"Galatians 2-6"
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In the United States, we love our liberty. We name our famous landmarks after it: a cracked bell, an iconic statue, a restored tower. When the French made us mad, we even renamed our fries for a while to honor freedom. But we also understand that we can lose freedom as quickly as it was won. As Ronald Reagan said, "Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction … it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people."
Paul knew that spiritual liberty is as fragile as civil liberty. Remember our time in the book of Acts last quarter, with its debates about accepting uncircumcised Gentiles (e.g., Acts 11, 15)? Imagine Paul hearing how these Gentiles he converted had turned to a twisted gospel built on observing Old Testament laws, like circumcision (Gal. 5:2) and the Sabbath (Gal. 4:10). When teachers came to "trouble" the Galatian Christians and "distort the gospel of Christ" (Gal. 1:7), Paul wrote to defend their freedom.
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery" (Gal. 5:1).
A Declaration of Independence
Keeping with our metaphor of American liberty, we might describe Paul's first argument as his "Declaration of Independence" from any other man (Gal. 1:10-2:14). His gospel didn't come from Peter or James (cf. Gal. 1:18-19; 2:6-10), but by revelation from God himself (Gal. 1:11-12). These "pillars" accepted Paul as an apostle ministering to the uncircumcised (Gal. 2:7-9).
- What did Paul do when a group wanted to "spy out our freedom" and "bring us into slavery" (Gal. 2:4)?
The Enemies of Freedom
On Tuesday (Gal. 3), we'll read that Christ frees us from the law (Gal. 3:23) and its curse (Gal. 3:10-14).
- What purpose did the law play "until Christ came" (Gal. 3:23-24)?
- Who has "put on Christ" (Gal. 3:27)? Whose offspring are you, if "you are Christ's” (Gal. 3:29)?
Shockingly, Jews and Gentiles outside Christ find themselves in the same predicament: "enslaved to the elementary principles of the world" (Gal. 4:3, 9). Gentile Christians were set free from enslavement to false gods (Gal. 4:8), just like Jews were freed from the law (Gal. 4:3). So Paul asks a good question: Now that you've tasted freedom, why go back to slavery?
Children of the Free Woman
Our reading on Wednesday (Gal. 4) gives two memorable contrasts:
- First, he contrasts the slave with the heir (Gal. 4:1-7). Only full-grown sons could inherit their father's fortunes, but whether you're male or female (Gal. 3:28), you can become a full-grown "son, and if a son, then an heir through God" (Gal. 4:7).
- The second contrast (Gal. 4:21–27) goes back to the stories of Isaac and Ishmael, two sons of Abraham (Gen. 16, 17, 21). One was the son of a slave woman, Hagar, and the other the son of a free woman, Sarah. God promised to bless all nations through Isaac. Paul compares Ishmael to the old covenant and Isaac to the new.
The Life of the Freeman
Freedom can be dangerous. What if people abuse it? Our readings on Thursday and Friday (Gal. 5 and 6) show us what our lives look like when God's Spirit leads us (Gal. 5:16-26) and Christ forms in us (Gal. 4:19).
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another" (Gal. 5:13).
