Redemption Hill Church

This passage marks the fifth of six disputes in the book of Malachi. Following God’s confrontation with His people about His execution of justice on the unrighteous, He shifts the focus with a profound declaration of His unchanging nature—His immutability (v.6). God’s steadfast and unwavering mercy is the sole reason the stubborn Israelites have not been destroyed. If not for His unchanging faithf...

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Malachi 2:10-16 is a challenging passage because it involves God using the prophet Malachi to confront and correct His people for sins within their marriages. No one likes to be confronted about sin, especially in the context of marriage. The primary sin God addresses here is faithlessness—faithlessness to His design for marriage by marrying those who worship other gods, and faithlessness through...

This section continues the message of Malachi 1:6–14, forming the second part of God’s dispute with the priests over the worship of His name. The priests had abandoned their sacred responsibilities, allowing the people to present blemished sacrifices while pretending they were unblemished. Furthermore, the priests failed to faithfully teach and guide God’s people according to His Word. In response...

In Malachi 1:6-14, God confronts the priests for offering unacceptable sacrifices, reflecting their lack of reverence and the people’s flawed worship. He accuses them of despising His name by offering blemished animals, a violation of the sacrificial system meant to symbolize atonement and honor. Instead of repenting, the priests respond with defiance and weariness, further demonstrating their dis...

The people of God have grown weary of waiting. It has been over 60 years since the temple was rebuilt, and the words of Zechariah, the last prophet to speak promises of hope, now feel distant and fading. For this discouraged remnant, life is marked by economic hardship, ongoing drought, and the continued reign of a foreign king. In their despair, they begin to question God’s faithfulness. Their do...

We’ve reached Paul’s final words to the churches in Galatia. In a significant moment, Paul takes the pen from his scribe and writes these closing thoughts himself. While he typically used an amanuensis to compose his letters, it was not uncommon for Paul to personally write the final lines as a mark of authenticity (see 2 Thessalonians 3:17). What sets this conclusion apart is both its length and...

As we continue in Chapter 6, Paul gives the Galatians further tangible evidence of the Spirit’s work in their lives. Recognizing the ministry of the Word as central to the church, Paul exhorts the Galatians to ensure that the needs of those who preach and teach the Word are met. He instructs them, “Let the one who is taught the Word share all good things with the one who teaches” (v. 6). Paul’s pr...

What does it mean to live by the Spirit? In Galatians 6, Paul describes Spirit-led living to the Galatians, emphasizing that it is neither isolated nor self-focused. Life in the Spirit is outwardly directed toward others, with an inward reflection marked by humility. Paul opens Chapter 6 by encouraging the Galatians to restore those who have fallen into sin. Although the exact situation in Galatia...

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Additional Study Questions 1. What is the difference between gospel freedom and all other types of freedom? Why is gospel freedom better? 2. Why does Paul refer to legalism and idolatry as a yoke? Why is Jesus’ yoke better (see Matthew 11:28-30)? 3. Read v13. How is true, gospel freedom NOT to be used? How is it to be used? How does this mirror the gospel? Use Scripture to support this. 4. Discuss...

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Additional Study Questions How does Paul classify both idolatry and legalism? Why does he refer to them as “weak and worthless principles of the world?” What does this suggest about the belief systems of the world? Our idolatry may be more sophisticated, but it is still the same. Idolatry is empty and vain. Read Psalm 11:1-8. What idols still need to be crushed in your heart? What practices do you...

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Cursed or Blessed Paul begins this section by stating that all who rely on works of the law to justify themselves are under a curse. Referring to his previous statements, he distinguishes between two groups: those of the law and those of faith. As mentioned in verse 9, those of faith are blessed. However, those who rely on works of the law are not blessed but cursed, as quoted from Deuteronomy 27:...

The Context In Galatians 1-2, Paul defends both his apostleship and the gospel message under attack in Galatia. In the final verses of Chapter 2, detailing his confrontation with Peter, Paul clarifies the foundation of the gospel: we are made right with God not by our works, but solely by faith in Jesus. Now, in Chapter 3, Paul continues to expand on the doctrine of justification by faith alone, s...

The Context Paul shifts from defending his gospel to explaining it. This passage in Galatians is arguably the most important paragraph in the book. Paul continues to recount what he told Peter when he confronted him in Antioch, stating that we aren’t justified by works of the law but by faith in Christ alone. The Proposition Paul’s proposition is found in verse 16: no one is made right with God th...

The Context Paul continues to outline the events following his conversion, providing further evidence that his gospel is not of human origin. In Galatians 1:13-24, Paul demonstrated that he labored independently of the Apostles. In Galatians 2:1-10, he showed that his apostleship was affirmed by them. Now, in this text, Paul asserts that his gospel holds authority even over the other Apostles, bec...

A Second Visit It is important to note that this section builds on Paul’s thoughts that began in Chapter 1. In verse 12, he informed the Galatians that despite the accusations against his law-free gospel, he never received his gospel from men, nor was he ever taught it by man. Paul then provides an airtight defense to prove his point, detailing the events that unfolded immediately following his co...

From Persecutor to Preacher It’s crucial to recognize the role this text plays in Paul’s overall argument. He has reminded the Galatians that there is no other gospel except the one he preached to them. His gospel is being discredited by false teachers in Galatia, who are also challenging his apostleship. Paul is accused of being a false apostle and of preaching a gospel tainted by his own opinion...

Why was this letter written? This is the most important question. The answer unlocks the entirety of the book. In Chapter 1, Paul tells the church, “there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (v6, ESV). After Paul planted these churches, false teachers gained influence and insisted that Gentile converts to Christianity must follow Jewish law, including practices such...

Harsh words! In this part of Paul’s epistle, one would typically expect a blessing, a word of encouragement, or a prayer of thanksgiving from the apostle to the church. This is Paul’s usual practice in all his other letters to churches, even to the church in Corinth. However, the Galatian churches receive no such encouragement or praise. Instead, Paul delivers an astonishing rebuke and pronounces...