v1-9: Paul explains the theological reasons for rejecting legalism; and he insists on faith as the only way of life.

v1: The Galatians had been "bewitched" (flattery, fascination), a reference to the methods of the false teachers. These people did not use spiritual means to explain deficiencies in Paul's doctrine, rather they used slander and deceit and trickery to draw away disciples after themselves. In particular, they by-passed the cross of Christ.

The Galatians were, however, "foolish" in allowing themselves to be led astray. We need discernment so that we reject false teaching.

v2-3: Paul refers to clear conversion, they had received the Spirit, they had begun in the Spirit, and that by the hearing of faith. Faith had come through the preaching of the Word of God (Rom 10.17).

But now they had returned to the keeping of the law, specifically circumcision, 4.9-10; Acts 15.5. It is impossible to "attain your goal" through any human effort.

We note that, having received His Spirit, we continue to need the exhortations of God to live in the Spirit. Obedience and sanctification are not automatic.

v4: Even suffering, one evidence of salvation, had been denied. They were fickle humans, forgetting past blessings and experiences, and the explanation of those blessings and experiences.

v5: Had God given them great blessings because of obedience to the law? The clear answer is No!"

v6: "Consider Abraham", he was the father of Israel. He was justified by faith, not by works, and certainly not by the works of the law.

v7: The true sons of Abraham are those who 'are of faith'. Paul answers the arguments of the false teachers (Judaizers), who called the Galatians back to 'the faith of Abraham'.

v8: The promise of blessing upon the Gentiles, through faith, was always God's plan and purpose. In Eph 3.6, Paul refers to this as God's mystery. Abraham, and later the whole Jewish nation, was to be the route of God's blessing upon the Gentiles. Ultimately, Jesus Christ, who was born a Jew, became the Name through whom God's blessings were poured out for all nations.

v9: If we truly have faith in Christ, we are blessed with Abraham, the man of faith.

v10-14: The folly of trying to live by the law.

v10: The law of God was given by God (Ex 20);

• Israel had committed themselves to living under it, Ex 24.3-7;
• They were thus under the law, i.e: subject to its blessings and curses, 1 Cor 9.20;
• Under the law, life was the reward for obedience, Lev 18.5;
• Under the law, the curse was the reward for disobedience, Deut 27.26;
• But one sin brings guilt, and therefore condemnation, James 2.10;

Therefore the law cannot save us, it can only condemn us, since we all fall short; we are therefore all cursed. Obedience under the law had to be: perfect, personal, and perpetual; any failing in any way brought the curse.

v11: Since we are all cursed, then no-one is justified by the law, 2.16. Israel had tried to establish their own righteousness, based on the law (Rom 10.3), and Paul himself had previously been committed to such a life, 1.14.

Many try to gain acceptance before God by good works, sincerity, church attendance; but such things cannot save. Without faith they are dead works.

v12: The law is not about faith. The solution from God is faith, by which we live.

v13: The curse of the law has been taken away in Christ, for He became a curse for us.

This is pictured in Boaz, the kinsman redeemer, who was cursed, Duet 23.3; Ruth 4.10, for his deliberate and willing choice to buy for himself a foreign bride. Hosea similarly paid a price to redeem one who was unworthy, Hos 3.2.

v14: Through His redemption, we receive the blessing of Abraham, which is righteousness by faith, v6-7, see Rom 4. We also receive the promise of the Holy Spirit. Salvation in Christ is redemption from the condemnation of the law, and power, through the Spirit, to live for Christ and to know Him.

The blessings of Abraham are for "all nations", and Paul goes on to declare this truth also, v26-29.

v15: The breaking of a covenant is a serious matter. Ordinary human life illustrates that. Similarly, the covenant of faith, made through Abraham, cannot be broken. It is illogical for a person to turn from faith in Christ back to the law.

v16: God's promises to Abraham were fulfilled in Christ, who is the "seed", of Gen 12.7; 13.15. God was not speaking of Isaac, but of Christ.

v17: The law was introduced centuries after the promises made to Abraham. The law could not annul those previous promises. The principle of righteousness by faith remained, and any Jew, or indeed, any person, could live in this way.

v18: The inheritance of righteousness depends on faith, not on law, for it is to do with grace and promise, not works and debt, see Rom 4.4.

The law was given because of the transgressions, Rom 5.12-14, for the lawless and insubordinate, 1 Tim 1.8-11, and as a restraint, v23-24. The law provides no inheritance.

v19: The law was given by God through angels (Heb 2.2), for the reasons stated. The law has value, as it brings restraint, and leads us to Christ. However, we cannot live by it, and the law is cancelled in Christ. Once we know Him, we have died to the law, and are not under any obligation imposed by it.

Paul refers to a Jewish view that the law was delivered by angels; he implies that therefore the law is of lower authority and less power than the gospel, since the gospel came directly through Jesus Christ.

v20: Under the law there was a mediator, angels, Moses, the priest. But God has set forth Jesus Christ to fulfil the role of mediator.

v21-22: The law could not impart life, otherwise righteousness would have been given through the law, but the law is indispensable. The Law declares that all people are subject to sin, and therefore points us to Christ, that we might receive righteousness by faith.

v23-25: The law was then something temporary, providing a restraint for our sin. Having been made righteous by faith, we now longer need the law for restraint, for we are directed by the Spirit.

v26: The new relationship as sons of God. This is only attained by faith. The law could never make us sons. In this new 'family' each one has full rights as sons, with equal rights of access to the Father.

v27: Baptism means identification with Christ. We have been clothed with Him. There is a challenge here, that we maintain a relationship with Him, and continue to display His character.

v28: The full unity of God's family. The ordinary divisions of humanity are broken down. These include colour, race, status, and many more. As many divisions as man invents, Christ brings down.

Paul does not argue for the abolition of national distinctives nor gender distinctives. He is arguing for the abolition of hierarchies and preferences and superiority.

v29: Concluding the argument about the life of faith. Through Christ we are truly Abraham's seed, just as Christ Himself was. We therefore inherit the promises of God given to Abraham, and fulfilled in Christ.