WEEK TWO

Week 2

"Shackled By Your Past"
(a study in Galatians)

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Have you wept over your past and been, in a sense, tormented in your thoughts because you didn’t come to know Jesus earlier? Rest, beloved child of God, for God saved you when it pleased Him. His promise is there to comfort and assure you that the Sovereign God—the God of all flesh—is able to cause all things, even your “before Christ” days, to work together for good. He will use them to make you like Jesus. 

So, like Paul, take God at His Word. He does not lie. He stands by His Word to perform it. Forget those things which are past and press on toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:7-14). You are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God has foreordained for you to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). Go forward in faith.

DAY ONE

This week we want to take a good look at Paul, the one who wrote the epistle to the Galatians. Not only is there much to learn about Paul, there is also much to learn from his example. Paul challenged the Corinthians to be imitators of him, even as he was of Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Read Galatians 1. Watch the progression of events in Paul’s life. Mark every reference to time in a distinctive way. You may want to put a clock like this next to the time phrase. List in your notebook what you learn about Paul from this chapter. Save space for other insights you’ll want to add to this list later.

DAY TWO

Read Galatians 2. Once again, observe the references to time and the sequence of events. Add what you learn about Paul to your list.

To gain a good overview of Paul’s life and ministry, study the chart called “SEQUENCE OF EVENTS IN PAUL’S LIFE AFTER HIS CONVERSION” (end of document). Then look at the map to note many of the places Paul journeyed. If a place noted on the chart is mentioned in Galatians, highlight the location on the map. (You will not find the region of Judea.)

DAY THREE

Read Galatians 1:11-17 again. This time as you read, think about when God really knew Paul. When did He set Paul apart? What was He going to do with Paul? Compare this passage with Ephesians 1:1-5. Think about what you learn about salvation from these two passages.

Then read Psalm 139:1-17. What do you learn about God and yourself in these verses? Does this passage relate in any way to what you just read in Galatians and Ephesians? Think about it, Beloved.

DAY FOUR

Read through Galatians 1:11-17 again. Then read Acts 9:1-25 and note how the verses in Acts complement and expand your understanding of Paul’s conversion.

As you do this week’s study, you may want to write the cross-references you study today and the next two days in the margin of your Bible. In days to come, you’ll be glad you did this. You don’t always have all your notes with you, but if you write the cross-references in your Bible you don’t have to be concerned. They are there for a ready reference.

To mark cross-references, you would write Acts 9:1-25 in the margin somewhere next to Galatians 1:11-17. Then at Acts 9:1-25 you would write Galatians 1:11-17. This is how you do cross-references.

DAY FIVE

As you continue to take a closer look at Paul, read Galatians 1:18-24 and Acts 9:26-30. As you read and think about Paul’s beginning as a new creation in Christ Jesus, keep in mind the chart: SEQUENCE OF EVENTS IN PAUL’S LIFE AFTER HIS CONVERSION (end of document).

DAY SIX

Read through Galatians 2 again marking every occurrence of the word “justified” and not how a man is justified. The word “justified” means “to be declared righteous.” Compare Galatians 2 with Acts 15:1-33.

How would you summarize the content of Galatians 1 and 2? What is the main theme of subject of each of these first two chapters?

DAY SEVEN

Store in your heart: Galatians 1:15, 16.

Read and discuss: Galatians 1:11-24; Philippians 3:4-7; Acts 9:1-22.

QUESTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL STUDY

• What about Paul’s conversion interested you most? Why?
• What was Paul like before he became a Christian? Remember to look at Philippians 3:4-7.
• According to Galatians 1:15-16, why was Paul not saved earlier—for instance, when Jesus was still living? What can you learn about salvation from this account?
• Would the same timing of salvation (when it pleased God) apply to you? Although you may not understand the full theological ramifications of this truth, does this knowledge comfort you in any way? How?
• As Paul gives his personal testimony and account of some incidents that occurred after his conversion, why do you think he shared the controversy he had with Peter with the Galatians? What was his purpose?
• Look at the chart “SEQUENCE OF EVENTS IN PAUL’S LIFE AFTER HIS CONVERSION” (end of document), and note what you see about Paul’s faithfulness to God’s calling on his life. What do you see that you can “imitate”?

