Off the Shelf Sunday School--Galatians

The Law and Grace Conflict (4:15-31)

What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? Those people are zealous to win you over, but for not good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you. My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you! Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written: “Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.” Now you brothers, like Isaac, are children of the promise. At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born of the Spirit. It is the same now. But what does the Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman.

 1.     A loss of joy and a determination to perform required religious works is a danger sign of those who teach a works-based salvation. Other danger signs include:  Separation from former friends, the formation of new and closed social circles, narrow minded views that conform to the false teachings, and fanatical zeal that does not allow openness or dialogue with other views.

2.    Christians who are not well grounded in the Bible are susceptible to false teachers. The Galatians apparently were immature since they were zealous for the gospel preached by Paul when he was present. When Paul was absent, they followed the teachings of others. This grieved Paul such that he felt like he was starting over with them. He compared this to the labor and pain of giving birth.

3.    Paul considers the Galatians his children and, like a mother, he is striving to see them grow properly in their faith. (Eph 4:12-13)

4.    Like a mother, he scolds them to get their attention and then he instructs them. The Jewish Christians who were teaching that circumcision is necessary for salvation were basing this on the covenant God made with Abraham. Therefore, Paul reviews the story of Abraham and his two wives. God promised that Abraham would have many descendants when he was old. His wife Sarah was barren. They tried to achieve the promise of God by using the slave woman Hagar as wife to Abraham. Hagar had a son who represented man’s will and ways. Later, Sarah had a son who represented the fulfillment of God’s promise.

5.    Paul says that the two women represent the covenants of the law (bondage) and faith (grace). The descendants of Hagar are the Jews who are slaves under the covenant of laws. They are citizens of Jerusalem who are bound to keep religious rules and obligations. However, Christians are children justified by faith. They are citizens of heaven and are born by the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham. (Phil 3:20-21)

6.    Those who hold to a works-based salvation are attempting to exalt themselves by their efforts. Why does this lead to persecution of those who hold to faith alone for salvation?

7.    Paul concludes by saying that those who follow religious laws will never achieve heaven. Being declared righteous before God and becoming his children are achieved by faith alone. (Gal 3:6)