::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chapters 1-2 Personal (Autobiographical)
Chapters 3-4 Doctrinal (Theological)
Chapters 5-6 Practical (Experiential)
·
The Writer Paul
·
The Reason His apostleship and his gospel are under attack by the
false
teachers (The Judaizers)
·
The Recipients Paul’s recent converts
in Galatia
Whilst all Scripture is inspired of God some books
are more important than others. Galatians
and Romans are surely in that category. Both teach the fundamental truth of the gospel … salvation by
faith in Christ … alone.
Whereas Romans comes from Paul’s head, Galatians,
it has been said, comes from his heart.
This is Paul “with his war paint on” (V. McGee) … it is a blistering
attack on the false teachers who dog his footsteps, decimate his converts, deny
his apostleship, and denounce his gospel.
And Paul is righteously angry!!
* * * * * * * * * *
1. THE
GREETING PAUL IGNORED … 1:1-3
Notice the “distinctly chilly” greeting … no word of
commendation … no thanksgiving for them … no word of praise concerning their
testimony … all of which we find in the other Pauline epistles.
Nor does he describe himself as a “fellow worker”,
nor as a “bond-servant”, but from the opening phrase we get “an apostle”! And, he adds, it was an ordination not from
men but from the nail-pierced hands of Christ Himself.
2. THE
GOSPEL PAUL PROCLAIMED … 1:4-9
The gospel Paul proclaimed dealt with the penalty of
sin. But more than that, it provided
victory over the power of sin … “deliverance from this present evil world” (v.
4). The Saviour died, not only to save
us for the “sweet bye and bye” … but to save us from the “dirty now and now.”
And it was a unique gospel! The Judaizers distorted it by adding works
to grace. A Gentile, they said, must
keep the Law of Moses as well as trust in Jesus (Acts 15:1). It was not the necessity of the Lord Jesus
they denied … it was His sufficiency to save … alone.
Paul’s words may sound harsh and even unloving (vs.
8-9), but they are motivated by love for the souls of those being led astray by
these false teachers. A perverted
gospel (v. 7) not only converts no-one, but endangers the salvation of those
already committed to Christ (Galatians 5:4).
3. THE
GREATNESS PAUL DESIRED … 1:10
Some
with hate thee, some will love thee;
Some
will flatter, some will slight;
Cease
from man and look above thee –
Trust
in God and do the right?
Paul is not out to win a popularity contest. He wants to hear, “Well done, good and
faithful servant!” at the end of his course.
4. PAUL’S
GOSPEL … 1:11-2:21
(a) Independent
of human teachers …1:11-12
Again he emphasises that no man taught him the
gospel he now preached. It was revealed
to him, probably during his years in Arabia (1:17), by the Risen Christ!
(b) Despite
his previous antagonism … 1:13-14
He reminds his readers of the way he once persecuted
the Christians (Acts 26:10-11). But his
life had been re-arranged by an encounter on the Damascus Road.
(c) Independent
of Judean authority … 1:15-20
From the time he was born, he writes, God had a plan
for his life … to be His servant to the Gentiles (“heathen”, v. 16). For that matter, God has a plan for
everybody’s life. But it is up to them
to “trust and obey.” Some trust, and
then don’t obey. Some, also, do not
even trust in the first place.
The argument that follows is that Paul did not learn
his gospel from human teachers but from Christ Himself (vs. 16b-20). He labours the point because that is the
very thing the Judaizers are attacking.
(d) Confirmed
by the Brethren … 1:21-23
And for a number of years he served the Lord quietly
in Syria and Cilicia … the believers in Judea knew of him and rejoiced that the
one who had once persecuted them now was a believer.
