Galatians

The Faith of Abraham

Wild Olive Ministries

Dee Alberty wildolive1@cox.net

(225) 235-2040 Baton Rouge, LA 70808

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Many thanks to the Wild Olives Team

writers, editors, designers, theologians, researchers, encouragers

who helped pull this ground-breaking project together

Kay Bergquist

Sarah Cramer

Ann Harrington

Teri Jeansonne

Sonja Laborde

Versa Stickle

Thank you for willing to be “pressed” to light the way for others

"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,

© Copyright 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission." www.Lockman.org

Further, “Messiah" has been substituted for Christ; "Yeshua" for Jesus; ekklesia, congregation”

for church

1st edition, 2016

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GALATIANS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LESSON ONE Galatians: Overview ................................................................................. 1

LESSON TWO Galatians 1 How Many Gospels???? .......................................................... 9

LESSON THREE Galatians 2 WHAT… God’s LAW is Bad? .............................................. 21

LESSON FOUR Galatians 3 Who You Callin’ Mindless? .................................................. 33

LESSON FIVE Galatians 4 Heirs…NOT Slaves! .............................................................. 47

LESSON SIX Galatians 5 Freeeeeeeedom…from What? ................................................ 55

LESSON SEVEN Galatians 6 How Does “God’s Family” Behave? ...................................... 65

APPENDIX

Galatians Observation Worksheet................................................................................................. 77

Galatians “The Blueprint” ............................................................................................................. 91

Acts 15 Observation Worksheet ................................................................................................... 93

Historical Background .................................................................................................................. 95

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES*

TOPIC AUTHOR RESOURCE

GRACE

R. Steve Berkson

Mtoi.org (Audio: Doctrine of

Grace)

PAUL Dr. Mark Nanos,

M. Zetterholm, ed

Brad Young

Paul within Judaism

Paul, Jewish Theologian

CULTURAL

BACKGROUND

18 Measures/Shammai

Works of the Law

God-Fearers/Proselytes

Rick Spurlock

R. Harvey Falk

Steve Salter

Martin Abegg

Dr. Mark Nanos

Toby Janicki

Bereansonline.org

“Grafted In: Galatians”

Jesus the Pharisee

Ahavat.com Galatians

Biblical Archaeology Review,

1994, Nov-Dec, p. 11-12

Irony of Galatians

God-Fearers, FFOZ

COMMENTARIES D. Thomas Lancaster

James D.G. Dunn

Christy Anderson

Holy Epistle to the Galatians

FFOZ

Epistle to the Galatians

Galatians, Vol I & II

HEBREW GRAMMAR

Literary Structure

Dr. Anne Davis The Law is Not a Curse, Paul’s

Midrash in Galatians

First Century Methods I:

Recovering Ancient Methods of

Bible Study

* If you would like to explore further information on these topics, these recommended resources

reflect the historical context of Paul in the 1st Century, according to the paradigm of the

“New Perspective on Paul”

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PETER’S WARNING

2 Peter 3:15–17 … just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given

him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are

some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also

the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not

carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,

UNDERLINE the words above that cause you to TREMBLE.

WHO are the ones causing trouble with Paul’s words?

What is YOUR responsibility as you study Paul’s words?

The ideas presented in this study of Galatians may be different from ANY you have ever

encountered before in sermons or traditional commentaries regarding Galatians. Our use

of Peter’s quote is NOT to say that scholars expressing OTHER views of Paul’s theology

are “unstable or untaught”. However, recent archaeological discoveries are shedding

possible new light on some of Paul’s previously little-understood phrases. Therefore, we

will carefully evaluate/test this possibly new-to-us interpretation based on the whole

Word of God.

For many centuries, Paul has seemed “disconnected” from the rest of Scripture, as if he

were dismissing the Torah in which he had been trained. At times, Paul even seems to

contradict his own words. This study will attempt to reconcile Paul’s letter to the

Galatians with other Pauline writings, with other New Testament writers, and with ALL

of Scripture beginning with Genesis, since we know that Scripture will NOT contradict

Scripture.

Looking forward to studying together as we eagerly seek understanding from the Spirit

who will be our teacher and guide us into all truth that the Father may be glorified! John 16:13-14

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CONTEXT, CONTEXT, CONTEXT

This course is an inductive Bible study, based on the historical context of the First Century,

reflecting some of the fairly recent findings within the Dead Sea Scrolls. This study also includes

ideas contained in seminary subjects called the “New Perspective on Paul” (NPP)—which

simply keeps Paul and his teaching in the historical context of his lifetime as revealed in Acts

and his epistles.

KNOWN TRUTH:

Paul was a lifelong, faithful Jew [Romans 11:1, Philippians 3:5-6] who attended synagogues

and assemblies of believers (translated anachronistically as “churches”). Paul was NOT a

“Christian”, as classically defined by the 4th

Century institution called “The Church”, begun by

Constantine. Over many years, various “Church” councils staunchly denounced any connection

with God’s chosen people: the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.

However, Paul followed the JEWISH Messiah, Yeshua, who preached the gospel of the Kingdom.

Paul took Jesus’ message, which had been promised in the Torah, first to the Jew, then to the

Gentile. The good news of salvation and the coming earthly Kingdom is the same for both

groups. Galatians 5:21, 1 Corinthians 6:9, Colossians 1:13, 2 Thessalonians 1:5

Paul was falsely accused of teaching Jews living outside of Israel to forsake Moses (Torah),

telling them not to circumcise their children, nor to walk according to the customs. Acts 21:21

However, Paul spends the remaining 7 chapters of Acts defending himself from this false charge.

Paul cherished ALL of God’s Scripture [the Law, Prophets, Writings] and considered himself to

be Torah-observant all the days of his life, even after coming to faith in the Jewish Messiah. Acts

21:20-24, 22:3, 23:6, 24:14-16; 25:8; 26:4-7

This simple viewpoint is surprisingly different from that of many commentaries written since the

time of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation which viewed this epistle through the

doctrinal eyes of LAW V. GRACE or FAITH V. WORKS. Additionally, this study views Judaism

through the lens of Second Temple Judaism of Jesus and Paul, rather than through some of the

currently held practices of today’s Jewish people.

Acts 10: After Cornelius, a Roman centurion stationed in Caesarea, and his household

expressed their faith in Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah, the Father displayed His acceptance of them

into His Kingdom by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He had the Jews on the day of Pentecost

(Acts 2). This world-changing event launched one of God’s covenant promises to Abraham: that

one day he would be the father of many nations. (Genesis 12:3)

However, the daily practicalities of assimilating the vast numbers of non-Jewish believers into

the local Jewish communities proved to be quite a messy challenge in both Israel and in other

nations within the Roman Empire. In response, different Jewish leaders developed different

methods of assimilation based on their various understandings of Scripture.

Welcome to your study of the REAL Galatians!

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GALATIANS - Review LESSON 1

The REAL Galatians!

Are you ready to put yourself into the story of the REAL LIFE issues of the

Galatians who lived in the 1st Century? What were the REAL hopes, the REAL

struggles, AND the incredible pressures of being one of the very first congregations

of believers in the Jewish Messiah in the days of the Roman Empire?

Day One & Two

STUDY THE BIBLE INDUCTIVELY

Studying inductively means that we get our clues for understanding directly from the

Bible text itself FIRST, before searching a commentary or notes in a study Bible.

As we begin each new day of Bible study, we always begin by asking for God’s help in

understanding His Word.

PRAY

OVERVIEW Each Inductive Bible study begins with reading the whole book to discover the big

picture without getting bogged down in details. We will re-read the book several times so

don’t worry about getting every detail at this point. Picture yourself receiving this letter

in the mail.

Read Galatians 1-6

APPENDIX: Locate the Observation Worksheets for Galatians 1-6 and grab a colored

pencil. Make your first read-thru purposeful by marking and asking the following

questions:

WHO wrote this book and what mood is he in?

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WHAT is his relationship with the original readers? What problems does he mention?

WHERE did the readers live? (Color in the entire region in YELLOW)

Would they be Jewish believers?

or Non-Jewish believers?

or a mixture?

Why?

WHEN had the author possibly first

met them?

Read Acts 13:4-14:28

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WHY is the author so fearful?

With whom is he upset?

Read Acts 15 (located in Appendix) to see if these “disturbers” appear again.

WHERE are the Disturbers this time?

WHAT are they teaching?

WHAT do the Leadership say about the Disturbers in their letter to the congregation at

Antioch?

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Day Three

THE PEOPLE In Galatians 1-6, what, more specifically, did you learn about the people in the letter?

(Note the chapter & verse as you make your list. An easy example is provided)

The Author:

1:1 Apostle

The Readers:

The “Others”:

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Day Four

THE MAIN IDEAS: KEY WORDS Key Words: any words or phrases that the author repeats to make his point. OR a special

word or phrase, that, if removed, would seriously diminish the point he is making. (An

example is provided which demonstrates in which chapter(s) this word is used)

List KEY Words in Galatians 1-6

Ch 1 Ch 2 Ch 3 Ch 4 Ch 5 Ch 6

Grace

Gospel

Key Words often lead us to notice Key Themes of each chapter. Do you notice

progression of main ideas in the above chart? Note how the progression shows the author

building his persuasive argument to bring about change in the recipients.

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CONTEXT IS KING Context Always Rules in Interpretation

What does it mean to “Study the Bible in Context”? Because this letter to the Galatians

was written about 2,000 years ago, to a people in a specific time and place probably very

different from our own, we must consider a variety of “contextual” clues to gain a TRUE

understanding of what the author actually intended to communicate to his original

audience. The sample questions below could provide some clues. Research of this type

may take some serious time. For some of it, you may choose to wait until our class

discussion or you may do it on your own.

Literary What words, phrases, sentences surround the passage? What unique literary devices does

the author use to make or argue his point?

Historical When in history did this letter occur? Who were the current political authorities? Where

were the religious authorities located? What were the laws of this empire or religion?

Who were the opposing “teams”?

