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The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

– Galatians 5:1

– This is an excerpt from my book:

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The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Galatians. The book of Galatians is in the New Testament and is one of Paul’s letters. He wrote this letter to the churches of Galatia.

Paul is concerned that the people of Galatia are being taught something different than the true gospel, which he taught them earlier. Paul goes to great lengths to make sure they understand the difference between living under the law and living under the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia contains sixteen Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day. This book is great to use for both personal Bible study and group Bible studies.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. – Galatians 4:28

Daily Bible Reading “The Children of Promise” (Galatians 4:21-31)

Posted on August 14, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

The Children of Promise

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 4:21-31. As we continue in the book of Galatians with the letter that Paul wrote to the Galatians. Paul inquires of them asking, “Those of you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?”

Under the law, it is what you do, the rules you follow, that makes you right with God, but under grace it is what God did through His Son, Jesus Christ that makes us right with God. If you fail under the law, you are out of fellowship with God, but through grace and faith you can be forgiven.

Paul compares the law and faith to the difference between Abraham’s two sons. Paul says, “It is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by a bondmaid and the other by a freewoman. Abraham’s son Ishmael who was born of a bondwoman, was born of the flesh, but his son Isaac, who was born of the freewoman, was born by the promise.”

If you remember in Genesis Sarah was barren for many years so she gave her handmaiden Hagar to Abraham who bore him a son called Ishmael. Sarah was impatient and tried to fix the problem on her own, but in God’s time Sarah gave birth to Isaac, who was the son God promised her.

Paul talks about the two covenants and compares them. Paul says that Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, the same mount where Moses received the law, answers to Jerusalem which is now in bondage with her children. However, Jerusalem above, which is Sarah is free, and is the mother above us all. Paul is speaking of the New Jerusalem.

Paul says, “It is written, rejoice those of you who are barren, cry out those of you that are not giving birth, the desolate have many more children than she which has a husband.” Paul was saying that there would be more people born of the flesh than Christians, who are born of the promise.

Paul says that, we are like Sarah’s son Isaac, the children of promise. Like Isaac those who are born of the promise will be persecuted by those who are born of the flesh. Paul reminds them that the Scripture says to cast out the bondwoman (Hagar) and her son (Ishmael). The son of the bondwoman won’t be an heir with the son of the freewoman (Sarah). Likewise, we aren’t sons of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Do you get the picture of how Paul is comparing Isaac and Ishmael to the law and faith? As Christians we aren’t under the bondage of the law, but we are free through faith in Jesus Christ. Look at this Scripture in Romans 4:13-16

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 4:21-31

21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Things to think about:

Why would anyone prefer to live under the law or by grace? Do you have a preference?
Why do we try to put ourselves back under the law when Jesus died to set us free from the law?
What does it mean to be children of the promise?
What does it mean to you to live free from bondage?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul explains to the Galatians about the difference of living in bondage and being free. Help us to accept the free gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus. Help us to keep ourselves out of bondage, and live in grace and faith. Thank You for loving us and giving us this special gift of freedom. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

– This is an excerpt from my book:

Click the link above to get your copy now!

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. – Galatians 4:12

Daily Bible Reading “Be As I Am” (Galatians 4:12-20)

Posted on August 13, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

Be As I Am

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 4:12-20. As Paul continued to write his letter to the churches of Galatia He addressed his brethren, almost begging them, and saying, “Be as I am.” Why would Paul say to the Galatians “Be as I am?” Wasn’t Paul trying to point these people to Christ? Could you say to someone “Be as I am?”

Paul was walking in the freedom of Christ, not in the bondage of the law. He wanted the Galatians to walk in that same freedom. They’d been taught about the freedom they could have in Christ, but they’d let other people persuade them to go back to living under the law and trying to obey all the laws that were established in the Old Testament before Jesus Christ gave His life in remission for our sins.

You can tell in this portion of Paul’s letter that he loved the Galatians. He’d been a part of them before, when he was there preaching to them. He had a heart for them and he wanted them to be free.

