Galatians 5:1

Galatians 5:1 says, Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.  Paul told the Galatian Christians to stand fast in their liberty through Christ.  We must do likewise today.  If anyone begins to add anything to salvation other than individual faith in Christ, then they would put us back under the bondage of the law.  

Verse two adds, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.  We need to remember that this whole discussion was about the need for the Gentile Christians to be circumcised in order to be truly saved.  Paul said that if circumcision, a sign of obedience to the law of God, was necessary for salvation then Christ would be of no profit to them.  The only way that we can benefit from the sacrifice of Christ on the cross is when we acknowledge that faith in Him alone brings salvation.  

Verse three continues, For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.  Paul told them, and us, that if we are to be subject to salvation by any part of the law that we must keep every part of the law in order to be saved.  Jesus taught that this was not just in our actions, but in our thoughts as well.  Anytime someone adds anything to faith in Christ alone as a requirement for salvation they negate salvation, because they reject God's plan that was in place from the beginning.  

Verse four declares, Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.  We cannot be saved by the law and grace.  Under the law, we attempt to prove ourselves worthy of salvation, and under grace we declare that we can never be worthy.  God proclaims us worthy through His grace alone.  

Verse five adds, For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.  Paul said that we are to be guided by the Holy Spirit as we await in hope of the righteousness of faith.  I don't believe that Paul meant that we live simply hoping that we can be made righteous, or acceptable to God, but that he meant we live under the leadership of the Holy Spirit knowing that we are made righteous through Christ alone.  

Verse six continues, For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.  Paul tells us that nothing else is required for salvation but faith in Christ which brings us salvation by the love of God.  Since God gives us salvation because of His love for us, I believe that we are supposed to share the gospel with the lost world out of love for them.  

Verse seven asks, Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?  I believe that Paul was asking them if they began in faith, how could they now let anyone keep them by living by faith alone.  

Verse eight adds, This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. Just as Paul told the Galatians, anything that is added to faith in Christ alone as the requirement for salvation does not come from God.  We are to live under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, Who alone advocates for and comforts us.  We do not need to go through anyone else, living or dead, to speak to God.  

Verse nine continues, A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.  I believe Paul was warning us that a little bit of error about salvation can affect the whole truth of salvation.  It can therefore affect many people.  

Verse ten states, I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.  Paul said he had faith that the Galatian Christians would remain faithful and not listen to the one who was causing trouble.  We likewise must remain true to the gospel and never allow anyone to cause us to doubt the truth of salvation by faith alone. 

Verse eleven adds, And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.  Paul said that if he preached circumcision as a requirement of salvation, as evidently some were saying, then why was he being persecuted by the Jews.  

Verse twelve concludes, I would they were even cut off which trouble you.  Paul said he would rather have those who presented a false gospel cut off from the church.  We need to have that same attitude today.  If anyone comes attempting to add requirements to the gospel other than faith in Christ alone, instead of being tempted to follow them we must ask them to leave.

Galatians 4:21

Galatians 4:21 says, Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?  Paul asked those who now desired to be under the law, instead of under faith alone, if they even understood what the law taught.  We likewise must realize that any other way to God other than through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross will ultimately prove us guilty in God's judgment.  

Verse twenty-two adds, For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.  Paul reminded the people at Galatia about Abraham.  Abraham had two sons, one by his own design with a handmaiden and one by the promise of God with his wife, a freewoman.  Abraham and Sarah failed to have faith in God being able to fulfill His promise to them and felt they needed to ensure God's plan would succeed by acting on their own.  We today must never believe that we control God's will in any way.  God is not dependent on us in any way, but we are always dependent on Him.  

Verse twenty-three continues, But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.  Ishmael was born of the flesh, from the plan of Abraham and Sarah to fulfill God's promise on their own.  Isaac was born of the promise made to Abraham and Sarah.  Their plan did not replace God's plan, and neither will ours.  

Verse twenty-four states, Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.  Paul said that the two births were an allegory for the two covenants, one of the law and one of faith.  The law led to bondage and faith leads to freedom.  

Verse twenty-five adds, For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.  Agar, or Hagar, the bondservant, represented Mt. Sinai, where the law was given, and was now subjected to Jerusalem, where faith in Christ alone was finally realized.  Just as Abraham and Sarah had tried to achieve the promise of God based on their own actions as opposed to simply having faith in God, so it is if we attempt to justify ourselves by the keeping of the law as opposed to simply having faith in Christ as our Savior and Lord.  

Verse twenty-six continues, But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.  God's promise to Abraham was a free gift, and so is the salvation represented by Jerusalem.  

Verse twenty-seven says, For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.  

