Galatians 3:6-8 There is an argument that we hear from some that Jesus preached a religion of love and then Paul just messes it up with all of this theology. John Piper addressed this in his article “Did Jesus Preach the Gospel of Evangelism?”. (https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/did-jesus-preach-the-gospel-of-evangelicalism) He uses the story of the prodigal son and of the Pharisee and the publican (translated as “tax-collector” in many versions). Luke 18:9 He spoke also this parable to certain Read more…

Galatians 2:17-3:5 Galatians 2:17 But if while seeking to be justified in Christ we ourselves have also been found to be sinners, is Christ then one who encourages sin? Absolutely not! NET Paul is anticipating an objection to be raised by the false teachers stating that our behavior no longer matters now that we are under grace. In some respects, this is understandable . Prior to meeting the group, our favorite rabbi thought that Christians Read more…

Galatians 2:14-17 Galatians 2:14 When I saw that they were not walking in line with the truth of the Gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? 15 We who are Jews by birth and not Gentile ‘sinners’ BSB Peter eats with the Gentiles and lives like a Read more…

Galatians 2:6-13 Galatians 2:5 But we did not surrender to them even for a moment, in order that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. 6 But from those who were influential (whatever they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism between people) – those influential leaders added nothing to my message. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised just Read more…

Matthew 22:1 Once again, Jesus spoke to them in parables: 2“The kingdom of Heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come.    4  Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is Read more…

Acts 15:1 Now some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”  NET The word “circumcision” is shorthand for following the law. There are people saying that Paul is wrong and that grace alone is not enough to save you. Note that when we speak of grace, we are talking about something that God has done for us Read more…

Galatians 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Webster’s Bible Translation So what is the Gospel that Paul is preaching? Acts 13:16-41 gives us an example of apostolic preaching as this is where we see the history of the first missionary journey of Read more…

Galatians 2:1 Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. NHEB Most people think that Paul converted within a year or two of the resurrection. It isn’t quite clear here as to whether he is talking about fourteen years after conversion or fourteen years after the three year visit. Either way, Galatians was written before Acts. Joseph of Cyprus, called Barnabas (meaning “son Read more…