(e) Vindicated
at Jerusalem … 2:1-10
i. The
Trip to Jerusalem … 2:1-2
Commentators are divided as to when the “14 years” commences. From the time of his conversion (v. 15), or the time he went to Syria (v. 21)?? It all depends whether he is writing to South Galatia, or North Galatia … which is something theologians love to wrangle about. During this visit (Acts 12:25 ? or Acts 15:2 ?) Paul took time to discuss his gospel with the other apostles. Privately. He wanted to be sure they and he were preaching the same way of salvation.
ii. The Test
Case … 2:3
Titus was recognised by the church leaders at
Jerusalem as being a brother in Christ without submitting to the rites and
ceremonies of the law. And Titus was a
Gentile!
iii. The
Triumph …
2:4-9
The Judaizers were discredited … “We didn’t give
them an inch!” (J.B. Phillips’ translation, v. 5). And Paul was accepted by the
Jerusalem hierarchy (v. 9). It was recognised that Paul would take the gospel
to the Gentiles … and Peter to the Jews (v. 7). But they would both preach the SAME gospel.
(f) Vindicated
at Antioch … 2:11-21
i. The
Rebuke from Paul … 2:11
Wow! Here is
Paul publicly rebuking Peter! Nor is it
a “clash of giants”, as one commentator puts it. No! It is a David and
Goliath situation. It is better
compared to a “country curate rebuking his Bishop!” (S. Neill). Paul is, at this time, little known in
Christian circles, whereas Peter was the leader of the Apostolic band. So what brought about this remarkable
incident?
ii. The
Relapse of Peter … 2:12-13
By his action of ceasing to eat with the Gentiles
when the Judaizers arrived on the scene, Peter was implying the false teachers
were right and that the Gentiles were not saved! Despite the fact that Peter had seen the vision of the sheet from
Heaven and heard a voice telling him the old Mosaic food laws were abolished by
the gospel (Acts 10:11-15). And not
just the food laws! The whole Mosaic
law system was no longer (and for that matter, never had been) a way of
salvation! And Paul points that out to
his erring brother …
iii. The
Reasons Paul Gives … 2:14-16
What’s the use, argues Paul, of trying to get the
Gentiles to keep the law of Moses when even we Jews know that it couldn’t save
us!! To be ‘justified’ (v. 16), means
to be ‘declared righteous’ in the sight of God. And that takes place when we place our faith in Christ … and
certainly not by law-keeping.
Verse 17 … seems to mean that if we place our faith
in Christ and we are NOT saved (“still found sinners”) that means He didn’t do
what He said He would.
Verse 18 … To go back to law-keeping as a way of
salvation (and that’s what Peter’s action had implied!) after I’d preached
against it … makes one a law-breaker.
Verse 19 … But a Christian is dead to the Law of
Moses. What is more, it was the law
that killed him … because he could not keep it. No-one can. But Jesus
kept it. And died in my place …
Verse 20 … God sees me as dead to the law. It has no claims upon me anymore. And He sees me alive in Christ. And out of gratitude for what He did for me
I’ll keep His commands as found in the New Testament. That’s what Christianity is all about in contrast to
Judaism. And any other legalistic cult
that adds to the finished work of our Lord Jesus.
Verse 21 … If we seek salvation by our own efforts
we put God in our debt (Romans 4:4). We
would be seeking to make salvation a reward rather than a “free gift”
(Ephesians 2:8). What was the purpose
of Calvary if man could attain salvation by his own efforts? Salvation is by “the grace of God”, and
grace and works do not co-exist. Those
who add their own works to faith in Christ are “fallen from grace!” (Galatians
5:4).
No wonder Paul speaks out against the teachers of
this false gospel.
Could
my zeal no respite know,
Could
my tears forever flow,
All
for sin could not atone …
Thou
must save, and Thou … alone!
As we read these first two chapters remember the
purpose for which they were penned.
Paul is defending his apostleship and his gospel against the Judaizers!
====================================================
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Paul now argues for the truth of the gospel he
proclaims … in contrast to the so-called gospel of his detractors (1:6-7) … in
a series of six theological arguments!