Cultural What is the religious background of these people? What meaning did their ceremonial

rituals hold (i.e. circumcision)? Who were the “gods” of the pagan culture? What did this

culture value? What festivals did they celebrate?

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As you read Galatians, did you notice any significant examples of “context”? (If not, it’s

ok, just wanted you to start to be aware. We will discuss examples in class)

Literary

Historical

Cultural CATEGORIES OF JEWS & GENTILES

Jews Gentiles

Natural Proselyte God-Fearer Idolater

RELIGIOUS SECTS OF JUDAISM

Sadducees Pharisees Essenes The Way

Hillel v. Shammai

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APPLICATION

Day Five

As we discovered this week, the new believers in the Galatian congregations were

confused. Paul had shared the gospel with them on his original visit but shortly

after other teachers came through Galatia, they taught them something very different

from Paul. Now they had to decide which message to believe.

How should the Galatians decide which teachers to believe?

The Bereans provided a mature example to follow.

Read Acts 17:10-11 …and make a list of what YOU could do the next time you have to make an important

theological choice.

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GALATIANS, Chapter 1 LESSON 2

How Many Gospels????

Usually, the apostle Paul begins his letters with words of praise and encouragement

for his readers. But NOT this time….WHY?????

PRAY

Day One

OBSERVATION & CONTEXT OF THE WHOLE BIBLE This week, we will focus primarily on Galatians 1. Review by reading Galatians 1

Galatians 1:3-5, how did Yeshua the Messiah fulfill the will of God?

When will we be rescued?

From what do you think we need rescuing?

Galatians 1:6-7 Why is Paul “amazed” (stunned into silence, can’t speak)?

Paul says, “Some want to _________ the Gospel of Messiah”. Galatians 1:7

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What IS the “Gospel of Messiah”? “Gospel” means “Good News”. Let’s examine the “Good News” as described throughout

the Bible: mark pertinent facts about it in a BRIGHT colored pencil or highlighter.

Summarize main point in left margin.

Torah PROTO-EVANGELION Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her

seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.”

PROMISE TO ABRAHAM Genesis 12:1-3

I will make you a great nation, in you all the families of the Galatians 3:8

earth will be blessed

You will be the father of a multitude of nations, kings will Genesis 17-18

come forth from you, thru Sarah

I have chosen him so that he may command his children and his household after

him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice

PROMISE OF A RULER Genesis 49:10

The scepter shall not depart from Judah…to him shall be the obedience of the

peoples

SONG OF MOSES Exodus 15:18

“The LORD shall reign forever and ever.”

Prophets JERUSALEM, THE NATIONS, & THE TORAH Isaiah 2:2–3

Now it will come about that in the last days The mountain of the house of the

LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above

the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. 3 And many peoples will come and

say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of

Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His Ways and that we may walk in His

paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from

Jerusalem.

THE GOOD NEWS Isaiah 52:7–10

How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, who

announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation,

and says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” 8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their

voices, they shout joyfully together; For they will see with their own eyes When

the LORD restores Zion. 9 Break forth, shout joyfully together, you waste places of

Jerusalem; For the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. 10

The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, that all the ends of

the earth may see The salvation of our God.

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THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM Daniel 7:13–14

“I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven One

like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days and was

presented before Him. 14

“And to Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom,

that all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His

dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom

is one Which will not be destroyed.

KINGDOM INCLUDES GENTILES Acts 15:16–18, based on Amos 9:11 16

‘AFTER THESE THINGS I will return, AND I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF

DAVID WHICH HAS FALLEN, AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS, AND I WILL RESTORE

IT, 17

SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD, AND ALL THE GENTILES

WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,’ 18

SAYS THE LORD, WHO MAKES THESE THINGS

KNOWN FROM LONG AGO.

THE KINGDOM WILL BE A RETURN TO THE GARDEN OF EDEN Ezekiel 36:35

“They will say, ‘This desolate land has become like the garden of Eden; and the

waste, desolate and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.’

Jesus THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM Matthew 4:23

Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and

proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and

every kind of sickness among the people.

Acts 1:3

To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing

proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things

concerning the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 15:1–8

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which

also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you

hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I

delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our

sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised

on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas,

then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at

one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He

appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely

born, He appeared to me also.

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Apostles

& Paul

GOSPEL OF THE DISCIPLES Acts 8:12

But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of

God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women

alike.

GOSPEL OF PETER (TO THE GENTILES, ACTS 10) Acts 11:17–18

“Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing

in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” 18

When

they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has

granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.”

Acts 15:8–9

“And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit,

just as He also did to us; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them,

cleansing their hearts by faith.

GOSPEL OF PAUL (TO THE JEWS) Acts 28:23

When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large

numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom

of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses

and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.

GOSPEL OF PAUL (TO THE GENTILES) Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to

everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Acts 14:15

We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you

should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND

THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM.

Colossians 1:13

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom

of His beloved Son,

Angel ETERNAL GOSPEL TO ALL MANKIND Revelation 14:6

And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having an eternal gospel to preach

to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and

people;

What insight did you gain from studying “The Gospel” in the context of the WHOLE

Bible?

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Day Two

PAUL’S GOSPEL Galatians 1:1-4 Draw a BOX around Paul’s (brief) Gospel.

Jesus’ frequent message in the Gospel writings was “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at

hand”.

According to the following scriptures, what is the connection between the gospel and salvation?

Mark repeated key words such as gospel, grace, kingdom, etc.

Acts 28:23

23 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he

was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade

them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until

evening.

1 Corinthians 15:1–11 1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you

received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which

I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance

what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was

buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He

appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred

brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;

7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born,

He appeared to me also.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the

church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not

prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Romans 1:1–5 1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2

which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His

Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son

of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus

Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the

obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake,

Romans 1:15–17 15 So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I am not

ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the

Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to

faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”

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According to Galatians 1:1-12, and the previous passages from 1 Corinthians and

Romans, from WHOM did Paul receive “his” gospel?

Was Paul’s gospel different from the gospel that Jesus proclaimed?

Paul’s Gospel “Another” Gospel

Acts 15:1-2

Is there “another” gospel? Is there a different gospel for the Gentiles?

How were the “disturbers” attempting to distort the gospel of Messiah?

What should be the fate of anyone who preaches a “different gospel”?

What is the PROBLEM with believers in Galatia?

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Day Three

PAUL, The TRANSFORMED Apostle Galatians 1:13-24 Paul tells a brief version of how his whole life suddenly changed in a

moment!

(If you don’t know the whole story, you can read more about Paul in Acts 9 and 22 and 26)

What was Paul’s life like…

BEFORE AFTER

In chart above, also note what remained the same [See Acts 23:1,24:14-16, 25:8].

WHY did his life change?

For what PURPOSE? (See also, Acts 26:17-18)

BEREAN CHALLENGE

Many traditional commentaries say that Paul “converted” to Christianity at this time.

Explain why you Agree or Disagree?

Galatians 1:17 After Paul’s sight was restored in Damascus, WHY might he have gone

to Arabia?

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If there is no other gospel, why do you think Paul includes the word “my” when

describing his gospel?

Romans 2:14-16

Romans 16: 25-27

2 Timothy 2:8-15

GRACE

Galatians 1:15, Paul was called through “His grace”. The Strong’s Concordance defines

GRACE as “unmerited favor”, but does it mean “without responsibility”? According to

these verses, what do you learn about “grace”?

Ephesians 2:4-10

Titus 2:11-14

Romans 1:4-6

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Day Four

TIME: ORDER OF EVENTS Galatians 1:18 - 2:16

Mark any “time” phrases by highlighting them in YELLOW.

What was the PURPOSE of Paul’s FIRST visit to Jerusalem?

What was the PURPOSE of Paul’s SECOND visit to Jerusalem, 11 years later?

BEREAN CHALLENGE

Re-Read Acts 15: This seems to be Paul’s THIRD visit to Jerusalem. Think about WHO

was there, what was discussed, and the final outcome before you answer the following

question.

Which came first: Paul’s epistle to the Galatians OR the decisions made at the Jerusalem

Council (Acts 15)?

As you consider how YOU would answer this question, can you gather any internal

evidence from re-reading Galatians 1:13: - 2:16 & Acts 15?

The BluePrint Use the Timeline on The BluePrint in the Appendix to place Paul’s three visits to

Jerusalem, his first two missionary journeys, Acts 15, and his letter to the Galatians.

Re-think what you learned this week by carefully observing Galatians 1 one more time.

Using KEY WORDS, develop a short title for the Theme (main idea) of Galatians 1 and

add it to your “BLUEPRINT” in the Appendix.

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SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT [This question is preparation for next week.] You have heard the principle of biblical

interpretation, “Scripture NEVER contradicts Scripture”.

Yet, believers are commonly taught that Paul’s writings are markedly different from

those in the Old Testament. Some say that the Old Testament is for the Jews and the New

Testament is for the Gentiles because of Paul’s special gospel to them. Some say that

Paul taught that since Jesus came, believers are no longer compelled to obey the Law of

Moses (Torah).

If any of that is true, what do you think Paul thought about this verse from Isaiah? (God’s Word = Torah, law)

Psalm 119 Would Paul agree or disagree with David’s heart in this longest of all

psalms?

How blessed are those who way is blameless

who walk in the law of the LORD

Romans 7:12 What does Paul himself say about God’s Law?

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APPLICATION

Day Five

In Galatians 1:10, WHO is Paul trying to please?

How is this different from his “former manner of life”?

Who are YOU trying to please?

What might be the risks involved with this choice?

Psalm 40:7–10

Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. 8 I delight to do Your will,

O my God; Your Law is within my heart.” 9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness

in the great congregation; Behold, I will not restrain my lips, O LORD, You know. 10

I have

not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your

salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great

congregation.

WHAT, within the psalm writer’s heart, might give him courage to speak out?

What kinds of things does he proclaim?

WHAT does this “treasure” in his heart compel him to DO?

How can I obtain sufficient treasure like his?

What is “the great congregation”? (Hebrew: Kahal) Hint: Acts 26:16-18

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GALATIANS, Chapter 2 LESSON 3

WHAT…. God’s LAW is Bad?

