It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Summary: Understanding what Paul means by freedom is key to understanding what it means to be saved by faith in Jesus.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:1a – Children of the King”Galatians 4:2 – Legal Limits
The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.
Summary: Paul wants us to understand that God has never abandoned the human race. Our Father in heaven has made provisions for us until the time he has set for us.
Continue reading “Galatians 4:2 – Legal Limits”Galatians 3:26 – Good and Right
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,
Summary: Learning to trust Jesus is a big step for people who are used to trusting themselves.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:26 – Good and Right”Galatians 3:24 – Applause
So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.
Summary: Today, we discover that the Lawman is not our enemy but our friend.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:24 – Applause”Galatians 3:23 – The Big Gamble
Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.
Summary: Paul returns to his discussion about the law with an interesting metaphor. The law, like the Sheriff in an old Western, can lock people up. What does this mean?
Continue reading “Galatians 3:23 – The Big Gamble”Galatians 3:22b – Letting Go, Grabbing On
… so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
Summary: Paul is very close to his topic. So close that he makes assumptions about his audience and what they know. Deconstructing what Paul says requires us to look into the Old Testament for clues.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:22b – Letting Go, Grabbing On”Galatians 3:21 – Promises, Promises
Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.
Summary: Paul continues his debate with himself by asking another question and answering it.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:21 – Promises, Promises”Galatians 3:18 – Promises, Eggs, & Chickens
For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
Summary: This is awkward! I just realized that I had skipped over Galatians 3:18. Don’t ask me why because you’ll just get a long list of excuses. So here we are for the first time I can remember, tackling a passage out of order.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:18 – Promises, Eggs, & Chickens”Galatians 3:19a – Waiting for Jesus, Part II
Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.
Summary: Paul talks about the Law as if it were a thing of the past, and for the believer it is. Yet, for everyone who does not yet believe, the Law still exists and is still in force.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:19a – Waiting for Jesus, Part II”Galatians 3:19a – Waiting for Jesus
Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.
Summary: Paul asks a question and then provides the answer. Why do we need the law? We need it until our Shepherd shows up in our lives.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:19a – Waiting for Jesus”