Are you looking for the other posts in this study? Click here for the table of contents.
GALATIANS CHAPTER 3 RECAP
LIVING BY FAITH
Questions and Answers…
Please note: Some of my answers are lengthy for clarity. Yours will likely be shorter, which is fine.
Explain Paul’s use of the word ‘foolish’ in regards to the Galatian church.
Paul’s use of the term ‘foolish’ (anoétos) reveals his concern for the Galatians’ drift from grace to legalism. They had started to rely on their own works instead of faith in Jesus Christ. This serves as a timeless reminder to remain anchored in God’s word and to carefully evaluate any teaching that might sway us from the truth of the gospel.
How does the example of Abraham apply to Salvation? (See Genesis 15:6, 22:18, and 28:14)
Genesis 15:6 says of Abraham, “And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
In Genesis 17 the Lord appeared to Abraham at the age of 90 years old. He made a covenant with Abraham that through him all of the world would be blessed. God then tells Abraham to circumcise every man and boy in his family. Not that circumcision would count for righteousness, but that circumcision would be a token of the covenant between them.
And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. (Genesis 17:11)
And so we see that Abraham was justified apart from the law. In fact, the Mosaic law wasn’t given until Exodus chapter 19, which was hundreds of years after Abraham was given the promise.
In much the same way, many people think that going to church, giving tithes, abstaining from sin, or reading the Bible will save them. While all of those things are an important part of serving God, they are an extension of our faith. The root of our faith however is faith in Jesus Christ. For it’s only by Him and through Him that we are counted as righteous.
When did the law become a ‘curse’ to man? (See Deuteronomy 27:26)
This verse sums up the entire law, condemning all who fail to keep the perfection of the law. The law was a teacher that served to show mankind how sinful we are. If we strive to keep the law, yet fail in one area, we have essentially failed the law. Any sin, regardless of how big or how small it might seem, separates us from God. The Bible tells us that “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). It’s because of this separation, that Jesus came to take away the sin of the world, and bridge the gap between God and man.
Why does the law never save? (Habakkuk 2:4 and Leviticus 18:5)
The law serves a crucial purpose: it reveals our sin and shows us how we fall short of God’s standard. But it can’t take away our sin or make us righteous before God. It’s like a mirror reflecting our imperfections, but it doesn’t have the power to clean us. This is why the law leads us to Christ, who is the perfect sacrifice, the only One able to take away our sins. The law is holy and good (Romans 7:12), but it can’t justify us; it serves as a tutor to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24).
It’s amazing how Deuteronomy, the fifth book in the Bible prophesied of the coming Redeemer, and how details were already in place thousands of years before He went to the cross.
“His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.” – Deuteronomy 21:23
Explain who the ‘sons of Abraham are, according to Paul. How does this apply today?
Being a ‘son of Abraham’ is not just about physical lineage; it’s about spiritual faith. Anyone, whether Jew or Gentile, who puts their faith in Jesus Christ becomes part of this spiritual family. It’s a profound truth that transcends cultural and ethnic barriers, reminding us that we are all united in Christ. “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.” – Ephesians 3:6
Define the REAL purpose of the Law.
Paul answers his question by saying, “It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”
When Paul says it was added, he doesn’t mean that it was an afterthought, but rather it was a temporary addition to God’s plan of salvation. It was instituted hundreds of years after the promise was given to Abraham, and was fulfilled by the death and resurrection of Christ.
“Because of transgressions” defines the heart of the law, as it pointed the sinner to Christ. Every transgression of the law required a sacrifice. Every sacrifice, every offering, and every drop of blood that was shed pointed to the coming Messiah who would take away the sins of the world.
“Paul does not mean that the law was given by angels rather than by God. He is merely pointing to the well-known Jewish tradition that God gave the law through the agency of angels as well as by a mediator, namely Moses.” (IVP New Testament Commentary)
In what way are we to ‘put on Christ’?
To “put on Christ” is to take on the nature of God, as opposed to the nature of man. Baptism is a symbol of a spiritual death, in which we die to our old man and rise to a new life in Christ. In the way that a glove conforms to one’s hand, we conform our lives to the nature of Christ.
Explain verses 28 and 29, as it applies to the church today.
These verses highlight the beautiful unity and equality that are found in Christ. No matter our background, race, social status, or gender, we are all one in Christ. This unity transcends all human divisions and labels.
In applying these verses to the church today, we can say:
The Church should be a place where these distinctions lose their dividing power. In Christ, we all have equal access to God’s grace and are equally valuable in His eyes. These verses call the Church to live out this oneness, fostering a community of love, acceptance, and unity. It’s a reminder that our faith in Jesus Christ unites us all, breaking down barriers and making us heirs of the promise given to Abraham. It challenges us to reflect this unity in our relationships and actions within the church and in our daily lives.
When you purchase a copy of the study guide, you’re actively supporting and strengthening our ministry as we spread the empowering message of the gospel to women across the globe!
We understand that not everyone can purchase the study guide, which is why we provide a printable version exclusively for those facing financial constraints. By subscribing below, you’ll unlock access to these downloadable materials. As part of our community, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the content at your own pace. Plus, as an added treat, you’ll receive periodic devotions from Time-Warp Wife, delivered directly to your inbox. Together, we can grow in faith and discover the abundant blessings of our shared journey. Join us in spreading the empowering message of the gospel to women all around the world.