Galatians Study 5, 3:23-5:26

Let’s Jump Right In

We’ve been talking about Freedom Vs the works of the Law

What is the Law? The rules yes, but also the principals to live by.

Is the Law bad? No, it’s from God and it served a purpose.

What did it do? Righteousness, right living with God, right living with each other.

Why did they need this? Slaves, no clue, selfish, no spirit

Read 3:21-22

Galatians 3:21–22 ESV

Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

What did the Law do? Revealed we are sinners

Now Read 3:23-28

Galatians 3:23–28 ESV

Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

What is Paul comparing the Law to? A guardian, a keeper, protective custody.

Why? Not ready to be free, to live on our own, not mature, prepared etc.

So what was the Laws purpose here? Keep us right with God and protect us until Christ came

What wasn’t it trying to do? Give us permanent righteousness, salvation, freedom from sin and death, etc.

Now read 4:1-7

Galatians 4:1–7 ESV

I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

What is Paul communicating here?

What would you have been like if you received a huge inheritance in high school or college?

What are the basic principals of the world? Do to get, right brings right, do wrong get wrong, wrong brings wrong, God’s happy with me if, and not if. Follow these rules, they are good, just do them.

Now let’s skip to 5:1-4

Galatians 5:1–4 ESV

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.

What is Paul saying? It’s not obedience to the Law that saves, only faith in Christ

Now verses 5-6

Galatians 5:5–6 ESV

For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

What’s Paul saying here?

Now let’s skip to 13-15

Galatians 5:13–15 ESV

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

What is Paul saying here?

What can the law do, or at least measuring myself by how well I keep it?

Now 16-18

Galatians 5:16–18 ESV

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

What does it mean to let the Holy Spirit guide us?

How does this happen?

What is competing against the Spirit?

How do we know the difference?

Let’s read 19-21

Galatians 5:19–21 ESV

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Now 22-23

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

What are the differences? What is at the center of each?

Finish the chapter V’s 24-26

Galatians 5:24–26 ESV

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.