Verse twenty-eight adds, Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.  Paul said that though there might be more born who were not true descendants of Abraham that those who now put their faith in Christ were like Isaac, the children of the promise to Abraham by God.  

Verse twenty-nine continues, But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.  Paul said that those born of the flesh persecuted those born of the Spirit then and now.  Of course, now those Jews who wanted to add the law as a requirement of salvation would be some of those persecuting those who believed in salvation by faith alone.  

Verse thirty states, Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.  There are those who say that God was unfair to Hagar, but she was no more cut off from salvation than any person ever was.  God's promise was to Abraham and Sarah, and He wanted no confusion about who the promise was to be fulfilled through.  

Verse thirty-one adds, So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.  Paul said that Christians, those who put their faith in Christ alone, were free from bondage.  Under the law, we will always be in bondage, and under faith in Christ we will always be free from the penalty of sin.  We cannot mix the two.

Galatians 4:12

Galatians 4:12 says, Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.  Paul asked the Christians at Galatia to be as he was.  I believe that Paul was speaking of his total devotion to doing God's will.  Paul said that he did not feel personally injured by their attitude, but that what he was telling them was still out of an attitude of love for them.  If we feel that those who proclaim to be Christians are trying to change the gospel, we cannot approach them with any attitude except one of love.  

Verse thirteen adds, Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.  We still do not know exactly what this infirmity of the flesh was, but Paul said it didn't stop him from preaching nor them from listening.  God will provide the ability for us to do what He calls us to do, even if we have some infirmity.  

Verse fourteen continues, And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.  Paul said that whatever this infirmity, which could have been seen as a temptation for him to quit, was not viewed as a reason for those he witnessed to not to accept him.  Paul said they received him as they would an angel from God or even Christ Himself.  Though we can never take the place of Christ and will never be an angel, if we are presenting the truth of God, then we should be accepted as His messengers.  Paul was not saying this to bring glory to himself, but to bring glory to God.  

Verse fifteen asks, Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.  Paul asked the Christians at Galatia what had changed the blessedness that they had in the gospel.  They had believed in what Paul was preaching enough that they would have plucked out their eyes and give them to him if it would have helped him, but now they were questioning the gospel that he preached.  If our salvation is not firmly rooted in Christ alone, we may begin by being blessed by the gospel but soon start to question or add to it.  

Verse sixteen adds, Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?  Paul had been viewed as an angel, or messenger from God, and he asked if he were now viewed as an enemy because he told them the truth.  Sometimes those who have professed faith in Christ are led astray because they have not really believed in Christ alone.  When someone attempts to correct them, that person is viewed as an enemy.  It is easy to allow things that are not taught by Christ to enter into our beliefs about what the church should be.  

Verse seventeen continues, They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.  Those who taught things that were against the gospel, and I believe that Paul was still speaking of the necessity of following Jewish traditions, were zealous, but Paul said that their zeal would exclude the Gentiles from coming to God simply through faith in Christ.  

Verse eighteen declares, But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.  Paul said that it was good to be zealous in the gospel at all times, whether he was with them or not.  We may have been led to Christ by a particular person, but our zeal should be for Christ alone.  If we are committed to following the will of Christ, we will not be led astray by what someone else may preach that is not consistent with the gospel.  

Verse nineteen adds, My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,  Paul called them little children I believe because they had not matured in faith.  Paul said he was very worried about them.  

Verse twenty continues, I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.  Paul desired to be with them because he doubted their commitment to the truth of the gospel.  These were people who had professed Christ as their Savior while Paul was there, but now were following the teachings of others who were adding to the requirement of the gospel.  We cannot be guilty of following the teachings of any person for salvation, but only the truth of the gospel.

Galatians 4:1

Galatians 4:1 says, Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;  Paul said that as long as an heir was a child that they were no different than the servant.  Heirs were under those who taught them until they became of age.  The law was what taught and directed people until the coming of Christ.  With Christ's coming, people of any age could claim the promise of God through faith in Christ.  

Verse two adds, But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.  Just as heirs are under tutors and governors until the time appointed by their fathers, so were people under the law for guidance and direction until the time appointed by the Father.  That time came when Christ came to the world and lived blamelessly and died for our sins.   

Verse three continues, Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:  Paul is still referring to living under the law versus living under salvation by faith in Christ.  Until the coming of Christ, people were under the law to identify as being God's people.  Now, by faith in Christ, they could claim the promise of God with no need for anyone or anything to stand between them and salvation.  

Verse four declares, But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,  Paul said that when the time was right that God sent His Son, born of a woman and under the law.  Jesus lived in perfect obedience to the law and was thereby the only acceptable sacrifice for sin.  By His sacrifice, He set us free from the penalty of sin.  

