Galatians
Sunday School
June 28, 2026
Paul warns the Galatians against reverting to legalistic observances, contrasts earning God’s favor by works with inheriting God’s promise by faith using the Hagar and Sarah allegory, and urges humility, patient faith, and true freedom in Christ.
Summary
In this study of Galatians 4 Paul expresses pastoral concern that the Galatian believers are being tempted to return to a former, legalistic way of life—measuring religion by observances of days and rituals—rather than resting in what Christ has accomplished. He contrasts working to earn God’s favor with receiving God’s promise by faith, shares his personal investment and fear of having labored in vain for them, and models humility by acknowledging his own weakness. Using the Hagar and Sarah example, Paul clarifies the difference between the law (attempting to force relationship and blessing) and the promise (coming in God’s timing), calling believers to patient, obedient faith that enjoys freedom rather than slavery to rules.
Key Points
- Context: finishing Galatians 4; Paul addresses a return to legalism
- Central contrast: earning/maintaining favor by works vs. receiving God’s promise by faith
- Problem: temptation to go back to former religious observances (“days, months, seasons, years”)
- Personal note: Paul’s deep pastoral investment and fear he may have labored in vain
- Spiritual maturity: humility and admitting weakness, not striving to impress others
- Allegory: Hagar and Sarah illustrate law (human effort) versus promise (God’s timing)
- Application: trust God’s timing, exercise faith that waits and obeys, live in the freedom Christ gives
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