Galatians

Paul defends his apostolic authority as divinely appointed, not from men, and expresses amazement that the Galatians are turning to a different gospel. He declares that anyone preaching a gospel contrary to what he preached should be accursed.

Paul recounts his confrontation with Peter over eating with Gentiles and his defense of the gospel before the Jerusalem apostles. He establishes that justification comes through faith in Christ, not by works of the law, declaring 'I have been crucified with Christ.'

Paul argues that the Galatians received the Spirit by faith, not law-keeping, and that Abraham was justified by faith before the law existed. The law served as a guardian until Christ came, and now all who believe are sons of God regardless of ethnicity or status.

Paul explains that believers were once enslaved but now are adopted as sons and heirs through Christ. He appeals personally to the Galatians and uses the allegory of Sarah and Hagar to contrast freedom in Christ with bondage under law.

Paul commands the Galatians to stand firm in their freedom and not submit again to slavery under the law. He contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, emphasizing that those led by the Spirit are not under law.

Paul instructs believers to restore fallen brothers gently, bear one another's burdens, and not grow weary in doing good. He concludes by emphasizing that what matters is not circumcision but being a new creation in Christ.