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 states that government is God’s plan for society. Despite the different forms of government, Christians should respect and honour those in authority who are under God’s sovereignty. Christians should pay their taxes and pray for those in authority.

Paul encourages his readers to believe that they have moved from a life in slavery to sin to living in God’s grace. He refers to baptism which clearly shows dying to the old life and rising up to new life. We need to count ourselves dead to sin.

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 uses sexual morality as an example of idolatry - putting something in the place of God. He teaches about wrong thinking and introduces conscience as a signpost to God.

God will judge everyone. There are two main ways of knowing God for everyone - creation and conscience. We are accountable to God. Salvation cannot be earnt; we all fail.

The importance of the Jews is explained despite having been unfaithful to god and rejecting the Messiah. The Law of Moses and circumcision are not enough to save the Jews. They need the gospel, too. Double standards are condemned.

Paul and his companions met with James and other leaders of the church in Jerusalem. Paul was asked to perform a Jewish ritual to please those Jewish Christians who followed Jewish laws. In the Temple, Jews from Asia Minor stirred up a riot against Paul in which Roman soldiers intervened.

Paul moves to Corinth where he has a team to help him spread the gospel. They leave the synagogue along with the leader of the synagogue who had become a believer. Paul then travels back to his sending church in Antioch in Syria before his next mission.

An issue arose about the need for Gentiles to become Jews as part of being Christians , including the act of male circumcision. The Council of Jerusalem was convened and it was agreed that this was not right. guidance was given to the gentile believers to help them separate themselves from pagan rites.