“Look at the Book” is Bible Gateway’s series of short blog posts and infographics introducing you to the books of the Bible. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians rejects distinctions between categories of groups like Jew and Gentile, slave and free, and even male and female, for all are one in Christ.
Scroll to the bottom if you’d prefer to see (and save) this article as an infographic. You’ll also find a handy 30-day reading guide. Or, for a challenge, you can do it in one week using the 7-day reading guide below.
Summary
False teachers were telling believers that in order to follow Christ they also had to become Jews. Paul points out the familiar trap into which some religious Jews had fallen — the temptation to teach that works, and not grace alone, was necessary to receive God’s salvation.
- Category: Epistle
- Theme: Freedom
- Timeline: Written around AD 48
Key Verse
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me…” — Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
The Ruler of This Age
When Paul writes of “this evil age,” he is not referring to a literal period of time but rather the systems of the world that are ruled by the Accuser of the Saints. The churches of Galatia were giving into this system by embracing false teachings, when God had something much better for them in Christ.
7 Day Reading Guide
(See 30-day guide below.)
- Day 1: Galatians 1
- Day 2: Galatians 2
- Day 3: Galatians 3
- Day 4: Galatians 4
- Day 5: Galatians 5
- Day 6: Galatians 6
- Day 7: Galatians (entirety)
No Commendation
Galatians is the only epistle Paul wrote that does not contain a commendation for its readers — that obvious omission reflects how urgently he felt about confronting the defection and defending the essential doctrine of justification.
Access the rest of the series. Browse Bible studies for each book of the Bible. Or right-click on the infographic below to download and save the image for your reference.
Chris Fann is the Senior Digital Marketing Manager for Harper Christian Resources. He loves the smell ofa baseball glove, coffee, and old books. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife, 2 teenage boys, and their dog, Freya.