Paul says, “You know how I preached the gospel to you even though I had ill-health. You didn’t reject me because of my thorn in my flesh, but you received me as a messenger of God, just like you would have treated Jesus Christ himself.” Paul also speaks of having a thorn in the flesh in Corinthians. There is a lot of speculation about what Paul’s physical ailment was, but nobody really knows.

Paul remembers that they would’ve done anything for him, even plucked out their eyes and given them to him if it was possible. Now that Paul was telling them the truth, he wondered if they would consider him to be their enemy.

Paul warns the Galatians that those people who wanted everyone to be legalistic were trying to influence them so they would follow them. They were trying to draw the Galatians away from the freedom they have in Christ and exclude them from the other Christians. But Paul wants the Galatians to be passionate about serving Christ always and not just when he is there with them. Paul knows they could have zeal for things that were good or bad, but warns them that it is dangerous to have zeal for things which are wrong.

Paul calls the Galatians, “my little children.” This shows his love for them. Paul compares himself to a woman giving birth, saying he is travailing in birth again until Christ is formed in them. Paul thought he had birthed the Galatians into the family of God when he’d been with them before, but now that this situation came up, he felt like he needed to bring them to Christ all over again. Paul wished he could be with the Galatians because he had great concern for them and doubted they were on the right path he’d set them on. He wanted the best for the Galatians.

As a minister of the gospel, God had given Paul a great love, compassion, and concern for the people he had ministered to. In this Scripture you can hear the love, compassion, and concern in Paul’s writing. He is concerned that the people he’d led to the Lord earlier were being led astray.

Paul wasn’t trying to influence the people to be his followers, but wanted them to have a strong desire for following Christ and to live in the freedom that Christ died for them to have. Are you passionate about following Christ? Have you accepted the freedom of Christ in your life or are you still trying to keep the law?

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 4:12-20

12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.

13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.

14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.

18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

Things to think about:

What did Paul mean by saying, “Be like me?”
What would give you the right to tell someone to be like you?
What does it mean to you to be passionate about following Christ and sharing the gospel with others?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where we see Paul’s true love and concern for the Galatians. Help us to be zealous about following Christ and living in the freedom He died to give us. Help us to be zealous about sharing the gospel of Christ with others. Help us to be on guard against those who might try to lead us astray. Thank You for the pastors, teachers, and leaders that You send into our lives to lead us to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

– This is an excerpt from my book:

Click the link above to get your copy now!

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of …

Daily Bible Reading “Why Live in Bondage” (Galatians 4:1-11)

Posted on August 12, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

Why Live in Bondage

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 4:1-11. Paul talks to the churches of Galatia about being heirs of God. What does it mean to be heirs of God? Is being an heir the same as being a child or a servant?

In Greek, Hebrew, and Roman homes, minor children weren’t considered an heir until they became a certain age or until the father decided that they were ready. When the heir was a child, he was no different than a servant, even though he was destined to be an heir. He was still under tutors and authorities until the father’s appointed time when he would adopt him as an heir.

Paul was a Roman and their custom was for the father to decide when the child was mature enough to become an heir. First Corinthians 13:11 says, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” Paul now compares the child’s bondage to the Christians bondage under the law.

My favorite verses in this Scripture are Galatians 4:4-5. Paul tells them, in the fullness of time, God sent His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem those that are under the law, that we might be adopted as sons. When you become a child of God, God sends the Spirit of His Son, Jesus, into your heart. You are no more a servant, but a child of God and an heir of God through Jesus Christ.

In Romans 8:14-17 the same idea of being freed from bondage and becoming an heir with Christ through the Spirit of adoption is stated:

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Paul asks the Galatians, how was it that when they didn’t know God they served those who weren’t gods. Paul couldn’t understand, after they knew God and His freedom from all the rules and regulations of the Old Testament law, how they could turn back to the bondage of being under the law. Paul asks them, if they desired to be in bondage. He notes how they observe certain days, months, times, and years. Paul says he is afraid he has taught the Galatians to labor in vain.

Christ came to free us from the bondage of the law. These Christians were trying to put themselves back under the law. Paul is asking them, why they would want to be under the law, when Christ died to free them from that bondage.

