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Chapter 6 – Our Equal Rank One with Another (7/7) A closing commendation of grace (6.18) (1/1)

"Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen." (Galatians 6.18). This type of closing was not unusual with Paul. He frequently commended the brethren to the grace available in Christ as he ended his letters. However, the closing to the Galatians should be viewed with a slightly different perspective in as much as there are specific warnings in the Galatian epistle regarding grace. Note some of these warnings especially as they relate to…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 6 – Our Equal Rank One with Another (6/7) Faith in Christ – the only Basis for Boasting (6.11-17) (2/2)

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." (Galatians 6.15-17). The great question that occupied the minds of the debaters of the region was circumcision. Should it be imposed upon all or was it…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 6 – Our Equal Rank One with Another (5/7) Faith in Christ – the only Basis for Boasting (6.11-17) (1/2)

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6.14). The context of this statement is one which directly concerns the doctrines of the Judaizers as compared to the truth of the Gospel. The Judaizers zealously courted the Galatians but it was to no good end (Galatians 4.17). Paul on the other hand had boasted in the only legitimate source of…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 6 – Our Equal Rank One with Another (4/7) Mutual Responsibilities of all Christians (6.1-10) (4/4)

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6.9-10).

As we have opportunity" simply means as we have occasion, or as occasions present themselves to us. That is the frequency with which we are to do good. It is not a seasonal thing which comes and goes based on the calendar…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 6 – Our Equal Rank One with Another (3/7) Mutual Responsibilities of all Christians (6.1-10) (3/4)

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6.7-9).

There is a list of things that fall under the heading of "doing good" in the first nine verses of Galatians 6.…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 6 – Our Equal Rank One with Another (2/7) Mutual Responsibilities of all Christians (6.1-10) (2/4)

"For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load." (Galatians 6.3-5).

Spiritual self-examination is one of the most difficult commandments contained in God's will. But, the effects of not doing it, or for doing it ineffectively, are totally unacceptable to the human mind.…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 6 – Our Equal Rank One with Another (1/7) Mutual Responsibilities of all Christians (6.1-10) (1/4)

While those who belong to Christ do not practice (engage habitually in) sin, that does not mean that they cannot be "overtaken in a trespass." In fact, that is the exact scenario which begins Paul's final chapter to the Galatian Christians. However, the point of the passages isn't to state such a possibility; it is to point out our mutual responsibilities when such an event occurs.

"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 5 – Rank is Jeopardized by False Doctrine (6/7) The works of the flesh; the fruit of the Spirit (5.13-26) (3/4)

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.. (Galatians 5.19-21).

A key word in the…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 5 – Rank is Jeopardized by False Doctrine (5/7) The works of the flesh; the fruit of the Spirit (5.13-26) (2/4)

"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Galatians 5.16-18).

The primary lesson in this text has to do with the Law of Moses and the fact that it had ceased to exist as an authoritative…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 5 – Rank is Jeopardized by False Doctrine (4/7) The works of the flesh; the fruit of the Spirit (5.13-26) (1/4)

"For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!" (Galatians 5.13-15). The key thought in this text is "through love serve one another." We will examine this phrase in this…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 5 – Rank is Jeopardized by False Doctrine (3/7) Judaizers threaten Christian Liberty (5.1-11) 3/3

"A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is. And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased." (Galatians 5.9-11). The proverb of Galatians 5.9 needs no proof. The Corinthians had also been told through this proverb that sin is like a leavening…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 5 – Rank is Jeopardized by False Doctrine (2/7) Judaizers threaten Christian Liberty (5.1-11) 2/3

"For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you." (Galatians 5.5-8).

"The hope of righteousness" is the prize which righteousness makes available; it is eternal life with God and the redeemed of all ages. …  ( Click for more )

Chapter 5 – Rank is Jeopardized by False Doctrine (1/7) Judaizers threaten Christian Liberty (5.1-11) 1/3

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." (Galatians 5.1-4).

This passage…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 4 – Christians Rank as Sons (10/10) The symbology of Hagar and Sarah (4.19-31) 2/2

Paul writes, "…Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children —— but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all." (Galatians 4.25-26).

