Paul continues to speak practically about how to live the Christian life. He encourages the believer to put off the old life and put on the new. Jesus is the supreme example - what would He do? Thanksgiving is a major part of spiritual warfare and living in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul is making some concluding comments and having finished his argument about legalism, he wants to be practical in terms of helping the Galatians become mature in their churches.

Following on Jesus' teaching, Paul also encourages the Christian community to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’. Our neighbour is people in the church community who need help which we can give. He introduces a sense of urgency in the light of the Second Coming of Jesus and the question of how we have used our opprtunities.

Paul uses several stories form the Old Testament to illustrate God’s choices which divided the nation right from the beginning. God chooses to show mercy to some and also chooses who to use for his purposes.

Paul uses the image of the olive tree to explain how because of their unbelief, many Jews have been separated from the purposes of God and gentiles have been grafted into those purposes. He predicts a time when the Jewish nation will be fully included at a future time.

The Roman commander organises a debate between Paul and the Sanhedrin to clarify the situation. It causes more problems as the High Priest and Paul get angry and the Sanhedrin argues with itself - between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Paul is taken back into prison.

Paul and Barnabas visit two different cities. Iconium has a synagogue and Paul uses the Old Testament to introduce Jesus. Lystra does not have a synagogue but is under the cultural influence of the Roman and Greek gods which Paul compares to the true God who sent Jesus. There are mixed responses with persecution from some of the Jews.

As the Gospel is preached by Philip in Samaria, many become Christians. Peter and John, from the church in Jerusalem, confirm their place in God's Kingdom and lay hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit - a Samaritan Pentecost.

Jesus uses an easily understood metaphor to describe the relationship between his disciples and himself. He warns of opposition, too.