Men's Group Study Guide
NIV Notes by Kelly Link
Introduction
Paul wrote Galatians to a region of believers, not a specific church or city. The Galatians were originally from Gaul, otherwise known as modern day France. As these Gaul's immigrated south, they ended up in the region named after them. The region of Galatia would today be part of central Turkey.
Galatians were known as fickle people. They were a people whom changed their mind frequently and were into anything new. In (Acts 14), Paul experienced the fickle nature of these Galatians. After healing a man, the Galatians worshipped Paul and Barnabas as the gods Hermes and Zeus. But their worship didn't last long. That same day, the Galatians ended up turning on Paul and stoned him. Thinking Paul dead, they threw him outside the city.
But Paul didn't stay down. He had come to preach the Good News of the gospel of grace. Galatians is a letter about this liberty we have in the grace of God. This letter was written in response to attacks from false teachers in order that Paul might defend his apostleship and defend the authority of the gospel. The Galatians were turning from faith in the gospel to legalism. And this battle is still very relevant for today.
Be prepared to discover the truths set forth in this letter by prayerfully considering what the real Christian life looks like and how your life reflects it. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)
STUDY NOTES: verses 1-9
v. 1 Paul, an Apostle – Paul identifies himself and his position as an apostle. An apostle is much more than a follower of Jesus Christ or a disciple. Apostle means 'one sent', 'a messenger sent by God' and has the authority of God himself behind him. Thus Paul not only has a sense of mission but the authority to carry it out. (1 Corinthians 12: 28)
Sent Not From Men nor By Man, but By Jesus Christ and God the Father – Paul wasn't persuaded by man to do what he was doing. It was God himself whom sent Paul to preach the Gospel. God revealed to Paul His will for Paul's life and Paul obeyed it.
Who Raised Him From the Dead - God the Father raised Jesus from the dead and this is the foundation of the Christian faith that sets it apart from all other religions. Our God has power to accomplish what He sets out to do. (Isaiah 55: 11)
v.2 And All the Brothers with Me, To the Churches in Galatia - Paul gives greetings from the brothers with him, however because of his use of 'I' in verse 6 it is obvious this letter is not a collaborated effort.
v.3 Grace and Peace to You From God Our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ - Grace is undeserved kindness and peace is simply the absence of conflict. Paul's use of this greeting is prevalent throughout his letters because Paul knows that there can be no peace without first receiving the grace of God (Jesus Christ). (Colossians 1: 19-20)
v.4 Who Gave Himself for Our Sins - The saving work of Jesus on the cross freed us from paying for the penalty of our sin [speaks of substitution]. (2 Corinthians 5: 14)
To Rescue Us from the Present Evil Age - Jesus also saves us from this present evil age. Rescue speaks of being saved from the power that this world has over men. (Ephesians 2: 2) This evil is not content in just being evil itself but also draws in others so that they might go in the same direction. (1 Peter 4: 4)
v.4 According to the Will of God and Father, - It is God's will that all men be free and saved. (2 Peter 3: 9)
v.5 To whom be Glory for Ever and Ever. Amen. - Paul recognizes the importance of who gets the glory. Many times people follow Jesus to see what he will do for them rather than what they can do for God. Who gets the credit for the good in our lives can only be attributable to God. (Matthew 19: 17)
v.6 I Am Astonished That You Are So Quickly Deserting the One Who Called You By the Grace of Christ and Are Turning to a Different Gospel - Paul is amazed that the Galatians are so quickly turning away from the person Jesus. To turn away from the true gospel always means to turn away from the person of Jesus to a false idea, set of rules, and/or regulations. When the Galatians got caught up into the things of this world, their flesh, and the things of Satan, they had to, at some point, leave their relationship with Jesus behind. (John 14: 6)
v.7 Which is Really No Gospel at All. - Paul recognizes that any other gospel is not good news at all because there is only ONE Gospel. (Acts 4: 12), (Ephesians 2: 8-9)
Evidently Some People are Throwing You Into Confusion and Are Trying to Pervert the Gospel of Christ. - The people who were throwing the Galatian believers into confusion and were perverting the Gospel were zealous Jewish Christians. They believed that the Old Testament practices such as circumcision and dietary restrictions were required of all believers. Because these teachers wanted to turn these Gentile believers into Jews, they were called Judaizers. Paul eventually discusses this matter further with the apostles at Jerusalem in (Acts 15).
v.8 But Even if we or An Angel from Heaven Should Preach a Gospel Other Than the One We Preached to You, Let Him be Eternally Condemned! - Paul strongly denounces the Judaizers' perversion of the Gospel. Even if an angel came preaching a different gospel Paul says let that angel be eternally condemned. If an angel came preaching a different Gospel he would not be from heaven, no matter how he looked. In 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, Paul warned that Satan masquerades as an angel of light. Here he invoked a curse on any angel who spreads a false gospel.
v.9 As We Have Already Said, So Now I Say Again: If Anybody is Preaching to You a Gospel Other Than What You Accepted, Let Him Be Eternally Condemned. - Paul reiterates his curse to include anybody, even himself if they come preaching a different gospel. Obviously this is a matter of life and death.
TRUTH APPLIED:
Q. 1 Why would it be important to know that God is leading you in what you are doing?
Q. 2 What gives sin its power and how did Jesus' death free us from the power of sin?
Q. 3 Why can't we look to other religions or our own methods to take care of our sins?
Q. 4 Why do believers desert Jesus and grab onto other methods, teachings, and rituals to bring peace to their life? Have you ever done this? Please take time to share a testimony or two about falling away from grace.
Q. 5 The Judaizers required the Gentile believers to be circumcised in order to be saved. Didn't God require it of the Jews back in the Old Testament? Why would God require His people to be circumcised before Jesus came and then nullify it after Jesus' death?
Q. 6 Can you think of any other gospels where an angel has brought a different gospel to mankind?
CONCLUSION:
It is important to realize there is only one true Gospel. Today, there are many different ways men teach to have peace with God. The world says we need to be tolerant of these different religions. And being tolerant means keeping quiet about your own beliefs. But Paul knew he had an obligation to fulfill that for which Jesus took a hold of him. Along with God's call and power to preach the one and only true Gospel comes an obligation to let others know about the finished work of Jesus Christ. Please take some time to pray for one another for fresh power in your lives to share the grace of Christ with others and to stand for Jesus Christ in this treacherous world.
Grace and Peace to You,
Kelly Link