Galatians study section

Galatians word studies

A handful of Greek words carry the theology of Galatians. Tap the speaker next to any word to hear it pronounced.

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Key words

εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion): “Gospel, Good News”

Usage: Galatians 1:6-9, 11; 2:5, 14

Meaning: Good news, glad tidings, the message of salvation in Christ.

Theological Significance: There is only one true euangelion, and any “different gospel” is a distortion under God’s curse. The gospel of justification by faith in Christ alone is not to be altered by adding human works (Galatians 1:6-9; 2:16).

δικαιόω (dikaioō): “To Justify, Declare Righteous”

Usage: Galatians 2:16-17; 3:8, 11, 24

Meaning: To justify, declare righteous, acquit, a legal verdict of “not guilty, but righteous.”

Theological Significance: God justifies sinners “not by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.” To be justified is to be declared righteous before God freely, on the basis of Christ’s work received by faith (Galatians 2:16; 3:11; Romans 3:28).

νόμος (nomos): “Law”

Usage: Galatians 2:16; 3:10-13, 24; 5:14

Meaning: Law, especially the law of Moses; also the principle of law-keeping as a way of salvation.

Theological Significance: The nomos cannot justify; it exposes sin, pronounces a curse on the disobedient, and served as a “guardian until Christ came.” Christ fulfilled and redeemed us from its curse, so we are no longer under it as a way to God (Galatians 3:13, 24; Romans 10:4).

πνεῦμα (pneuma): “Spirit”

Usage: Galatians 3:2-5; 4:6; 5:16-25

Meaning: Spirit: the Holy Spirit given to believers.

Theological Significance: The Spirit is received by faith, not law, cries “Abba! Father!” in the hearts of God’s adopted sons, and produces His fruit in those who “walk by the Spirit.” Holiness is the Spirit’s work, not law-keeping (Galatians 3:2; 4:6; 5:22-25).

ἐλευθερία (eleutheria): “Freedom, Liberty”

Usage: Galatians 5:1, 13; 2:4

Meaning: Freedom, liberty, release from bondage.

Theological Significance: “For freedom Christ has set us free”: free from the law’s curse and yoke and from sin’s bondage. This liberty is not license for the flesh but freedom to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:1, 13; John 8:36).

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