Galatians 5:1-12
Read Galatians 5:1-12
Helpful Background Information:
The Apostle Paul likely wrote this epistle in 48 A.D. Unlike some of his other letters, such as Romans or Colossians, the letter to Galatians was not written to one church or one group of Christians in a particular city, but was written to multiple churches in the southern region of the Roman province of Galatia - which was situated in the middle of modern-day Turkey. Paul’s founding of these churches is recorded in Acts 13:14-14:23.
Paul wrote Galatians to counter Judaizers who were undermining the central New Testament doctrine of justification (or being made righteous before God) by faith in Christ alone. The Judiazers were false teachers who taught that Gentiles first must become Jewish and submit to the Mosaic Law to be made right before God - a heresy directly at odds with the gospel. Paul says this plainly in Galatians 2:21, “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing” (Cited in CSB). In response, Paul affirms justification by faith throughout the letter.
In our passage today, we see Paul begin to wrap up his letter by stating the practical aspects of being saved by faith. Paul then, in verses 7-9, addresses the Galatians directly, asking them who prevented them from obeying the truth after they received the gospel by faith. Paul affirms the false doctrine did not come from either himself or from God, and then states, “A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough.” Back in Mark 8:14, Jesus uses the analogy of leaven to describe the wicked deeds and teachings of the Pharisees and Herod.
Reflection Questions:
Compare Jesus’ and Paul’s use of the analogy of leaven. What does this teach you about what the “leaven” of someone means? What are some examples of modern-day “leaven” that Christians should be aware of and defend against?
In Galatians 5:1, Paul urges believers to “stand firm” in the freedom they’ve been given through Christ. What does “freedom in Christ” look like in your life? How does it differ from legalism (trying to earn favor with God through obedience) or lawlessness (rejecting God’s commands)?
This Galatians passage is deeply concerned with preserving the purity of the gospel. How can we personally and as a church guard the truth of the gospel while also growing in grace, humility, and love?