Chapter 2 starts off with a dust up between Paul and Peter…over what????

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY

Day One

OBSERVATION & CULTURAL CONTEXT At the beginning of Galatians, Paul establishes his AUTHORITY as an apostle sent by

God. Why do you think Paul may have included this story (Galatians 2:1-2) in this

letter?

Galatians 2:9 What do you think the idiom “right hand of fellowship” might mean?

Read Galatians 2. In the left margin on your observation worksheet, note WHERE these

events occur.

Two strong men, PILLARS of the Faith, getting into a public brouhaha?

Galatians 2:11-16, Can you figure out what their argument is over? List Paul’s specific

accusations against Peter.

Cephas (Peter)

WHY would eating (or NOT eating) with gentiles be such a big issue? To gain better

insight, let’s explore the cultural issues of Paul’s day.

Jews & Gentiles

CULTURAL CONTEXT: Many groups have rules (written or merely understood) that help

identity whether someone is a true member or not. For example, gangs have certain tattoos or

clothing that identifies its members without saying a word. Other groups have certain “code

words” that members use freely among themselves, like “church words”. Religious groups may

have unofficial “lifestyle rules” that would readily spot its members (or non-members) like

length of hair or smoking.

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Originally, God enacted the ritual of “circumcision” for Abraham’s household as a sign of

whether a man was a member of the Covenant (Genesis 17:10-14). However, just before the

birth of Jesus a certain school of Pharisees (Shammai), who hated Gentiles and their Hellenizing

influence, became self-appointed guards of the “Jewishness” of their communities. Through the

Sanhedrin, they enacted the 18 Edicts (Measures) to govern the behavior of Jews when they

were around Gentiles. For example, Jewish people were not allowed to visit non-Jewish people

in their homes or to eat with them. These “laws” were written neither in the Written Torah nor

the Oral Torah of Moses.

Because these rules generated so much division, hostility, and bloodshed, they were deemed null

& void as soon as the Temple and the Sanhedrin were destroyed. The kinder, more popular

Pharisees (Hillel) made sure that these “laws of separation” were destroyed and never practiced

again.

Much bad blood had been experienced between the two main Pharisaic schools. In about

25 BCE, the rabbis of Shammai slaughtered about 150 rabbis of Hillel in order to gain the

upper hand in their influence and school of thought.

Attitude/Teaching HILLEL SHAMMAI

Toward Non-Jews

Jews should be the

Light to the World

Jews need strong fences to resist

outside influences on the

community

On Circumcision

of Proselytes

Not Necessary

ABSOLUTELY YES!

We know from Genesis 18:19 that God had chosen Abraham and his descendants (the

Jews) for a special purpose. From Isaiah 42:6, 49:6, 60:3, we learn that the Jews are to

be God’s light to the nations. But life under Roman rule was difficult and attitudes toward

non-Jews were changing. However, from Acts 10, well before AD 70 (Roman

destruction of Jerusalem), God was already re-training the cultural thinking of Peter and

early believers to re-new their understanding of His heart for those who are not Jewish.

Acts 10:28 What is the TRUE meaning of Peter’s vision (sheet filled with unclean

animals)?

Acts 10:34

Sometimes, the word “circumcision” is used as an IDIOM to describe a Jewish person

and the word “uncircumcised” describes a ____________ person. Mark these people

groups differently in Galatians 2:7-8.

23

What’s the connection between the following events and your new understanding of the

18 MEASURES of Shammai? Does this background help you better understand the

culture of this particular era?

Luke 7:1-7

Galatians 2:11-12

Based on the information acquired in this lesson which “school” influenced these apostles

during the time Galatians was written?

PAUL PETER BARNABAS

All Jewish communities of this time were strongly entrenched in Shammai’s teachings.

As you read about angry disruptions in the synagogues in response to Jesus’ & Paul’s

teachings, did the Jewish people react more strongly to the idea of Yeshua being the

Messiah OR that God’s Good News of the Kingdom included Gentiles too?

Luke 4:14-30

Acts 13:44-47

Acts 22:21-22

Acts 17: 1-7

Acts 26: 20-21

Galatians 2:12 Why might Peter be afraid of the “party of the circumcision”?

24

Day Two

The Law Galatians 2:15-21 Mark each reference to the specific phrase, “works of the law” and

list what you learn about it in this chapter.

Are the “Works of the Law” DIFFERENT from “The Law”?

CULTURAL CONTEXT: This phrase, “Works of the Law” has caused untold difficulty

and misunderstanding over many centuries because it was ONLY used in the Bible by Paul.

Neither was it found in secular writings…UNTIL 1948 when the Dead Sea Scrolls were

discovered in the wilderness near the Essene village of Qumran in Israel. This exact term was

located in a section called, “4QMMT”. In this document, “Works of the Law” did not refer to

keeping the Torah in general, but rather to keeping a subset of ceremonial rulings that marked

the identity of a Jewish community. In other words, “Works of the Law” was found to mean

“that which was expected to be done by anyone who wanted to become a member of the Essene

sect”. . In Galatians, it especially meant conversion to Judaism marked by circumcision, but

could also mean keeping Sabbath, feast days, or dietary laws.

In addition, the word “Law” may have MANY different meanings.

Sometimes, translators determine that it should be written with a CAPITAL “L” or

sometimes with a lower case “l”.

As Bereans, we must examine each use of the word to determine to WHICH meaning

Paul is actually referring.

25

What is “The LAW”?

Law law law

WRITTEN Torah (instruction, teaching)

(Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,

Deuteronomy) God’s blueprint for the world or

instruction book for a life lived in proper relationship

with Him. These writings, given to Moses at Mt Sinai,

include stories of Creation, of success and failure of

great men used by God, poetry, songs, the Decalogue

(Ten Commandments), and cultic practices (feasts, etc.)

unique to approaching a Holy God in the tabernacle,

where He desires to dwell with man.

“Law”

ORAL Torah Includes verbal instructions given by Moses at Mt

Sinai that were originally transmitted to the 70 elders,

Joshua, Ezra, etc. These oral instructions were

eventually recorded, added to in The Mishnah, about

AD 200.

Traditions of Elders, Ancestral Traditions

Decisions made by the wise Sages of Israel, that

were sometimes very burdensome to the people (like

certain ways of hand-washing) that were dismissed by

Jesus. Some of these traditions also found their way

into the Mishnah.

18 Edicts (Measures) of Shammai

Shortly before the time of Jesus through the time of

the apostles until AD 70, these rules were enforced by

the Sanhedrin. Among other things, they strictly

governed the way Jews related to Gentiles.

A principle, like

Romans 8:2

Jesus has set you

free from the law

of sin

and of death.

Government

rules for its

citizens

As you can see, the word “law” (Greek: nomos) could mean a variety of things at the time

of Paul’s ministry. Since the meaning can GREATLY affect a proper interpretation, we

must search carefully to determine WHICH MEANING Paul is using (just one of the

reasons his writings can be difficult to understand, 2 Peter 3:16).

Matthew 15:3

Jesus: “Why do you transgress the

commandment of God

for the sake of your tradition?

26

How did Paul view The Law of God (Written Torah)?

Romans 3:31

Romans 7:7

Romans 7:12

So was Paul’s view of The Law “Good” or “Bad”?

In the above passages in Romans, was Paul writing to Jews or to Gentile believers?

(Hint: Romans 1:16)

ONE THOUGHT: Neither Paul nor the apostles spoke of an Oral Law (not yet compiled or

codified). Instead, Paul speaks of the “customs of the fathers” and the “traditions”, but he never

equates those customs and traditions with the Torah. None of the apostles did. …

Jewish believers do have a different obligation the Torah than Gentile believers: Jewish believers

much keep the Written and Oral Torah, but Gentiles must keep only the Written Torah.

Would God have two different standards for His people? Yes, just like he had different standards

for priests, laymen, kings, men, and women, etc. 1

1 Holy Epistle to the Galatians, D. Thomas Lancaster. First Fruits of Zion, 2011, p. 237-238

27

Day Three

JUSTIFIED

Read Galatians 2:15-16, mark the pronoun “we” with the appropriate people group.

In this passage, a KEY WORD is “justified”. Mark it in a special way.

According to Paul, how is anyone…?

Justified NOT Justified

[JUSTIFIED: declared NOT Guilty, Innocent, or Righteous before God; exonerated (not

condemned), “saved”]

Galatians 2:16 Are there TWO different plans of justification---One for Jews and

another for Gentiles?

John 4: 22 What does the Samaritan woman at the well learn about salvation?

In other words, since God’s people (Jews) had the ONLY “way of salvation”, the common

understanding of Paul’s day was that a non-Jew (Gentile) must CONVERT to Judaism to

be saved. In order to CONVERT, a non-Jew must do 3 things:

1. repent of his pagan ways as symbolized by immersion (baptism),

2. submit to instruction in Torah

3. receive the sign of covenant membership which is __________________ (Gen. 17:10-11)

Galatians 2:16 Scholars note that there are two possible ways this verse could be

translated in Greek.

…that we may be justified by faith in Christ

OR …that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ.

Underline the key differences and ponder the doctrinal implications.

28

In the context of Acts and Galatians, what was being required by the “Disturbers” in

order to become a member of The Way (God’s Kingdom)?

Acts 15:1

By the way, were the “Disturbers” believers or not?

Did God ever say via Moses/ Torah that Gentiles must be circumcised to be “saved” or a

part of His Kingdom?

Genesis 17:10, 12-13

Exodus 12: 43-44

Can you see why there was some confusion in this first century? The Gospel of the

Kingdom was now being proclaimed around the known world. Many Gentiles were being

drawn to the God of Israel. The Jews were being outnumbered in their synagogues by the

overwhelming response of Gentiles as evidenced in Acts13:44, 17:4,6,12, 18:7-8; 19: 10,

19-20. Would the Jewish families now lose their ancient customs that God had taught

them? …the laws and customs that the Maccabees had so vigorously defended against

the Greeks?

Were God’s “rules” changing or was the Jewish understanding of God’s Plan for the

world being understood in new ways?

