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

us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

– Galatians 3:13

– 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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Deborah

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the …

Daily Bible Reading “Oh Foolish Galatians” (Galatians 3:1-5)

Posted on August 6, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

Oh Foolish Galatians

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 3:1-5. In this Scripture, we see that Paul confronts the Galatians about their beliefs. Paul called them foolish and asked them who had bewitched them. What do you think Paul meant by that question? Paul was concerned because he knew that the Galatians knew right from wrong, but they let someone convince them of something which was not true. The Galatians were acting as if a spell had been cast on them.

Paul reminds them Jesus Christ was crucified before their eyes, yet they believed things that weren’t true. Paul knew the Galatians were taught the gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news of salvation, but somehow they let someone deceive them. Paul asked them if they thought they received the Holy Spirit by the works of the law, by obeying all the rules perfectly or by hearing the gospel and receiving it by faith. Salvation is a gift from God to those who receive it and the promise of eternal life in heaven after this life is over. If someone gives you a gift, do you have to work for it? Do you receive it graciously?

Jesus says all we need to do is ASK: Matthew 7:7-11 says, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

Paul asked the Galatians if they were so foolish to think that they began their relationship with Christ through the Holy Spirit, but now they think they can be made perfect by the works of the flesh. Sometimes we try to make things a lot more complicated than they are. We think somehow we can do something to earn what Jesus has already made available to us. Our relationship with Christ grows as our faith in Him grows.

Paul asks the Galatians if they had suffered in vain. In the book of Acts there are accounts of Paul being persecuted for preaching the gospel of Christ. If he was persecuted, it is probable that the churches of Galatia were persecuted also. If they didn’t believe the gospel had to be received by faith, then their suffering was in vain.

Paul asks them, “If He who ministers to you by the Spirit, and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” Paul is speaking of God. Miracles are received through faith. He is the one who gives Christians the gift of the Holy Spirit when they receive Christ through faith.

Our Triune God, God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit, doesn’t leave us or forsake us. When Jesus Christ ascended to heaven He sent the Holy Spirit to be our comforter and guide.

As Christians we need to study the Bible for ourselves and know what it says so we won’t be lead astray.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 3:1-5

1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Things to think about:

What was Paul’s concern with the Galatians in this Scripture?
Is your faith and hope in Jesus Christ? If not, why? If so, how are you certain?
How does the Bible say we are saved?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul talks to the Galatians about the difference in the works of the law and in faith in Christ. As Christians we have to remember that Christ took our place and took our sins upon Him so through faith we can be saved from our sins. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves except to believe in Him. Help us Lord to get a grasp of this and not make serving You complicated. Help us to study the Bible so we will know what the truth is and can live our lives according to the truth. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

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

truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

– Galatians 3:1

– This is an excerpt from my book:

Click the link above to get your copy now!

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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

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and …

Daily Bible Reading “Did Christ Die in Vain” (Galatians 2:11-21)

Posted on August 5, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

Did Christ Die in Vain

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 2:11-21. As we study the Bible, we see in this Scripture in the book of Galatians that Paul and Peter met face-to-face in Antioch. Why was Paul upset with Peter? Peter at one time befriended the Gentiles who came to Christ. When certain Jewish people came around, Peter separated himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of what the Jewish people might think of him. Have you ever treated someone differently when other people were around because you were afraid of what they might think?

Some of the other Jewish people followed Peter’s example and disassociated with the Gentiles as well. Peter knew the Gentiles weren’t required to come under the law. Even Barnabas, who was a trusted friend of Paul, was led astray by Peter’s actions. Paul confronted Peter about the way he was treating the Gentiles. Paul asked Peter, if he was living like the Gentiles why was he trying to make the Gentiles conform to the ways of the Jewish people?

Paul tells them even the Jewish people know that they aren’t justified by the works of the law, but by their faith in Jesus Christ. Nobody, whether Jew or Gentile, can be justified by the works of the law: the only way we can be forgiven of our sins and justified in the sight of God is through our faith in Jesus Christ.

I love Galatians 2:20 where Paul says, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Paul is saying that when he became a Christian his old spirit was crucified with Christ. Even though he still lives in his body, now he has a new spirit because Christ lives in him. The life he lives in the flesh he lives by the faith of the Son of God, Jesus, who loved him and died for him.

Paul says that he doesn’t discourage the grace of God: because if we receive our righteousness by obeying the law, then Christ died in vain. God knew that we wouldn’t be able to keep the law, so He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us so we might have a sacrifice for our sins.

It is by the grace of God through our faith in Jesus that we can become Christians. This is best described in Ephesians 2:8-9 which says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 2:11-21

11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Things to think about:

Why was Paul upset with Peter?
What does it mean to have Christ living in you?
Is Christ living in you? If not, why?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul defended the Gentiles. He knew that Your plan included the Gentiles. It includes all of us and for that we thank You. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus to die for our sins. Help us who have received Him as our Savior to live a life worthy of His sacrifice. Help those who haven’t yet accepted Him see their need for the Savior. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

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

the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

– Galatians 2:20

– This is an excerpt from my book:

Click the link above to get your copy now!

