Thursday, July 13, 2017

The Apostle by Chapter | Galatians Chapter 5


By Sam Nobles

In the first two chapters, the Apostle Paul outlined his personal experience with grace. In the second two chapters, he gave doctrinal instruction about grace. Here in the final two chapters, the Apostle Paul will demonstrate the practical application of grace.

The very first verse is the theme of this letter to the Galatians, For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Paul warns the Galatians of the unavoidable consequences of seeking to follow and be justified by the Law. Paul also brings to their attention that the hope of righteousness is for those who through the Spirit eagerly wait for it with a faith working through love (v.1-6).

The Apostle Paul continues to warn the Galatians about permitting others to hinder their progress. Paul makes it clear that he does not want anyone to think that liberty in Christ is the same as a license to sin. He encourages them to use their liberty in order to serve one another in love, not to sin for their own wicked desires. The proper use of liberty not only fulfills the Law, but it also does not give the flesh an opportunity to sin against a brother or sister in Christ (v.7-15).

Finally, Paul brings out the need for Christians to walk in the Spirit and not the lust of the flesh. He describes the hostility between the flesh and the Spirit, explaining how the Spirit bears spiritual fruit, but the flesh bears works that will not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul leaves them with the thought that having been made alive in the Spirit, they are now to walk in the Spirit not provoking or envying one another (v.16-26).


Scripture to Claim:

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.(Galatians 5:1 ESV)

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