Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Galatians
Galatians is Paul's passionate defense of the gospel of grace against those who would add the works of the law to faith in Christ. Called the charter of Christian freedom, it frees believers from bondage to legalism and calls them to walk in the Spirit. This commentary walks through it verse by verse.
About This Commentary
The Epistle to the Galatians was written by the apostle Paul to churches he had founded, when false teachers (Judaizers) unsettled the believers by insisting that Gentile converts must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses to be saved. Paul writes with urgency and passion to defend the truth that we are justified by faith in Christ alone, apart from the works of the law, and to call the Galatians back to the freedom of the gospel.
This commentary covers Galatians verse by verse, with the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, verified background, and an Apostolic reading. The letter defends the one true gospel received by revelation, unfolds justification by faith, and closes with the call to walk in the Spirit and bear His fruit rather than the works of the flesh. References are given at the foot of each chapter.
All six chapters of Galatians are now complete, verse by verse, from the gospel of grace to glorying only in the cross of Christ.
Author
The apostle Paul, to the churches of Galatia.
Setting
A response to Judaizers demanding law-keeping for salvation.
Key Themes
Justification by faith, freedom from legalism, and the Spirit.
Famous Passage
The fruit of the Spirit (5:22-23).
Translation
King James Version (KJV) throughout.
The Chapters
Galatians Commentary
The chapters below are available now. The rest are being written and will open here as they are finished and verified.
Galatians 1:1-24
No Other Gospel
Paul confronts the Galatians for turning to a different gospel, warns that even an angel who preaches another message is accursed, and defends that his gospel came by revelation of Jesus Christ.
Read Chapter 1 →Galatians 2:1-21
Crucified with Christ
Paul's gospel is confirmed at Jerusalem and defended at Antioch, where he 'withstood' Peter 'to the face.' He states the heart of the gospel: 'a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ.' And he gives his testimony of the crucified life: 'I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me... by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.'
Read Chapter 2 →Galatians 3:1-29
The Just Shall Live by Faith
The Spirit is received 'by the hearing of faith,' not works; Abraham was justified by faith, and 'the just shall live by faith.' 'Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.' The law was 'our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ,' and now 'ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus,' for 'there is neither Jew nor Greek... ye are all one in Christ Jesus.'
Read Chapter 3 →Galatians 4:1-31
The Adoption of Sons
'When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman... that we might receive the adoption of sons.' 'Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father,' so 'thou art no more a servant, but a son.' By the allegory of Hagar and Sarah, the two covenants, Paul shows 'Jerusalem which is above is free': 'we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.'
Read Chapter 4 →Galatians 5:1-26
The Fruit of the Spirit
'Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.' To be justified by law is to fall 'from grace'; what avails is 'faith which worketh by love.' Freedom serves in love, for the law is fulfilled in loving your neighbor. 'Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh,' and bear 'the fruit of the Spirit... love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.'
Read Chapter 5 →Galatians 6:1-18
Glory in the Cross
'Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ,' restoring the fallen in meekness. 'God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,' so sow to the Spirit and 'be not weary in well doing.' Paul's only boast: 'God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.' What matters is 'a new creature,' and the letter ends in grace.
Read Chapter 6 →