Commentary on the Letter to the Galatians
By
Tony Smith
Galatians
(NASB)
Introduction:
Galatians and Romans are often considered complementary letters. Both deal with
many of the same subjects, especially justification. It is thought Galatians was written about 53AD
and Romans 57AD when Paul was in Corinth. The central point of the letter is to
caution the Galatians not to return to either their old pagan ways or to allow
the circumcision party to sway them to be enslaved to the rabbinic law and
traditions of man. Paul never says to ignore the Law YHWH gave neither does
Paul say God’s Law was abolished or superseded. Paul uses Abraham and his sons
as an example, he talks about freedom in Christ.
This
letter is unusual in that it does not carry a commendation of the people or
Galatian church. His purpose in this letter was to defend the doctrine of justification
by faith and to warn the members against reverting to Rabbinic Judaism and
being circumcised as a requirement for accepting Christ as savior. The
Galatians were already going that direction and leaving behind justification by
faith and salvation by grace. They were moving to earning salvation and
justification by works which is the opposite of faith and grace. Paul stresses
that faith must always remain Christocentric, grounded in the person of Jesus
Christ. The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ, the risen Lord, and
believers are justified before God only by grace through faith in him.
As
with all of Paul’s writings he references and relies on the Hebraic Scriptures
(our Old Testament). Having been a Pharisee and very, very well educated in the
Hebrew belief as well as other philosophies this is not surprising. As in all
his letters, Paul shows from the Hebraic Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.
This has a twofold purpose: 1) it makes the Jews from their law, prophets and
writings (the Torah) who Jesus is; 2) it shows the pagans YHWH’s continuity of
action, keeping His promises and love for all people. Freedom in Christ and
freedom from enslavement to sin and Satan are both emphasized.
We need to keep in mind Hebrew logic and
Aristotelian logic are not the same. Aristotelian logic teaches that truth is
discovered by systematic arguments based on "premise to conclusion"
concepts. A person first begins with a premise and then sets down a system of
steps to come to an ultimate conclusion. The problem with this is that it still
relied on human reasoning which was, of course, limited by human experience. To the Greek philosophers, the heart is good and the body is
evil. To the Hebrews man is a unity, spirit, soul, and body are
all considered to be a man's life, and YHVH's instructions were for the spirit,
soul, and body.
As we study the Word of God, we need to keep this in mind. We read and
“understand” using Greek logic and philosophy. This causes problems since that
is not the perspective from which the Bible was written. The people writing the
Bible were predominately Jewish, they lived as Jews and thought as Jews.
Aristotelian logic does not allow for the nuances of real life
where two opposites can both be true. An example of this is a song titled “Torn
Between Two Lovers.” The song is about a woman who loves two men equally at the
same time. If we look at Aristotelian logic this cannot be since it is an
either/or approach. If she loves one man, she cannot love the other. In reality she truly loves both. Hebrew logic
allows for this to happen.
Galatians
Chapter
01
Introduction
Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through
the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father,
who raised Him from the dead), 2and all the brethren who are with me.
Paul starts by introducing himself. Paul
is very clear his ministry and apostleship come from God, not man. While Paul
is being specific to himself, he is also recognizing that God gives gifts,
including ministries, to men. (Psalm 68:18; Romans 11:29; Hebrews 8:1-3) Man does not give spiritual gifts or ministries, God does.
While men may or may not recognize a gift or ministry, man’s recognition does
not make the gift or ministry more or less valid. In his introduction Paul
is clear that those with him are part of the ministry. They are no less than
Paul and all are working for the Lord to bring the saints into full knowledge
of God and Christ.
To the churches of Galatia:
3Grace to you and peace
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4who gave Himself for our
sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according
to the will of our God and Father, 5to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.
Paul’s start with Grace and Peace is both
interesting and sets up the rest of the letter. “Grace is unconditional love toward a person who does not
deserve it.” (Christianity.com) Peace as used by Paul would be based on the Hebrew word Shalom which means wholeness, completeness,
soundness, health, safety and prosperity, carrying with it the implication of
permanence. (https://jewsforjesus.org) This is more far reaching and inclusive
meaning than our present-day definition of peace. It is not only wanting a
person to have peace as we define it but also for a person to have ALL good
things for them. (Job 31:29-34; Proverbs 25:21; Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28)
That
shalom seems to be Paul’s intent is supported by his next comments. True grace
and peace are founded only in God and Christ. Paul also makes it very clear
Jesus willing gave Himself for us, for the forgiveness of our sins, for our
rescue from the evils of the world. Christ did this in accordance with God’s
will. Finally, Paul makes the point God has and deserves all glory forever.
