Galatians - Introduction and Links

The book of Galatians is a passionate letter written by the Apostle Paul to the churches in the region of Galatia. Paul wrote this letter to address a serious issue: some false teachers were leading the Galatian Christians away from the true gospel of Jesus Christ. These teachers, often called Judaizers, were claiming that Gentile (non-Jewish) believers needed to follow Jewish laws, like circumcision, to be truly saved. Paul wrote Galatians to remind them that salvation comes by faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by works or obeying the law. (more at bottom)

Session 1: Galatians 1:1-10 — The True Gospel

Session 2: Galatians 1:11-24 — Paul's Call and Gospel

Session 3: Galatians 2:1-10 — Unity in the Gospel

Session 4: Galatians 2:11-21 — Justification by Faith

Session 5: Galatians 3:1-14 — Faith vs. Works

Session 6: Galatians 3:15-29 — The Promise Fulfilled

Session 7: Galatians 4:1-20 — Sons and Heirs

Session 8: Galatians 4:21–5:1 — Freedom in Christ

Session 9: Galatians 5:2–6:18 — Life in the Spirit

Why Was Galatians Written?

Paul’s primary concern was the gospel itself. He wanted the Galatians to understand that Jesus’ death and resurrection had set them free from the law. They didn’t need to add anything to their faith in Christ to be saved. Paul was firm in his tone because this was a matter of spiritual life and death.

Martin Luther, the great Reformer, said of Galatians:

“The Epistle to the Galatians is my epistle. To it, I am as it were in wedlock. It is my Katherine.”
This highlights how deeply Luther appreciated the message of grace and freedom in Galatians during the Reformation, a time when the gospel was being recovered from legalistic teachings.

Key Themes in Galatians

1. Justification by Faith:
   The central message of Galatians is that we are made right with God (justified) through faith in Jesus Christ, not by following the law. Paul writes, “A person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16).

2. Freedom in Christ:
   Paul emphasizes that Christ has set us free from the burden of trying to earn God’s favor. In Galatians 5:1, he declares, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” This freedom isn’t a license to sin but the ability to live in God’s grace.

3. Living by the Spirit:
   Paul contrasts living by the desires of the flesh with walking by the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—shows what a Spirit-filled life looks like (Galatians 5:22–23).

4. Unity in Christ:
   Paul emphasizes that in Christ, there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female. All believers are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).

The Historical Background

The Galatians were likely a mix of Jews and Gentiles living in the Roman province of Galatia (modern-day Turkey). The Judaizers were pressuring the Gentile Christians to adopt Jewish customs, causing confusion and division in the church. Paul’s letter was written to correct these false teachings and bring the Galatians back to the simplicity of the gospel.

John Stott, a well-known Bible teacher, wrote: “The letter to the Galatians is a passionate appeal to experience freedom and life through faith in Jesus Christ and not through the bondage of legalism.”

Why Study Galatians Today?

The message of Galatians is as relevant today as it was in Paul’s time. We still face temptations to rely on our own efforts or follow rules to feel right with God. Galatians reminds us that salvation is a gift from God, given through Jesus, and received by faith. It also calls us to live in the freedom of the Spirit, loving and serving one another as we grow in Christ.

Galatians challenges us to reflect on questions like:

• Are we living in the freedom Christ has given us, or are we trying to earn God’s favor?

• How can we show the fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives?

• What does it mean to live as one united body of believers in Christ?

Application for Our Lives

As we study Galatians together, let’s ask ourselves:

• Are there areas in our lives where we’re relying on our own efforts instead of trusting fully in God’s grace?

• How can we live in the freedom Christ has given us while staying faithful to Him?

• What does it look like to walk by the Spirit and bear the fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives?

A Call to Reflect

Friends, Galatians is more than a letter; it’s a call to return to the heart of the gospel. It’s a reminder that we are saved, not because of what we’ve done, but because of God’s great love for us.

As we begin this journey, let’s take to heart these words from Martin Luther, who found great inspiration in Galatians during the Reformation: “Here I must take counsel of the gospel. I must hearken to the gospel, which teaches me, not what I ought to do, but what Jesus Christ the Son of God has done for me.”

A Final Word

As we study Galatians, let’s open our hearts to its message of grace and freedom. The gospel is good news because it’s not about what we do—it’s about what Jesus has done. Charles Spurgeon said it well: “There is no true joy in this world like the joy of being free in Christ.”

This letter is a powerful reminder of the unchanging truth of the gospel: faith in Christ alone is enough.