"THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"
Chapter Six
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To see that liberty in Christ involves responsibility toward others
and our own selves
2) To appreciate the principles involved in "sowing" and "reaping",
especially as they relate to the flesh and Spirit
3) To understand the importance of becoming "a new creation" in Christ
Jesus
SUMMARY
In this final chapter, Paul reveals that liberty in Christ involves
responsibilities. Those who are "spiritual" are to restore those
overtaken in trespasses, and all are to bear one another's burden
thereby fulfilling the "law of Christ" (1-2). At the same time, each
Christian ought to examine himself and seek to bear his own load (3-5).
Further responsibilities involve sharing with those who teach, and not
growing weary in doing good to all, especially those of the household
of faith. As motivation to do good, Paul reminds them of the principles
of "sowing" and "reaping", particularly as it relates to the flesh and
Spirit (6-10).
Paul's concluding remarks include an insight into the motivation behind
those seeking to compel circumcision. While such people may seek to
glory in the flesh, Paul himself will only glory in the cross of the
Lord Jesus Christ (11-14). Summarizing his whole epistle in one verse,
Paul reasserts that circumcision is inconsequential, and that in Christ
Jesus becoming a new creation is what really matters (15). With a plea
for no one to trouble him since he bears in his body the marks of the
Lord Jesus, Paul closes this epistle with a prayer of peace, mercy, and
grace upon those who walk according to his teaching, and upon the
Israel of God (16-18).
OUTLINE
I. A LIBERTY WITH A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY (1-10)
A. IN THE MATTER OF BEARING BURDENS (1-5)
1. Be willing to bear one another's burdens (1-2)
a. Those who are spiritual ought to restore those overtaken in
a trespass (1)
b. Bearing one another's burdens fulfills the law of Christ
(2)
2. Be willing to bear your own burden (3-4)
a. If one thinks himself to be something when he is not, he
deceives himself (3)
b. Examine your own work, and bear your own load (4)
B. IN THE MATTER OF GENEROSITY (6-10)
1. Those who are taught should share in all good things with
those who teach (6)
2. Principles governing sowing and reaping (7-9)
a. What a man sows, that he will also reap (7)
b. Sow to the flesh, and you reap corruption; sow to the
Spirit, and you reap everlasting life (8)
c. Don't grow weary in doing good, for in due time we shall
reap if we do not lose heart (9)
3. Where there is opportunity, do good to all, especially to
those of the household of faith (10)
II. CONCLUDING REMARKS (11-18)
A. A FINAL REBUKE OF THOSE WHO WOULD BIND CIRCUMCISION (11-13)
1. The large letters confirm that Paul has written with his own
hands (11)
2. The motivation behind those who compel others to be
circumcised (12,13b)
a. They desire to make a good showing in the flesh (12a)
b. They do not want to suffer persecution for the cross of
Christ (12b)
c. They wish to glory in your flesh (13b)
3. Those who would bind circumcision do not even keep the Law
themselves (13a)
B. PAUL'S OWN CONFIDENCE IN THE CROSS OF CHRIST (14-17)
1. God forbid that he might glory in anything other than in the
cross of Jesus (14a)
2. For by Christ the world has been crucified to him, and he to
the world (14b)
3. In Christ, circumcision is inconsequential; what matters is a
new creation (15)
4. For those who abide by this same rule, peace and mercy be upon
them, and upon the Israel of God (16)
5. Let no one trouble him, for he bears in his body the marks of
the Lord Jesus (17)
C. BENEDICTION (18)
1. Directed toward the brethren
2. That the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with their spirit
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- A liberty with a sense of responsibility (1-10)
- Concluding remarks (11-18)
2) What should those who are "spiritual" be willing to do? What
attitudes should accompany them in what they do? (1)
- Restore those overtaken in a trespass
- A spirit of gentleness, and a watchful eye for one's own self
3) How can we fulfill "the law of Christ"? (2)
- By bearing one another's burdens
4) What responsibility is placed upon each person? (4)
- To bear his or her own load
5) What responsibility does the person taught have toward the one who
teaches? (6)
- To share in all good things with him
6) What three principles are given by Paul concerning "sowing" and
"reaping"? (7-9)
- Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap
- Sow to the flesh, and you will of the flesh reap corruption; sow
to the Spirit, and you will of the Spirit reap everlasting life
- Don't grow weary in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if
we do not lose heart
7) As we have opportunity, what is our responsibility? (10)
- To do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of
faith
8) What motivation does Paul ascribe to those who would compel
circumcision? (12-13)
- They desire to make a good showing in the flesh
- That they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ
- That they may glory in your flesh
9) What was the inconsistency of those compelling circumcision? (13)
- They themselves did not keep the Law
10) In what did Paul glory? (14)
- The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world had been
crucified to him, and he to the world
11) In Christ Jesus, what is it that avails anything? (15)
- A new creation
12) Upon whom did Paul pray for peace and mercy? (16)
- As many as walk according to the rule that a new creation in
Christ is what really matters
- The Israel of God
13) Why did Paul ask that no one trouble him? (17)
- Because he bore in his body the marks of the Lord Jesus
14) What was Paul's final benediction to the Galatians? (18)
- "Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Amen."
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