Key Verses and Themes in Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians

Verse

Theme

Galatians 2:19b-20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Living in Christ by faith

Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Freedom in Christ, not slavery

Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love.

Faith working through love

Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.

Freedom to become “slaves” through love.

Galatians 5:16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Live by the Spirit, not the flesh

Galatians 5:22-23a The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 6:10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

Working for the good of all and the household of faith

Ephesians 1:9-10 [God] has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Everything — including our work on earth — is a part of God’s plan

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

Although your salvation comes only by grace through faith, you are nonetheless created in Christ Jesus to do good works

Ephesians 4:28 Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy.

Work hard so that you can share with those in need

Ephesians 6:5-8 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ; not only while being watched, and in order to please them, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. Render service with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not to men and women, knowing that whatever good we do, we will receive the same again from the Lord, whether we are slaves or free.

If ordered to do good work, work eagerly as if for the Lord. If ordered to do evil work, refuse, since evil work cannot be done “to the Lord”

Ephesians 6:9 And, masters, do the same to [your slaves]. Stop threatening them, for you know that both of you have the same Master in heaven, and with him there is no partiality.

If you are in a position of authority, do not order your subordinates to do anything contrary to God’s commands

Philippians 1:6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.

God will complete the work he has begun in us

Philippians 2:2 Be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Christians must not let divisions prevent them from bearing witness and working effectively in the world

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.

Take advantage of the unlimited opportunities in the workplace to treat others as wiser or smarter or better than yourself

Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.

We should meet the needs of the community around us instead of our own. If others do the same, then our needs will be met, although there is no guarantee that they will do so

Philippians 4:12-13, 18 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me…. I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied.

The way to be freed from idolatry of the rewards we seek from work (money, power, status, etc.) is to be motivated by the benefit our work has for others and to be content with whatever rewards may come