Galatians Chapter 6

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load. 6  One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. 7  Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

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1. Caught in any transgression? Is this one of those “gotcha” type of things?

Being free from the Mosaic Law does not mean being free from responsibility. In this section Paul explained various responsibilities that Christians have to one another to clarify the will of God for his readers.

The situation Paul envisioned here is that of sin overtaking a Christian as a runner overtakes a walker. It is not that God has caught him in the act of sinning as much as that sin has gotten the better of him in a particular instance. He has been surprised by sin rather than detected in it. “Trespass” (Gr. paraptoma) is not habitual action but an isolated act. Neither is it intentional sin but inadvertent wrongdoing. CN

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2. Who should do the restoring here? Is this the job of the clergy or pastors etc.?

This does not refer to an elite class of Christians but rather to those who have more maturity and experience in the Christian life and who are therefore in a position to help their beleaguered brother or sister. The adjective “spiritual” means “living and walking according to the Holy Spirit”. ESV

However the “spiritual” Christian is the one that should do this, namely, one whose life bears the fruit of the Spirit because he or she habitually walks by the Spirit. The more spiritually mature, having walked by the Spirit for some time. The spiritual Christian must restore the Christian who has stumbled gently, carefully, and cautiously. The spiritual Christian can avoid a spirit of self-righteousness in dealing with those who stumble by remembering his or her own personal vulnerability to temptation.

The word used for “restore” in this verse is a verb which means “to set a broken bone.” If a fellow falls down and breaks his leg, what are you going to do? Are you going to walk off and leave him in pain? God says, “You who are spiritual set the broken bone. Get him back on his feet again.” It is to be done in the spirit of meekness .JVM

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3. How can we bear another’s burdens?

To bear one another’s burdens is the supreme imitation of Jesus, the ultimate burden-bearer. Now burden (baros) means “fault”—“If a man be overtaken in a fault.” That’s his burden. You could help him bear it. It also means infirmity, a weakness, an ignorance, a pressure, a tension, a grief. To bear one another’s burdens is the supreme imitation of Jesus, the ultimate burden-bearer. He has even gone to the length of taking mankind’s sins and the curse of the law upon himself. and so fulfill the law of Christ. Though Paul insists that the Galatians are free from obeying Jewish ceremonial laws, this does not mean they are free from all of God’s moral requirements. The “law of Christ” in a broad sense means the entire body of ethical teaching that Jesus gave and endorsed, but in a specific sense here it probably refers to the command to love one’s neighbor as oneself, which, if followed fully, will result in obeying the rest of God’s moral law.

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4. What is the danger here?

The danger comes from legalistically dealing with the faults of others. Legalists tend to evaluate their personal spirituality in light of the performance of others. The legalist thus rejoices at the fall of another brother, since he appears better in comparison. His response is that of smug superiority and self-righteous condemnation. His judgment makes him blind to his own sins. The scribes and Pharisees were“shocked” at the sin of the woman caught in adultery, but they were aloof about their sins concerning pride, materialism, and their neglect of the widows and orphans, and even of their own parents.

Paul elsewhere soundly condemned the practice of measuring ourselves against others: “For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding” 2 Cor. 10:12 Bob Deffinbaugh bible .org

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5. Sowing and reaping, is this Karma?

If a person selfishly withholds what he has, he will not see God multiply it and bless him with it. If he follows the prompting of his sinful nature in his investments, he will reap death, but if he follows the Spirit, he will reap life. This is not saying he will necessarily die but that his sowing will yield a disappointing harvest. Neither is it saying that he can earn justification. It is saying that his sowing will yield the best harvest. Our harvest will suffer if we grow weary and stop sowing. Remember that the context of this section is the support of Christian workers, though these principles certainly have wider application.

