Themes
Overarching Theme: Grace over legalism.
Chapter Three Theme: The power of God’s promise
History & Context
In this chapter Paul moves his attention back onto the Galatian church, reminding them of how they initially received Christ. He challenges the views they are now embracing by beginning to contrast the law given to Moses with the promise given to Abraham.
Study Guide
Make sure to watch the video looking at Galatians Chapter 3 and have a Bible ready in front of you.
Verses 1-6
Paul reminds the Galatian believers of the incredible beginnings of the churches in their area. Having made his case by stirring up their memories through a whole range of questions, he cites Abraham as someone who ‘believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness’.
Questions
Paul uses many questions in this section to challenge his readers. Some questions need no answer and some demand a response. What place could such questioning have in the way we disciple others?
Paul refers to the faith of Abraham. What are the benefits, and the possible negatives, of using Old Testament figures when sharing the Gospel?
Verses 7-14
Paul continues to speak of Abraham, rooting the announcement of salvation all the way back to Abraham’s time; showing the need to rely on faith rather than the law.
Questions
Why would Paul have regarded the promise to Abraham that ‘All nations will be blessed through you’ as an announcement of the gospel
Paul demonstrated great zeal when witnessing to those who were focused solely on the law. How should we handle situations of concern today?
Verses 15-18
In this section, Paul talks about the covenants God has established with mankind and shows why the order in which they were made is important.
Questions
According to Paul’s reasoning in these verses, why are we not saved through the law?
Paul differentiates between ‘seed’ and ‘seeds’ to show what that means for the gospel. How and why should we take note of language when studying scripture and how can using various translations help us find out what was originally meant?
Verses 19-22
Paul now refers to another time in the Old Testament, focussing on when Moses had to mediate between God and his people.
Questions
What are the differences between Moses’ role as mediator and the mediatory role of Jesus?
Summarise the reasons Paul gives when explaining why the law was given by God in the first place.
Verses 23-29
In finishing the chapter, Paul brings the reader back to how we are to see ourselves in Christ and what that means for our lives.
Questions
What comes to mind when Paul describes the law as having held people locked up as if in custody?
Earlier Paul wrote of the ‘seed’ as being only ‘one person, who is Christ’, and yet in the final verse of this chapter, he identifies all followers of Christ as Abraham’s seed. How does this emphasise the roots of our identity being in Christ?
KEY TAKEAWAY
This chapter has a wonderful focus on the promise of God and shows us how the law doesn’t undermine it. Because the promise of God finds its fulfilment in and through Christ when we put our faith in the promise of God we are in fact placing our faith in Christ.
PRAYER & REFLECTION
End your time as a group, or individually, in a time of prayer.
If it is helpful, below is a written prayer you can use as a reflection on John and Mary’s encounters that we have looked at today.
Lord,
Thank you that nothing can take away from the power of Your promises.
Once Your promise is made, Your promise stands.
We thank You that, through all that we inherit in Christ,
we can be a blessing to the nations.
In being such a blessing, may it be Your freedom that we bring.
As we seek to live as testimonies to Your freedom and Your transforming power,
may we continue in the joy that was ours when we first came to know You.
Amen