In
this short beginning Paul summarizes the message he brings of YHWH and Jesus
the Messiah. 1) Grace and peace come from YHWH and Jesus the Christ. 2) Jesus
obeyed the will of the father. 3) Jesus died for
our salvation and our rescue from Satan and the world. 4) God has and deserves
all glory for all time and beyond through eternity.
Perversion of the Gospel
6I am amazed that you are so
quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for
a different gospel; 7which
is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing
you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach
to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to
be accursed! 9As
we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to
you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! 10For am I now seeking the
favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying
to please men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
Here at the beginning of his letter Paul
gives a very strong condemnation and warning. Paul lets them know he is amazed,
perhaps dumbfounded, that the Galatian church is deserting Christ for another
(false) gospel. It is important to note that Paul does not say they deserted
him but rather deserted Christ. They were deserting Christ by following another
gospel, teaching, a perversion of the gospel they heard from Paul. Paul does
not give details at this point but does give detail later in the letter. At this
point Paul’s purpose is to let them know they have deserted Christ and are
following a false gospel from men. Like
the Pharisees they were being persuaded that righteousness is measured by
outward appearance, in this case circumcision and following the law of Moses.
This is legalism, a self-righteousness that is based in egotism and cultural
baggage rather than in the Word of God.
Paul preached and taught Christ is the
Son of God and Savior for the world (Messiah) and salvation is possible only
through Christ by faith and grace, God’s grace by faith in Christ as savior. If
Paul or anyone else preaches any other gospel they are to be accursed since
they are denying Jesus as Messiah and leading people away from salvation
through faith in Christ. Paul also addresses a charge that seems to have been
leveled at him; that he was seeking the favor of men. He can point to the
persecution he receives for preaching Christ, Christ crucified and resurrected,
as the only way to salvation. His persecution by both the Jews and pagans makes
no sense if he was seeking the favor of men. His focus was on doing God’s Will
and not man’s will.
Paul Defends His Ministry
11For I would have you
know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according
to man. 12For I
neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received
it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
Paul now begins a history of his life and
starts that with emphasizing he received his message through a revelation of
Jesus the Christ. He did not receive the message from man nor was he taught it
by men, but it came by revelation from the Holy Spirit. Revelation means “Something revealed,
especially a dramatic disclosure of something not previously known or
realized.” (https://www.thefreedictionary.com/) Paul had a lot of knowledge but little understanding
of what the Scripture was truly saying. On the road to Damascus, and later as
Paul spent time with the Holy Spirit, the true meaning of the law, prophets and
writings were revealed to him by the Holy Spirit.
13For you have heard of my
former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church
of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; 14and I was advancing in
Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for
my ancestral traditions. 15But
when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called
me through His grace, was pleased 16to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among
the Gentiles, I did not immediately
consult with flesh and blood, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles
before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.
Paul continues his short autobiography.
His biography is for the purpose of proclaiming the blessings God has given him
and how God totally changed his life. He
goes from his commitment to persecuting, imprisoning and killing believers in
Christ, to becoming a believer himself. It is important we recognize Paul’s excellent
knowledge (but not necessarily understanding) of the law, prophets and writings
as well as his total commitment to and protection of them and Jewish traditions.
His heart was totally focused on what he thought was doing God’s will. His total
commitment to YHWH is what made him the right person for God to use.
Paul said he was set apart for God’s work
even while in his mother’s womb. Paul is not referring to being predestined to
believe in Christ, but rather God knew what Paul would decide. This comes to a
great difference between Israel logic and Greek logic. In the west we are
raised with Aristotelian (Greek) logic where there can only be one truth and
anything that does not completely agree with that is untruth, or false. (Quite
often the problem is who is determining what is “true.”) In Hebrew logic two
things that appear to disagree with each other can both be true and in dynamic
tension. That means while people are not predestined to salvation or
condemnation YHWH, living outside of time, knows what each individual will
decide.
Paul is clear he was called through God’s
grace. None of his learning or works mattered. What did matter was God’s grace.
Jesus the Messiah was revealed to Paul through God’s grace. God revealed to
Paul Jesus as the Messiah through both the incident on the Damascus road and
after that through the law, prophets and writings. After Christ was revealed to
Paul, he then gained a true understanding of the law, prophets and writings.
This completed his knowledge of them.
Paul did not immediately consult other
believers. He also did not immediately go to Jerusalem to make himself known to,
or learn from, the believers there. Paul spent time with YHWH having the Holy
Spirit teach him and prepare him for his work with the Gentiles. He spent time
in Arabia, far from the Jewish hierarchy and after that returned to Damascus.
