I. Core Theological Concepts (Grace, Faith, Law, Justification):;xNLx;;xNLx;Gospel (Greek: euangelion) (e.g., Galatians 1:6-12; 2:2, 5, 7, 14; 3:8; 4:13): Literally "good news." In Galatians, it refers specifically to Paul's message that salvation (justification and reconciliation with God) comes through God's grace by faith in Jesus Christ alone, not through adherence to the works of the Jewish Law. Paul vehemently defends this "gospel of the uncircumcised" (2:7) against a "different gospel" (1:6) being preached by the Judaizers.;xNLx;Grace (Greek: charis) (e.g., Galatians 1:3, 6, 15; 2:9, 21; 5:4; 6:18): God's unmerited, unearned favor, kindness, and divine enablement freely given to sinful humanity through Jesus Christ. Paul argues that salvation is entirely a gift of God's grace, not something earned by human effort or observance of the Law. To turn to works of the Law for salvation is to fall away from grace (5:4).;xNLx;Faith (Greek: pistis) (e.g., Galatians 1:23; 2:16, 20; 3:2, 5-9, 11-12, 14, 22-26; 5:5-6; 6:10): Trust, belief, reliance, and personal commitment to Jesus Christ and His saving work. In Galatians, faith is presented as the sole means by which a person is justified (declared righteous) before God, in direct opposition to reliance on "works of the Law." "Faith working through love" (5:6) is the mark of true Christian life.;xNLx;Law (Greek: nomos) (e.g., Galatians 2:16, 19, 21; 3:2, 5, 10-13, 17-19, 21, 23-25; 4:4-5, 21; 5:3-4, 14, 18, 23; 6:2, 13): Primarily refers to the Law of Moses (the Torah), the divine instruction given to Israel, including moral, ceremonial (like circumcision, dietary laws, festivals), and civil precepts. Paul argues that the Law cannot justify a person before God; rather, its purpose was to reveal sin and to act as a temporary guardian or disciplinarian until the coming of Christ and faith in Him. Christians are no longer "under the law" for justification but live by the "law of Christ" (6:2), which is fulfilled in loving one another.;xNLx;Works of the Law (e.g., Galatians 2:16; 3:2, 5, 10): Specific actions or observances required by the Mosaic Law (such as circumcision, dietary restrictions, Sabbath keeping, festival observance) which the Judaizers were insisting Gentile converts must perform to be saved and fully included in God's people. Paul argues that no one is justified by these works.;xNLx;Justification / Justify / Justified (Greek: dikaiosune, dikaioo) (e.g., Galatians 2:16-17; 3:8, 11, 24; 5:4): A legal or forensic term meaning to be declared righteous or acquitted by God. Paul's central argument in Galatians is that justification comes not through observing the Law but through faith in Jesus Christ. Those who seek to be justified by the Law are severed from Christ and have fallen away from grace.;xNLx;Righteousness (of God / by faith) (e.g., Galatians 2:21; 3:6, 11, 21; 5:5): The state of being in a right relationship with God, being counted as acceptable and morally upright in His sight. This righteousness is not achieved by human effort or keeping the Law but is credited to believers through faith in Christ (as it was to Abraham, 3:6).;xNLx;II. Key Figures and Groups:;xNLx;;xNLx;Apostle (Galatians 1:1, 17, 19): Meaning "sent one." Paul strongly asserts his apostolic authority as received directly from Jesus Christ and God the Father, not from human beings, to counter those who were undermining his message and legitimacy.;xNLx;Judaizers (Not a term used by Paul, but describes his opponents, e.g., Galatians 1:6-9; 2:4-5, 11-14; 3:1-3; 4:9-11, 17, 21; 5:1-12; 6:12-13): Jewish Christians or those influenced by them who insisted that Gentile believers in Jesus must also be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law to be truly saved and part of God's people. They were troubling the Galatian churches by preaching "a different gospel.";xNLx;Cephas (Galatians 1:18; 2:9, 11, 14): The Aramaic name for Simon Peter, one of Jesus' leading apostles. Paul mentions his interactions with Cephas, including a confrontation in Antioch over fellowship with Gentile believers.;xNLx;James (Galatians 1:19; 2:9, 12): Likely James the brother of Jesus, who became a prominent leader in the Jerusalem church.;xNLx;Titus (Galatians 2:1, 3): A Gentile companion and co-worker of Paul, who was not compelled to be circumcised, serving as a test case for Paul's gospel of freedom from the Law.;xNLx;Gentiles / Nations (Greek: ethne) (e.g., Galatians 1:16; 2:2, 7-9, 12, 14-15; 3:8, 14, 28-29): Non-Jewish peoples. A central issue in Galatians is whether Gentiles must become like Jews (i.e., observe the Law) to be saved. Paul champions the full inclusion of Gentiles into God's people through faith in Christ alone.;xNLx;"Those of the circumcision" / Circumcision party (e.g., Galatians 2:12): Jewish Christians who believed that circumcision (and often adherence to other aspects of the Mosaic Law) was necessary for salvation, even for Gentiles.;xNLx;"Pillars" (of the church) (Galatians 2:9): A term referring to James, Cephas (Peter), and John, who were recognized as leading apostles and authoritative figures in the Jerusalem church.;xNLx;III. Concepts of Freedom, Spirit, and Flesh:;xNLx;;xNLx;Freedom / Liberty (e.g., Galatians 2:4; 4:22-31 [allegory of Sarah and Hagar]; 5:1, 13): Christian