Christian Music Video:

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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

Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. – Galatians 2:10

Daily Bible Reading “Paul Returns to Jerusalem” (Galatians 2:1-10)

Posted on August 4, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

Paul Returns to Jerusalem

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 2:1-10. Paul tells us he went back to Jerusalem fourteen years later. After fourteen years why do you think Paul would return to Jerusalem? This time he took Barnabas and Titus with him.

Paul was called to preach the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles-anyone who was not Jewish. He was instructed by God to go to Jerusalem to share with them the gospel of Jesus Christ, which he had been preaching to the Gentiles. After the death of Jesus on the cross, the people of God were no longer under the law, but under the grace of God, through Jesus Christ. The people at Jerusalem believed that the Gentiles could be saved, but they believed that the Gentiles had to become Jews first.

Titus, who was a Greek, was not circumcised. He was Paul’s missionary partner. Paul trusted Titus and knew that he had a heart for the gospel, just as Paul did. The people at Jerusalem were still living under the law and circumcision of the males was one of the requirements under the law of the Old Testament. It was a way for the Jewish people to show that they were set apart from others and were God’s chosen people.

The only reason this question even came up was that there were false brethren who spied on Paul and his followers to see what liberties they had through grace and how they lived differently than the Jewish people. Paul, knowing that there were these differences in their beliefs met privately with the leaders to discuss their differences. The fact that Paul met with them privately and didn’t dispute with them openly shows discretion on his part.

They saw that the same God that called Peter, who preached circumcision to the Jews, also called Paul, who preached uncircumcision to the Gentiles. James, Cephas (Peter), and John, who were their leaders in Jerusalem, saw the grace of God that was given to Paul.

Because of the laws of the Old Testament where the Jews were required to be circumcised a lot of times the Jewish people were considered to be the circumcision and the Gentiles were considered to be the un-circumcision.

Paul states in 1 Corinthians 7:18-20, “Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.”

Paul wasn’t as concerned about people’s outward appearance as he was about whether their heart was right with God. Sometimes we judge people by what we see on the outside and we can’t see the work of God that may be going on inside of them.

They gave Paul and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship. They realized that Paul and Barnabas were called by God to preach salvation to the Gentiles, just as they had been called by God to preach to the Jewish people. The only thing the leaders of Jerusalem asked was for Paul to teach the other churches to remember the poor, which Paul already did.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 2:1-10

1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles
9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

Things to think about:

What was the dispute in this Scripture?
Why did the people want Paul to remember the poor?
What does it mean to you to believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Why would you consider listening to any other gospel?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where we see that Paul was called to preach to the Gentiles just as You called others to preach to the Jews. We thank You that through Your Son, Jesus Christ, You made a way that we all could become Christians. We also see that You call different people to do different things. Help us to be faithful to whatever it is You call us to do. 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!

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 it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and …

Daily Bible Reading “In His Time” (Galatians 1:13-24)

Posted on August 1, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

In His Time

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 1:13-24. We see in this Scripture that Paul acknowledges he persecuted the church in the past. Paul’s persecution of the church of God is also spoken of in the book of Acts. Paul previously was very much into Judaism.

In God’s perfect timing, He called Paul by His grace, to be an apostle and to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the heathen. When Paul was called by God he didn’t go to the other apostles for their approval. He went straight to the lands of Arabia and Damascus to preach the gospel which God called him to do.

After three years of being in the ministry, Paul went to Jerusalem. There he met Peter and stayed with him for fifteen days. The only other apostle that Paul met at this time was James, Jesus’ brother.

Paul swore before God that everything he was telling the Galatians was true. After Paul’s visit to Jerusalem he went to Syria and Cilicia. Paul was unknown to the churches of Christ in Judaea. The only thing they knew about Paul was that he once persecuted the church of the Lord, but now he was preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The people glorified God for His work in Paul’s life.

Isn’t it amazing how God can take someone who was completely against God and His church, and turn that person completely around? He took Paul from being a persecutor of the church to preaching the gospel. Notice Paul says it happened in God’s perfect timing, not in Paul’s timing. Things don’t always happen when we want them to happen, but they happen when God thinks the time is right.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 1:13-24

13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,

16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.

20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;

22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

24 And they glorified God in me.

Things to think about:

In what ways have you experienced God’s perfect timing in your life?
Does it amaze you how God transformed Paul’s life?
In what ways has God transformed your life?
How have you surrendered your will to God’s will?

Prayer of the day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture from the book of Galatians where Paul tells us about his conversion. He tells us that even though he was previously completely against the church You saved him and used him for Your glory. Help us to use Paul’s testimony to realize there is hope for anybody. We see how You used Paul, in spite of his past, to spread the gospel. Help us to be willing to be used by You to spread the gospel in any way You see fit. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse: