Galatians 1:6-10
Watch this video from The Bible Project for an overview of the book of Galatians.
The apostle Paul wrote his letter to the churches in Galatia (roughly corresponding to the provinces of Ankara and Eski in modern-day Turkey) to confront the Galatians for relying on the laws of Torah (especially circumcision) to ensure they belonged to God’s family.
In most of his letters to the churches, Paul sends greetings and thanks to God for their faith and support of his ministry. However, Galatians expresses anger over the Galatians’ failure to recognize false teachings regarding the doctrine of salvation. He calls this Torah (Jewish law) based salvation a “different Gospel” because the good news of the gospel has never been about earning entrance into God’s family.
In Galatians 1:6-10, Paul vehemently condemns the false teaching and emphasizes that there is one gospel and salvation is by grace through Jesus. Anyone who presents a different gospel, Paul says, should be damned to hell. James 2:14-26 says faith without works is dead; however, our works are born out of our salvation - they do not lead to it. God’s grace involves much more than our salvation. We are to live by grace (1 Corinthians 15:10) because it’s the foundation for the Christian life (Romans 5:1–2) and enables us to endure suffering and use it for God’s glory (2 Corinthians 12:1–10).
The gospel is serious because the salvation of people is at stake. The gospel is the power of God for salvation. The gospel should permeate every thought and interaction. Allowing ourselves to drift away from the truth of the gospel diminishes the work of God in our lives. Viewing those around us through the lens of their eternal destiny should compel us to share the gospel every chance we get.
The gospel is freedom in slavery because Christ has won you from the world and made you His. We were bought with a price - Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross (1 Corinthians 6 19-20). It’s a paradox - are we not trapped in slavery if we are “slaves” to Jesus? No! Only in Christ are we truly free. Salvation frees us from the chains of sin and liberates us to live a life of fellowship with our God and Creator.
As we begin this study of Galatians, it’s essential to know our author, Paul. Where does Paul’s authority come from? Why is this important? Why did Paul need to take the time to remind them where his authority comes from?
What do we learn about Paul’s character in these opening verses of Galatians? What do we learn about the truth? About God?
What is a false gospel? What specific false gospel may they have been turning to? What is the gospel?
What does Pastor Christian’s statement, “Salvation isn’t simple, but it is easy,” mean?
Paul is writing to a group of Christians tempted to believe their salvation is based on their works. How do you fall into a legalistic or performance-based mindset concerning your salvation?
In what ways may we be tempted to add to or take away from the Word of God to make it less authoritative and more “attractive” to ourselves or others?
Since our salvation is the work of God from start to finish, how does this inform how we share the gospel with others?
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Worship Set: My Testimony l Reckless Love l Take You at Your Word l Yours (Glory and Praise)