18Then three years later I
went up to Jerusalem to become
acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. 19But I did not see any other of
the apostles except James,
the Lord’s brother. 20(Now
in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not
lying.) 21Then I
went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22I was still unknown by sight to the churches of
Judea which were in Christ; 23but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is
now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24And they were glorifying
God because of me.
After Paul stayed in Arabia and then Damascus,
after three years he went to Jerusalem and met Cephas (Peter) and stayed with
him fifteen days. Paul also met James the Lord’s brother. While we are not told
what they discussed I would guess Paul learned about Peter’s and James’ lives
with Christ and all the things that happened. Paul learned. I would also guess
Paul shared what happened to him and what the Holy Spirit taught him. Peter and
James’ learned. We are not told when James the brother of the Lord became a
believer, but he was not one from the very beginning of Christ’s ministry. It
is thought James became a believer after Jesus resurrected and various people
saw Him multiple times. (John 20:15-17; Luke 24:30-34, 36; Mark 16:7, 14; Matthew
28:16-17; Acts 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; 1 Corinthians 15:7)
Galatians
Chapter
02
The Council at Jerusalem
Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to
Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2It was because of
a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which
I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of
reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. 3But not even Titus, who was
with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4But it was because of
the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out
our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. 5But we did not yield in
subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would
remain with you. 6But
from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no
difference to me; God shows no partiality)—well, those who were of
reputation contributed nothing to me. 7But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted
with the gospel to
the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised 8(for He who effectually worked for Peter
in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me
also to the Gentiles), 9and
recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James
and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me
and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that
we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10They only asked us
to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.
In the
preceding chapter, Paul has made clear the position that neither the gospel
which he preached nor the commission which he held was derived from the other
apostles- the history of the first years of his ministry showed this. The
apostle now addresses himself to a different subject; he wants to show that his
gospel, though not derived from the other apostles, had, while recognized as
standing on an independent footing but founded on Christ, received the sanction
of their approval.
After preaching and teaching for about 14 years Paul
again goes to Jerusalem for a council. (About AD 50) (Acts 15)
Paul goes with Barnabas and Titus. Barnabas was Jewish and Titus was Greek
(Gentile). Paul presented the gospel he had been preaching and teaching among
the Gentiles. The interesting thing is he presented it in private to the
leaders of the Church of God. (We need to remember that, at this point, the
leaders of the church and most of the believers were Jewish, not Gentile.) Paul
presented his preaching and teaching to make sure he was not preaching false
doctrine. While Paul initially did not consult with the leaders of the movement
he did later as a verification of his teachings to the Gentiles.
Paul’s comment about Titus not being compelled to be
circumcised gives us some information about the problem that caused the council
to be called and the problem he was addressing in Galatia. Paul now expands on
the issue of circumcision. To begin, he states that false brethren (those who
were not truly believers in Christ) were brought into the body of believers.
These people came in by stealth, under false pretenses, to find out what was
happening in the assembly of believers. Perhaps sent by the Jewish leaders to
destroy the believers in Christ. Their purpose was to minimize faith,
especially in Christ, and bring believers back under bondage to the law, that
is the many rules and regulations of the Rabbis and Pharisees.
The first action of these false brethren was to
convince new converts, especially Gentiles, they must be circumcised. This
would be a good please to start and reminds us of what Satan did in the garden,
take what God said and twist His words so they sound the same but mean
something quite different. Circumcision was the visible sign of being Jewish
and subject to the Pharisee’s interpretation of God’s Law. By emphasizing and
urging circumcision as primary the false brethren would be implanting in the
minds of believers that they were now living subject to the law and not living
by faith. This thinking is not in conformance to the Hebraic Scriptures, which
the false brethren claimed to follow. (Deut 10:16, 30:6; Jer 4:4) It
also was not in accordance with what Jesus taught. (Matthew 15:8; Mark 12:30; Luke 24:25) Their purpose was the same as Satan’s, to lead
people away from Christ and back into spiritual bondage.
Paul is very clear he and others would not back down
from the teachings of Christ, even for a moment. His emphasis was totally on
the gospel, the good news of Christ, and the truth of that gospel. He also
notes that those of reputation did not add anything to his preaching or
teaching but rather encouraged him to continue. Paul makes an interesting side
comment here. He states, “what they were makes no difference to me;
God shows no partiality”. He is not saying he did not listen to
them or seek their input, verses 2 and 9 show otherwise. He is saying the Word
of God always comes first and, if needed, he, Paul would disagree with them if
he found it necessary to keep the truth of the gospel. We see an example of
this a bit later when Paul confronts Peter.
Paul
now makes the purpose of his ministry clear. He is to go to the uncircumcised
(Gentiles), just as Peter’s ministry was to the circumcised (Jews). James,
Peter and John, leaders of the believers, gave Paul the right hand of
fellowship indicating they recognized the ministry Christ gave Paul and
encouraged him to continue.