“Paul here seems to regard the whole of a man’s earthly life as a period of sowing, with harvest awaiting him on the last day: the eschatological yield is determined by present sowing.” The term “eternal life”has two different though related meanings in the New Testament. Essentially it is the life of God that He shares with believers. On the one hand, the New Testament writers spoke of it as a gift that one receives by faith. However it also refers to the quality of the believer’s life that depends on the extent to which he or she walks with God in fellowship. In this second sense, some believers experience eternal life to a greater extent than other believers do. It is in this second sense that Paul spoke of eternal life here. CN

While believers await their rewards they should do good. The primary focus should be on serving those in the church, but never to the exclusion of people in the wider world.

Sowing and reaping: This is an immutable law that operates in every sphere of life. In agriculture and horticulture if you sow corn, you get corn; if you sow cotton, you reap cotton. In the moral sphere you also reap what you sow. God says you will reap what you sow. God will not be mocked. When you sow corn, you reap corn. When you sow sin, that is what you will reap, you will reap the consequences of that sin, either in this life or the next. JVM 

But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.  For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matt 12:36-37 (NKJV)

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11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

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6. Why does Paul mention his hand writing?

Paul is saying that he has written with large letters, which is characteristic with folk who have poor vision. This, I believe, bears out the theory that Paul’s“thorn in the flesh” was eye trouble (see 2 Cor. 12:7). As you recall, he had said to them earlier, “… I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me” (Gal. 4:15). I am sure that Paul had a serious visual problem.

When Paul wrote his Epistle to the Romans, he dictated it to a secretary. And at the conclusion of the letter, Paul said to the secretary, “Now if you want to put in your greetings, go ahead and do it.” So in Romans 16:22 we have the secretary’s salutation: “I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.”

However, when Paul wrote to the Galatians, he was angry.He had heard that they were mixing the gospel with law—and when that is done, the gospel of the grace of God is absolutely destroyed. He couldn’t wait for a secretary to arrive—he just sat down and wrote to them himself. Because he didn’t see clearly, he wrote with large letters. JVM

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7. From Paul’s perspective what is the compelling motivation for the Judaizers to insist on circumcise?

The issue which Paul makes with the Judaizers is that between the cross of Christ and circumcision. To Paul, the cross was the source of his salvation. More than anything else, the “cross” summarized Paul’s message, while circumcision was the essence of the teaching of the Judaizers. The real reason for this is explained in verses 12-17. Paul gloried (boasted) in the cross of Christ, for it was there that his sins were washed away, borne by the Savior. The gospel which he preached was the message of the cross .

To the Judaizers the cross was offensive because it was the cause of their persecution and suffering. To find one’s salvation solely in the cross of Christ was so abominable to the unbelieving Jew that those who thus believed were persecuted. To avoid this persecution, the Judaizers played down the cross and promoted circumcision. This setting aside of the cross for circumcision enabled the Judaizers to gain the praise of the Jews, rather than the persecution which Paul and other Christians experienced. To Paul, the cross was everything and neither circumcision nor uncircumcision was anything. Bob Deffinbaugh bible.org

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8. What marks of Jesus did Paul bear on his body?

Notice the word marks. Paul is saying, “I bear in my body the ‘marks’”—the Greek word is stigmata—meaning ‘scar marks.’ If you want to see the handwriting of Jesus, look upon Paul’s body. In 2 Corinthians 11:23–27 he tells us, “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” The stigmata were the sufferings of Paul which he endured for the sake of the Lord Jesus.

In Paul’s day stigmatawas used in three ways. When a runaway slave was found and brought back to his master, he was branded on the forehead. Also soldiers who belonged to famous companies had the names of their commanders tattooed on their foreheads. Then, too, devotees of a pagan goddess (and there was much of this in Asia Minor and throughout the Roman Empire in Paul’s day) had her name branded on their foreheads. Paul says, “I have on my body the stigmata of the Lord Jesus.” He is saying this in effect, “I have written to you out of deep emotion and with great conviction. If you want to know if I truly believe what I have written and if these things are real in my own life, read my body—look at my scars.” JVM

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·        ESVN………….ESV Study Bible Notes                       

·         MSBN…….MacArthur NASB Study Notes              

·         NIVSN…..NIV Study Notes.                                                                   

·         JVM ….J Vernon McGee,

·         ACC …. Adam Clarke’s Commentary

·         BN …..Barnes Notes

·         WBC……   Wycliffe Bible Commentary

·         CN ……Constables Notes 

·         IC……….Ironside Commentary

·         NET………Net Bible Study Notes.