Who had the authority to make rules for the community of “The Way”? Whose viewpoint

should be followed? Can you see why there was such a need for the Jerusalem Council

to meet and resolve such a serious dispute that threatened to rip asunder this fledgling

movement of Messiah?

Galatians 5:11 What is the current attitude toward Paul?

Acts 15:2 What is the tone prior to this important Council meeting?

Why was it critical for Paul and the other Apostles to make sure the doctrine of

“JUSTIFICATION” was clearly defined in this first generation of believers?

29

Based on this fairly recent archaeological discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Paul’s use

of the phrase “Works of the Law” could refer to that “identity marker” that a Gentile

must “wear” in order to be considered a part of the Jewish community or to be considered

“justified” before God.

Various identity markers included keeping Sabbath, feast days, dietary laws, but in

Galatians, the main identity marker that might be considered a “Work of the Law”

is_________________

How is this understanding different from the traditional understanding of “works of the

Law”?

Galatians 2:16 Mark each phrase “works of the Law” with a large, red “C”. Re-read the

passage substituting the word “Circumcision” for “works of the Law”. Does that clarify

the meaning AND keep Paul’s love of Torah intact?

Romans 3:19-31 Re-read this passage with your new understanding of “works of the

Law” and possibly of “faith/faithfulness”. Is this the same point that Paul first made in his

letter to the Galatians?

Galatians 2:3 Why was Titus NOT compelled to be circumcised?

READING CAREFULLY: Is this verse saying that Titus was NOT circumcised?

Galatians 2:18 Peter was the first apostle God used to tear down the barrier of

separation between Jew & Gentile (Acts 10). What is Peter “rebuilding” in the event

described in Galatians 2:11-12?

How does Peter respond to Paul’s rebuke in this event? If Acts 15 occurs AFTER this

confrontation described in Galatians, make a note of Peter’s resolved view of gentile

believers in Acts 15: 7-10.

30

Day Four

Interpretation Acts 15: Peter says the gentiles were saved just like the Jews: having their hearts

cleansed by faith.

Galatians 2:17-21 must be carefully read in order to unlock the full meaning of this

important segment. In our previous segment, what is it that “justifies” anyone (Jew or

Gentile) before God?

Galatians 2:17 Is it possible to be justified AND a sinner at the same time? Why might

the Galatians be deceived into thinking this way?

Is it possible that the Disturbers were promising a guarantee of salvation through

circumcision? If so, could the Galatians then abandon God’s Word and return to their old

pagan worship and ways and no longer be rejected by their friends and family?

Does that mean that it’s just what we BELIEVE (with our minds) about Messiah or

participating in any religious RITUALS, and not necessarily following God’s Word that

matter to Him?

James 2:19

Does the way believers “walk out” their lives (their deeds) matter at all?

Romans 6:1

These following verses contain the word “works” two times. Underline them. Does this

word mean the same thing in both uses? Does our new understanding of culture and

idioms help explain the difference?

Ephesians 2:8–10

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the

gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared

beforehand so that we would walk in them.

31

BEREAN CHALLENGE Galatians 2:19 Translators capitalized both uses of the word “Law” …if so, what does

the passage mean?

If either, or both, words were lower case (“law”), what might this mean?

Which words do you think should be capitalized/lower case, based on the context of the

whole Bible for the clearest meaning in this instance?

Galatians 2:21 What could the word “Law” mean in this verse?

SUMMARY Is this statement true for you?

What began as a murky, difficult chapter is starting coming into focus.

Simply stated,

PAUL IS NOT… IS…

Denying value of God’s Torah

Starting a new religion for gentiles

Advocating lawlessness

Arguing against Judaism

Forsaking his Jewishness

No longer RELYING on his Jewish

status for salvation

Relying ONLY on the faithfulness

of Messiah for right standing with

God

Encouraging Gentiles to do the same

THE BLUEPRINT Choose a Main Idea for Galatians 2 and add it to your chart.

32

Day Five

Paul will continue to explore the concepts that we examined this week in future chapters

and we will continue to grow in our understanding, but let’s think about the practical

application of Paul’s letter to the Galatians so far.

Throughout history, has a denominational church ever said…?

“You must become _________________

OR

You must (perform some act) ____________________

in order to be “right” before God”

(in order to “look like our faith community”)

Are these teachings similar to what Paul is opposing in the Galatians’ letter?

`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

Galatians 2:12-14 Peter and Barnabas are fearful and guilty of hypocrisy.

John 12:42-43 Biblical “hypocrisy “is defined as desiring the approval of men more than

God’s approval. Have you ever succumbed to this kind of peer pressure?

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Messiah…. but Messiah lives in me.”

Does my life reflect the faithfulness of Messiah?

In Galatians 2, whose witness better describes your testimony: Peter’s or Paul’s?

What is the evidence?

APPLICATION

33

GALATIANS, Chapter 3 LESSON 4

Who You Callin’ “Mindless”?

If it wasn’t enough to call the Apostle Peter a hypocrite,

now Paul is calling his dear children in the faith FOOLISH

(unwilling to understand)!

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY

Ok, we’ve got some heavy lifting this week to properly understand what these phrases meant to

Paul’s original readers. Let’s continue from last week’s look at Galatians 2 (“works of the law”)…

Day One

OBSERVATION Galatians 3: 1-14

Mark the key word FAITH with a blue pencil

Make a list of everything you learn (contrasts, results, etc.)

FAITH

Hearing with Faith vs.

Note that Paul begins with a shocking question, followed by an INCLUSIO [a passage

that begins and ends with similar wording to complete the unit]

Highlight all the QUESTION MARKS in ORANGE

Draw a box around the similar phrasing at the beginning and end of the INCLUSIO.

Connect the boxes.

34

The RABBI (Paul) is giving his STUDENTS (Galatians) a BIG QUIZ!

Now think carefully. He even gives them a 50/ 50 chance of a correct answer.

Did you receive the Holy Spirit by….

A. Works of the Law or B. Hearing with faith

Correct answer? ______ WHY?

However, answering correctly and walking it out may be 2 very different things.

[NOTE: In Hebraic thought, to “hear” is equivalent to “obey”]

Let’s Dig Deeper…

Galatians 3:2 “Receiving the Spirit” is a sign of _______________________________

[Hint: Acts 2, 15]

Galatians 3:2, 5 “Works of the Law” is a sign of ______________________________

[Hint: Lesson 3]

Galatians 3: 5 “Hearing with faith” is a sign of ______________________________

[Hint: Romans 10:16-21]

Galatians 3:3 “Perfected by the flesh” is synonymous for what ritual? ______________ [Did you catch Paul’s humor in using the word “perfected” in light of Hellenistic thought of

beauty?]

Galatians 3:4 WHY might the Galatians have been suffering?

35

Galatians 3:5 Paul is recalling events from his first missionary journey through the

region of Galatia: those who believed were being filled with the Holy Spirit and

witnessing miracles among them in order to verify God’s message through Paul.

What kinds of Kingdom evidence was demonstrated during Paul’s time in Galatia?

Acts 13:52

Acts 14:3

Acts 14:8-10

CULTURAL CONTEXT: 4QMMT in the Dead Sea Scrolls …Thus “works of the law,”

according to the only ancient Jewish group of record that used the term, was not the initiator of a

relationship with God; but it was the requirement of such a relationship. Paul counters the first

century A.D. proponents of this position, writing that both the initial step (Gal 3:2) and the

continuing relationship (Gal 3:3) were “by faith in Christ Jesus.” The keynote to Paul’s position

is encapsulated in the quote from Habakkuk 3:11, “The righteous shall live [conduct oneself] by

faith.”

For Pauline studies, 4QMMT is important in that it shows that Luther’s reaction to Catholicism

which has been traditionally projected onto first century Judaism is not supported by an

examination of the only Jewish community of record which used the vocabulary reflected in

Paul’s discussions of law and righteousness.1

1 M. G. Jr. Abegg, “Miqṣat Ma˓aśey Ha-Torah (4QMMT),” ed. Craig A. Evans and Stanley E. Porter,

Dictionary of New Testament Background: A Compendium of Contemporary Biblical Scholarship (Downers

Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000), 711.

36

Day Two

INTERPRETATION ABRAHAM

Rabbi Paul uses an illustration from the life of Abraham in a MIDRASH [a form of

rabbinic commentary which combines various scriptures to clarify a point, perhaps in a

new way]

Paul assumes that these non-Jewish believers already know that YHWH chose Abraham,

a man with no children, to lead a great “household” of men and women who would

follow God (Genesis 18:19). He also knows that these brand new, non-Jewish believers

are already familiar with the Law and the Prophets. Laying this foundation, he combines

these truths to build a fool-proof case for how a man is blessed by God.

Inductive Study Skill: Every time you notice a passage [NASB] written in ALL CAPS, know

that that the verse is from the Hebrew Scriptures (AKA- Old Testament, or TaNaKh) (No, Paul

is not “yelling” at them). So it’s always a good idea to discover from where the verse is

quoted and make a note in case you should want to read it in context. Sometimes, the references

can be simply found in your Bible, center column, etc. Occasionally, the verses may read

slightly different-- Perhaps because it comes from the Septuagint (LXX version) OR it merely

reflects the “rabbinic privilege” of quoting from memory.

At this point, take the time to discover the SIX cross-references from the TaNaKh

(Hebrew Scriptures: Torah, Prophets, Writings.

Galatians 3: 6-13 Draw a BLUE BOX around each of the statements drawn from the

Hebrew Scriptures.

If your personal Bible provides cross-references, WRITE the name of the book & verse number

of the original location in the appropriate box (you may find more than one cross-reference)

Using the information from Paul’s MIDRASH in Galatians….

Galatians 3:6 HOW was Abraham declared righteous? ___________________

Galatians 3:8 HOW are Gentiles declared righteous? ________________________

37

Galatians 3:7 HOW does Paul refer to Gentile believers? ______________________

WHY would this be an encouragement to the Galatians?

Galatians 3:9 Therefore, what else do non-Jewish believers need to do to gain a greater

status in God’s family?

