Galatians Summary

Gal 6:11-18

11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 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. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

 

In this closing of the letter to the Galatians, Paul returns to the major themes of the book.

  1. This Very Personal Letter

v.12, 17

 

  1. Impacting others through service and sacrifice

Paul’s eyes. His large letters. His bodily ailments. This is a return to the theme of the earlier part of the Book in chapter 4:

13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?

And we connected this to Paul being stoned “to death” during his first visit to Galatia. It is supposition on my part, but I can imagine him having lingering trouble with his vision because of severe concussion or even bleeding in his eyes or having them bruised or scratched.

All of this trouble that Paul experienced is proof of God’s love for them.

They can see that Paul is committed whole heartedly to the gospel message because of his service and sacrifice.

And they can see that Paul is committed to THEM because of his service and sacrifice.

Paul’s personal appeal is for them to not move away from His teaching and influence.

 

  1. Standing up for Paul’s gospel v.13

Paul spends a lot of time talking about the gospel in Galatians, especially early on. He talks about “his gospel.” This is surely a term that is put on his teaching by those who have come behind him in order to discredit him. It is an attempt to make less of what Paul has taught and to elevate what the new teachers are espousing.

People do this in our day. Comparative religions. Comparative philosophy. Different theories in Psychology, Sociology etc. And usually there is some truth in the studies from a certain perspective. But there is also an assumption that the truth is obscured and will be found in the process of people over time discussing and discovering it. Paul speaks about his connection to Christ. His personal study and understanding of the gospel. And he speaks about going to the Apostles (Jesus gave them the keys to the kingdom) who affirm his understanding of the gospel.

1: 11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

2 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me.

6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 

Paul’s personal appeal is for them to not turn away to another gospel, which is no gospel at all.

 

  1. Standing up for the grace of God v.14, 18

Galatians has some of the harshest language in all of the New Testament!

1: 6 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— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 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.

Gal 5: 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

The gospel and Martin Luther!

Galatians 2: 15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 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.

The gospel as it relates to justification:

  1. Not by works of the law
  2. Through faith in Jesus Christ

Paul’s personal appeal is for them to not fall away from the grace of God!

 

  1. Law and Grace Relating to Justification v.15
  2. The law is good but I am not

14 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.

 

  1. Grace gives goodness apart from my performance

14 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.

15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

  1. You cannot deserve grace or mercy

14 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.

Why boast?

 

 

III. Law and Grace Relating to Life Today

        v.15

  1. The law is not optional

        Romans 8: 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

Moral law, ceremonial law, national law.

 

  1. Good works are good

        They do not save you. They save you.

They do not make you good. They make you good.

 

  1. The Holy Spirit is God in you