Paul’s Letter to the Galatians – Lesson 9 – You Were Running Well!

Key Scripture: Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. ~ Galatians 5:1

Galatians 5:1-13

1 Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

2 Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision amounts to anything, but faith working through love.

7 You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little yeast grows through the whole lump. 10 I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.

11 But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off.

Study Questions:

  1. What are some things we can do to make sure we continue to “stand firm…in the liberty” (v. 1) we received from Christ? Acts 17:11; Ephesians 6:11; 1 Peter 5:8; Jude 1:20-21
  2. In verse 3, why did being circumcised make them a debtor of the whole law? Galatians 3:10; James 2:10-11; Deuteronomy 27:26
  3. Why does trying to be justified by the law cause us to be alienated from Christ? Romans 3:24-26; 10:4
  4. Share some modern-day examples of trying to be justified by the Law. How can this cause us to fall away from grace?
  5. What is the “hope of righteousness” (v. 5)? Romans 5:21; 8:23-25; Philippians 3:9-11; 2 Timothy 4:8
  6. In verse 6, why doesn’t circumcision or uncircumcision amount to anything? 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 3:11; Romans 15:8-9
  7. How is “faith working through love” (v. 6) possible? John 6:63; 2 Corinthians 3:5-8
  8. Have you ever been “tripped up” while trying to run the good race? Describe how that compares to the situation with the Galatians.
  9. Read these scriptures relating to the analogy of yeast: Matthew 13:33; 16:6; 1 Corinthians 5:6-7. Which of these relates to the reference to yeast in verse 9? Why?
  10. What does Paul mean by his question in verse 11? Galatians 4:29; Acts 21:20-21; 22:21-22
  11. In verse 11, Paul mentions the cross as a stumbling block. Why is the cross a stumbling block Romans 9:30-33; 1 Corinthians 1:22-24

Memory Verse: The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God; and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him. ~ Romans 8:16-17