Verse five adds, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  Paul gives the result of Jesus's sacrifice and that is that He set us free from the penalty of sin if we accept Him as our personal savior and Lord.  We are redeemed by Jesus Christ to become adopted sons, or children, of God.  We do not become just servants, though we are, but the children of God by adoption, joint heirs with Christ.  Though some translations leave out the begotten when referring to Jesus, that is what makes Him unique.  

Verse six continues, And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.  Paul said that since we are God's children, He sent His Spirit to live in us so that we would be able to proclaim God as our Father by faith.  

Verse seven states, Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.  Again, we are more than just a servant, though I believe that even as an heir we still willingly obey and serve the Father.  

Verse eight adds, Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.  I believe that Paul was saying that before we know the true God by faith that we still serve some false god.  I don't believe that we necessarily have to claim to serve any particular god, but we still follow some false god, whether we call it fate or materialism or whatever.  

Verse nine continues, But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?  Paul asked the Galatians, how after being known by God, in a personal relationship as His children, how could they want to return to the bondage of the law.  That would be like returning to being a beggar instead of living as a child of God.  

Verse ten says, Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.  I believe that what Paul was saying was that they wanted to keep the Jewish traditions as a necessity to prove their salvation.  I don't believe that Paul was saying that these traditions were wrong necessarily of themselves, but the way that they were viewed was wrong.  Traditions or rituals can never become a part of the plan of salvation.  We can only come to God through Christ, with no other requirements.  

Verse eleven adds, I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.  I believe that Paul was speaking of being afraid of what the Jewish believers were attempting to add to the gospel.  If they did not believe in salvation for all people through faith in Christ alone, then Paul said that he felt that he had labored in vain.  If anyone proclaims to be a follower of Christ but adds other requirements for salvation, then they are not truly His.

Galatians 3:21

Galatians 3:21 says, Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.  Paul continues to compare the law to faith in Christ.  He asked if the law, given to the Jews, was against the promise of God to Abraham, which applied to all people.  He answers with an emphatic no, saying God forbid.  Paul adds that if there had been a law that could give everlasting life, then righteousness with God would come through the law and not faith.  Salvation by the law would be based on the ability of people to follow that law completely, not only in actions but in their very thoughts.  

Verse twenty-two adds, But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  Paul tells us that we are all guilty under the law.  Paul was speaking to Jews who felt it was necessary for Gentiles, once they accepted Christ, to be placed under the rules of the law.  Paul said that since the law could only prove our inability to be restored to God by keeping that law, Christ came to make restoration to God available through our faith in Him as Savior and Lord.  There is no checklist of things we must do in order to be saved.  There is only one thing necessary, and that is accepting Christ by faith.  

Verse twenty-three continues, But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  Paul said that before the coming of Christ that people were kept under the law, shut up to the coming of Christ and salvation by faith in Him.  Since Christ had now come, people were kept by simply putting their faith in Him.  

Verse twenty-four states, Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  The law was given to teach people about God and to help keep them in line until they could be justified by faith in Christ.  Just as a schoolmaster cannot guarantee success in life for the pupil, neither can the law guarantee success in our relationship to God.  Relying totally on the law brings just the opposite result, guaranteeing that we will fail by our own efforts.  We must rely on God with faith that He will deliver us in spite of our failure to keep the law.  Faith in God's deliverance through the Messiah, or Christ, was always the key to salvation and always will be.  

Verse twenty-five adds, But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  Paul said that after Christ came then we were under faith in Him and not the law.  We are to be guided by the Holy Spirit, Who will lead us to live consistent with God's law, but our faith in Christ is the only way to or requirement for salvation.  

Verse twenty-six continues, For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  Paul states the only way to become children of God, and that is through faith in Christ.  We cannot be saved by the law, and we cannot add requirements to faith in Christ for salvation.  

Verse twenty-seven says, For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  Paul said that when we are baptized in Christ that we live for Him.  I believe that to be baptized in Christ does not mean to be physically baptized by water, but to be spiritually baptized by faith.  

Verse twenty-eight adds, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  Paul was still writing about the Jews claim that once a Gentile was saved that they needed to follow Jewish law and traditions.  Paul declared that all people were equal under salvation through Christ.  There are no divisions in salvation through Christ.  

Verse twenty-nine continues, And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.  The Jewish people felt that they were special to God because of being physical descendants of Abraham, but Paul said that all who were Christ's were the seed of Abraham by faith and heirs to the promise God made to Abraham.  Salvation comes through faith in Christ alone.

