Galatians Commentary

Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians – 1538

by Pastor Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Galatians 1:1 – Introduction of Paul, an apostle by God
Galatians 1:2-3 – Addressed to the churches of Galatia
Galatians 1:4 – Grace and peace to hearers of the Epistle
Galatians 1:5-6 – Paul’s astonishment of going from Gospel to another gospel
Galatians 1:7-10 – Anathema on any man or angel who perverts the Gospel of Christ
Galatians 1:11-14 – Paul’s past deeds and present revelation of and by Christ
Galatians 1:15-24 – Paul’s activity in proclaiming Christ
Galatians 2:1-5 – Reception and rejection of the Gospel of Christ
Galatians 2:6-10 – The Gospel of the Gentiles and Paul’s relationship to other apostles
Galatians 2:11-13 – Paul confronts Peter’s Hypocrisy
Galatians 2:14-16 – No one is justified by works, but by faith in Christ Jesus
Galatians 2:17-18 – We seek to be justified by Christ.
Galatians 2:19 – Dead to the Law; alive unto God
Galatians 2:20 – Crucified with Christ and living by the faith of Christ
Galatians 2:21 – The righteousness of God comes by the grace of God.
Galatians 3:1 – Foolish Galatians! Obey the truth of Christ crucified for you!
Galatians 3:2 – Is the Holy Spirit received by works or by hearing the faith?
Galatians 3:3-6 – Abraham was justified by the grace of God through faith in Christ.
Galatians 3:7-9 – Those of faith are the children of Abraham.
Galatians 3:10 – The cursedness of being under the law.
Objections to Doctrine of Faith Disproved
Galatians 3:11-12 – The just shall live by faith.
Galatians 3:13 – Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by being cursed in our place.
Galatians 3:14-18 – Christ is the true Seed of Abraham.
Galatians 3:19 part 1 – The Law of God and the transgressions of man.
The Twofold Purpose of the Law
Galatians 3:19 part 2 The Promise of God
Galatians 3:20 – The promised Mediator
Galatians 3:21-22 – The proper distinction of Law and Gospel.
Galatians 3:23 – The Law came first and then the Gospel.
Galatians 3:24-26 – We are children of God through faith in Christ.
Galatians 3:27-29 – Baptized into Christ … We are all one.
Galatians 4:1-3 – The Law of God still applies to the child of God.
Galatians 4:4-5 – The two natures of Jesus the Christ: Divine and Human
Galatians 4:6 – Reason God sent His Son is so we could be sons of God
Galatians 4:7 – No longer servants, but now sons … and heirs of God!
Galatians 4:8-9a – Knowing other gods … being know by God.
Galatians 4:9b-11 – Do you desire to be in bondage again?
Galatians 4:12-14 – The Gospel has been proclaimed to you.
Galatians 4:15-19 – Paul’s anguish for their spiritual well-being.
Galatians 4:20-25 – Two covenants – one to bondage – the other to freedom.
Galatians 4:26-31 – The one under the Law is cast out; the one under the Gospel is free.
Galatians 5:1-2 – Stand fast in the freedom of Christ.
Galatians 5:3-4 – To rely on the Law for salvation is to fall from grace.
Galatians 5:5-8 – What hinders one from abiding in the Truth?
Galatians 5:9-11 – A little false doctrine affects the whole truth.
Galatians 5:12-13 – Use your liberty in the Gospel to love and serve one another.
Galatians 5:14-15 – Love your neighbor as yourself.
Galatians 5:16-18 – Walking in the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:19-20 – The manifest works of the flesh.
Galatians 5:21-24 – The fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:25-26 – Living and walking by the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 6:1-5 – The restoration of one who falls.
Galatians 6:6-12 – Doing good for all; but especially those in the congregation.
Galatians 6:13-18 – The closing words and the Benediction of Christ Jesus.