"THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"
Chapter Five
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To see that liberty in Christ does not mean license to do whatever
we want
2) To understand how one might be separated from Christ, and fall from
grace
3) To appreciate the need to walk in the Spirit, and the true evidence
of one led by the Spirit
SUMMARY
With verse one, Paul reaches the climax of this epistle, stating what
can properly be called the theme of his letter: "Stand fast therefore
in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be
entangled again with a yoke of bondage." He follows with dire warnings
about the consequences of seeking to be circumcised and justified by
the Law. He then reminds them that the hope of righteousness is for
those who through the Spirit eagerly wait for it with a faith working
through love (1-6).
The next few verses continue with warnings about allowing others to
hinder their progress, with Paul's harshest words reserved for those
trying to impose circumcision. Yet Paul does not want anyone to think
that liberty in Christ means license, and encourages them to use their
liberty in order to serve one another in love. The two-fold benefit of
this proper use of liberty is that one actually fulfills the Law, and
at the same time does not give the flesh an opportunity to cause them
to bite and devour one another (7-15).
Paul then stresses the need for the Christian to walk in the Spirit so
as not to fulfill the lust of the flesh. He describes the enmity
between the flesh and the Spirit, explaining why we must bear the fruit
of the Spirit instead practicing the works of the flesh. Not only is
there no inheritance in the kingdom of God for those engaging in the
works of the flesh, but those in Christ have crucified the flesh with
its passions and desires. Having been made alive in the Spirit, they
ought to walk in the Spirit so as not to be conceited, not provoking
nor envying one another (16-26).
OUTLINE
I. A LIBERTY THAT EXCLUDES THE NECESSITY OF CIRCUMCISION (1-6)
A. STAND FAST IN THE LIBERTY CHRIST HAS MADE POSSIBLE (1)
1. A call to stand strong in the freedom we now have in Christ
(1a)
2. A plea not to be entangled again with a yoke of bondage (1b)
B. CIRCUMCISION IS NO LONGER NECESSARY (2-4)
1. If one is circumcised out of a belief it is necessary, Christ
will profit you nothing (2)
2. Observing circumcision as a necessity requires keeping the
whole law (3)
3. Attempting to be justified by the Law will separate you from
Christ and you will thereby fall from grace (4)
C. THE BASIS FOR OUR HOPE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (5-6)
1. Through the Spirit and by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope
of righteousness (5)
2. Circumcision is inconsequential; what avails is faith working
through love (6)
II. A LIBERTY THAT FULFILLS THE LAW (7-15)
A. A WARNING ABOUT THOSE WHO WOULD BIND THE LAW (7-12)
1. Despite a good start, they were being hindered and it did not
come from God (7-8)
2. Beware of the influence of "a little leaven" (9)
3. Paul is confident the Galatians will come around, and that the
Lord will judge the trouble makers (10)
4. A reminder that Paul himself was not preaching circumcision,
with a strong condemnation of those who were troubling them
(11-12)
B. A PROPER USE OUR LIBERTY WILL FULFILL THE LAW (13-15)
1. Use our liberty to serve one another in love, and the Law will
be fulfilled (13-14)
2. Abuse your liberty, and it will be an opportunity to consume
one another! (13b,15)
III. A LIBERTY IN WHICH ONE IS TO BE LED BY THE SPIRIT (16-26)
A. WE MUST WALK IN THE SPIRIT (16-18)
1. Only then will we not fulfill the flesh, which is contrary to
the Spirit (16-17)
2. If we are led by the Spirit, we are not under the Law (18)
B. THE WORKS OF THE FLESH VS. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (19-23)
1. The works of the flesh...
a. Identified by Paul (19-21a)
b. Will keep one from inheriting the kingdom of God (21b)
2. The fruit of the Spirit...
a. Identified by Paul (22-23a)
b. Against which there is no law (23b)
C. THOSE WHO ARE CHRIST'S ARE TO WALK IN THE SPIRIT (24-26)
1. For they have crucified the flesh with its passions and
desires (24)
2. For they live in the Spirit (25)
3. Therefore they should not be conceited, provoking and envying
one another (26)
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- A liberty that excludes the necessity of circumcision (1-6)
- A liberty that fulfills the Law (7-15)
- A liberty in which one is to be led by the Spirit (16-26)
2) What does Paul enjoin which serves as the theme of this epistle? (1)
- Stand fast in the liberty in which Christ has made us free
3) What are two consequences of becoming circumcised in order to be
saved? (2-3)
- Christ will profit you nothing
- You become a debtor to keep the whole Law
4) What two things happen when one seeks to be justified by the Law?
(4)
- You become estranged from Christ
- You fall from grace
5) How are we to eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness? (5)
- Through the Spirit, by faith
6) What truly avails something in Christ Jesus? (6)
- Faith working through love
7) What saying did Paul use to illustrate the danger of the false
teachers? (9)
- A little leaven leavens the whole lump
8) What did Paul wish those who were so bent on enforcing circumcision
would do? (12)
- Even cut themselves off
9) What would be a misuse of our liberty in Christ? How should we use
it instead? (13)
- As an opportunity for the flesh
- To serve one another through love
10) What one command fulfills the Law? (14)
- You shall love your neighbor as yourself
11) How does a Christian avoid fulfilling the lust of the flesh? (16)
- By walking in the Spirit
12) If one is led by the Spirit, what is their relation to the Law?
(18)
- They are not under the Law
13) List the works of the flesh as described by Paul (19-21)
- Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry,
sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath,
selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders,
drunkenness, revelries, and the like
14) What will be true of those who practice the works of the flesh?
(21)
- They will not inherit the kingdom of God
15) What elements constitute the fruit of the Spirit? (22-23)
- Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control
16) What have those who are Christ's done? (24)
- They have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires
17) If one lives in the Spirit, what is expected of them? (25)
- To walk in the Spirit
18) How would people manifest that they are walking in the Spirit? (26)
- By not being conceited, nor provoking or envying one another
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