Peter (Cephas) Opposed by Paul
11But when Cephas came
to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12For prior to the coming of
certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when
they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the
circumcision. 13The
rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that
even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14But when I saw that
they were not straightforward
about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of
all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews,
how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?
This is an interesting juxtaposition to
the passage we just looked at. We
cannot accurately determine when the confrontation between Peter and Paul in
Antioch took place but the when really does not matter. Peter’s actions were
wrong, and Paul told him so. At that point in time and space, Peter was more
concerned about the Judaizers that supposedly came from James the Lord’s
brother, than he was about the teachings of Christ. The identity of these Judaizers is
provided in Acts 6:7 and Acts 15:5. These Judaizers
were powerful well-connected Pharisees.
Paul’s concern was the mixed message
Peter was showing to the believers in Antioch. Before the Judaizers arrived, he
ate with the Gentiles and lived with them with no problem. When the Judaizers
came he reverted back to his old self and acted like other Jews who refused to
have anything to do with Gentiles. He seems to have forgotten or chose to
ignore what God showed him in Acts 10. The message Peter was sending to
the believers in Antioch was they were second class believers unless they
followed Jewish rituals, customs and laws. His actions were saying the law was
above the faith of and in Christ. Even Barnabas was carried away into error.
“The rest of
the Jews also played the hypocrite with him” This demonstrates that
the matter was bigger than just Peter and Barnabas. Peter first made the
compromise of acting as if the Gentile Christians were not Christians at all.
Then Barnabas followed him. Then the rest of the Jews at
the church in Antioch followed Peter and Barnabas.
Paul, seeing what was happening,
confronted Cephas in front of the entire assembly (synagogue) about his
hypocrisy. (Notice Paul used the name Cephas here. The name Christ gave him
meaning the rock. Perhaps a reminder to Peter that he was not being the rock
Christ called him to be.) I think Paul did this in front of the entire assembly
because Peter’s actions were in front of the entire assembly. It could well be
the Holy Spirit led the details of Paul’s actions in order to ensure the entire
assembly got the message we are saved by, and follow Jesus by, faith, not by
the rituals, rules and regulations of men.
15“We are Jews by
nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; 16nevertheless knowing
that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in
Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be
justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the
works of the Law no flesh will be justified. 17But if, while seeking to be
justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ
then a minister of sin? May it never be! 18For if I rebuild what I
have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor.19For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live
to God. 20I have
been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live,
but Christ lives in me; and the life which
I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved
me and gave Himself up for me. 21I do not nullify the grace of God, for if
righteousness comes through the
Law, then Christ died needlessly.”
Paul continues his comments to Peter
reminding him that both he and Peter are natural Jews, they were born and
raised as Jews, not proselytes nor as Gentile non-believers
in YHWH. The Jews were chosen by YHWH to be His people to carry His word to the
Gentile nations. The Jews had the law, prophets and writings, the Torah, the
teachings from God. The Gentiles were considered by the Jews to be a lower
class, after all, the Jews had the Torah and the Gentiles did not. Now Paul makes his primary point, man is
justified by faith in Christ and not by works. The law is based on works and
cannot justify a person. Peter knew this yet ignored what he knew when Judaizers
from Jerusalem came to Antioch. People are justified by faith that Jesus the Christ
is Savior, not works such as circumcision or following the law of Moses. (Deut.
32.20; Hab. 2:4) All
those who were justified before God in the Old Testament were righteous through
faith in YHWH. (Hebrews 11)
How did Paul die to the law? “I through the law died to the
law.” The law itself “killed” Paul. It showed him that he never could
live up to the law and fulfill its holy standard. For a long time before Paul
knew Jesus, he thought God would accept him because of his law-keeping. But he
came to the point where he really understood the law – understanding it in the
way Jesus explained it in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) – and then Paul
realized that the law made him guilty before
God, not justified before God. This sense of guilt before
God “killed” Paul and made him see that keeping the law wasn’t the answer.
Paul continues and shows the law cannot
save a person, only faith in Christ and God’s grace can do that. Humans will
sin, fail, but because believers are human and may fail, that does not mean
Christ is servant of, or condones, sin. If a person goes back to resurrect the
life and beliefs they died to when they became a believer in Christ, they are
truly a transgressor of faith in Christ.
It appears Paul’s next comments would be
aimed at Jewish believers. When a person becomes a Believer in Christ they have
died to the law. The law no longer has any hold on them. They now live to God and
in Christ by faith. Salvation comes not by doing acts of the law but by faith
in Christ. To go back to those beliefs is to repudiate the death and
resurrection of Christ.
