Scriptural text: Galatians 5: 1-15
Lesson Context:
The epistle Galatians was written to the churches scattered throughout Galatia ( a portion of modern day Turkey). Paul wrote the Galatian epistle to speak to an issue that was dividing the Jews and the gentiles in the early church. It is one of the most important writings of Paul establishing the importance of grace compared to the Law. Paul and salvation by grace was under attack by those in the churches of Galatia.
Fight for Freedom (Galatians 5:1):
Accomplished by Christ (v. 1a). In former part of this chapter, the apostle cautions the Galatians to take heed of the Judaizing teachers, who endeavored to bring them under the bondage of the Law. That their submitting to circumcision, and depending on the works of the law for righteousness, were an implicit contradiction of their faith as Christians and a forfeiture of their advantages by Jesus.
Searching for Freedom (Galatians 5: 2-6):
Looking to Law (vv. 2-4).
If you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. When we embrace the law as our rule of walking with God, we must let go of Jesus. He is no longer our righteousness, we attempt to earn it ourselves. For the Galatians in this context, to receive circumcision-the ritual that Jesus was coming under the law-meant that he no longer trusted in Jesus as his righteousness, but trusted in himself instead. So Paul could say “Christ will profit you nothing.”
Looking to Love (vv. 5-6).
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. Those walking in the Spirit know that being circumcised or uncircumcised means nothing. What matters is faith working through love both of which were conspicuously absent in the legalists. Faith must work through love.
Obstacles to Freedom (Galatians 5:7-11):
Persuasion (vv. 7-10).
You ran well. Paul remembered their good start in the faith, but he also knows that isn’t enough to start well. They were still in danger of falling from grace.
Who hindered you from obeying the truth? Paul knew that the false teaching came from a person (who hindered you), but it did not come from Jesus (This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you). The root of it all, the Galatians were leaving Jesus to pursue the false and empty teachings of man, in this case legalism.
Paradox of Freedom (Galatians 5: 13-15):
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty Paul has made the point over and over again-the Christian life is a life of liberty. Jesus came to set the captives free, not to keep them in bondage or put them in bondage over and over again.
References: Enduring Word Commentary, Matthew Henry Commentary, 2021-2022 KJV Standard Lesson Commentary