* * * * * * * * * *
1. THE
EXPERIENCE OF THE GALATIANS … 3:1-5
How were the Galatians saved in the first place, he
asks. When they heard his
gospel … or that preached by the Judaizers?
And was not Paul’s gospel confirmed by miracles taking place in their
midst? (v. 5). Such miracles are
described as being “signs of the apostles” (II Corinthians 12:12). And at Galatia they had seen this evidence
of Paul’s apostleship. Now, having
commenced the Christian life by faith in Christ, do they go back to law-keeping
to keep saved (v. 3)? No! No!
a thousand times No!
2. THE
EMPHASIS OF SCRIPTURE … 3:6-14
In these nine verses Paul will quote the Old Testament
six times to show that even therein salvation by faith was taught.
So how was Abraham saved (vs. 6-7)? He had faith in God’s promise that to him a
son would be born … “he believed God and it was counted to him for
righteousness” (Genesis 15:5-6). And those
who have that same kind of faith in God today are “the children of Abraham”
(Galatians 3:7). Not his literal
descendants … the Jews … but his ‘spiritual’ descendants.
The promise to Abraham (vs. 8-9) was that his “seed”
would be a blessing to all nations … Gentiles as well as Jews! And we will see in Galatians 3:16 that the
“seed” was the Messiah, not the Hebrew nation! (v. 16).
On the other hand, the Old Testament taught that
trying to keep the law only resulted in spiritual death … a person might keep
99% of the law perfectly and yet fail in one point (Galatians 3:10; James 2:10). And that put him a
sinner under threat of judgement. To
make matters worse, there is not “a just man upon the earth that doeth good and
sinneth not!” (Ecclesiastes 7:20).
But God had a plan of salvation … by faith. Christ Jesus paid the penalty for our
sins. He became our substitute … was
punished in our place … “bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (I Peter
2:24). The “curse” that should have
fallen upon us (v. 10) fell upon Him (v. 13).
The
law says “Do!” (v. 12)
And
bids me die.
Grace
says “Done!!” (v. 13)
And
bids me fly!!
3:10 … For as many as are of the works
of the law are under the curse: for it
is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are
written in the book of the law to do them (Deuteronomy 27:26).
3:11 … But that no man is justified by
the law in the sight of God, it is evident:
for, The just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4).
3:12 … And the law is not of
faith: but, The man that doeth them
shall live in them (Leviticus 18:5).
3:13 … Christ has redeemed us from the
curse of the law, being made a curse for us:
for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree
(Deuteronomy 21:23).
3:14 … That the blessing of Abraham
might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
3. THE
EXAMPLE OF ABRAHAM … 3:15-18
The argument in these verses revolves around the
fact that if two people make an agreement (a covenant) a third person cannot
come along at a later date and break that covenant (v. 15).
God made a covenant with Abraham … and the law,
which was given 430 years later, cannot alter that covenant. The covenant was that God would send His Son
… and through faith in Him salvation was to be available for all peoples
(3:16-18).
So why was the Law given? … vs. 19-25
(a) The Law showed up our sinfulness … “it was added to show what
wrong-doing is” (v. 19, Good News Bible).
(b) The Law points us to our need of a Saviour. It was our “schoolmaster” or “governor” to lead us to Christ (v.
24).
(c) The Law was Temporary!! … “… till the seed should
come” (v. 19) (“no longer under a schoolmaster” (vs. 24-25).
(d) The Law came to Moses via Angels (v. 19). But God’s promise of salvation came to
Abraham without any mediator (v. 20 … see modern translations!!)
So, it is by faith we become members of the
Family of God. And we are “baptized”
into that family by the Holy Spirit (v. 27;
I Corinthians 12:13). Of this
event water baptism is but a symbolic act.
Note the “all” in verse 26. Jew and Gentile! Slave and Master! Male
and Female! “All one in Christ Jesus”. And every Christian is a true “child of
Abraham” (v. 29; Romans 4:16).