Galatians 3:10 WHY is someone who RELIES (ESV) on the “works of the Law”

under a curse?

Genesis 18:18-19 A son has responsibilities in order to honor his father. If anyone is a

“son of Abraham”, how would he resemble his father?

Galatians 3:8-10 Just like Moses, Paul offers both blessings and curses. List them.

Blessings Curses

WORD STUDY BELIEVE - FAITH

Hebrew Greek

EMUN

Faithful, reliable, trustworthy, pertaining to

that which is relied or depended on

PISTIS

Trust, reliance, dependency, firm conviction,

confidence in

Galatians 3:11 What kind of “Law” could Paul have had in mind for this verse? (see chart, lesson 3)

38

Choose LIFE (Deuteronomy 30:18-20

Galatians 3:11-12 A Man (Jew or Gentile) LIVES (eternally) by…

(Gal 3:11) Habbakuk (Gal 3:12) Leviticus

Are these 2 DIFFERENT ways to be justified? OR are they 2 sides of the same coin? Is

it possible to believe God’s Word and at the same time refuse to do it? Some think that a

man of true, saving faith will also be a man faithful to obey God’s Word

Romans 10:16

Galatians 3:13 , Deuteronomy 30:19-20 What is “the curse of the Law”?

Is the Law (Torah) a curse?

Faith of Abraham Galatians 3:14 , Genesis 28:4 What is the “blessing of Abraham”?

Galatians 3:16 Seed or Seeds?

Rabbinical License

Our rabbi Paul is making a MIDRASH (a teaching that originates in the Torah-Genesis

12:7, and is now used in a unique way.) In this case, it is not what the original text

literally says, but Paul uses it anyway to make a point. Note that since it is NOT a direct

quote, our text does NOT use “all Caps”. In Paul’s interpretation, Yeshua is the Seed of

Abraham. All nations would find blessing in Abraham’s Seed (Yeshua)

39

The Faith of Abraham

GALATIANS 3:8 CAREFULLY OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES

& MARK THE “GOSPEL” THAT ABRAHAM BELIEVED.

GALATIANS 3:16 MARK THE WORD “SEED” (OR ITS SYNONYM) IN A SPECIAL WAY

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and

her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.”

Genesis 12:1–3 Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your

relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; 2 And I will make

you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a

blessing; 3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in

you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

Genesis 15:5–6 And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count

the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6

Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your

descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river

Euphrates:

Genesis 15:17 It came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there

appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces.

Genesis 15:1–11 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying,

“Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.” 2 Abram said, “O

Lord GOD, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of

Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my

house is my heir.” 4 Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “This man will not

be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir.” 5 And He

took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to

count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6 Then he believed in the

LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. 7 And He said to him, “I am the LORD who

brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess it.” 8 He said, “O Lord

GOD, how may I know that I will possess it?” 9 So He said to him, “Bring Me a three year old

heifer, and a three year old female goat, and a three year old ram, and a turtledove, and a young

pigeon.” 10

Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, and laid each half opposite the

other; but he did not cut the birds. 11

The birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and

Abram drove them away.

40

Genesis 18:19 “For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household

after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may

bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.”

Genesis 22:1–19 Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to

him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take now your son, your only son,

whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on

one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and

saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split

wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the

third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. 5 Abraham said to his

young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will

worship and return to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac

his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. 7

Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And

he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham

said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them

walked on together. 9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham

built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on

top of the wood. 10

Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11

But the

angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said,

“Here I am.” 12

He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for

now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” 13

Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket

by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the

place of his son. 14

Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to

this day, “In the mount of the LORD it will be provided.” 15

Then the angel of the LORD called to

Abraham a second time from heaven, 16

and said, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD,

because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17

indeed I will

greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand

which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18

“In your seed

all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” 19

So Abraham

returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham lived at

Beersheba.

John 8:56 “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”

Hebrews 11:17–19 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had

received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18

it was he to whom it was said,

“IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED.” 19

He considered that God is able to raise

people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.

41

Day Three

INTERPRETATION

CULTURAL CONTEXT: A COVENANT is an Ancient Near East (ANE) method of building

long-lasting, faithful relationships. Today’s concept of marriage is certainly a type of

COVENANT between a man and a woman. But in Abraham’s day, God cut a covenant with

Abraham that would last for many generations. This special “blood” covenant was between a

HIGHER power and a lower servant. Later, another blood covenant was cut through Moses.

Galatians 3:15-18 Mark the time span between the first two covenants.

Write TORAH in the appropriate spot on the timeline.

Compare Genesis 12:4 with Genesis 17:1, 10. What do you discover about the TIMING

(Abraham’s age) between God’s promise to Abram and His command for Abraham to be

circumcised? Note it on the timeline above.

While we are not given an exact age, at what point did Abram believe? See Genesis 15:6

and mark it on the timeline.

Abraham Moses

42

BEREAN CHALLENGE Did God ADD conditions to the Abrahamic promises [covenant] at Mt Sinai? Or, did

God just clarify conditions that Abraham already understood? This is a debatable,

difficult question. Before you answer, read the following Scriptures:

Genesis 17:1-2

Genesis 18: 18-19

Galatians 3: 17 To WHAT covenant does Paul refer?

WHY does Paul make the important point about which covenant came first?

Day Four

INTERPRETATION Galatians 3:19 Paul asks another question [RHETORIC: Rabbinic method of teaching,

much like today’s excellent inductive method of study!]

“WHY the Law then?”

If the first covenant was based on unconditional promises to Abraham, why was any type

of Law necessary?

According to rabbinical count, The Law (Torah) contains 613 commandments. These can

be summarized to just two: “Love God and Love your Neighbor”. The Torah also

contains instructions on how to build God a “house” so He could dwell in our midst.

However, knowing that we would not keep them perfectly, He also gave instructions of

how to bring sacrifices to restore our relationship with Him (korban: so that we could be

brought near to Him again)

Re-read Galatians 3:19 again, with this understanding.

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Galatians 3:19 WHO is “the seed”?

Galatians 3:21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God?

WHAT specific type of Law?

WHAT, then, is the problem with the Law?

Galatians 3:22 WHAT is a synonym for “the Scripture”?

WHO is “everyone”?

Galatians 3:23-25 Highlight the Time Phrases in YELLOW.

The Law (Torah) is compared to a ____________

CULTURAL CONTEXT: A “tutor” [pedagogue] is a bodyguard who would guide

the children of wealthy parents on their way to and from school. These “tutors”

protected these future heirs from unsavory influencers who might try to snatch them or

their hearts to lead them astray. Is a “tutor” (the Law) a good thing or a bad thing? Does

a new picture emerge by knowing this context?

Could there be a correlation of this passage to the way parents wisely, lovingly train their

children?

Could the ideas of “custody”, “shut up” be better understood as a positive type of

“protection”?

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Galatians 3:25 Because “faith has come”, are we no longer under the care of a “tutor”?

Does that mean we are no longer obliged to obey God’s instructions?

Are we no longer “under the Law”?

Galatians 3:27 What does it mean practically to be “clothed with Messiah”?

All in Messiah

Galatians 3:28 WHAT could this possibly mean? No Jew or Greek? No more slave or free? Nor more male or female?

Is it possible to be ONE, but not be the SAME?

Adam & Eve became ONE, but maintained different, distinct roles. Are we believers not

ONE body, but different parts?

Is it possible for Gentile believers to put on the IDENTITY of Messiah and…

encourage Jewish believers to maintain their cultural traditions

keep a personal obedience to Torah

withstand the pressure to imitate the non-Torah traditions of the Jewish people?

Galatians 3:28-29 What significance would these verses hold for the Galatian recipients

who wanted to be circumcised in order to be more accepted into the Jewish communities?

Day Five

Scripture Does NOT Contradict Scripture

After another hefty week of study, what did Paul mean by these phrases…

Works of the Law Curse of the Law

45

Read Romans 3:27- 4:25 With your new understanding. In what ways is Paul’s message

to the Romans similar to Galatians?

What connection does Paul make in his letters between FAITH (Grace) and LAW

(Torah)? Are these terms mutually exclusive or are they complementary?

So, HOW is a sinner JUSTIFIED before God?

DISTURBERS PAUL JAMES

Acts 15: 1 Galatians 3:24 James 2:24

HISTORICAL NOTE: The famous Reformer, Martin Luther, thought these terms, FAITH and

WORKS, were opposites based on Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Therefore, he thought that the

book of James should not even be included in the biblical canon because James seemed to

contradict Paul.

With our new understanding of First Century context, how could these passages in James

be reconciled with Galatians 3?

James 2:17

James 2: 20

James 2:26

[Hint: is James use of the word “works” different from Paul’s phrase “works of the law”?]

46

APPLICATION

If our “faith” includes “faithfulness”, to WHAT instructions ought to be obeyed?

In what books of the Bible would we find GOD’s specific instructions for walking

righteously?

For Whom is the Torah Given?

Mark the different people groups with different colors

Numbers 15:29–31

‘You shall have one law [sin offering] for him who does anything

unintentionally, for him who is native among the sons of Israel and for the

alien who sojourns among them. 30

‘But the person who does anything

defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the LORD;

and that person shall be cut off from among his people. 31

‘Because he has

despised the word of the LORD and has broken His commandment, that

person shall be completely cut off; his guilt will be on him.’”

Deuteronomy 29:10–20

“You stand today, all of you, before the LORD your God: your chiefs, your tribes, your elders and

your officers, even all the men of Israel, 11

your little ones, your wives, and the alien who is within

your camps… 12

that you may enter into the covenant with the LORD your God, and into His oath

which the LORD your God is making with you today, 13

in order that He may establish you today as

His people and that He may be your God, just as He spoke to you and as He swore to your fathers, to

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 14

“Now not with you alone am I making this covenant and this oath, 15

but both with those who stand here with us today in the presence of the LORD our God and with those

who are not with us here today …18

so that there will not be among you a man or woman, or family or

tribe, whose heart turns away today from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of those

nations; …19

“It shall be when he hears the words of this curse, that he will boast, saying, ‘I have

peace though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart in order to destroy the watered land with the

dry.’ 20

“The LORD shall never be willing to forgive him, but rather the anger of the LORD and His

jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse which is written in this book will rest on him,

and the LORD will blot out his name from under heaven.

