Soul Tips from PB

Before we explore verses 13 to 26 of chapter 5, it's important to contextualize them by looking at verses 1 to 6 first (as well as verses 7 to 12). Although it may seem that Paul is arguing against legalism here, he is actually advocating for the unity of the body of Christ in Galatia by reemphasizing the true Gospel. The believers there were being scattered by a false gospel that undermines the true Gospel by persuading them to get circumcised (i.e., to convert to Judaism). For Paul, this implies that there is something lacking in the work of Christ. This cannot be! In Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Galatian believers are already part of the people of God. They are now children of Abraham! To get circumcised is to be alienated from Christ or to fall away from grace. Instead of falling away, Paul says they must remain trusting in Jesus and expressing their faith through love for one another (vv. 13-26).