Galatians 3:13

Galatians 3:13 says, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: Paul said that Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law by taking on that curse, once and for always, by His crucifixion.  Christ died not only for the sins of those who would come after Him, but also for the sins of all who put their faith in God before Christ came.  There was never a time when people were redeemed by the law of God.  

Verse fourteen adds, That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.  Paul said that Christ died that the blessing of Abraham could come to the Gentiles as well.  This was the point of contention with some of those in Galatia.  They were attempting to make following the law a condition of salvation, and not just faith in Christ.  

Verse fifteen continues, Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.  Paul said that he spoke what he as a man knew to be the truth, but that no one could disprove or add to what he was saying. If we are speaking the truth of God, no one can prove us wrong.  

Verse sixteen states, Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.  Paul said that the promise to Abraham was not that his many seed, or children, would bring salvation to the world.  God's promise to Abraham referred to a particular seed, or descendant, and that was Jesus Christ.  None of Abraham's descendants had been saved simply by their birth into his family, but those who put their faith in the coming Savior were.  Salvation has always been and always will be based on faith in Christ alone.  

Verse seventeen adds, And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.  

Verse eighteen continues, For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise, but God gave it to Abraham by promise.  Paul said that the law could not disannul the promise of Christ.  This promise was made to Abraham long before the law was given, so the law could not be a necessity for redemption or salvation.  

Verse nineteen says, Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.  Paul asked why anyone should serve the law then.  He answered that the law was given because of our transgressions or sins, to show people the will of God until the coming of Christ.  

Verse twenty adds, Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.  Paul tells us that the promise of God to Abraham was not dependent on anyone but God Himself.  Those who come to God do not come through the law, but through faith in Christ, the One seed of Abraham through whom the promise was fulfilled.

Galatians 3:1

Galatians 3:1 says, O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?  The Galatians were now attempting to add requirements to faith in Christ as being necessary for salvation, and Paul called them foolish and bewitched.  When we try to change the gospel, whether by our own understanding or by following what someone else teaches, we are indeed foolish or bewitched.  Christ was the fulfillment of the Law.  

Verse two adds, This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  As Paul asked the Galatians, we must ask ourselves if we attempt to add to the requirement of faith in Christ alone for salvation, are we saved by keeping the Law or by faith alone?  We are saved by faith in Christ alone and given total access to God through that faith.  Knowing this, we need never add to the free gift of Christ.  

Verse three continues, Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?  Paul asked if the Christians at Galatia had received salvation by faith alone would they now be foolish enough to add justification by means of the flesh to the requirement for salvation for others.  

Verse four asks, Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.  If Christ died in vain, then anything that we have suffered because of our faith in Him would be in vain.  Either Christ alone is the only way to salvation, or He is not Who He said that He is.  

Verse five adds, He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  Paul asked the Galatians if they thought that he had ministered unto them and preformed miracles by the power of the law or by the hearing of faith.  Paul was a completely different person, and he had definitely been under the law of God when persecuting Christians.  The ministry he now practiced was because of the hearing of and acceptance of faith in Christ alone.  

Verse six continues, Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.  Paul said that Abraham's belief in God was what accounted for his righteous.  

Verse seven concludes, Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.  The Jewish people were proud to be children of Abraham by the fact of their physical birth, but Paul said that wasn't enough.  To be a true child of Abraham, and therefore a part of the promise of God to him required faith in God.  It does not matter what family we are born into physically, because we can only become a part of the family of God through faith in Christ.  

Verse eight states, And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.  Paul said that even the scripture foresaw the salvation of the heathen, those who were not Jews, when God said to Abraham that in him all nations would be blessed.  Salvation was not just for the Jews as some of them had started to believe.  Salvation today is not just for a select group of people in a particular part of the world but is for everyone everywhere who will accept Christ as their Savior by faith.  

Verse nine adds, So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.  Paul said that it is by faith, and not by anything physical, that people are blessed along with faithful Abraham.  

Verse ten continues, For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  Like those Jews that Paul was writing to, if we want to be under the law, then we are cursed, because to fail in any point of the law judges us as guilty before God.  

Verse eleven says, But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  Paul said that no one could be justified by the law, and that included even him.  Paul had been one of the most devout Jews, following the law of God religiously, but he knew that was not enough.  Paul said that it was evident that the just shall live by faith.  

Verse twelve adds, And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.  Paul declared that the law was not of faith but could only lead to a people recognizing their own inability to live justified before God of their own goodness.  All fall short of keeping the entire law of God at all times, but through faith in Christ all can be justified before God.  Faith in Christ as Savior and Lord is the only way to salvation, and this gift of salvation is available to all.