1 John 3:7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you;

the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous;

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GALATIANS, Chapter 4 LESSON 5

Heirs…NOT Slaves!

One more steep THEOLOGICAL mountain to climb,

and we’ll almost be “home”.

This lesson is fraught with tricky steps that could quickly drop you off a

doctrinal cliff, so watch your step…. and PRAY!

Day One

OBSERVATION Continuing the thought from last week’s MIDRASH of Abraham’s sons and the children taken

safely to school, read Galatians 4:1-7 and break out the differences between Slaves and Heirs.

And note what you learn about God’s Son. Note the pronouns: “we”,“you”. Who are they?

Slaves Heirs

Guardians & Managers Child

Sons

Based on what Paul taught in Galatians 3, how do the “we’s” become sons?

How do the “you’s” become sons?

CULTURAL CONTEXT: Strange as it may seem to us. Roman sons were not automatically

heirs of their father. A Roman man may have several wives, with several sons. He only adopted

the one he wished to receive the family inheritance. At age 14, the father emancipated his son,

who (if faithful) could then be legally adopted by his own father. Only then could he be

considered the legitimate heir.

God sent forth His Son to redeem those __________ the Law

Redeemed from… ______ Obedience to Torah?

______ Sin, exile?

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Galatians 4:7-10 What were the Galatians BEFORE “you” were a son?

To what might they be tempted to RETURN?

What concepts connect verses 8 those that are NOT gods

9 ENSLAVED to…

10

WHY might they be tempted to RETURN to these things?

Knowing the Galatians’ primary ethnicity and cultural heritage: What kinds of “days,

months, seasons, and years” might they return to observing?

What kind of CULTURAL pressures were the Galatians facing that would make them

turn back to these things? As “God-Fearers” they were in a special type of “social limbo”

or “no-man’s land”. (See chart, page 13)

Cultural Context: All Gentiles were expected to participate in the Roman Imperial Cult worship

practices (worship the Emperor as god-king) in order to demonstrate their loyalty to the current

administration. Neglect to do so was considered treasonous. Jews, on the other hand, were

legally exempt from this idolatrous worship. However, God-fearing gentiles and those who

followed Messiah had no protected status and were fully expected by Rome to participate in

these practices. If they refused, they could be fired from their occupation or sent to the Coliseum

in Rome to face the consequences. If they “lived like Jews” by attending synagogue, keeping

Sabbath, etc. they could possibly escape detection for a while. But as Jews became more

rebellious to the government, Rome tended to inspect synagogues a little closer to find these who

were “not-quite Jews”.

If you have an opportunity, you might want to research the “Imperial Cult” of the Roman

Empire and note what else you can discover.

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Days Two & Three

“UNDER THE LAW”

Paul uses the phrase “under the law” quite often in his letters. Your Galatians

observation worksheet has already marked it in a unique way. While this term has

perplexed scholars for centuries, understanding the historical context of Galatians may

help us better understand what it means.

REVIEW: Cultural Context:

The Galatian believers were ethnically ________________.

When they believed in Messiah, they became sons of __________________ by faith.

Like Cornelius, the Roman centurion (Acts 10), they were known as God-__________.

The “Disturbers” were telling the believing Gentile God-fearers in Galatia that, in order

to be saved, they needed to be __________________ (Acts 15:1). If they performed that

ritual, then their “status” in the Jewish community would change from God-Fearer to

legally ______________. Therefore, as “Jews”, they would be “under the Law”,

obligated to observe the whole Torah, even the extra traditions of men.

DISCIPLESHIP Now, Paul changes his tone and begins to address the Galatians as a

loving mother who is again going through pangs of childbirth on their

behalf, as they struggle in their new walk as believers.

Galatians 4:11 What emotion is Paul feeling? WHY?

Galatians 4:12 What could Paul mean that he begs them to “become as he is”?

...that he has “become as they are”?

Galatians 4:13-15 What had the Galatians felt for Paul at the beginning of their

relationship?

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Galatians 4:16 PAUL: Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

In which line would YOU stand?

Have you ever become someone’s enemy by telling them truth?

Ephesians 4:15

Galatians 4:17 To whom does the pronoun “they” refer?

From WHAT were “they” trying to exclude the Galatians?

Galatians 4:19-20 Now, WHAT kind of “tone(s)” is Paul using with the Galatians?

WHY?

From what GREAT DANGER is Paul trying to protect the Galatians?

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Which GOAL are the Galatians in danger of pursuing?

_______ Being like Messiah? ______ Being Jewish?

How will Paul know how long he must “labor” for them?

What would THAT look like?

Matthew 28:18-20

1 John 2:5-6

In Paul’s day, being a believer in Messiah required an all or nothing commitment of

radical devotion and discipleship to Yeshua.

Is Today’s Christianity….

____ Identified by an intense search to find, follow the God of Israel?

____ Experiencing the social discomfort or tension of walking in the ways of Messiah?

____ Separating from worldly pursuits?

____ Learning the teachings, ways of Messiah?

____ Long-suffering, forgiving?

____ Seeking unity of the faith community?

____ Experiencing Paul’s painful care to disciple others?

Making disciples, like raising children, takes much time, energy, and wisdom to handle the

rejection, the wrong turns. But loving parents don’t ever give up… And neither did Paul!

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Galatians 4:21 Paul uses “law” twice. To which kind is he referring in each instance?

If they want to be under Jewish customs, then they should pay very close attention to the

following allegory found in the Torah, based on Genesis 16 and 21.

Day Four

THE ALLEGORY Read Galatians 4:22-5:1. List what you learn from Paul’s allegory on the chart (next

page).

When you finish carefully observing the text in Galatians, read the following passage.

To what event do you think the prophet is referring?

Isaiah 54:1–3

1 “Shout for joy, O barren one, you who have borne no child; Break forth into joyful shouting

and cry aloud, you who have not travailed; For the sons of the desolate one will be more

numerous Than the sons of the married woman,” says the LORD.

2 “Enlarge the place of your tent; Stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; Lengthen

your cords And strengthen your pegs.

3 “For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left. And your descendants will possess

nations And will resettle the desolate cities.

THE BLUEPRINT: Add a helpful “Title” for Galatians 4 and any others you may have missed.

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Abraham’s Two Sons

Ishmael Isaac

Mother:

Conception:

Mt Sinai: Jerusalem _________

Covenant

Action:

Mother:

Conception:

Mt Zion: Jerusalem __________

Covenant

Action:

Who is the TRUE son of Abraham?

WHY might this allegory encourage the Galatians?

In the context of Galatians,

On which side would the God-Fearers fit?

Which side for the Proselytes?

(those “under the Law”, opting for circumcision)

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Day Five

APPLICATION

As you remember, Paul took MANY dangerous risks in his apostolic career-- Dangers from

nature, illnesses, suffering persecutions, stoning’s, etc. But in his letter to the Galatians, he

perhaps took the most dangerous risk of all…

What risk does he reveal in Galatians 4:16? HOW is this risky?

The Galatians Had 4 Choices

Circle Paul’s choice for them (but also the MOST challenging)

To CONVERT to Judaism and fulfill the “works of the Law” (identity & status)

To CONVERT to Judaism AND also keep the pagan festivals of the Imperial Cult

To REMAIN a God-Fearer, not having “status” with any group (except Messiah)

To RETURN completely to a former pagan way of life

Now that we better understand some of the dreadful social tensions that the Galatians faced, do

you think you have ever faced similar trials? HOW so?

Choice #2 is called SYNCRETISM. What are some similar ways that we “innocently” fall in to

that same trap?

Do you ever feel like you are in a religious “no-man’s land”? WHY or WHY NOT?

If we are honest, most of us desire to have some good standing (status) within the religious

group with which we most align. Perhaps the reason we may struggle so little is because we

have given in to some of the “other choices” in order to please others OR our own self.

Hmmm, might Messiah be calling us to make more courageous choices?

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GALATIANS, Chapter 5 LESSON 6

Freeeeeeeedom… from What?

If you are still with us, you are running well!

We’ve got to T.H.I.N.K carefully about a few things, so we’d better PRAY first.

Day One

OBSERVATION Read, thoughtfully through Galatians 5. Mark the word “Free” or “Freedom” in GREEN.

If we hadn’t laid such a strong foundation for the first 4 chapters in Galatians, it would be

very easy to rip these first 4 verses out of context and make it say something it doesn’t.

Paul seems to be making a distinction for GENTILE believers between TRUE freedom

and FALSE freedom. In fact, continuing his argument from Chapter 4, there seems to be

3 choices. One path to TRUE freedom, and two FALSE paths that only promise

“freedom”. In other words, ONE WAY, with two ditches on either side.

From Galatians 5, list the things you learn about the TRUE path and the “dangerous

ditches” on the chart below.

Son of Abraham

TRUE FREEDOM Religious Legalism Pagan Licentiousness

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Galatians 5:4 Again, how were the Galatians seeking to be “justified by law”?

Paul uses some shockingly witty word plays in this chapter. How does being “severed

from Messiah” fit with the main problem in Galatia?

What would it mean to be “Fallen from Grace”?

Galatians 5:5-6 Is it wrong for a believer to convert to Judaism?

Was Paul disrespecting those who were Jewish?

Romans 3:1-2

Romans 9:4-5

If Paul is saying that one “identity” ( Jew or Gentile) is not better than another for

salvation. What is what REALLY counts?

1 Corinthians 7:19

RUNNING WELL Galatians 5:7-12: List what you learn about these two adversaries.

PAUL ONE Disturbing You

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Galatians 5:9 WHAT is this “leaven”?

Matthew 16:11-12

Luke 12:1

1 Corinthians 5:8

Galatians 5:11 WHY (specifically) is Paul being persecuted? W

Why might the Cross be such a “stumbling block” to the Jews?