·         JFB…………..Jamieson  Fausset Brown Commentary

·         VWS……………..Vincent Word Studies

·         CMM………….Commentary on Matthew and Mark

·         BDB…………..Barclay’s Daily Study Bible (NT)

·         Darby………..John Darby’s Synopsis of the OT and NT

·         Johnson………Johnson’s Notes on the New Testament.

·         NTCMM…………..The New Testament Commentary:  Matthew and Mark.

“Fair Use “ Notice – Title 17 U.S.C. section 107

The above post may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. It is being made available in an effort to advance the understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, social justice, for the purpose of historical debate, and to advance the understanding of Christian conservative issues.  It is believed that this constitutes a ”fair use” of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the Copyright Law. In accordance with the title 17 U.S. C. section 107, the material in this post is shown without profit to those who have expressed an interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

Galatians Chapter 5

Christ Has Set Us Free

1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. 7  You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9  A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10  I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

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This brings us to the third major division in Galatians. The first section was personal, and it was important for us to know the personal experience Paul had had. Following this was the doctrinal section of justification by faith in which Paul insisted that our salvation must rest upon God’s salvation and that there is only one gospel.

We come now to the practical side, which is sanctification by the Spirit. Justification is by faith; sanctification is by the Spirit of God. JVM

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 1. Freedom implies what?

The concept of freedom implies the existence of bondage and slavery. Logically if there is freedom, then there must be lack of freedom.

 We were created in the image of God. God is the most maximally free person. He created us to make freewill decisions consistent with His character. His purpose is to create a race of beings who think and act like He would and who will function as His agents in the future Kingdom of Heaven. We will not be sitting on clouds playing harps. We will be busy and active and involved in the expansion and maintenance of the Kingdom. Adam thought he would obtain greater freedom by rebelling against God when in reality he lost his freedom and came into slavery to the forces of evil. Truth is freedom, the lie is bondage.

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2. How do we resist believing the lie and falling back into slavery to sin?

 “through the Spirit”. The previous two chapters were dealing with the concept of justification. Justification being that God has declared me “not guilty” based on the fact that Jesus has “paid in full” my sin debt I owed to God.  This again is looking at me from God’s perspective, while in reality from my perspective I am still a mess.

This is where the Holy Spirit begins the work of sanctification. Sanctification is the renovation process in which begins to mold my thinking, personality, habits, and behavior into being conformed to the image of Christ.

For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. Romans 8:29 (HCSB)

 We are not saved so we have “fire insurance”. We are saved for a purpose.

 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.   Eph 2:10 (ESV)

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 3. Ok you’ve given me a bunch of theology, but what should I do?

 a. Stand firm

The choice is yours to control your thinking and not be deceived. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.   Romans 12:2 (ESV)

b. Do not submit

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (ESV)  James is not talking about some guy in a red suit with a long tail and a pitch fork. He is talking about the thoughts which Satan is able to inject into our minds.

 c. Do not become circumcised

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.”

It’s a waste of time, just as anything we try to do to get God to look upon us with favor. Going to church, giving to the poor, Wearing a suit and tie, carrying a big black King James Bible, none of it impresses God. The only thing that impresses God is the blood of His Son.

 d. Do not fall from grace.

severed from Christ … fallen from grace. The Gr. word for “severed” means “to be separated,” or “to be estranged.” The word for “fallen” means “to lose one’s grasp on something.” Paul’s clear meaning is that any attempt to be justified by the law is to reject salvation by grace alone through faith alone. Those once exposed to the gracious truth of the gospel, who then turn their backs on Christ and seek to be justified by the law are separated from Christ and lose all prospects of God’s gracious salvation. Their desertion of Christ and the gospel only proves that their faith was never genuine.