freedom from the bondage of the Law (as a means of justification), sin, and legalistic requirements. Paul urges the Galatians to stand firm in this freedom bought by Christ and not to submit again to a "yoke of slavery" (the Law). This freedom is not a license to sin but an opportunity to serve one another in love.;xNLx;Spirit (Holy Spirit) (e.g., Galatians 3:2-5, 14; 4:6, 29; 5:5, 16-18, 22, 25; 6:8, 18): The third person of the Trinity. Paul emphasizes that believers receive the Spirit through faith, not by works of the Law. The Spirit empowers Christian living, produces spiritual fruit (love, joy, peace, etc.), and guides believers in their freedom.;xNLx;Flesh (Greek: sarx) (e.g., Galatians 1:16; 2:16, 20; 3:3; 4:13-14, 23, 29; 5:13, 16-17, 19, 24; 6:8, 12-13): Can refer to:;xNLx;Physical human nature or the body.;xNLx;More often in Galatians, it refers to fallen human nature, the sinful self, or reliance on human effort (especially "works of the Law") for righteousness, as opposed to reliance on the Spirit. "Desires of the flesh" are contrary to the Spirit.;xNLx;Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): The positive character qualities (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) that the Holy Spirit produces in the lives of believers who walk by the Spirit.;xNLx;Works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21): Sinful attitudes and actions that stem from fallen human nature, such as sexual immorality, idolatry, enmity, strife, jealousy, etc.;xNLx;IV. Other Important Terms and Concepts:;xNLx;;xNLx;Curse (of the Law) (Galatians 1:8-9; 3:10, 13): The condemnation and divine judgment that comes upon those who fail to perfectly obey everything written in the Law of Moses. Paul argues that Christ redeemed believers from this curse by becoming a curse for them (by His crucifixion).;xNLx;Circumcision (e.g., Galatians 2:3, 7-9, 12; 5:2-3, 6, 11; 6:12-13, 15): The ritual removal of the foreskin, a sign of God's covenant with Abraham and his male descendants, and a key requirement of the Mosaic Law that the Judaizers were imposing on Gentile converts. Paul argues that in Christ, physical circumcision is irrelevant for salvation; what matters is "faith working through love" (5:6) or being a "new creation" (6:15).;xNLx;Adoption (as sons) (Greek: huiothesia) (Galatians 4:5): The act by which God brings believers into His family as His beloved children, granting them the status, rights, and inheritance of sons through Christ.;xNLx;Heir / Inheritance (Galatians 3:18, 29; 4:1, 7, 30; 5:21): Believers, as children of God through faith in Christ (and thus spiritual children of Abraham), are heirs to God's promises and the eternal inheritance of salvation.;xNLx;Guardian / Trustee (Greek: paidagogos, epitropos) (Galatians 3:24-25; 4:2):;xNLx;Guardian (paidagogos): In Greco-Roman society, a slave entrusted with the care, discipline, and moral training of a child until they reached maturity. Paul uses this to describe the role of the Law before Christ came – it was a temporary disciplinarian.;xNLx;Trustee/Guardian (epitropos): Someone who manages the affairs or property of a minor. Paul uses this in an analogy about being under guardians and managers until the time set by the father.;xNLx;Elements of the world / Elemental spirits (Greek: stoicheia tou kosmou) (Galatians 4:3, 9): A term with debated meaning, possibly referring to:;xNLx;Basic principles or rudimentary teachings (like the ABCs).;xNLx;Elementary religious observances or legalistic rules (perhaps including aspects of Jewish Law or pagan rituals).;xNLx;Angelic or spiritual powers thought to govern the cosmos or human destiny. Paul sees returning to these as a form of enslavement after knowing God through Christ.;xNLx;Allegory (Galatians 4:24): A story or narrative in which characters and events represent deeper spiritual or symbolic meanings. Paul uses the story of Sarah and Hagar, and their sons Isaac and Ishmael, as an allegory to contrast the two covenants (the new covenant of promise and freedom in Christ, versus the old covenant of law and slavery).;xNLx;Stumbling block / Offense (of the cross) (Galatians 5:11): The message of salvation through a crucified Messiah was offensive or scandalous to both Jews (who expected a triumphant Messiah) and Gentiles (who saw crucifixion as a shameful death). If Paul were still preaching circumcision, this "offense of the cross" would be removed, implying that the Judaizers were trying to make the gospel more palatable by adding Jewish legal requirements.;xNLx;"Another gospel" / "Different gospel" (Galatians 1:6-9): Paul's strong condemnation of the teaching of the Judaizers, which he says is not truly another gospel but a distortion of the one true gospel of Christ.;xNLx;Zeal (e.g., Galatians 1:14; 4:17-18): Intense enthusiasm, fervor, or devotion. Paul had zeal for Jewish traditions before his conversion. He also notes that the Judaizers were zealous for the Galatians, but not in a good way.;xNLx;This list is intended to provide clarity on many of the key terms and concepts found in Paul's impassioned letter to the Galatians (ESV). Understanding these within their original context is vital for grasping Paul's defense of the true gospel and its implications for Christian freedom and life in the Spirit.