Galatians: The Law

Sola fide

Disagreement with Peter causes focus on law. Judaisers claimed sola fide led to sin, implying X causes sin. Paul says there is a change through X in analogy of death and resurrection.

4 key truths

• Man’s greatest need is justification by God

• Justification is not by works but faith in Christ

• Not to trust in X is to insult God’s grace on the cross

• To trust in X and be united to him is to start a new life.

History

Abraham found righteous before the law, so we are too. Danger of relying on the law: We must follow all 613 (impssible).

EG of will: God’s covenant to Abraham was X with no strings- the covenant was not salvation, X was.

Purpose of law

-To show what wrongdoing is

-To point us to saviour

Covenant given by God, law by angels: Law was our custodian, but now through X we are all Abraham’s descendants (inc Gentiles)

Inheritance

Analogy of son to inherit property: we are enslaved by X gives us ‘inheritance. God our father, not custodian. Xns reverting in their faith by following law: Genuinely concerned what happened to them: If they follow Jewish laws, his work is for nothing

Descendants

Paul claims Jews descended from Hagar not Sarah, representing 2nd covenant (the law.) Isiah 54 calls for rejoice after exile of law as X has made all into descendants of Isaac. Paul warns of persecution, just as Ishmael persecutes Isaac.