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4.” A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” How does this apply?

A small bit of leaven or yeast has a great effect on whatever it comes into contact. Paul is making the point that you cannot mix a little law, works, flesh etc. with grace.  Even a little bit of “This persuasion” is destructive.
There is a story of an old couple who lived way out on the Scottish moors. For 40 years they had lived by the light of kerosene lamps because they had no electricity at their isolated little farm. Finally the utility company installed power lines out to their little cottage and the big night came for the old couple to turn on their new electric lights. They flipped on the switch and basked in the new illumination. They were so excited, the electric light would make it easier to find the matches and light the wicks on the kerosene lamps.

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5. So is love your neighbor as yourself a New Testament concept?

The ethics of the former OT law are the same as those of the NT gospel as indicated in the quote from Lev. 19:17-18 You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18  You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. When a Christian genuinely loves others, he fulfills all the moral requirements of the former Mosaic Law. This is the ruling principle of Christian freedom. MSBN

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 Walk by the Spirit

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another

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 6. Exactly what does “walk by the Spirit” mean and how is this contrary to “the flesh”.

All believers have the presence of the indwelling Holy

Spirit as the personal power for living to please God. The form of the Gr. verb translated “walk” indicates continuous action, or a habitual lifestyle. Walking also implies progress; as a believer submits to the Spirit’s control—that is, responds in obedience to the simple commands of Scripture—he grows in his spiritual life.

The flesh. This is not simply the physical body, but includes the mind, will, and emotions which are all subject to sin. It refers in general to our unredeemed humanness.  The flesh opposes the work of the Spirit and leads the believer toward sinful behavior he would not otherwise be compelled to do. Take your choice; these are mutually exclusive. Either you live by the power of the Holy Spirit which results in righteous behavior and spiritual attitudes or by the law which can only produce unrighteous behavior and attitudes. MSBN

7. How does the difference between the Spirit and the flesh manifest itself?

There is a warfare that goes on in the life of the believer. Once the spirit has come alive, now there comes this striving for the mastery of me. Will I be mastered by the Spirit or will I be mastered by the flesh? If I am mastered by the flesh, then I have the mind of the flesh. That is, my mind is constantly upon fleshly things. And the mind of the flesh is alienated from God; it cannot know God. The mind of the flesh is death.

But if my life is dominated by the Spirit, then I have the mind of the Spirit. And I’m thinking of God, and I’m thinking upon spiritual things, and the result of life and joy and peace in the holy Spirit. The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and joy and peace. The warfare going on. Am I going to yield to my flesh, or am I going to yield to the Spirit? And this comes up every day in many situations, and I have actually the choice in this situation. CSTTB

Paul was personally very aware of the struggle, indeed the warfare, which rages between the Spirit and the Flesh.

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. ………………… For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19  For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21  but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?   Romans 7:15-25 (ESV)

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, ……………..5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. Romans 8:1-9 (NKJV)

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8. How does Paul define the works of the flesh?

These sins characterize all unredeemed mankind living under the impotent commands of the law which produces only iniquity, though not every person manifests all these sins nor exhibits them to the same degree. Paul’s list, which is not exhaustive, encompasses 3 areas of human life: sex, religion, and human relationships.

a. sexual immorality    The Gr. word is porneia, from which the Eng. word “pornography” comes. It refers to all illicit sexual activity, including (but not limited to) adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, bestiality, incest, and prostitution.

b. impurity—(akatharsia) impurity, sexual sins including pornography

c. sensuality,

d. idolatry worship of idols (this includes money and everything that takes the place of God)

e. sorcery, The Gr. word pharmakeia, from which the Eng. word “pharmacy” comes, originally referred to medicines in general, but eventually only to mood-and mind-altering drugs, as well as the occult, witchcraft, and magic. Many pagan religious practices required the use of these drugs to aid in the communication with deities.

