November 24, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Galatians 1 - This epistle gives Paul's teaching that salvation and Christian growth are by God's grace and through the power and control of the Holy Spirit.  In this chapter Paul expresses his dismay and disgust that these believers were following a different gospel than the Gospel Paul preached, verses 6,7.  He defends his own teaching making it clear that the Lord taught Paul personally, verses 11,12.  He also defended his apostolic ministry to be ordained by God, verses 15,16.

Galatians 2 - Paul explains his report to the Jerusalem church that led up to the council mentioned in Acts 15.  Then he spoke about an encounter he had with Peter and had to speak to Peter in front of everyone because Peter was showing hypocrisy in his dealings with the Gentiles versus the Jews, verses 11-14.  Paul went on to say that trying to keep the Law would do no one any good to achieve acceptance by God.  We are only justified by faith, verse 16.  In verse 20 Paul reminds us that in our believing in Christ we entered into the full impact of His death and that Jesus wants to live His life in each and every believer, verse 20.

Galatians 3 - Paul calls these Galatians "foolish," verse 1.  They were fools to think that they could get saved by faith and yet have to live the Christian life through their own efforts, verse 3.  He stressed that Abraham believed God and that is what these believers need to do.  It is a life of faith, not of works, verses 10,11.  Paul also explained the purpose of the Law was to show the Jew how much they needed Christ, verse 24.