…to the Galatians?

CULTURAL CONTEXT: Our Western culture values the Greco-Roman concept of being

right, not wrong in our thoughts and ability to discern what is Truth. However, Middle Eastern

cultures like Israel and Galatia greatly value the concept of Honor over Shame.

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Day Two

FREEDOM Galatians 5:18: If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

To what “Law” is Paul referring? Multiple Choice. Explain your answer.

______ A. Written Torah

______ B. Oral Torah, Traditions

______ B. Edicts of Shammai (community rules)

______ C. principle of sin & death

______ D. other

Well, if the Gentiles don’t need to become Jewish to be saved, what ARE they required to

do? Maybe they don’t need to obey the Torah at all!

Paul seems to anticipate this question in the next section.

Galatians 5:13-18 Paul seems to CONTRAST two separate walks. List what you

learn.

“FREEDOM”: Walk by the _________

FREEDOM: Walk by the Spirit

Paul indicates that FREEDOM is to be greatly desired.

FREEDOM from what?

Is it OK for a God-fearing believer to obey parts of Torah

that identify one as “Jewish” (not for salvation, but out of

love for God to restore something that has been lost)?

Colossians 2:16

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How Can We Walk By the Spirit? How CAN We Walk B the Spirit?

NEW COVENANT: After Jesus ascended into heaven, God poured out His Holy Spirit

on Jewish believers at His feast of Shavuot (Pentecost) in Jerusalem near the Temple.

God gave a special promise to the Prophets called the New Covenant.

Read the following Scriptures and make notes of what you learn about this promise. Peter

said that the events in Acts 2 signaled the beginning of the fulfillment of the New

Covenant from Joel. About 8-10 years later (Acts 10), God poured out that same Spirit on

the Gentiles (the God-fearer Cornelius and his family).

Joel 2:28-32 (For fuller context, read Joel 2:17-27)

Jeremiah 31:31-33

Jeremiah 32:39-40

Ezekiel 36:27 -38

Using this picture, write what changes the NEW COVENANT brings to a believer’s heart.

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FEAR of the LORD

Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs 1:29

Proverbs 3:7

Proverbs 8:13

Proverbs 14:26

Proverbs 14:27

Proverbs 15:33

Proverbs 16:6

Proverbs 22:4

Scholars say that the word “New” really means “Re-Newed” (like the New Moon is not

really “new”, it just returns in a fresh way each month).

With the “New” Covenant, WHAT is re-freshed?

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Day Three

OBSERVATION Galatians 5:19-23 Paul contrasts the following actions. Make a list.

Deeds of the Flesh Fruit of the Spirit

Proverbs 8:13. Add these things to the chart above. But before you write them out,

carefully THINK about to which column it belongs.

Which group will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God? Write a large X over this column.

Galatians 5:24-26: Anything from these verses that should be added to the “Fruit of the

Spirit column?

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Day Four

BEREAN CHALLENGE Galatians 5:24-26: Which set of behaviors would best describe those who were

TROUBLING the Galatian God-fearers? In what way?

WHO might have been “envying”?

GRACE

Titus 2:11-14 How does Paul’s definition of GRACE in Titus fit with the whole

message of Galatians 5?

James 4:6 God is opposed to the proud, but gives GRACE to the ______________

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Day Five

APPLICATION

How is your HEART? What is its relationship with the Torah? Does that fit with the New

Covenant promises?

In the following verses, UNDERLINE what people will be doing when Messiah returns.

Zechariah 8:21–23 ‘The inhabitants of one will go to another, saying, “Let us go at once to

entreat the favor of the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts; I will also go.” 22

‘So many peoples

and mighty nations will come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of

the LORD.’ 23

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all the nations will

grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with

you.”

Isaiah 2:3, Micah 4:2

And many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the

house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in

His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

If these things will be happening in the future earthly Kingdom of Messiah, do you have any

desire to learn His ways now?

65

GALATIANS, Chapter 6 LESSON 7

How Does “God’s Family” Behave?

HERE, where we SEE true salvation in action!

PRAY

Day One

OBSERVATION Galatians 6 begins with another unfortunate chapter break. Go back to Galatians 5 and

begin reading BOTH chapters together. What’s the connection between Galatians 6:1-10

and the previous chapter?

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT Try to match the practical outworking of these qualities with Galatians 6:1-10

You may not find an exact match, but do your best

Love

Joy

Peace

Patience

Kindness

Goodness

Faithfulness

Gentleness

Self-Control

Place a near the things you need to personally address.

66

In Chapter 6, Paul begins describing to the Galatians what “God’s Family” or local

community should look like. After all, if the Gentile believers were not welcome in their

local Jewish synagogue unless they were circumcised, perhaps they ought to consider

building their own community.

Rather than return to their pagan roots, they would be strengthened by gathering together

with other believers, continuing to meet on Sabbath, and learning Torah (Acts 15:21)

Where would they start? Paul outlines a simple plan for building a community that

reflects God’s heart in this chapter, based on Yeshua’s view of the greatest Torah

commandment, “Love your neighbor”.

Galatians 6:1-5 WHO are “Those who are spiritual”?

WHAT is the caution for the spiritual ones who bear one another’s

burdens in the process of restoration?

WHAT would be “transgressed”?

Matthew 18:15-17 Jesus outlines the proper method for correcting a brother. What are

the 4 steps? 1.

2.

3.

4.

Matthew 22:36 What is the “Law of Messiah”?

James 2:8 What is the Royal Torah?

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Galatians 6:6 “Share all good things” with the one who taught you the word (TaNaKh).

What kinds of things?

A biblical dictionary (Low Nida 57.98) indicates that this is to “share one’s possessions”.

Thinking of the rejection on all sides of the new believers in Galatia, why would this

monetary gift would be important?

Galatians 6:7-8 WHAT is being contrasted?

Sow to the _____________

Sow to the ______________

Reap…

Reap…

Galatians 5:21 Add this thought to the chart

2 Peter 3:15-17 In what ways are Paul’s words twisted that might lead to destruction?

Galatians 6:9 What is Paul’s admonition that the Galatians MUST do?

What is the time phrase? Highlight in YELLOW.

WHEN will this be?

Galatians 5:5

Titus 2:13

Galatians 6:10 MEANWHILE, what are they to do? To WHOM?

...Especially to those of the ______________________of faith.

WHY? (Think of the cultural context of their situation)

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Day Two

OBSERVATION Read Galatians 6:11-14. Mark “Those, They” with an ORANGE pencil.

WHO are “they”?

HOW do “they” desire to make a good showing?

WHY would compelling Gentiles to be circumcised keep “them” from being persecuted

for the cross of Messiah?

Galatians 6:12-13 Are “they” Jewish or are “they” Gentile proselytes?

Do you think “they” are believers in Messiah?

Galatians 6:13 WHAT is so AMAZING about those who are so adamant about “works

of the Law”?

Galatians 6:14 HOW is Paul different from “them”?

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Galatians 6:15 IDIOM ALERT

The word “circumcision” can be an idiom for “being Jewish”

The word “uncircumcision” can be an idiom for being ____________

(Now, re-read this verse using the proper synonyms)

WHAT is the ONLY thing that matters? _______________________

Galatians 6:16 By WHAT rule should the Galatians walk?

Galatians 6:17 The previous verse was a nice closing benediction. BUT Rabbi Shaul

(Paul) is not content to leave it there.

WHAT kind of trouble might some folks cause for him?

WHOSE brand-marks (stigmata) does Paul bear on his body?

CULTURAL CONTEXT: The Torah (Leviticus 19:28) instructs God’s people not to make

any tattoo marks on their bodies. In pagan cultures, worshipers would make tattoos on

themselves to show allegiance to their god. The” brand-marks of Jesus” that Paul mentions may

allude to this practice.

HOW did Paul get his “brand-marks”?

Acts 14: 19,22 Is this something with which the Galatians would have been familiar?

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CULTURAL CONTEXT: In a covenant relationship, the Higher Authority is obligated to

rescue His loyal servant.

So if anyone causes trouble for Paul, with WHOM will he have to deal?

Galatians 6:11 Paul often closes his letters with a short passage in his own hand-writing

to authenticate the message. But this is the ONLY time he mentions that he is closing

with such LARGE LETTERS (Like “CAPS LOCK” key on).

WHY do you think Paul does so?

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Day Three

CLOSING ARGUMENT & POP QUIZ So in Paul’s summary, he wraps up his “closing argument” like a courtroom lawyer. In

his letter to his new friends in Galatian he has covered the issue from every possible

angle. Let’s see how you do in answering the following questions by re-calling and

thinking through what you have learned in this study.

GALATIANS

WHAT is the Main Problem? _______________________________________________

WHO are the “Disturbers”? _________________________________________________

Is this a result of their WILLFUL sin or UNINTENTIONAL error? (Circle your answer)

WHY? _____________________________________________________________

WHY does Paul jump on this problem so forcefully? _____________________________

Since all God’s Promises and Covenants came through Abraham and his descendants, do

we Gentiles need to become Jewish to be part of God’s Kingdom?

In Hebrew thinking, is “saving” FAITH a noun or a verb? _________________________

What is the role of TORAH in the life of a believer? _____________________________

What are some truths from Galatians that YOU want to incorporate into your life?

She [Wisdom] is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.

Proverbs 3:18

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Day Four

CONTEXT In the context of Paul’s ministry, most scholars believe that Galatians is the very first

letter he wrote. In the Jewish world of both Israel and the Diaspora, the “Gentile

Problem” just wouldn’t go away.

It seems that the “Disturbers” continue to hound the new Gentile believers and Paul

wherever he ministered… UNTIL the issue was finally settled by the Jerusalem Council

in Acts 15. Let’s return to read that chapter one more time (located at the end of Lesson 1).

LEFT MARGIN: write the names of the various speakers.

Mark the word GENTILES (or pronouns, or other synonyms) with GREEN (“G”) pencil.

WHO was the leader of the Jerusalem Council? ________________

After both sides presented their case, James needed to decide with whom to agree. Which

side did he take? __________________

Acts 15:19-20 What DID the Gentiles need to do?

