48. Galatians (Prefiguring Jesus) 

Foreshadowing Jesus in the Book of Galatians

1. Introduction: Overview of the Book and Its Foreshadowing Themes

• Book Overview:
  Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians, written around AD 48–55, addresses churches in the region of Galatia who were turning from the Gospel of grace to legalism. False teachers had convinced some that Gentile believers must keep the Mosaic Law to be fully justified. Paul strongly defends justification by faith in Jesus Christ apart from the works of the Law, asserting the supremacy of the cross and the promise of the Spirit.
  • Key Verse:
    Galatians 2:16 – “A person is not justified by the works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ.”
• Foreshadowing Themes:
  Galatians presents Jesus as the fulfilment of the Abrahamic covenant, the true Seed, the Redeemer from the Law’s curse, and the one who brings the promise of the Spirit. Paul uses Old Testament typology (e.g. Hagar and Sarah) to contrast the bondage of the Law with the freedom of grace found in Christ.
  • Key Verse:
    Galatians 3:13 – “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.”

2. Historical and Theological Context

• Historical Context:
  The Galatian churches were influenced by Judaizers—those who insisted on circumcision and adherence to Mosaic Law for salvation. Paul urgently responds with this epistle, defending the Gospel he preached and warning against abandoning grace for legalism.
  • Key Verse:
    Galatians 1:6 – “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you…”
• Theological Context:
  Galatians is deeply theological and polemical, emphasising that the Law cannot justify or sanctify. Rather, the promise made to Abraham is fulfilled in Christ, and all who believe are heirs of that promise. The Spirit—not the Law—is the source of Christian transformation and fruitfulness.

3. Narrative Structure and Christ-Centred Motifs

• Structure:
  • Chapters 1–2: Paul’s authority and the defence of the true Gospel
  • Chapters 3–4: Faith versus the Law, Abrahamic promise fulfilled in Christ
  • Chapters 5–6: Freedom in the Spirit and practical exhortations
• Christ-Centred Motifs:
  • Christ as the Seed of Abraham: He inherits and extends the covenant blessings.
  • Christ as the Curse-Bearer: He fulfils the Law’s penalty on the cross.
  • Christ as the Liberator: He sets believers free from bondage to the Law.
  • Christ as the Source of Sonship: Adoption into God’s family comes through Him.
  • Christ as the New Creation Initiator: Life in Him is not defined by law, but by the Spirit.

4. Typology and Symbols of Christ

• The Seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16) – The promises were made to “your seed… who is Christ.”
  • Foreshadowed in: Genesis 12, 15, 22 – Blessing to all nations through Abraham’s seed.
• The Curse-Bearer (Galatians 3:13) – “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
  • Foreshadowed in: Deuteronomy 21:23 – Death on a tree symbolises divine curse.
• The Allegory of Hagar and Sarah (Galatians 4:21–31) – Law versus promise, slavery versus freedom.
  • Foreshadowed in: Genesis 16 and 21 – Ishmael and Isaac as types of two covenants.
• Redemption and Adoption (Galatians 4:4–5) – “God sent His Son… to redeem… and to adopt.”
  • Foreshadowed in: Exodus redemption; Hosea 11:1 – “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

5. Messianic Prophecies and Previews

• Isaiah’s Barren Woman (Galatians 4:27) – Quoting Isaiah 54:1 to show the fruitful promise of grace.
  • Fulfilled in: The spiritual offspring of Abraham through Christ.
• Genesis 3 and the Curse (Galatians 3:13) – The curse of sin and death reversed in Christ.
  • Fulfilled in: Christ removes the curse for all who believe.
• Genesis 22:18 (Galatians 3:8, 16) – “All nations will be blessed through you.”
  • Fulfilled in: Christ, the true Seed, brings the blessing to the Gentiles.

6. Theological and Christological Significance

• Jesus as the Fulfilment of the Promise – He embodies and extends God’s covenantal blessing.
• Christ as Redeemer from the Law – He bears the curse to bring liberty and life.
• Jesus as the Giver of the Spirit – Faith in Him leads to regeneration and transformation.
  • Key Verse:
    Galatians 5:1 – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”

7. Redemptive Legacy and Christian Application

• Redemptive Legacy:
  Galatians unveils Jesus as the one who fulfils the Abrahamic promise, abolishes the curse, and initiates a new covenant marked by the Spirit, not by the Law. Believers in Christ are children of promise, empowered to live in freedom, love, and holiness—not through legalistic effort, but by grace.
• Christian Application:
  • Stand firm in Gospel liberty: Do not return to legalism or self-righteousness.
  • Walk by the Spirit: Bear fruit not from effort, but from union with Christ.
  • Remember your identity: You are a child of God through faith.
  • Live by faith, not by flesh: The promise belongs to those who believe.
  • Boast only in the cross: Glory in what Christ has accomplished.
  • Key Verse:
    Galatians 6:14 – “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

✅ Summary Statement:

Galatians proclaims Christ as the Seed of promise, the bearer of the curse, and the giver of the Spirit. In Him, the Law is fulfilled, the curse is broken, and freedom is secured. Believers are heirs of grace—not by the works of the Law, but by faith in the Son of God who loved and gave Himself for them.