essentially teaching that Jesus’ death was not enough – that good works and rituals still needed to be added for salvation. Paul thoroughly rejected this, insisting that adding law-keeping to the gospel distorted its meaning and power (Galatians 1:6-9).
Related to this, Paul also confronted the false teaching that Gentile believers needed to become like Jews and follow the Law of Moses. The Judaizers argued that faith in Jesus was not enough – full conversion to Judaism was required. Paul adamantly rejected this, teaching that all believers are children of God by faith, regardless of ethnicity, customs, or ceremonies.
How does Galatians relate to the Council of Jerusalem?
The Council of Jerusalem is reported in Acts 15. Several years before Galatians was written, this council met to decide whether Gentile believers needed to be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses. Led by the testimony of Paul, Peter, and Barnabas, the council determined that Gentiles were not obligated to become Jewish proselytes. The decision aligned with Paul’s teaching of salvation by faith alone.
So when the question arose again in Galatia, Paul referred to the council’s decision as a correct understanding of the gospel (Galatians 2:1-10). The council’s ruling authorized the gospel Paul preached among the Gentiles. The Judaizers’ teaching directly contradicted it.
What does it mean to be under the law vs under grace?
Paul contrasts living “under law” versus living “under grace” in Galatians. Under law means trying to earn salvation by obeying God’s commands, while under grace means receiving salvation as a free gift through faith in Christ.
Under law is based on human effort – a person attempts to gain right standing before God by works. But this is futile, because no one can perfectly keep the law (Galatians 3:10-11). Under grace means resting completely in what Jesus has done. We rely on Christ’s atoning sacrifice for salvation, not our own moral efforts. Good works flow from grace, not to earn grace.
What is the purpose of the law according to Galatians?
Galatians 3:19-29 explains that God gave the law for several reasons:
– To reveal sin – the law shows people their sinfulness and need for redemption (Galatians 3:19).
– To function as a guardian – the law was a custodian over Israel, protecting and disciplining them until Christ came. It previewed the coming Savior (Galatians 3:23-24).
– To unify Jews and Gentiles in Christ – now, the law’s purpose is fulfilled in Christ, in whom there is no distinction between ethnic groups. All believers are one in Him (Galatians 3:28).
The law was never intended to be a means of earning salvation. It pointed to and prepared the way for Christ, the true source of salvation by grace through faith.
Why does Paul refer to Sarah and Hagar in Galatians 4:21-31?
Paul refers to the story of Sarah and Hagar as an allegory to illustrate the difference between law and grace. Hagar, as Abraham’s slave woman, represents the law given at Sinai – tied to the present Jerusalem and the earthly. Sarah, as Abraham’s free wife, represents the new covenant and the heavenly Jerusalem – bringing freedom and sonship.
This allegory reinforces Paul’s point that believers are children of the free woman under grace, not slaves under law (Galatians 4:31). Trying to earn salvation by law leads only to bondage, while faith in Christ brings freedom and adoption as God’s children.
Who were the agitators who were stirring up trouble in Galatia?
Though unnamed, the “agitators” were likely Jewish Christians who taught that Gentiles must convert fully to Judaism by being circumcised and taking up the Law of Moses. Paul calls them troublemakers who were confusing the Galatians and perverting the gospel to include works of the law (Galatians 1:7, 5:10).
Based on parallels in Acts and other letters, these agitators were probably Jewish believers from the sect of the Pharisees who placed extra emphasis on circumcision and adherence to Jewish customs (Acts 15:5). They are sometimes referred to as “Judaizers.” Paul maintained they were false brothers twisting the true gospel.
What was Paul’s tone in Galatians?
Paul’s tone in Galatians has been described as both angry and anguished. He expresses frustration bordering on outrage at the Galatians’ openness to false teaching (Galatians 1:6, 3:1). But he also writes with pastoral concern for the spiritual well-being of his readers, like a mother in labor (Galatians 4:19).
This is understandable given Paul’s history with the Galatians and the dangerous theology threatening them. By requiring circumcision and law-keeping for salvation, the Judaizers were nullifying the grace of God and severing people from Christ (Galatians 2:21, 5:4). This called for the stern rebuke Paul gives.
How does grace enable us to fulfill the law?
One of Paul’s key ideas in Galatians is that the grace we receive through faith actually enables us to fulfill God’s law in a way the law itself could never do (Galatians 5:16-18, 22-23).
Though no one can earn salvation by the law, the Spirit-filled life of faith inherently leads to moral transformation and practical obedience. As believers walk by the Spirit, His fruit motivates and empowers us to truly love others, act righteously, practice self-control, etc. Grace provides both the desire and power to fulfill God’s will.
What does Paul say are the works of the flesh?
In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul gives a representative list of sinful desires and behaviors he calls “works of the flesh.” These include: sexual immorality, moral impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousy, rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, and drunkenness.
Paul says those who continually walk in these fleshly sins reveal they are not born of God’s Spirit. They are outside of grace and not headed for the kingdom of God. This vice list highlights sins that reflect self-indulgence, loss of self-control, and relational discord.
What does Paul say are the fruits of the Spirit?
In contrast to the works of the flesh, Galatians 5:22-23 describes the Spirit’s work of moral renewal in believers using the metaphor of spiritual “fruit”:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”
This virtue list reflects the Spirit’s work of shaping Christlike character as we walk by faith. It emphasizes self-sacrificial love, integrity, harmony with others, and self-mastery. The Spirit produces what the law requires but could not produce in us.
How does Galatians depict the tension between the flesh and the Spirit?
Galatians presents an ethical dualism between the flesh and the Spirit. The flesh represents the sinful compulsions still at work in believers that pull us away from God’s will toward self-indulgence and disobedience (Galatians 5:17).
The Spirit represents the transforming power and presence of God leading us in the way of holiness and love. These two opposing powers wage war within us, and we must crucify the flesh by walking in submission to the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17, 24-25). Our moral life is shaped by which influence we yield to.
What instructions does Paul give for life in the Spirit?
In Galatians 5:16-6:10, Paul gives a series of exhortations for how believers should live in step with the Spirit and crucify the flesh:
– Walk by the Spirit, not the flesh (5:16)
– Be led by the Spirit (5:18)
– Bear the Spirit’s fruit, not works of the flesh (5:16-26)
– Restore sinning brothers gently (6:1)
– Bear others’ burdens (6:2)
– Test your own work honestly (6:4)
– Do good to all people (6:10)
Central to all these instructions is yielding to the Spirit’s leadership and resisting fleshly impulses. The Spirit-filled life looks like Christ and serves others with love.
What does Paul teach about giving financially to teachers?
In Galatians 6:6-10, Paul mentions that believers should financially support teachers of God’s word who instruct them. Those taught should share with the teachers “all good things,” just as a farmer shares produce with the plowman.
However, Paul distinguishes this mutual sharing from the false teachers’ motivation to make a good showing or earn fame through outward appearance (Galatians 6:12). Paul supported himself to avoid being a financial burden while preaching freely; the Judaizers sought to compel circumcision to avoid persecution and boast about converts.
What is the bottom line message of Galatians?
The bottom line emphasis of Galatians is that we are justified and made right with God solely by God’s grace through faith in Christ, not by works of the law. Trusting in Christ’s finished work is the only way to receive the Spirit, experience true freedom, and live in the way that pleases God. Adding human effort nullifies grace and severs people from Christ.
