Galatians | November 16, 2025

 

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Galatians 5

1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. 7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Talk Sheet Questions

  1. What do you think it means that Jesus set us free? Can you think of things that make people feel stuck or not free?

  2. What is the risk of accepting circumcision or putting yourself under the law (1-3)? 

  3. How would you describe the tone Paul has about the men who are unsettling the Galatians? Why is he so strong in his language?

  4. Read Lev 19:18. How is the law fulfilled in a word: “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.“?

  5. What does freedom give us the opportunity to do? How does that look in practice?  

  6. What is a way you use (or could use) your freedom to love your neighbor?

Prayer

Pray that you would experience the freedom of Christ and use it to serve others.

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Scott Reavely