Despite being in prison facing a death sentence, Paul opens his letter by reminding the church of all the blessings they have. He writes of God’s initiative in salvation but also the need for each Christian to make a decision. God is working out His purposes.

Paul explains the serious situation of those who do not believe - they are dead, separated from God. He balances this with the good news of grace shown by Jesus' death on the cross. Faith is all that is required.

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.

Paul appeals to the Galatians not to follow the zealous Jewish teachers. He reminds them of their care and honour for him when he was with them even though he was ill. Paul uses the Old testament story of Ishmael and Isaac to illustrate that the Galatians belonged to the new covenant, not the old.

The Gospel and Adoption into God’s Family: Galatians 4:1-7Paul introduces the ideas of adoption and inheritance based on the experience of the Gentile areas he is preaching to. Adopted children could inherit all that belonged to the family. All those blessings are ours in Christ Jesus. We do not need to look back.

Paul explains the three dimensional Christian life: the past - justification; the present - access to God’s grace: and the future - eternity with God. Suffering is a part of life but we have the Holy Spirit to enable us

Paul develops his teaching about the power of sin and explains how sin came into the world through Adam and Eve. Only Jesus' sacrifice can break the power of sin. The Law of Moses increased the sense of what sin is.

Paul uses the imagery of slavery to show what was the old life but compares it to the freedom of the new life. We are obligated to please God in response to God’s generous love towards us. We choose to follow God.

Paul believed that many Christians did not live their new life fully in the power of the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we are obliged to please God. a radical change has been made in that now we are God’s children and can call him, Our Father. We are adopted into God’s family and are joint heirs with Jesus.

Sin has not only affected human beings, Paul explains that the whole of creation is also struggling because of sin. Although we are suffering now, we have a wondeful hope for the future. The Holy Spirit strengthens us now and helps us to pray.