f. enmity Enmities, quarrels, hatred (Gr. echthrai, hostilities)

g. strife, discord, variance (Gr. eris, antagonism)

h. jealousy, Jealousy, envy, emulation (Gr. zelos, self-centered animosity)

i. fits of anger, Outbursts of anger, fits of rage, wrath (Gr. thymoi, temper eruptions)

j. rivalries, Disputes, strife, factions selfishness, selfish ambition (Gr. eritheiai, putting others down to get ahead)

k. dissensions, Factions, heresies, party spirit (Gr. haireseis, divisions over issues or personalities)

l. divisions, seditions (Gr. dichostasiai, disputes over issues or personalities)

m. envy, , jealousies (Gr. phthonoi, wrong desires to have another’s possessions)

n. drunkenness, In the OT, wine was associated with joy and celebrationbut when abused was seen as being highly destructive, and drunkenness is consistently condemned throughout Scripture.

o. orgies, Probably a specific reference to the orgies that characterized pagan, idolatrous worship. Generally, it refers to all rowdy, boisterous, and crude behavior.

p. and things like these… these are just examples of a very long list.

9. So if you do these things you are lost and going to hell?

 “will not inherit the kingdom of God”

Habitual action. Although believers undoubtedly can commit these sins, those people whose basic character is summed up in the uninterrupted and unrepentant practice of them cannot belong to God. The unregenerate are barred from entering the spiritual kingdom of redeemed people over whom Christ now rules, and they will be excluded from His millennial kingdom and the eternal state of blessing that follows it.

10. How does Paul define the evidence of the Holy Spirit within us, “the fruit of the Holy Spirit”?

a. love. One of several Gr. words for love, agape, is the love of choice, referring not to an emotional affection, physical attraction, or a familial bond, but to respect, devotion, and affection that leads to willing, self-sacrificial service

b. joy. A happiness based on unchanging divine promises and eternal spiritual realities. It is the sense of well being experienced by one who knows all is well between himself and the Lord. Joy is not the result of favorable circumstances, and even occurs when those circumstances are the most painful and severe. Joy is a gift from God, and as such, believers are not to manufacture it but to delight in the blessing they already possess.

c. peace. The inner calm that results from confidence in one’s saving relationship with Christ. The verb form denotes binding together and is reflected in the expression “having it all together.” Like joy, peace is not related to one’s circumstances.

d. patience. The ability to endure injuries inflicted by others and the willingness to accept irritating or painful situations.

e. kindness. Tender concern for others, reflected in a desire to treat others gently, just as the Lord treats all believers.

f. goodness. Moral and spiritual excellence manifested in active kindness. Believers are commanded to exemplify goodness.

g. faithfulness. Loyalty and trustworthiness.

h. gentleness. Better translated “meekness.” It is a humble and gentle attitude that is patiently submissive in every offense, while having no desire for revenge or retribution. In the NT, it is used to describe 3 attitudes: submission to the will of God, teachability (Jas 1:21), and consideration of others.

 i. self-control. This refers to restraining passions and appetites.

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11. “against such things there is no law”? Would it be possible to write a law defining how much kindness people must exhibit and the penalties for not being kind enough?

 Who would be the kindness judge?

• ESVN………….ESV Study Bible Notes

• MSBN…….MacArthur NASB Study Notes
• NIVSN…..NIV Study Notes.
• JVM ….J Vernon McGee,
• ACC …. Adam Clarke’s Commentary
• BN …..Barnes Notes
• WBC……   Wycliffe Bible Commentary
• CN …… Constables Notes
• IC……….Ironside Commentary
• NET………Net Bible Study Notes.
• JFB…………..Jamieson  Fausset  Brown Commentary
• VWS……………..Vincent Word Studies
• CMM………….Commentary on Matthew and Mark

• BDB………….. Barclay’s Daily Study Bible (NT)
• Darby………..John Darby’s Synopsis of the OT and NT
• Johnson………Johnson’s Notes on the New Testament.
• NTCMM…………..The New Testament Commentary:  Matthew and Mark. 

