Bible.com Keep The Feast, day 29

Galatians §

To the churches of Galatia:

Galatians 1:2(b)

I am constantly wondering about churches, plural. What does that mean? Galatia is pretty big, so I suppose I can cling to the idea that Paul is writing to all of the different gatherings of the church in many different cities of the region.

But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone…

Galatians 1:15

God set Paul aside before Paul was born, and called Paul by His grace, so that Paul could glorify God. The reason for Paul’s election and calling was that God wanted to use Paul to reach the Gentiles — as He prepared for Himself a people (Titus 2:4) from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 7:9).

Also, God did it, and not Paul.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1

We always talk about this as freedom from sin, but from the context it’s clear Paul is talking about the law. We are set free from the law by Christ. I still haven’t figured out what that means, exactly, except this: my standing before God is in no way dependent on my own merit. Keeping the law or not has no meaning, “only faith working through love” (verse 6).