Key Words: The Law, Faith, Grace, Justified, Circumcision, New Creature, Israel of God, Liberty, Yoke of Bondage, Bewitched, Hagar, Schoolmaster
Galatians was written by Paul to counter the influence of legalistic teachers who were teaching Gentile believers that they must be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses in order to be justified. Galatians emphasizes that justification is by faith apart from works of the law.
The New Covenant is a covenant of grace, and the Law was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. The Old Covenant was temporary until the establishment of the New Covenant, which is better and eternal.
The law and the city of Jerusalem had become a system of bondage, and the earthly city was likened to Hagar, the slave woman. The New Covenant is connected to the heavenly city, which is free. (Gal 4:22-27). Paul’s letter was intended to keep the church walking in the liberty of the New Covenant.
Paul teaches neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters to God, but a new creature. The church is the new creation of God with new creatures in Christ.
Key Verses: 2:3, 16: 3:11, 24-25; 4:9, 22-27; 5:1-2; 6:15-16
Blessings,
Apostle John