Lord’s Library editors created this introductory guide to the Gospel in Galatians to showcase how the Scriptures reveal salvation by grace through faith.
Authored by the Apostle Paul, the Epistle to the Galatians is a passionate defense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ against works of righteousness and false teaching. In this letter, Paul addresses the churches in Galatia, emphasizing that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone, apart from the works of the law. The central message of Galatians is the proclamation of the freedom that comes with trusting His finished work and the believer’s new identity in Christ.
Paul warns against turning to a “different gospel,” which is no Gospel at all. See Galatians 1:6-7: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” This clearly highlights the importance of maintaining the purity of the Gospel of salvation, which declares that Jesus Christ’s blood atonement on the cross is sufficient for salvation, and nothing else is required.
In this guide to the Gospel in Galatians, we showcase Scriptures (using the King James Version) that best help the Christian zoom in on the Good News using this specific book as a lens. Each verse is accompanied by concise commentary to provide the takeaway in layman’s terms. Our goal in this and all the other Gospel in the New Testament Series articles is to show how Galatians presents the doctrine that salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ.
The Gospel in Galatians
The Gospel in Galatians Showcased in Scripture
- Galatians 1:3-4: “Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.”
Paul greets the recipients of the letter with grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; emphasizing that Jesus gave Himself for our sins to deliver us from death and hell.
- Galatians 2:16: “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
This important verse asserts that a person is not justified by the works of the law but solely by faith in Jesus Christ. We are justified by Christ’s finished work, and we must recognize that no one can be justified otherwise.
- Galatians 2:20-21: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
In verse 21, Paul tells us that life is only possible “by the faith of the Son of God” before highlighting the death of Christ on the cross. Paul then states that he does not overthink the grace of God as the Bible portends it, because if one does, then it would mean that Christ died in vain which makes no sense.
- Galatians 3:6-7: “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.”
These Scriptures reference Abraham’s faith and how it was credited to him as righteousness. This further confirms to us that those who have faith in Christ are children of Abraham, and thus, saved.
- Galatians 3:8-9: “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.”
Galatians 3:8-9 tells us that Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and unveiled the Gospel in advance, to Abraham.
- Galatians 3:11: “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”
Galatians 3:11 offers a concise Gospel confirmation that no man is justified by the law before God, because “the just shall live by faith.”
- Galatians 3:13-14: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
Galatians 3:13 reveals that Christ overwrote the law by sacrificing Himself for us, and verse 14 again shows us that Gentiles may receive the Holy Spirit, and salvation, by grace through faith.
- Galatians 3:24: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
Galatians 3:24 explains that the purpose of the law was to act as a schoolmaster to bring one to Christ. Then once one understands the Gospel and believes, they “might be justified by faith.”
- Galatians 3:26: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
The Bible says believers are all children of God through faith in His son.
- Galatians 5:1: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
Here, Paul encourages believers to stand firm in the freedom that Christ has given them by grace through faith in His finished work.
- Galatians 5:4: “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”
Not only do works not save a man, but Galatians 5:4 tells us that those who seek to be justified by the law have fallen away from grace and distanced themselves from the substantiative righteousness that comes only through faith in Christ.
- Galatians 6:14: “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
Paul tells us here that there can be no glory outside of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Gospel in Galatians strongly cements the doctrine of justification by faith, the sufficiency of Christ’s work on the cross, and the grace of God as the means of salvation, contrasting it with the ineffectiveness of the law for justification. Of course, this doesn’t mean that one should not strive to do the Will of the Lord.
Galatians also explains about a believer’s new identity in Christ. Paul declares that through faith in Christ, believers become children of God and heirs according to the promise. This new identity brings freedom from the law’s bondage and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live according to God’s will. See Galatians 5:16-18: “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”
Galatians highlights the truly transformative power of the Gospel as well, particularly in producing the “fruit” of the Spirit in the lives of believers. See Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Lord's Library is a Christian resource hub. Our editors use a variety of internet research methods like search engines, audio and video, AI, consultations with ministry leaders in the field, and more. Lord's Library should never be a substitute for reading your Bible daily as the Scriptures are to be our final authority on all matters. Lord's Library participates in affiliate programs. We may make a small commission from products purchased through this resource.
- Confidence in This Very Thing Bible Verse Meaning & Commentary - November 15, 2024
- Jesus Knew No Sin Became Sin Bible Verse Meaning & Commentary - November 15, 2024
- Paul’s Letters in the Bible List with Key Verses & Commentary - November 15, 2024
