Today, we begin looking at Galatians. This is a wonderful book, one of my favorites. Galatians deals with this question: is Jesus enough? We see the constant debate in this book: did someone have to become a Jew before becoming a Christian? Did they have to follow the Law? What Jesus enough? Did it require more than faith to be a Christian? This is still a question that we wrestle today. Is Jesus enough?

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Good morning! It’s great to be with you on this Wednesday morning. I hope you are doing well. We finished our study of Esther yesterday, and I hope you enjoyed it. Esther was a fascinating book to explore.

Although I had read through Esther years ago, this was my first time truly diving deep into its themes and lessons. It was a rewarding experience. Today, we are beginning our study of Galatians. I’ve mentioned before that I love Galatians—one of my favorite letters from Paul. In fact, I love all of Paul’s letters because each one carries unique wisdom and insight. Depending on the context and topic of discussion, I may claim different letters as my favorite at different times, but Galatians consistently remains at the top of my list.

Before we officially start Galatians tomorrow, I want to take today to provide an overview of the book. But first, a few housekeeping items: We will be studying Galatians this week, but there will be no Rooted next week. On Sunday, I will be leaving with our mission team for Honduras, and I will be out of town for the entire week. I’m uncertain about the availability of internet access, so we will take a break from Rooted during that time. I return on the 16th, but we may not have Rooted on the 17th since I will be getting back late that night. However, we will resume on the 18th. After that, I’ll be staying put in Madison until Thomas’s senior trip later this summer—so once I’m back, you’re stuck with me for a while!

Now, let’s talk about Galatians. In the New Testament, there are two types of letters: Paul’s letters and what are known as the Catholic letters, which begin with Hebrews. Paul’s letters are always specific—written to a particular church or person with whom Paul had a relationship. These were churches he had either founded or been involved with early in their ministry. Sometimes, Paul’s letters addressed specific questions raised by these churches. For example, in Corinthians, Paul explicitly states, “Now concerning the matters you wrote about,” indicating that he was responding directly to their inquiries. His letters are also deeply personal; in one instance, he warns the Corinthians that he might have to come to them with a whip if they don’t straighten up! To Timothy, he requests, “Bring my cloak,” showing his personal connection and human side.

In contrast, the Catholic letters are more universal, not necessarily addressed to specific churches. Romans is somewhat unique among Paul’s letters because he had never been to Rome at the time of writing. As a result, Romans serves as his theological résumé, showcasing his depth of knowledge and understanding.

Galatia was a province in Asia, which in biblical terms refers to modern-day Turkey. Paul wrote Galatians sometime between the late 40s and late 50s AD, though the exact timing is debated. He was addressing churches in that region, either in the northern or southern part of Galatia. One of the central issues the letter tackles is a significant question that the early church wrestled with: Is Jesus enough?

The early church faced a major dilemma regarding Gentile converts. Since the first Christians were Jewish, there was a debate about whether Gentiles needed to become Jewish first before they could be followers of Christ. Did they need to follow Jewish customs, such as circumcision and dietary laws, to be truly saved? This debate came to a head in Acts 15 at the Jerusalem Council, where the apostles and early church leaders discussed whether adherence to the Mosaic Law was necessary for salvation.

This question—Is Jesus enough?—is not just a historical issue but a modern one as well. Even today, people ask whether salvation requires Jesus plus something else: the right denomination, the correct doctrine, the proper worship style, or even political alignment. Paul’s message in Galatians is clear: Jesus is enough.

As we delve into this book, we will explore Paul’s teachings and his confrontation with those who insisted on adding requirements to salvation. Paul repeatedly emphasizes that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone. As Romans 10:9 says, “If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth, you shall be saved.” If salvation required anything beyond faith in Christ, then His sacrifice would not be sufficient.

This powerful truth is echoed in the hymn:

“My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.”

Galatians will challenge us to reflect on our own faith. Do we truly believe that Jesus is enough? In the coming days, we will explore this question in depth and allow Paul’s words to guide our understanding.

Thank you for joining me today. I look forward to studying Galatians with you. Tomorrow, we will begin with Galatians chapter 1. Have a great day, and I’ll see you then!