The Letter to the Galatians is one of Paul’s earliest writings, addressed to a church he founded in what is now central Turkey. This letter takes us back to the early tensions in the Christian community. Paul writes with urgency, deeply concerned that the Galatians are straying from the true Gospel, misled by others promoting a distorted version of Christ’s message.

At the heart of the issue was whether new Christian converts, especially those from Jewish backgrounds, were still required to observe the Jewish Law. Paul insists that his teachings come directly from Jesus Christ and should therefore be trusted over those of the so-called ‘agitators’. He’s blunt and even scathing, particularly towards those pushing circumcision, famously remarking, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves! (Galatians 5:12).

Paul’s main argument is that righteousness comes not through law-keeping but through faith. He uses Abraham as an example to show that it was faith, not law, that brought him into right relationship with God. Christ’s death, Paul teaches, fulfilled the requirements of the Law, freeing believers from its burden.

However, this freedom isn’t a licence to live however one pleases. Instead, it’s a call to live by the Spirit, in gratitude and love. True Christian living, Paul says, is walking closely with Jesus, guided by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit-led life produces what Paul calls the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, qualities that reflect Christ’s character (Galatians 5:22–23).

In essence, Galatians is a powerful and passionate defence of the Gospel of grace. Paul reminds believers that salvation and transformation come through faith in Christ, not by following religious laws. Through this faith, believers experience true freedom and a deep, personal relationship with God.

This is one of a series of posts outlining all the books of the Bible. Previous Next