Galatians
Chapter
03
Faith Brings Righteousness
You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you,
before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as
crucified? 2This
is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by
the works of the Law, or by hearing
with faith? 3Are
you so foolish? Having begun by
the Spirit, are you now being
perfected by the flesh? 4Did
you suffer so many
things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit
and works miracles
among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
Paul now poses a critical question to the
Galatians and indeed too all believers in Christ: “did you receive the
Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” Our
answer to this question underlies our relationship to God. We receive the
Spirit by faith, not law. “Mere
ritualistic obedience would no longer suffice: the worshipers must worship in
Spirit as well as in truth.” Now Paul asks the Galatians another
question with an obvious answer to us. The answer is no, we cannot. We died to
the law through Christ, it is impossible for the law to perfect us. Paul asks
another question; are miracles done among them done through the law or through
faith? It is by faith. The law does not work miracles. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
When
Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law” (Matthew 5:17), He
meant exactly what he said. The eternal laws and principles of God were never
abolished; however, the requirement for fleshly works was rendered unnecessary
through the personal righteousness of Christ. The body of Christ, nailed to the
cross of Calvary, freed the believer for all time from the bondage and yoke of
fleshly works so that he might freely serve the living God in the Spirit.
This passage, along with many others,
have been used, in error, to support the idea that Christianity replaced the
belief of the Hebrews and the New Testament (Apostolic Scriptures) supersedes
the Old Testament (Hebraic Scriptures). Christianity is not a “new” religion
but rather a reformation of Judaism and bringing it back to what YHWH
instituted. Christianity if firmly founded on the foundation of the worship God
gave to the Jews.
6Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as
righteousness. 7Therefore, be sure that it is those
who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8The Scripture, foreseeing that
God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the
gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All
the nations will be blessed in you.” 9So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.
Paul now talks about God’s covenant with
mankind. We are reminded of Stephen’s comments to the Sanhedrin in Acts 7
and 8. Once again Paul is very clear that Abraham’s righteousness came from
faith and not from following a set of laws. Abraham did follow God’s
instructions (the TORAH before it was written) but he followed them because of
his faith, not to gain God’s approval but due to his love for God.
Paul now uses Abram’s faith to make clear
that those who have faith in Christ, God, are the true children of Abraham.
Paul returns to the Scriptures to prove God intended from the beginning. (Genesis
12:3) This comment would be a shock to the Jewish, especially the
leadership. They considered themselves the only children of Abraham and that by
birth. All non-Jews are considered dogs or less than dogs. Paul now tells them
their first, physical, birth means nothing, it does not make them children of
Abraham, only their second, spiritual, birth through faith does that (John
3:1-8).
Since
God has no respect of persons, the thing which made Abraham the chosen of God
(in a sense, the first Jew) can make any man a Jew. As Abraham’s selection was
totally predicated upon his faith in God, so in both Old and New Testament
eras, becoming chosen of God was by faith in God to accept His will and system
of worship and praise. This faith transformed a Syrian into a Hebrew, and it
has transformed many strangers of various nationalities into Jews. Neither
circumcision nor the law made a person a child of God or Abraham (a Jew) but
faith did. This opens up the ability, through faith in Christ, for Gentiles to
become Jews. (Isaiah 56:3-7)
10For as many as are of the
works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all
things written in the book of the law, to perform them.” (Deut.
27:26) 11Now
that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident;
for, “The righteous man shall live by
faith.” (Hab. 2:4) 12However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by
them.” 13Christ redeemed
us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— (Deut.
21:23) 14in
order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that
we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
As usual Paul refers to the Hebrew
prophets to make his point that faith is greater than the law of ritual and
ceremony. Claiming to be under the law a person must obey all the law,
every last little bit of it. This is impossible for people to do. Those who do
not obey all the law are cursed. That means they are cursed to be separated
from God for eternity. Before we ask who will not be cursed, we need to look at
Habakkuk 2:4: “4“Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not
right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.” Throughout history, both in
Judaism and Christianity (New Covenant Judaism) God has always emphasized faith
above the law. (Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:22-24)
Verse 14 bears a bit more examination.
The promise to Abraham was to come through the promised child, Isaac. It was
not to come through the child of the slave woman Haggar, Ishmael. (Genesis
18:9-19) The blessing of Abraham came because of his faith, not his works.
His works came because he had faith. That same faith is what makes a person,
Jew or Gentile, a child of Abraham. Something many Jews with their emphasis on
works did not understand.