These words are in the midst of an extended symbolic passage which depicts two Jerusalems – one that was currently in earthly existence, and another that was "above." These two Jerusalems are further described as being "bondage" and "free,"…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 4 – Christians Rank as Sons (9/10) The symbology of Hagar and Sarah (4.19-31) 1/2

A gentle greeting and a stern rebuke form the introduction to the analogy of Hagar and Sarah contained in Galatians 4.19-20).

John, the Apostle of Love, used the phrase "my little children" some seven times in his first general epistle. Jesus used this same term in John 13.33 in comforting his disciples on the night He was to be betrayed. Paul referred to the Galatians as "dear children" because that is what they were; he had "birthed" them through tribulation and…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 4 – Christians Rank as Sons (8/10) Zeal must be directed by Truth (4.16-18) 2/2

The false teachers had an agenda in Galatia; they always do. The purveyors of error there were styled as Judaizers. They allowed Christians to hold to their faith in Christ but imposed the keeping of certain parts of the Law of Moses upon the believers. This concept was wrong because it was not of God's design. Their doctrines originated with uninspired men and not from a Divine source. Consider their agenda as you continue to read.

Hear Paul's explicit statement: "They…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 4 – Christians Rank as Sons (7/10) Zeal must be directed by Truth (4.16-18) 1/2

Truth sometimes hurts. When we are wrong and we are confronted by truth it is seldom painless. The Galatians doubtless felt some pain from Paul's straightforward rebuke of their journey into error. Perhaps it was their reaction to his words of truth that prompted him to write, "Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?" (Galatians 4.16). Whatever the background, Paul was not the first to become an enemy because of his stand for truth.

Ahab, king…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 4 – Christians Rank as Sons (6/10) Emulate Paul, a son through Faith (4.12-15) 1/1

"Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me." (Galatians 4.12-15).…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 4 – Christians Rank as Sons (5/10) If Sons, do not go Back (4.8-11) 2/2

The Galatian Christians were making some very bad choices. They were choosing bondage to the Law over servitude to Christ and in so doing were choosing fleshly appetites over spiritual matters. Hear another of Paul's indictments: "You observe days and months and seasons and years." (Galatians 4.10). The context makes plain the substance of Paul's indictment as we will note in continuing to examine this text.

The Law of Moses had many ordinances which had to be remembered. Many…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 4 – Christians Rank as Sons (4/10) If Sons, do not go Back (4.8-11) 1/2

Irrational behavior is always surprising to those who think rationally. Paul saw the Galatians brethren acting in an irrational manner by the choices they were making. He addresses their puzzling behavior in saying, "But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? (Galatians…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 4 – Christians Rank as Sons (3/10) Slaves and Sons; Children and Men (4.1-7) 3/3

God sent His Son "… to redeem those who were under the Law." (Galatians 4.5a). The Law was not able to provide the ransom price; that was the function of the Son. For that reason John would declare concerning Jesus, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1.29).

God sent His Son "… that we might receive the adoption as sons." (Galatians 4.5b). This word translated "the adoption of sons" occurs some 5 times in the scripture and has…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 4 – Christians Rank as Sons (2/10) Slaves and Sons; Children and Men (4.1-7) 2/3

The analogy is one of slaves to children and sons to mature men. The Law of Moses corresponds to slaves and children; the gospel corresponds to sons and men. In that analogy, Paul wrote, "Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law…" (Galatians 4.3-4).

God sent forth His Son! This simple declaration is one of unexcelled significance.…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 4 – Christians Rank as Sons (1/10) Slaves and Sons; Children and Men (4.1-7) 1/3

The task was still the same – Destroy the error of the Judaizers! The souls of men were at stake as well as the veracity of God. Paul's passion was in preaching and defending the truth. Troublers were preaching another gospel, a gospel which had it origins in the minds of men and not in the heart of God (Galatians 1.6-9). The 4th chapter of Galatians presents 5 distinct arguments against the doctrine of the troublers and for the pure doctrine which Paul preached. The first…  ( Click for more )

Chapter 3 – The Inferior Rank Law (13/13) The Inheritance Obtained through Faith in Christ (3.26-29) 2/2

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3.26-27).

Three specific things are identified as being irrelevant to one's standing in Christ. Neither genealogy (Jew/Greek), gender (male/female), or social status (slave/free) has any effect on whether or not one has…  ( Click for more )