As our time together this year draws toward a close, we face an age-old question: What came first—the chicken or the egg? Today, as we begin the book of Galatians, reading chapters 1–3, we’ll see Paul address a similar question about faith and the Law.
Where Was Galatia?
Galatia was not a single city but a region in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), including cities like Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe (Acts 13:14; Acts 14:6). Paul had passed through this region on his missionary journeys and wrote this letter to multiple churches, not an individual (Galatians 1:2).
Why was Paul writing? False teachers—known as Judaizer’s—were insisting Gentile believers must follow Mosaic Law, including circumcision, to be saved (Galatians 1:6–9). Paul writes to defend the gospel of grace and remind them that salvation is by faith alone (Galatians 2:16).
Peter’s Struggle
Peter, sent to preach to Gentiles (Acts 10:34–35), wrestled with Jewish customs. He assumed Gentiles needed to adopt Jewish practices first—circumcision, dietary laws, ritual handwashing (Galatians 2:11–14). His reasoning? The Law came before grace.
Paul counters this: before the Law, there was a promise. Abraham believed God, and God credited him with righteousness (Galatians 3:6, Genesis 15:6). Faith came first, like an egg, and God gave the Law later as a guardian (Galatians 3:23-24).
Faith Then and Now
We see the same pattern today. Many attend church out of curiosity or obligation. I once went to “spy out” what they would teach my son so I could refute it. But when the gospel and the Spirit convict us, we place our faith in Jesus (Galatians 3:2–3).
At that moment, we didn’t fully grasp the implications. We know we are sinners and need a Savior. The Law convicts us, but it cannot save us. Abraham never saw the Law—Moses wouldn’t live for another 430 years (Galatians 3:17). Yet Abraham trusted God to provide a sacrifice (Genesis 22:8).
The Promise
Between Abraham and Christ, the Law ruled, and sin enslaved. Christ broke that power by paying the penalty the Law demanded (Galatians 3:13; Romans 6:23). He became a curse for us so that we could live by faith.
Faith reigns where the Law is powerless. Sin is still wrong, but Jesus paid the price on the cross. Our hope is not in becoming the father of nations but in rising with Him in glory (Galatians 2:19–21).
Living by Faith
Peter struggled with this truth, and so do we. It feels natural to think every action requires a reaction. But the first action was faith—the Law was the reaction. If righteousness came through the Law, Christ died for nothing (Galatians 2:21).