(Ephesians 2:14-15)
Intent of the Law
15Brethren, I
speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a
man’s covenant, yet
when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16Now the promises were
spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,”
as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your
seed,” that is, Christ. 17What
I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years
later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to
nullify the promise. 18For if
the inheritance is based
on law, it is no longer based
on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
Now we see Paul clarifying something that
was not really understood by the Jews and, indeed, by some people today. The
law given at Mount Sinai came 430 years AFTER the covenant God made with
Abraham. The law did not and does not negate or supersede the covenant God made
with Abraham which was based on Abraham’s faith in God. The promise of
inheritance was given to Abraham and Isaac the child god promised. This was
long, long before the law was given and the promise was/is NOT dependent or predicated on the law of ritual
and ceremony. Christ is the promised seed.
19Why the Law then? It was
added because of
transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator,
until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God
is only one. 21Is
the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if
a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have
been based on law. 22But
the Scripture has shut up everyone
under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those
who believe.
It
was impossible that men, who were sinners by nature, could establish perfect
and lasting righteousness before God by fleshly works. While the law was “holy”
and the commandment “holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12) and was “perfect,
converting the soul” (Psalm 19:7), the flesh of man was the only weakness of
that system, making its perfect fulfillment impossible. The only possible means
of justification for man is through the judicial proclamation of God that he is
righteous, and this can be accomplished only through a divine act of grace that
generates faith in men. It can be applied only because Jesus paid the price to
ransom the souls of men. It is not, therefore, of man’s works–never has been,
and never will be!
23But before faith came, we
were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was
later to be revealed. 24Therefore
the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so
that we may be justified by faith. 25But now that faith has come, we are no longer under
a tutor. 26For
you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.27For all of you who
were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor
Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor
female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you belong to Christ, then you are
Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.
The term “before faith came” is interesting. As we
have seen we find faith from the beginning, not just at some time after the
law. Paul is referring to the death and resurrection of Christ. Christ is the
one who we have faith in for our salvation. Before Christ the law was the
yardstick and keeping the law very important. It was a matter of works, keeping
ritual and law. The biggest problem was not the law God gave but all the
ancillary rules, regulations and interpretations put forth by the rabbis,
Sadducees and Pharisees. There were so many of those they buried what YHWH said
under their rules.
CHRIST DID NOT COME TO NEGATE, CHANGE OR
SUPERSEDE THE LAW HE CAME TO REFORM JUDAISM AND RESTORE IT BACK TO WHAT YHWH
ORIGINALLY GAVE AND REQUIRES!
When Christ came, He replaced their interpretations, rules and regulations with faith, not works. That does not mean there was anything with God’s law. The purpose of God’s law was to lead us to Christ, show us Christ, lead us to believe in the Son of God. Now that Christ has come, was crucified and resurrected a tutor is no longer necessary. It is not only the Jews who can be sons of God. No one is excluded. All who accept Christ as Savior are sons of God and, by faith, Abraham’s children. All who accept Christ are Jews, one of God’s chosen people..
Chapter 04
Sonship in Christ
Now I say, as long as the
heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner
of everything, 2but
he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. 3So also we, while we were
children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the
world. 4But
when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a
woman, born under the Law, 5so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive
the adoption as sons. 6Because
you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts,
crying, “Abba! Father!” 7Therefore
you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
“In Galatians 3:24, Paul declared that the
law (Torah) was a schoolmaster to bring Israel to Messiah. In the Hellenic
world, of which Galatia was a part, a schoolmaster (paidagogos) was a
family servant whose responsibility was to protect the children, to train them
in proper etiquette and deportment, and to accompany them to their teachers.
The law, then, was designed by God to be a means of protecting Israel and
keeping them from the evils of the Gentile world until they could be brought to
Messiah, their teacher.” (Our Lost Legacy, Chapter 10)
Paul makes a strong point that the Son of
God was born to a woman and born under the law. This is important. His
statement makes clear Jesus is the Son of God, part of the Trinity, human (born
of a woman) and born under the law. Born as a full Jew who would live in
accordance with the law and prophets. Jesus was equally God and man.
This passage is a continuation of 3:24.
Paul uses an example everyone, especially Gentiles would be familiar with in
everyday life. Indeed, it is an example we are familiar with seeing. Until a
child reaches and age of understanding and responsibility they are under the
supervision of guardians, teachers and managers. This what the Mosaic law was
to the Israelites and Gentiles who became Jews. It was there to teach the
Israelites and give them a pattern for living. One of its most important
functions was to show people the Messiah. It was to teach them about faith and
not just provides rules and regulations.
The Israelites missed this part and
focused on rules and regulations. They did this to point they made up their own
to more closely define what they thought should be done by the people. The
problem with that thinking is by adding their own rules and regulations they
were implying what God did was not good enough. They had to correct God’s
error.
