Day 325 Reading Schedule: Galatians 4-6

Galatians 4: Saints Who Will Inherit the Kingdom of God 

[Overview] 

This chapter contains the past and present relationship between Paul, who became God's heir through Christ's redemption, and the Galatian believers, as well as the historical explanation of the two covenants of the law and the gospel (grace). The beginning and end of this chapter feature the 'Parable of the Young Heir' and the 'Parable of Sarah and Hagar', Abraham's wife. Both of these parables symbolically explain the limitations of the law and the eternity and absoluteness of faith (grace). In this way, Paul discusses the freedom of Christians who receive faith in Jesus Christ. The content of this chapter is composed of a section that emphasizes the redemption of Christ who made us free as the Son of God by contrasting the status of a slave and a free person (verses 1-7), a section that reminds us of the foolishness of the Galatian believers who left the gospel and the beautiful image of those who enthusiastically accepted the gospel at first (verses 8-20), and a section that explains the difference between believers who abide in Christ and those who are biased toward Judaism that trusts in the law by comparing Isaac and Israel (verses 21-31). 

Galatians 5: The Fruit of the Spirit is Produced by Free People 

[Overview] 

This chapter applies the doctrinal content covered in chapters 3-4 to the real situation of the Galatian believers. After Paul defends the gospel against the accusations and distortions of the false teachers of Judaism and explains the basic doctrine of the gospel by comparing it with the law, he now presents a specific practical guideline for its implementation. This chapter says that the essential factors that can define Christian freedom are not the law or indulgence, but 'love', 'serving one another', and 'the Holy Spirit'. In fact, love, serving one another, and the Holy Spirit form the core of Paul's exhortation in this chapter and the next. The first paragraph of this chapter warns against acts that are bound by external customs such as circumcision rather than the essence of the gospel, and urges us to keep the true freedom of walking in Christ (verses 1-12). The second paragraph urges us to serve in love and live according to the Holy Spirit in order to properly exercise Christian freedom (verses 13-18). The third paragraph shows what the Holy Spirit forbids and the fruits of those who walk by the Holy Spirit (verses 19-26).  ​

Galatians 6: A Life that Fulfills the Law of Christ

[Summary]

This chapter is the conclusion of the book and contains Paul's final exhortation to the Galatians. The last chapter of Paul's letters has generally been treated lightly. This is because many scholars focus on the matters mentioned in the introduction and main body of Paul's letters, and also assume that the closing part of the letter has a conventional character. However, the last chapter of this letter has been the subject of unusually much scholarly attention compared to Paul's other letters. This is because this chapter is clearly connected to the central part of the book. The 'Holy Spirit' is a word that summarizes Paul's exhortation highlighted in chapters 5-6. The 'Holy Spirit' is a unique way of life for Christians who approach God, and at the same time, it makes Christians express their faith in concrete actions. The first paragraph of this chapter exhorts us to practice the law of Christ's love, which is to bear one another's burdens and help one another (verses 1-10), and the second paragraph records the final warning and official greeting on the issue of circumcision, which was the biggest excuse for the legalists at the time (verses 11-18).