         CSTTB……………………………………Chuck Smith Thru the Bible

 “Fair Use “ Notice – Title 17 U.S.C. section 107

The above post may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. It is being made available in an effort to advance the understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, social justice, for the purpose of historical debate, and to advance the understanding of Christian conservative issues.  It is believed that this constitutes a ”fair use” of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the Copyright Law. In accordance with the title 17 U.S. C. section 107, the material in this post is shown without profit to those who have expressed an interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

Galatians Chapter 3

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

1. What is spirit and how do we receive the Spirit?

We live in an artificial temporary creation. E = MC2; Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity tells us that there is a direct relationship between matter (stuff) and energy. In effect God just took energy and converted it into stuff. Our bodies are part of that stuff, protons and electrons in a certain arrangement. All stuff is temporary and eventually will pass away. The universe as we know it is winding down and left on its own will suffer heat death. All this will pass away. Spirit is eternal and will not pass away. Spirit is real.

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”John 4:24 (ESV)

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Gen 1:26 (ESV)

God created us with a spiritual component, a spiritual component that was given the ability to connect with the Spirit of God and have spiritual relationship with him.

Adams was made with a healthy active spirit, but his spirit died on the day he rebelled against God and chose to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

This is why Jesus said we have to be born again. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 (ESV)

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17 (ESV)

No where—not even in the Old Testament—did anyone ever receive the Holy Spirit by the works of the Law. He is received by the hearing of faith. The Galatians never received the Spirit by the Law. The Holy Spirit is evidence of conversion. Scripture tells us, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Rom. 8:9). “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise”(Eph. 1:13). JVM

Peter’s in the book of Acts verifies that all believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “If God therefore gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:17).

4  Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? 7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

2. Why does Paul bring Abraham into this discussion?

Abraham believed God—This is quoted from Genesis 15:6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. Paul restates this in,Romans 4:3-5 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. Abraham, while even uncircumcised, believed in God, and his faith was reckoned to him for justification; and Abraham is called the father of the faithful, or, of believers. If, then, he was justified without the deeds of the law, he was justified by faith; and if he was justified by faith, long before the law was given then the law is not necessary to salvation. ACC

Paul is making the point that Abraham, who the Jews considered to be their father, was brought into relationship with God through his faith, before he was circumcised, and hundreds of years before the Mosaic Law, then why would they now think that they were justified before God by obeying the Mosaic Law.

And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham   Matt 3:9 (ESV)

3. So who are the sons of Abraham?

The Judaizers, in emphasizing the Mosaic Law, appealed to Moses frequently. Paul took them back farther in their history to Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation.

Abraham is the father of God’s people not because he is the biological ancestor of the Jews but because he has a family of spiritual children who follow in his footsteps by believing as he did. God promised Abraham that he would bring life from his dead body. Thus Abraham is a living OT prophecy of the gospel: he was not an Israelite but a pagan, and God justified him by faith.

10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for the righteous shall live by faith. 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

4. How is the Law a curse?

Any system of regulations only comes into effect when I fail to keep them. The speed laws on the freeway only become relevant when the CHP notices I am speeding. Driving the speed limit for years and I still don’t get a letter of commendation from the CHP

5. What is significant about “The righteous shall live by faith.”?

This is a quote from the OT prophet Habakkuk

“Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)

This great principle–”the just shall live by faith”–was the Scripture that so inflamed the soul of Martin Luther that it became the watchword of the Reformation. It occurs first here in the small prophecy of Habakkuk, but is then quoted three times in the New Testament. The term “just,” of course, means “justified” or “righteous.” God says a person is enabled to live righteously by his faith.

