Read Galatians 3:1-9 – Salvation by Faith
1. Paul continues to show us his passion through strong words like “bewitched” and “foolish.” How were the Galatians being persuaded to “not obey the truth”?
2. Salvation is God’s gift. You can’t earn it. You don’t deserve it. You are not worthy of it. Remind yourself of Paul’s words at the end of Gal. 2:16.
3. What is the succinct declaration of salvation in Eph. 2:8-9?
4. (vs 2-4) Paul is reasoning with them. Why, having received salvation by faith, would they try to be made perfect (mature, sanctified) by the flesh (works)? They had forgotten that spiritual maturity is developed through simple faith and abiding in Jesus. Can you think of a current example of how we might make this same mistake today?
5. (vs 6) The reference to Abraham is from Gen.15:6. Righteousness was accounted to Abraham because he believed God. Why would Paul use this Old Testament reference? What does Gal. 3:7 mean?
6. (vs 8) What promise was made to Abraham that tells us God’s plan for Gentiles?
Read Galatians 3:10-14 – When Under the Law
1. The quote in verse 10 is from Deut. 27:26. All mankind is cursed. How do these New Testament verses confirm this?
a. Rom. 3:10-18 b. Rom. 3:23
2. According to verse 11, what is evident? Why?
3. The Old Testament quote in verse 12 is from Deut. 21:23. “Cursed” is the opposite of “Blessed.” What is made available to us so we live not under the curse of God, but under the blessing of God? (See verse 14b)
4. Comment on this quote: “It stops us in our tracks to understand that the price He paid to buy us out from under the curse of the law was the price of Himself. It didn’t just cost Jesus something, even something great – it cost Jesus Himself. We know that men cursed Jesus as He hung on the cross; but that compares nothing to how He was cursed by God the Father. He made Himself the target of the curse, and set those who believe outside the target.” Guzik
Read Galatians 3:15-18 – The Promise
1. For reference, read Genesis 15 and consider these questions: What promise was made? What is the meaning of verse 6? What did God tell Abraham would happen to his descendants? (vs 13-14) Describe the confirmation of the Abrahamic Covenant. (vs 12 and 17)
2. According to Gal. 3:16, to whom were promises made?
3. The law was given to Israel hundreds of years later through Moses as mediator. Did the law cancel the promise given to Abraham and his Seed? Why or why not?
4. (vs 17-18) Comment on this quote: “If the inheritance offered to Abraham was on the basis of law, it might not be permanent – because it would depend, at least in part, on Abraham’s keeping of the law. But since the inheritance was offered on the basis of promise, God’s promise, it stands sure.”
-Guzik (Consider also 2 Cor. 1:20)
5. (vs18b) The word “gave” comes from the same Greek word for grace – charis. The promise given to Abraham was a free gift given, and being used in the perfect tense, shows that the gift is permanent. Note the number of times the word “promise” is used in verses 16-18.
Read Galatians 3:19-25 – The Purpose of the Law
1. (vs 19-21) Why was the law given? See also Rom. 7:5-8.
2. What does Jesus tell us in Matt. 5:17? What does that mean?
3. (vs 19) To better understand the phrase “appointed through angels”, see Acts 7:38, Heb. 2:2,
Deut. 33:2.
4. According to verse 21, why could righteousness not come through the law?
5. How is the law described in verses 23 and 24?
6. How does verse 25 address the issues being used to pervert the gospel of grace?
Read Galatians 3:26-29 – Sons and Heirs
1. Through faith in Christ Jesus we have become sons and daughters of God. This standing means God is our Father and we are His heirs. What does this special relationship mean to you?
2. What does it mean to “put on Christ”? (vs 27)
3. According to verse 28 we are all one in Christ. This speaks of ethnicity (neither Jew nor Greek), socio-economic status (neither slave or free), and gender (neither male or female). First century culture was deeply divided along these lines. Have things changed?