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

Is that all? What did James indicate that the believing Gentiles WOULD be doing in

Acts 15:21? ____________________________________________________________

“Some men from James” are mentioned in Galatians 2:12 AND in Acts 15:24. Is James

guilty toward the Gentiles in this regard? ______________________________________

Acts 15:25-26 - Was it important for James to write these things about Paul in a letter to

Gentiles? WHY? _________________________________________________________

GOOD NEWS: Seems like the believers are finally all of ONE MIND ...at least on

THIS issue!

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Day Five

APPLICATION

Since Paul is emphasizing the ancient Hebraic values, that God first instilled in Israel, of Family,

Community, and Unity in Chapter 6, WHAT impact would the “deeds of the flesh” (review

Galatians 5) have on a new community of faith?

Paul is calling the believers to not lose heart in doing good. Yet, they are not a part of any

known “world”. They are neither a part of a Jewish synagogue that is rejecting them for lack

of circumcision nor are they living in their familiar pagan world. Paul is saying they are a “new

creation”. Do you think their new “family” (another type of new creation) would be large or

small?

Why is a large group desirable?

Could a small group also be desirable?

Could this “new creation” be a fore-runner of the promised Kingdom on earth? A Kingdom that

is “now”, but not yet?

Meanwhile, am I willing to bear the brand-marks of Messiah?

Do you long to hear these words of your Master?

Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge

of many things; enter into the joy of your master. Matthew 25:21

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APPEN

DIX

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Galatians

Chapter 1

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

To the ekklesia of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father

and the Lord Yeshua Messiah,

4 who 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,

5 to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. 6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Messiah, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Messiah. 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! 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! 10 For 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 Messiah.

Inclusio

Idiom

NASB, 1995 Update 3 Changes: Jesus (Yeshua), Christ (Messiah), church (ekklesia, congregation)

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11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Yeshua Messiah. 13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the congregations of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; 14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. 15 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me

so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles,

I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. 18 Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him 15 days. 19 But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was still unknown by sight to the congregations of Judea which were in Messiah; 23 but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they were glorifying God because of me.

Testimony

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Chapter 2

1 Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 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. 3 But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Messiah Yeshua, in order to bring us into bondage. 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.

6 But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) —well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. 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 8 (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), 9 and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship,

so that we might go to the Gentiles

and they to the circumcised. 10 They only asked us to remember the poor —the very thing I also was eager to do. 11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.

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12 For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. 13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 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? 15 “We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; 16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Messiah Yeshua, even we have believed in Messiah Yeshua,

so that we may be justified by faith in Messiah

and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. 17 “But if, while seeking to be justified in Messiah, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Messiah then a minister of sin? May it never be! 18 “For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 “For through the Law I died to the Law,

so that I might live to God.

20 “I have been crucified with Messiah; and it is no longer I who live, but Messiah lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21 “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Messiah died needlessly.”

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Chapter 3

1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Yeshua Messiah was publicly portrayed as crucified 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain —if indeed it was in vain 5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith 6 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 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.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. 10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.” 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.”

Rhetoric

Midrash

Equal Categories

Gezerah Shavah

Inclusio

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13 Messiah redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us— for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”—

14 in order that in Messiah Yeshua

the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles,

so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit

through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Messiah. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise. 19 Why the Law then It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.

Midrash

Rhetoric

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22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin,

so that the promise

by faith in Yeshua Messiah might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Messiah,

so that we may be justified by faith.

25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Messiah Yeshua. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Messiah have clothed yourselves with Messiah. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Messiah Yeshua. 29 And if you belong to Messiah, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.

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Chapter 4

1 Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. 3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,

5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law,

that we might receive the adoption as sons.

6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. 8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again 10 You observe days, and months, and seasons, and years. 11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain. 12 I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong; 13 but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; 14 and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Messiah Yeshua Himself. 15 Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.

Remember ?

Rhetoric

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16 So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth 17 They eagerly seek you, not commendably,

but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them.

18 But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Messiah is formed in you— 20 but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. 21 Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. 23 But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. 24 This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. 25 Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. 27 For it is written, “REJOICE, BARREN WOMAN WHO DOES NOT BEAR; BREAK FORTH AND SHOUT, YOU WHO ARE NOT IN LABOR; FOR MORE NUMEROUS ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE DESOLATE THAN OF THE ONE WHO HAS A HUSBAND.” 28 And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON, FOR THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.

Allegory

Midrash

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Chapter 5

1 It was for freedom that Messiah set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Messiah will be of no benefit to you. 3 And 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 Messiah, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Messiah Yeshua neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. 7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth 8 This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. 10 I 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. 11 But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. 12 I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves. 13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”

Irony

Metaphor

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15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For 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.

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery,

are evident, which are: enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes,

dissensions, factions, envying, 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.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

Love Joy Peace Patience kindness

Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness Self-control

against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Messiah Yeshua have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

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

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Chapter 6

1 Brethren, 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. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Messiah.

3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But 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. 5 For each one will bear his own load. 6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For 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. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

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11 SEE WITH WHAT LARGE LETTERS I AM WRITING TO YOU WITH MY OWN HAND. 12 Those 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 Messiah.

13 For 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.

14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Yeshua Messiah, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one cause trouble for me – for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Yeshua. 18 The grace of our Lord Yeshua Messiah be with your spirit, brethren.

Summary

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THE BLUEPRINT

GALATIANS

THEME: ___________________________________________________

1 Salutation

---------------- Problem:

2 Problem:

3 Problem:

4

5

6

------------- Summary: Final Appeal

30 33 36 46 47 48 49 50

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Acts 15

1 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. 3 Therefore, being sent on their way by the ekklesia, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren. 4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the congregation and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.”

Jerusalem Council Group Discussion

6 The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 “And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 “Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 “But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Yeshua, in the same way as they also are.” 12 All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

James’ Decision

13 After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brethren, listen to me. 14 “Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name. 15 “With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written, 16 ‘AFTER THESE THINGS I will return, AND I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID WHICH HAS FALLEN, AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS, AND I WILL RESTORE IT, 17 SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD, AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,’ 18 SAYS THE LORD, WHO MAKES THESE THINGS KNOWN FROM LONG AGO. 19 “Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. 21 “For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” 22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole congregation, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren,

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The Letter – The Council’s Decision 23 and they sent this letter by them, “The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings. 24 “Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, 25 it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus the Messiah. 27 “Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

The Response in Antioch 30 So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message. 33 After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out. 34 But it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also, the word of the Lord.

Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey 36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. 38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the congregations.

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Galatians Historical Background

What Should We Do with the Gentiles?

Thus says the LORD: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for My salvation is about to come, and

My righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who lays hold

on it; who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.” Do not let the

son of the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD Speak, saying, “The LORD has utterly

separated me from His people”...

“Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, and to love the name

of the LORD, to be His servants – everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My

covenant – even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer.

Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called

a house of prayer for all nations.” The LORD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, “Yet I will

gather to him others besides those who are gathered to him.”

Isaiah 56:1‐3a, 6‐8

“Eighteen Measures”

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O

Pharisees: The enactment of the Eighteen Measures was

not universally accepted by Judaism, but by Pharisees it

was. As such they became a standard of piety.

Two Schools of Pharisaic Philosophy: Hillel vs.

Shammai b.Shabbat 31a: Shammai drove off

perspective proselytes, whereas Hillel accepted them

graciously.

Apostles: The effect of the Eighteen Measures is felt

throughout the Apostolic Scriptures. The first disciples of

Yeshua hold on to them stubbornly until Acts 10:15.

The Eighteen Measures created a

huge rift between pious Jews and

Gentiles. Even though the Torah

included Gentiles who

worshipped the G-d of Israel, the

edicts of the House of Shammai

became strong religious and

cultural barriers in the G-d given

duty for Israel to draw the

nations to HaShem.

WH

AT

Eighteen Measures are highly technical, but the Talmud

only records some of them. They directly relate to degrees

of “uncleanness” and Gentiles.

m.Oholot 18: “THE DWELLING-PLACES OF

HEATHENS ARE UNCLEAN”

Acts 10:20, 28 Not associate or

eat with the Gentiles

Gal 2:12-13

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ER

E b.Shabbat 13b; 17aff: the House of Shammai and House

of Hillel met to resolve a dispute regarding Gentiles and

uncleaness. They met in the home of Hananiah ben

Hezekiah ben Garon who was the son of the founder of

the Zealots who were rabidly against all Gentiles.

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WH

EN

In 20 BCE, a schism erupted in Judaism over issues of

Gentiles and “uncleanness.” It erupted over the “Eighteen

Measures.”

They were in effect during the time of Yeshua’s ministry

and the Apostles’ ministry until 80 CE, afterward they

were repealed. However, a substrata of rules were enacted

as a result of the Eighteen Measures. Those remained in

effect.

Set the stage for Paul, the

emissary to the Gentiles to be

opposed on all quarters on the issue of Gentile-inclusion.

WH

Y

Gentile “G-d-fearers” caused a real problem for Judaism.

They were clearly worshippers of the G-d of Israel, and

yet they were not Jewish. Shammai did not budge:

Gentiles had no part in the World to Come. Hillel was

more accepting

With ritual conversion, under the

guise of “circumcision” and the

Eighteen Measures, the conflict

became deeply imbedded in the

culture and religion of the First

Century.

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W

Eighteen Measures enacted, a day as grievous as the day

of the Golden Calf (Shabbat 17a).

(see “where”) This day, Scarii guards murdered a number

of the House of Hillel.

Proselyte: 1. Agree to all the Torah (written & oral) 2. Offer a sacrifice at the Temple, pay

Temple-tax 3. Submit to Circumcision 4. Be Immersed in mikveh (“Born Again”)

b. Yevamot 47b When he [the proselyte] comes up after his ablution [immersion] he is deemed to

be an Israelite in all respects.

God-Fearers: Jerusalem Council ruled in Acts 15: Four Essentials (completely dissociate

from idolatry), the rest they will get on Sabbath when they hear Moses taught

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