Galatians

 

LeRoy Eims

 

 

To make disciples in Galatia was quite a challenge. As early as 300 years before the birth of Christ, the country separated from the Black Sea by Bithinia and Cappodocia had been known as Galatia. Its borders included Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and other cities in that area. The Galatians were a simple but very fickle and changeable people, easily rocked from their moorings and set adrift on the sea of whatever came along next.

 

The fact that they were very changeable is easily seen by what happened to Paul. At one point in his ministry among them, they were ready to worship him as a god. “And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia: ‘The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.’ And they called Barnabas, Jupiter, and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter whose temple was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people." (Acts 14:11‑13)

 

Shortly thereafter a few false teachers were able to quickly change their minds. "And there came there certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead." (Acts 14:19)

 

One minute they were inclined to worship him and the next minute they stoned him and left him for dead. This changeable spirit shows up in their readiness to accept "another gospel." Paul said: "I marvel that ye ere so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel, which is not another; but there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ." (Galatians 1:6,7)

 

Of course when Paul got wind of that, he spoke out strongly against it. "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8,9)

 

So, to make disciples among a people who were so easily tossed to and fro by the latest fad was a challenge to Paul and the men who traveled with him.

 

At first, Paul's work in Galatia had been very successful. Great multitudes, mostly Gentiles, had enthusiastically accepted Christ. However, after Paul had left them, certain Jewish teachers came along and told them that Gentiles could not be Christians without keeping the law of Moses. The Galatians gave heed to their teachings with the same wholeheartedness with which they had at first received Paul's message.

 

Paul's answer to that false teaching is classic: "I do not make void the grace of God; for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2:21)

 

And, the Jewish leaders went on to tell them that they also had to submit to the various ceremonies of the Jewish religion. When Paul heard of that, he wrote this letter to tell them how utterly foolish they were to believe such heresy. Admittedly, these things had been a necessary part of the Jewish national life and religion, but it was not a part of the gospel and had nothing whatsoever to do with salvation.

 

These false teachers were very clever and full of zeal. They made it their business to unsettle and trouble the gentile believers. What they were trying to do was to stamp the gospel of Christ with a Jewish trademark and make salvation a matter of works. Paul stood against this with equal dedication and zeal.

 

Had the observance of the law been imposed on gentile converts, the expansion of Christianity into a world mission would have been side­tracked and ground to a halt.

 

So Paul cries out against this. "Is the law, then, against the promises of God? God forbid; for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore, the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:21‑29)

 

Christ is all sufficient for our perfect freedom in Him. We are set free from bondage and brought to a place of spiritual maturity and liberty in Him. These false teachers declared that Christ had kept the law and therefore we as His followers should do likewise. He lived under and fulfilled the law. For that reason you and I are, through Him and His saving work are set free. John said, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1:17).

 

Study Galatians to learn of your freedom in Christ.

 

 

 

© Copyright 2002, LeRoy Eims