Upon careful study of Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia, Galatians 5 appears to provide a concise summary of the central argument of the entire epistle. The letter presents Paul’s defence of justification by faith alone, in contrast to the proposition that salvation is based upon faith together with observance of the law.
An experience from my school years provides a useful illustration of the importance of a defence. There was a foreign student from Ireland who frequently bullied junior students. He often looked down upon the local students in the school, but because of fear, few were willing to report his conduct.
On one occasion, a close friend of mine became a victim of this bullying. I was subsequently called as a witness in defence of my friend. The evidence and testimony presented helped to establish what had occurred, and the senior student was severely disciplined. Thereafter, incidents of bullying in the school noticeably declined.This experience illustrates an important principle: when a matter is disputed, a proper defence presents evidence and testimony by which the truth can be established and sound judgement reached.
A similar pattern can be observed in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. The truth of the gospel was under attack. Paul’s authority as an apostle was being challenged, while the Galatian believers were being influenced by those who sought to make observance of the law, particularly circumcision, necessary for their standing before God. Paul therefore mounts a vigorous defence of both his apostleship and the gospel entrusted to him.
Before proceeding to an examination of Galatians 5, it is useful to consider the development of Paul’s argument in the preceding chapters. A brief summary of Galatians 1, 2 and 3 will therefore provide the necessary context for understanding the issues addressed in Galatians 5.
Galatians 1, in context, concerns the affirmation of Paul’s apostleship as being from Christ and not from man, contrary to the claims of the Judaizers. Paul supports the divine origin of his apostleship through his testimony, explaining that the gospel he preached was not received from man, but through the revelation of Jesus Christ. His subsequent interaction with Peter and the other apostles in Jerusalem further demonstrated the recognition of his apostolic ministry.
Galatians 2, Paul explains that when he returned to Jerusalem, he presented the gospel he preached among the Gentiles to the recognised leaders of the church. Significantly, Titus, who was a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised (Galatians 2:3). This becomes important to Paul’s argument because certain false brethren sought to bring believers into bondage. Paul addresses the danger of compromising the truth of the gospel under pressure from those who insisted upon adherence to Jewish practices This is particularly evident in Paul’s rebuke of Peter, who withdrew from fellowship with the Gentile believers when certain men associated with the circumcision group arrived. Through his actions, Peter failed to uphold consistently the truth that justification is by faith in Christ and not by works of the law.
Galatians 3, in context, contains Paul’s strong rebuke of the Galatian believers for allowing themselves to be influenced by false teaching. Having begun their Christian walk by faith and through the Spirit, they were being persuaded to turn to observance of the law as a means of attaining righteousness. Paul therefore reminds them that justification comes through faith and not through works of the law. Paul therefore declares: “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).
Let's critically explore this in three stages of Galatians 5
> The defence of faith alone( Galatians 5:1 - 6)
> The subtlety and inflow of false doctrines of religious and traditional leaders of Israel.
> Walking in the spirit ( Galatians 5:13 - 26).
In Galatians 5: 1-6, Apostle Paul emphasized that faith alone is suffice for salvation without the law. There was no need to be circumcised or to keep the law in order to be made right with God. He admonished the Galatians of the false teachers that were amongst them that wanted to dilute the message of faith alone. Any other requirement to obtain righteousness apart from Christ was bondage. Paul's defence of salvation through the finished works of Christ can be confirmed by other Scriptures. John 3:16 " .....whosoever believes will not perish but have everlasting life”.
In Paul’s letters to the Romans, Paul stands firm on the finished works of Christ(Romans 3:29&30, Romans 3:24). Aside from apostle Paul, other apostles also stand firm on the finished works of Christ( John 1 and John 19:30). Since human works through the law will always remain fallible “for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16). Any works or deeds in addition to the finished works of Christ will be rendered imperfect-frustrating God’s grace. " I do not frustrate the grace of God ; if righteousness comes by the law then Christ died in vain " ( Galatians 2:21).
Just imagine what would have happened at the Council of Jerusalem( Acts 15) if the plea to add the law as a requirement of salvation was accepted?
Therefore any message that seems to include any additions to Christ's works for our salvation is completely false. It is not scriptural. It is of the devil.