Paul Asks the Galatians Rhetorical Questions
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Verses 1-9
Paul called the Galatians foolish because they wanted to turn back to the law. They believed that they had to be circumcised in order to be saved. The one thing Paul wanted them to know was that they were now living by the Spirit and not by the law.
Paul asked them a series of rhetorical questions. A rhetorical question is one that where the answer is already understood. Make sure you see the questions before you move on.
Also, there is an aside. Do you see it? Review: An aside is the method Paul uses to be sarcastic.
What Old Testament example did Paul use to get the Galatians to understand his teaching? Paul used that person as a good example because the Galatians knew the Old Testament an had heard about that patriarch
Works of the Law
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Verses 10-14
What is the "Book of the Law"?
Either people will live by the law or by the faith. In essence, those who rely on their faith instead of on the written law, they will be justified before God.
Because Christ allowed Himself to be cursed by hanging on a tree, we don't have to be cursed. We receive the same blessing given to Abraham through Christ Jesus. Notice Paul said Christ Jesus instead of just Jesus or just Christ.
The Law and the Promise
15 Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
Verses 15-18
Paul used "Brothers and sisters" to be inclusive.
See how Paul explained "seed" and "seeds." Know that the seed is Christ. Here Paul used one title Christ but not Jesus.
Paul wants the Galatians to know that the law was introduced 430 years ago, but it does not do away with the promise. So, what does the inheritance depend on, the law or the promise?
A Mediator
19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one. 21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
Verses 19-23
Notice Paul asks and answers his own questions. Look through these few verses and pick out Paul's questions and answers.
What is Paul's definition of a mediator?
Children of God
23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Verses 23-29
Notice in Verses 23-25, Paul implies the bondage the Galatians were in before the coming of faith. Notice such words as "custody," "locked up," and "guardian." After faith has come, notice the freedom one has.
Notice in Verse 28, Paul uses three comparisons to prove all are one in Christ Jesus.
The supposition in Verse 29 is good news. Make sure you know what it means before taking the Quiz for Lesson 3 and moving on to Lesson 4.
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