Key word: Gospel
Although there is some uncertainty, Galatians most likely was one of Paul’s first epistles. It is written to a group of churches in Galatia – a region in Asia Minor, or modern Turkey. Unlike the Corinthians who seemed solid in theology if not in practice, the Galatians had some serious doctrinal errors, many of which had to do with proper understanding and the role of the Old Testament law. But even more fundamental was the gospel itself (1:6-9). Someone had introduced to this church a gospel message that Paul had not given them. To Paul, this was not an unfortunate spin on the gospel, it was a “different gospel,” a distortion, a contradiction, of the true gospel. Such people are deserving of condemnation. This is perhaps the strongest statement by Paul condemning false teachers. The distortion of the gospel at Galatia had to do with the misuse of the law. Some were claiming the gospel of grace that Paul preached was inadequate, and that works of the law must be added to faith to obtain salvation, which is stated clearly in 2:16 three times. He states in a positive manner how he lives his life and his life is focused in our key verse 2:20.
Yet living for Christ is not a walk in the park – actually it should be a walk in the Spirit – a subject Paul covers well in 5:16-26. Here he confirms our ongoing struggle with the flesh, yet by walking in the Spirit we will not hand the victory to the flesh (5:16). Instead, the fruit of the Spirit will be produced in our lives (5:22-23). And so, an epistle, which begins with condemnation of false teachers, and continues by correcting those who misuse the law of Moses, ends on the positive note of walking in the Spirit in such a way that the Spirit transforms the very essence of our being.
Key verse: Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