4. THE
EXPLANATION OF A ROMAN CUSTOM … 4:1-12
Roman children were under a guardian until the age
of 14 (4:1-2). Then they entered ‘full
standing’ as an heir of the family and received their adult toga!! It was spoken of as “adoption”, but not in
the sense we use the word today.
Paul says that there was a time we were under the
guardianship of the law. But after we
placed our faith in Christ we became heirs of God! We were “adopted” into His family as a son (v. 7). “Son”, incidentally, is an important word …
it carries with it the thought of inheriting the father’s riches … and it
applies to every believer, male or female!!
Those who want to be ‘politically correct’ and alter it to ‘child’ miss
out on the theological implications of the word. Now that we are sons, says Paul, we do not put ourselves back
under the bondage we once experienced (vs. 9-11).
In verses 11-12 Paul expresses his concern and bids
them be as he is … free from the Law!
(Romans 6:14.)
5. THE
EXPRESSION OF PREVIOUS COMPASSION … 4:13-20
The apostle reminds them of his visit (vs. 13-15) …
of the love they had for him. Even to
the extent of giving him their eyes, a reference possible to Paul’s poor
eyesight? (II Corinthians 12:7; Acts 23:1-5; Galatians 6:11).
The heart of Paul yearns for these who once
responded under his ministry. The zeal
of the Judaizers has led to their present condition. Does verse 19 imply they had forfeited the salvation they once
enjoyed…?
6. THE
EXEGESIS OF GENESIS … 4:21-31
Here is an odd kind of argument, at least to our
Western 21st century ears!!
But this is the kind of thing the first century Rabbis used to do, so
Paul beats them at their own game. He
takes an historical incident and allegorises it … the story of Sarah and
Hagar. And Abraham’s two sons …
Ishmael was born
to Hagar, the servant girl, and did not receive the promise that one
day, through him, the Messiah would be born. But Isaac was born to Sarah and
received the promise (4:23). And as the
children grew up Ishmael persecuted Isaac, so it is now … the Judaizers
(children of the bond-woman) persecute Paul (child of the free-woman) (4:29).
So what says the Old Testament? “Cast out the bond-woman and her son!” (Genesis 21:10).
And Paul applies that to the Judaizers!!
It may sound an odd kind of argument to us, but it
probably helped the Galatians make up their minds concerning what they ought to
do.
* * * * * * * * * *
Salvation is by faith … it commences that way and
continues that way (Romans 1:17 … “from faith to faith”)! Once we start relying upon our own works to
get us to Heaven we are falling into the trap of the Judaizers’ false gospel,
for we are no longer relying upon the grace of God. And it is “by grace we are saved … not of works lest any man
should boast”!! (Ephesians 2:8-9).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
We now come to the practical portion of this
epistle. Note the “therefore” in 5:1.
Stand fast therefore
in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled
again with the yoke of bondage.
Therefore … because we are justified by faith and no longer
in bondage to the law, watch out for certain dangers, not the least of which is
living an ungodly life!!
For, brethren, ye have been
called unto liberty; only use not
liberty for an occasion to the flesh…the “flesh” being a term for the
old sinful nature! (5:13).
* * * * * * * *
* *
Let’s look at the three dangers Paul mentions …
1. THE
DANGER OF UNNECESSARY LEGALISM … 5:1-6
On the one hand he says that if his converts accept the teaching of the Judaizers and are circumcised, it will ‘sever’ (see RSV; ASV; NASV; NEB; Amp.), or ‘alienate’ (NIV) them from Christ (v. 2). Which does not sound as if Paul taught ‘Once saved, always saved’ as many do today!
On the other hand, in verse 6 he says that it doesn’t matter whether a person gets circumcised or not!!
The solution lies in the motive behind such an act. If one submits to the Law of Moses for
cultural reasons … like a Jew may well want to celebrate the Passover for it
was such a notable event in his heritage … or he may want to only eat certain
foods prescribed by the law for health reasons … so be it. It does not affect his salvation. But if he does these things to merit
salvation (v. 2), he is adding to the gospel.