We see the same today with many churches
that add rules and regulations to salvation or being a Christian. Both
Christians and Jews have altered God’s system by introducing traditions that
have voided God’s Word (Mark 7:7-13) YHWH DOES NOT MAKE ERRORS, to think and/or
act otherwise is to make ourselves God.
Paul now takes us back to the beginning
of the chapter and shows we are adopted into the family of God through Christ
and are now heirs with Christ. Through Christ we have passed through the
guardianship of the law and become full heirs. That does not imply the law was
or is wrong, just that it has (not just had) its place. Christ said He did not
come to destroy the law, do away with the law, but to fulfill the law. (Matthew
5:17)
8However at that time, when you did not know God, you
were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. 9But now that you have come to
know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back
again to the weak and worthless elemental
things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? 10You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11I fear for you, that perhaps I
have labored over you
in vain.
I wish
I could say this applied to just the Gentiles, but the Hebraic Scriptures are
filled with examples where the Israelites worshipped false god’s instead of the
only true God, YHWH. The Galatians had been saved and were following YHWH but
some (many?) went back to following false gods, their old gods of wood, stone,
metals, gods of the woodlands, air, weather, etc. They were observing,
celebrating, the feast days and festivals of their pagan non-gods instead of
the feast and festivals mandated by YHWH (Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles).
The same is happening today. This passage refers us back to Romans 6:16 “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to
someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one
whom you obey,…”
Many
commentaries say or imply that Paul was warning the Gentiles not to observe
Jewish days, the Sabbath, the three feast days, etc. This is very unlikely.
YHWH instructed the Sabbath and three feast times be kept forever. Paul, being
a Pharisee, would be well aware of this and would not have instructed the
Galatians to disobey YHWH’s commands. Paul was warning against slavishly
obeying ritual and putting anything, any day, feast, celebration etc. ahead of
Christ. An example is the Sabbath. The Pharisees established many, many rules
re: what was allowed on the Sabbath. Christ let them know the Sabbath was made
for man’s benefit. Man was not made for the Sabbath’s benefit. The Jews had
their priorities and focus wrong.
12I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I
also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong; 13but you know that it was
because of a bodily
illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; 14and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received
me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. 15Where then is that sense of blessing you had?
For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes
and given them to me. 16So
have I become your enemy by telling
you the truth?17They
eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you
will seek them. 18But
it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when
I am present with you. 19My
children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in
you— 20but I
could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am
perplexed about you.
The
Galatians were now reminded of their history with Paul. This was not to exalt
himself of the Galatians but to establish their loving care of Paul and his
credibility as a messenger of YHWH. Having established his credibility and
credentials Paul now talks about those leading the Galatians away from their
freedom in, and belief in, Christ. People feel good when they are sought after
but it can blind them to the motives of those seeking them. Here Paul makes
their motives clear. They are seeking to turn the Galatians away from
worshipping YHWH in spirit and truth and turn back to rituals, ceremonies and
false gods. They are trying to turn the people away from Christ. Those doing
this include legalistic Jews, false members of the church and the pagans.
Bond and Free
21Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to
the law? 22For
it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one
by the free woman. 23But the
son by the bondwoman was
born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the
promise. 24This
is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants:
one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. 25Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai
in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with
her children. 26But
the Jerusalem above is free; she
is our mother. 27For
it is written, “Rejoice, barren woman who
does not bear; Break forth and
shout, you who are not in labor; For
more numerous are the children of the desolate Than of the one who has a
husband.” (Isaiah 54:1)
Paul
now explains the difference between those under the law of Moses and those free
in Christ. To do so he uses Jewish history. The Jews will know and recognize
the history and the Gentiles will recognize the analogy. There were two
children born of Abraham mentioned in Genesis, Ishmael and Isaac. God promised
Abraham a child (Genesis 12:2, 16:1-4, 17:15-21, 21:1-2). Abraham was promised
a child through his wife Sarah. Now both Sarah and Abraham were quite old
(Abraham was in his mid-eighties) and were beyond childbearing years. Since
Sarah knew she was too old to have children she gave her bondwoman (slave) to
Abraham as a surrogate for her. Abraham had sex with Hagar and Ishmael was born
as the result.
The
problem here was a lack of faith. Sarah and Abraham looked at the natural,
their age, and decided to “help” YHWH but a natural, culturally normal,
shortcut, a child through the slave. This lack of faith caused many, many
problems, some immediate and some reaching far into the future. The immediate
problems were the animosity between Sarah and her slave Hagar. We will touch on
the future problems below.