6. How was Jesus cursed by God?

21  For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:21 (ESV)

God the Father, using the principle of imputation, treated Christ as if He were a sinner though He was not, and had Him die as a substitute to pay the penalty for the sins of those who believe in Him. On the cross, He did not become a sinner (as some suggest), but remained as holy as ever. He was treated as if He were guilty of all the sins ever committed by all who would ever believe, though He committed none. The wrath of God was exhausted on Him and the just requirement of God’s law met for those for whom He died. MSBN

15 To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void.18For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.

7. What is a covenant?

In the general sense, a covenantis simply a binding agreement or compact between two or more parties; in legal terms, it is a formal sealed agreement or contract.

The Abrahamic Covenant, found in Genesis 15, granted the Israelites a promised land in the Land of Israel. In this covenant, God promises (see Genesis 12:1-3; 13:14-18;15:1-21; 17:1-22):

1. To make from Abraham a great nation and to multiply his seed exceedingly and to make him a father of great many nations.

2. To bless Abraham and make him great.

3. To make Abraham a blessing to all the families of the earth.

4. To bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him.

5. To give Abraham and his seed forever all the land which he could see.

6. To give him a sign of the covenant (circumcision).

8. How does the Abrahamic covenant point to grace apart from works?

This covenant was an unconditional declaration by God of what he planned for Abraham and his offspring. Part of this covenant was not just a covenant based on bloodlines but on the faith that Abraham, a former pagan idol worshipper had exhibited in this life; that faith being in Yahweh. Paul is pointing out that offspring a singular word is what is operative here. Christ is the seed, not seeds. Those who are in Christ are included as the seed of Abraham not just seeds as all children of Abraham. Many who claimed to be sons of Abraham were not his spiritual sons, because they boasted in their fleshly inheritance to Abraham.

19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

8.Why then the law?

The question then arises: If the law has no impact on God’s plan rooted in his promise, why was the law ever given?

Because of transgressions:

(1) “to provide a sacrificial system to deal temporarily with transgressions,”

(2) “to teachpeople more clearly what God requires and thereby to restrain transgressions,”

(3) “to showthat transgressions violated an explicit written law,”

(4) “to revealpeople’s sinfulness and need for a savior” (cf. Rom. 3:20: “through the law comes knowledge of sin”).

All four senses are theologically true, but the last is probably uppermost in Paul’s mind. ESV

9. Is the law contrary to the promises of God?

The law is certainly not contraryto the promises of God: Paul regards the law as “holy and righteous and good” So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Romans 7:12 (ESV)

But because of human sinfulness, the law was never able to give life. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. Romans 8:3 (ESV)

10. Who is the intermediary?

In the Old Testament, Moses was the intermediary.

Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off  and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die  Ex 20:18-19 (ESV)

Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the rules. Ex 24:3 (ESV)

“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— Deut. 18:15 (ESV)

Now Jesus Christ is our intermediary.

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.  1 Tim 2:5 (ESV)

11. So what work must I do to be saved and what kinds of people can receive the gift of salvation.

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6:29 (ESV)

Male female, slave free, Jew Greek, God chooses and offers the free gift of salvation to people from every people group and class of people.

·           

          ESVN………….ESV Study Bible Notes

·         MSBN…….MacArthur NASB Study Notes                     

·         NIVSN…..NIV Study Notes. 

·         JVM ….J Vernon McGee,

·         ACC …. Adam Clarke’s Commentary

·         BN …..Barnes Notes

·         WBC……   Wycliffe Bible Commentary

·         CN ……Constables Notes 

·         IC……….Ironside Commentary

·         NET………Net Bible Study Notes.

·         JFB…………..Jamieson  Fausset Brown Commentary

·         VWS……………..Vincent Word Studies

·         CMM………….Commentary on Matthew and Mark

·         BDB…………..Barclay’s Daily Study Bible (NT)

·         Darby………..John Darby’s Synopsis of the OT and NT

·         Johnson………Johnson’s Notes on the New Testament.

·         NTCMM…………..The New Testament Commentary:  Matthew and Mark.

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