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS IN PAUL’S LIFE AFTER HIS CONVERSION

SCRIPTURE	YEAR A.D.	EVENT
Acts 9:1-25	33-34	Conversion, time in Damascus*
	35-47	Mostly silent years, except we know that Paul:
Galatians 1:17		Spend time in Arabia & Damascus
Acts 9:26; Galatians 1:18		Made first visit to Jerusalem
Acts 9:30-11:26; Galatians 1:21		Went to Tarsus, Syria-Cilicia area
Acts 11:26		Was with Barnabas in Antioch
Acts 11:29-30, 12:23		With Barnabas took relief to brethren in Judea; Paul’s second visit to Jerusalem; Herod Agrippa I dies
Acts 12:25	44	Returned to Antioch; was sent out with Barnabas by church at Antioch
Acts 13:4-14:26	47-48	First missionary journey: Galatians written; Preconsul Sergius Paulus on Paphos is datable
Acts 15:1-35; Galatians 2:1	49	Apostolic Council at Jerusalem—Paul visits Jerusalem (compare Acts 15 with Galatians 2:1)
Acts 15:36-18:22	49-51	Second missionary journey: 1 and 2 Thessalonians written; 1 ½ years in Corinth (Acts 18:11)
	51-52	Gallio known to be proconsul in Corinth
Acts 18:23-21:17	52-56	Third missionary journey: 1 and 2 Corinthians and Romans written
Acts 21:18-23:35	56	Paul goes to Jerusalem and is arrested; held in Caesarea
Acts 24-26	57-59	Appearance before Feliz and Drusilla; before Festus—appeals to Caesar; before Agrippa—datable
Acts 27-28; 15	59-60	Paul goes from Caesarea to Rome
Acts 28:16-31	60-62	First Roman imprisonment; Epheisans, Philemon, Colossians, and Philippians written—2 years in prison
	62	Paul’s release; possible trip to Spain
	62	Paul in Macedonia: 1 Timothy written
	62	Paul goes to Crete: Titus written
	63-64	Paul taken to Rome and imprisoned; 2 Timothy written
	64	Paul is absent from the body and present with the Lord*

*—There are differing opinions on these dates. For continuity’s sake this chart will be the basis for all dates pertaining to Paul’s life. Others put Paul’s conversion about A.D. 35, his death at A.D. 68.

1

Galatians 1-6 ... Day Seven

BOOKMARK

orange = recipients              

Grace = grace             

= gospel                           

 

 

Galatians 1:1–10  

Introduction

   ¹Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),

   ²and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:

   ³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

   ⁴who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

   ⁵to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.

Perversion of the Gospel

   ⁶I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;

   ⁷which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

   ⁸But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!

   ⁹As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

   ¹⁰For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

 

RECIPIENTS

·       ²the churches of Galatia:

·       ³[Paul’s wishes to them:] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

·       ⁴[Lord Jesus Christ] gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

·       ⁶Iyou are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;

·       ⁷there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

·       ⁹if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

GRACE

·       ³ Grace to you … from God our Father & the Lord Jesus Christ,

·       ⁶(I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting) Him who called you by the grace of Christ

Gospel

·       ⁶you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;

·       ⁷which [a different gospel] is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

·       ⁸But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!

·       ⁹As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

 

Questions (5 W’s and an H) – notice verse #'s are listed next to the answers

1)    Who wrote Galatians?

a)                ¹Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), ²and all the brethren who are with me

2)    To Whom was Galatians written?

a)                   ²To the churches of Galatia

3)    Why was Galatians written? What is its purpose?

a)                   ⁶I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;

b)                   ⁷which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

 

 

Galatians 1-6 ... Day Six

 

BOOKMARK

orange = recipients               = law

Grace = grace              = Spirit

= gospel                           

 

 

Galatians 6

Galatians 6

Bear One Another's Burdens

   1Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

   ²Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

   ³For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

   ⁴But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.

   ⁵For each one will bear his own load.

   ⁶The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.

   ⁷Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

   ⁸For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

   ⁹Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

   ¹⁰So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

   ¹¹See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.

   ¹²Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

   ¹³For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.

   ¹⁴But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

   ¹⁵For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

   ¹⁶And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

   ¹⁷From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.

   ¹⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

 

Gospel

·       1:6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;

·       1:7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

·       1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!

·       1:9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

·       1:11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.

·       2:2 It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.

·       2:5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

·       2:7 But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised

·       2:14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?

·       3:8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU."

·       4:13 but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time;

 

Galatians 1-6 ... Day Five

 

BOOKMARK

orange = recipients               = law

Grace = grace              = Spirit

= gospel                           

 

 

Galatians 5

Galatians 5

Walk by the Spirit

   ¹It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

   ²Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.

   ³And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.

   ⁴ You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

   ⁵For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.

   ⁶For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

   ⁷ You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?

   ⁸This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.

   ⁹A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.

   ¹⁰I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.

   ¹¹But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.

   ¹²I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.

   ¹³For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

   ¹⁴For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

   ¹⁵But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

   ¹⁶But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

   ¹⁷For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

   ¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

   ¹⁹Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

   ²⁰idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

   ²¹envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

   ²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

   ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

   ²⁴Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

   ²⁵If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

   ²⁶Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.