Do we do that today, instead of living in the mercy and grace of God; do we put ourselves in bondage because of something we’ve done that was against the Law of Moses? If you are in Christ, you’ve been set free from bondage. Live in the freedom of grace and mercy that Jesus Christ died to give you.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 4:1-11

1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Things to think about:

Why do we put ourselves in bondage when we can be free?

What does the bondage of sin do to us?

Since Jesus died to free us from bondage, what do we need to do to accept that freedom?

Have you been adopted into the family of God? If not, what are you waiting for? If yes, share the experience.

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul tells the Galatians that they no longer have to live under the bondage of the law, but as heirs of Christ they can live in grace and mercy. Help us to accept the grace and mercy that You provided for us when You sent Your Son, Jesus, to give His life on the cross for our freedom. Help us not to put ourselves in bondage under the law but to live as children of God, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

– Galatians 4:4-5

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

By Deborah H. Bateman

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. – Galatians 3:24

Daily Bible Reading “The Law Was Our Schoolmaster” (Galatians 3:21-29)

Posted on August 11, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

The Law Was Our Schoolmaster

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 3:21-29. We see in this Scripture in the book of Galatians that Paul asks an important question. Paul asks, “Is the law against the promises of God?” Paul says, “God forbid: if the law could have given life, then righteousness would have been by the law.”

The law with all the rules and regulations of the Old Testament was given to tell us how to live, but being the sinful creatures that we are, we couldn’t keep the law. The law was dependent on man’s ability to keep it, which we failed at miserably. However, the promise of God through Jesus Christ (eternal life in heaven) isn’t dependent on our ability to hold onto God through Jesus, but is God’s promise to hold onto us for eternity through our belief in Jesus Christ.

Before faith came we were kept under the law. The law was our schoolmaster to bring us to faith in Christ that we might be justified, or forgiven of our sins, by faith. The law shows us that we are in bondage to our sin and we need the faith in Jesus to free us from that bondage. After faith came, we were no longer under bondage by the schoolmaster of the law. We are made children of God, or His heirs, by faith in Jesus Christ, which we will discuss more fully in the next lesson.

The idea that Paul uses a schoolmaster reminds me of when I was a child and was under the leadership of my teachers. They made the rules and if I didn’t follow those rules I suffered the consequences. For most of you, your parents, or other adults in your life, not only taught you right from wrong, they took care of you, provided for you and protected you.

As you became an adult you remembered and respected what you were taught, but when you got out on your own you were no longer under their rule. They trusted you to do the right thing and to make right decisions based on what they had taught you over the years. The lessons they taught were meant to be carried with you for the rest of your life. The law was to teach, protect, provide, and correct Christians until the faith of Christ was revealed.

The law was God’s way of protecting man until the coming of grace by Jesus’ death on the cross. It gave Christians a model to live by. It shows us what kind of standards God has. The law kept man under its guard until faith was revealed. Just because we have Jesus in our lives doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to live right. Faith doesn’t give us a free ticket to do as we please.

Paul says those who’ve been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. This isn’t talking about the water baptism that we think about when we say we’ve been baptized. Think of the picture of baptism. You are completely immersed in the water. When you put your faith in Christ you are baptized with Christ you are immersed with Jesus. He is a part of every aspect of your life.

My favorite verse from this passage of Scripture is Galatians 3:28 which says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Sometimes as humans we have our prejudices and think we may be better than someone else because of the color of our skin or our social status. This Scripture lets us know that as Christians we’re all one in Jesus Christ. Paul tells us if we belong to Christ, then we are Abraham’s seed, and heirs of the promise of God.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 3:21-29

21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Things to think about:

What was the purpose of the law?
What happened to the law after Christ’s death on the cross?
How do we become God’s children?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul explains what it means to have faith in Christ. Even though the law is still today a good schoolmaster for us to learn Your ways and Your desires for our lives, we are so thankful for Your gift of faith to us. Help those who haven’t put their faith and trust in Christ to realize their need for a Savior. Help those of us who’ve put our faith in Christ to stay true to our faith and continue to walk in it every day. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse: