Galatians Chapters 1,2,5,6

Introduction

• The churches in Galatia were being influenced by false teachers.

• They were being told that faith in Christ was not enough and that believers also needed to keep the law.

• Paul strongly defends the true gospel: salvation is received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Bible Session

***The First line on the quoted verses are from the NASB***

Stand Firm in the True Gospel

Gal. 1:1-10-----Greeting and a WARNING to the LEGALISTS

(Gal 1:6) I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel, [ESV] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – [NKJV] I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, ** [ERV] A short time ago God chose you to follow him. He chose you through his grace that came through Christ. But now I am amazed that you are already turning away and believing something different from the Good News we told you.

(Gal 1:7) which is not just another account; but there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. [ESV] not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. [NKJV] which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. ** [ERV] There is no other message that is the Good News, but some people are confusing you. They want to change the Good News about Christ.

Gal. 1:11-24----Paul's BIO defending his STATEMENTS

(Gal 1:11) For I would have you know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel which was preached by me is not of human invention. [ESV] For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. [NKJV] But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. ** [ERV] Brothers and sisters, I want you to know that the Good News message I told you was not made up by anyone.

Galatians 1:6–9

• There is only one true gospel.

• Any message that adds human requirements to Christ’s finished work is a distortion.

• The gospel originates from God, not human opinion.

Application:

• Test every teaching by Scripture.

• Do not exchange the gospel of grace for religious performance.

• Remain faithful even when popular ideas oppose biblical truth.

This will happen to anyone who preaches a strange gospel--- a different gospel than the one about Jesus.

Answer: They will be cursed.(Gal 1:9) As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! [ESV] As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. [NKJV] As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. ** [ERV] I said this before. Now I say it again: You have already accepted the Good News. Anyone who tells you another way to be saved should be condemned!

Salvation Comes Through Faith in Christ

(Gal 2:19) For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live for God. [ESV] For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. [NKJV] For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. ** [ERV] It was the law itself that caused me to end my life under the law. I died to the law so that I could live for God. I have been nailed to the cross with Christ.

(Gal 2:21) I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” [ESV] I do not nullify the grace of God, for if justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. [NKJV] I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” ** [ERV] I am not the one destroying the meaning of God’s grace. If following the law is how people are made right with God, then Christ did not have to die.

Galatians 2:16–21

• A person is not justified by works of the law.

• We are made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

• Christ’s death was sufficient; adding human merit diminishes the cross.

(Gal 2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. [ESV] I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. [NKJV] I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. ** [ERV] So I am not the one living now—it is Christ living in me. I still live in my body, but I live by faith in the Son of God. He is the one who loved me and gave himself to save me.

Application:

• Stop trusting personal goodness for acceptance with God.

• Rest in Christ’s righteousness.

• Let Christ’s life be expressed through daily obedience.

We are not saved or justified by doing the works of the law. We are saved by this.

Answer: Faith in Christ. (Gal 2:16) but knowing that a man is not justified on the principle of works of law nor but by the faith of Jesus Christ, we also have believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified on the principle of the faith of Christ; and not of works of law; because on the principle of works of law no flesh shall be justified. [ESV] yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. [NKJV] knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. ** [ERV] But we know that no one is made right with God by following the law. It is trusting in Jesus Christ that makes a person right with God. So we have put our faith in Christ Jesus, because we wanted to be made right with God. And we are right with him because we trusted in Christ—not because we followed the law. I can say this because no one can be made right with God by following the law.

Live in the Freedom of Grace

(Gal 5:1) Christ has set us free in freedom; stand fast therefore, and be not held again in a yoke of bondage. [ESV] For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. [NKJV] Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. ** [ERV] We have freedom now, because Christ made us free. So stand strong in that freedom. Don’t go back into slavery again.

(Gal 5:3) And I witness again to every man who is circumcised, that he is debtor to do the whole law. [ESV] I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. [NKJV] And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. ** [ERV] Again, I warn everyone: If you allow yourselves to be circumcised, then you must follow the whole law.

Galatians 5:1, 13

• Christ sets believers free from slavery to sin and legalism.

• Christian freedom is not permission to satisfy selfish desires.

• Freedom is an opportunity to serve others in love.

Application:

• Reject both legalism and lawlessness.

• Use freedom to love, forgive, and serve.

• Do not return to systems of guilt and bondage.

Walk by the Holy Spirit

(Gal 5:18) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. [ESV] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. [NKJV] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ** [ERV] But if you let the Spirit lead you, you are not under law.

(Gal 5:24) Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [ESV] And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [NKJV] And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ** [ERV] Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their sinful self. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do.

(Gal 5:25) If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well. [ESV] If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [NKJV] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ** [ERV] We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16–25

• The flesh produces sinful desires and destructive behavior.

• The Spirit produces Christlike character.

• Spiritual growth comes through daily dependence on the Holy Spirit.

The fruit of the Spirit:

• Love

• Joy

• Peace

• Patience

• Kindness

• Goodness

• Faithfulness

• Gentleness

• Self-control

Application:

• Ask whether the character of Christ is becoming visible in your life.

• Surrender sinful desires to th.e Spirit.

• Cultivate habits of prayer, Scripture, worship, and obedience.

The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and this.

Answer: Self-Control. (Gal 5:22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, fidelity, [ESV] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [NKJV] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ** [ERV] But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,(Gal 5:23) meekness, self-control: against such things there is no law. [ESV] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [NKJV] gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ** [ERV] gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things.

Practice Grace in Community

(Gal 6:3) For if anyone thinks that he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. [ESV] For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. [NKJV] For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ** [ERV] If you think you are too important to do this, you are only fooling yourself.

(Gal 6:14) But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. [ESV] But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. [NKJV] But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ** [ERV] I hope I will never boast about things like that. The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is my only reason for boasting. Through Jesus’ death on the cross the world is dead to me, and I am dead to the world.

Galatians 6:1–10

• Restore those who fall with gentleness.

• Carry one another’s burdens.

• Avoid pride and self-deception.

• Reap according to what we sow.

• Do good whenever opportunities arise.

Application:

• Correct others with humility, not condemnation.

• Support struggling believers.

• Invest in things that produce eternal fruit.

• Continue doing good even when results are not immediate.

We should deal with Christians in this way when they are living in sin.

Answer: Gently. (Gal 6:1) Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. [ESV] Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. [NKJV] Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ** [ERV] Brothers and sisters, someone in your group might do something wrong. You who are following the Spirit should go to the one who is sinning. Help make that person right again, and do it in a gentle way. But be careful, because you might be tempted to sin too.

We are to love each other and carry these for each other.

Answer: Burdens. (Gal 6:2) Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. [ESV] Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. [NKJV] Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ** [ERV] Help each other with your troubles. When you do this, you are obeying the law of Christ.

Conclusion

The Book of Galatians calls the church back to the central truth of Christianity:

• We are saved by Grace

• We stand by Faith

• We live in Freedom

• We walk by the Spirit

• We serve others in Love

I will end this Session with a Challenge for ALL of US-------Don't return to religious bondage or self-reliance. Trust completely in Christ, receive His grace, and walk daily in the power of the Holy Spirit.