The grace of God in salvation and one’s own efforts at law-keeping do
not co-exist (v. 4).
2. THE
DANGER OF UNCONVERTED LEADERS … 5:7-12
This is the most angry passage to come from the apostle’s pen!! Those Judaizers want to cut your flesh … he says, in effect, I wish they would mutilate themselves!! (v. 12).
3. THE
DANGER OF UNCONTROLLED LIBERTY … 5:13-24
Now we really get to the heart of this section. So the believer is not under the law … does
that mean he can live as he pleases?
No!! Verses 13-14.
The law given to Moses is “done away” (II
Corinthians 3:7), but the law of Love takes its place. And lifts that Law of Moses to a higher
plane. It is no longer, “No murder”,
for example, but “No hatred” (Matthew 5:21-22). It is no longer “hate thine enemy” but “love thine enemy “
(Matthew 5:43-44) … that’s the New Testament ‘law’ given in the Sermon
on the Mount. Verses 15-24.
Those who still live sinful lives might well doubt
the reality of their conversion (v. 24).
For the Holy Spirit who indwells the believer is able to give victory
over sin and produce “fruit unto holiness” (vs. 16; 22-23).
The old sinful nature still seeks to assert itself
(v. 17), but the Holy Spirit is able to counteract its dominion over the
believer.
* * * * *
************************************ * * * *
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
We now come to a number of practical issues
(5:26-6-10), where we see the outworking of Christian behaviour.
1. CONCERNING
BEING SELF-OPINIONATED … 5:26a
Don’t be a snob!
2. CONCERNING
BEING SCHISMATIC … 5:26b
Don’t pick fights with others all the time!
3. CONCERNING
BEING SELF-SEEKING … 5:26c
… not always wanting the other person’s position,
etc.
4. CONCERNING
BEING SYMPATHETIC … 6:1-2
… helping to restore the down-fallen.
5. CONCERNING
SELF-DECEPTION … 6:3-4
… having inflated ideas of one’s own importance.
6. CONCERNING
SELF-RELIANCE … 6:5
The Greek word for “burden” in this verse is a
different word than that used for “burden” in verse 2. There are some responsibilities we cannot
pass on to others.
7. CONCERNING
STEWARDSHIP … 6:6
The word “communicate” has to do with the giving of
material support. Faithful pastors
should be paid by those who appreciate their ministry.
8. CONCERNING
SOWING …
6:7-8
It is a law of the natural world, and of the
spiritual realm. Plant wheat and you
harvest wheat. Plant cotton and you
harvest cotton. But some folk expect to
sow ‘wild oats’ and still reap God’s blessing …
9. CONCERNING
SERVICE
… 6:9-10
Like the advertisement for Berger’s paint, “Keep on
keeping on!”
10. CONCERNING
THE SIGNATURE … 6:12-13
The “large letters” are thought to be a reference to
Paul’s poor eyesight (cf. 4:15).
11. CONCERNING
THE SLANDERERS …
the Judaizers! … 6:12-13
Paul suggests that they include circumcision in
their so-called ‘gospel’ to escape persecution from the Jews (v. 12) … and to
boost their number of ‘converts’ (v. 13)!
12. CONCERNING
THE SAVIOUR … 6:14-15
What really counts is to be trusting the Lord Jesus
… alone!
13. CONCERNING
THE SAINTS … 6:16
The “Israel of God” is not the literal
descendants of Abraham … but those with the same faith as Abraham (3:29). This text is Paul’s prayer for the church.
14. CONCERNING
THE SCARS … 6:17
The reference is to the manifold persecutions the
apostle had endured: beatings,
stonings, floggings, shipwrecks … (see II Corinthians 11:23-26). All received because of his faithfulness to
the gospel.
The only scars the Judaizers have to show … is that
of circumcision!
* * * * ********************
* * * * *
“Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with your spirit. Amen” (6:18).
====================================================