The
second child Isaac was born to Sarah as a result of the promise YHWH made to
both of them. Despite their age their they came together, and Isaac was born,
YHWH’s promised fulfilled. After the birth of Isaac, there was even more
animosity between Sarah and Abraham. The animosity extended to Ishmael
mistreating Isaac. Not having faith in YHWH’s promise caused a continuing
hatred of Ishmael’s descendants to Isaac’s descendants, a hatred that has
lasted into our time, thousands of years after the births took place.
28And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of
promise. 29But
as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted
him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now
also. 30 But
what does the Scripture say? “Cast out
the bondwoman and her son, For the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir
with the son of the free woman.” (Genesis 21:10) 31So
then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.
Now we
come to the point of Paul rehearsing this history. Sarah represents those who
have accepted Christ are children of the promise, the promise of the Messiah,
salvation through faith. Hagar represents those who do not accept Christ as the
Messiah and are still under the Law of Moses which, because it is based on
works, cannot justify or save anyone.
We
must remember Paul is addressing both former legalistic Jews and former pagans.
Galatians
Chapter 05
Walk by the Spirit
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep
standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 2Behold I, Paul, say to you
that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to
you. 3And
I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is
under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by
law; you have fallen from grace. 5For we through
the Spirit, by faith,
are waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6For in Christ
Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything,
but faith working through love.
Paul is very blunt concerning
circumcision. Christ set us free from the law of Moses. We are saved by faith
and a believer’s circumcision is of the heart, not the flesh. Some Galatians
had exchanged their freedom in Christ for observance of ritual and legalism.
The were no longer operating by faith but by works. The Judaizers convinced
many Galatians that to be complete Christians they must be circumcised in
accordance with Jewish law and ritual. This negates faith and thereby alienates
us from Christ. If the law were able to save there would be no need for Christ,
but since the law could not save Christ provides salvation for us. To return to
the law means we have decided to leave faith and the salvation that comes from
Christ.
Paul is emphatic here, neither being
circumcised or not being circumcised mean anything. If a person is circumcised
it does not make them a believer just as attending church does not make a
person a believer. Not being circumcised does not keep a person from being a
believer. Getting circumcised as a condition to becoming a believer is a
problem since it implies the law is greater than Christ.
How does Hebrews 6:4-6 bear on what Paul
is saying?
7You were running well;
who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8This
persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. 9A little leaven leavens the
whole lump of dough. 10I
have confidence in
you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who
is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11But I, brethren, if I still
preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling
block of the cross has been abolished. 12I wish that those who are troubling you would
even mutilate themselves.
The Galatians were doing well in the Lord
but were being persuaded to go backward into Jewish legalism and ritual. Paul
wants to know who is hindering them from obeying the truth in Christ. Who and
what were the obstacles in their spiritual journey? The who would seem to be
the Judaizers and pagans. The Judaizers would be the greatest problem because
they confused the believers and convinced them they must obey the law. They
took the teachings of Christ and subverted them to their own ends. We must remember
Jesus was a Jew. He was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, died as a Jew and was
resurrected as a Jew. Jesus lived by the law throughout his life. He also made
it very clear the Jewish leaders were putting their additions (Talmud) to God’s
law as a higher priority than YHWH’s commands and instructions (Torah).
The fact Jesus lived in accordance with
God’s law provided an opening to convince the Gentiles they must obey the
Talmud even ahead of the Torah. They did not understand, or perhaps care, Jesus
walked by faith in YHWH and recognized the true purpose of the law, to lead
people to Him. Again, if the law could save there was no need for the Messiah.
If circumcision could save there would have been no need for Christ. Paul is
not happy with those who insisted believers in Christ be circumcised. His
comment “12I wish that those who
are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.” shows his disdain of and the uselessness of circumcision
as a requirement for being a believer in Christ.
The pagans were also a problem but a
different kind of problem. Their attempts to lead people away from Christ were
much more apparent. Paul does not deal with them here in any detail, but he
does in his letters to the Corinthians.
13For you were called
to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your
freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one
another. 14For the
whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15But if you bite and
devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
16But I say, walk by the
Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17For the flesh sets its desire against the
Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one
another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18But if you are led by
the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19Now the deeds of the flesh are
evident, which are: immorality,
impurity, sensuality, 20idolatry, sorcery,
enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes,
dissensions, factions, 21envying, drunkenness,
carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have
forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the
kingdom of God. 22But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such
things there is no law. 24Now those who
belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its
passions and desires. 25If
we live by the Spirit, let us also
walk by the Spirit. 26Let us not become boastful, challenging one another,
envying one another.
Mere
ritualistic obedience would no longer suffice: the worshipers must worship in
Spirit as well and in truth. The flesh and the spirit
are always in opposition. The flesh is interested in what feels good at the
moment, it is self-centered and cares about its own satisfaction and satiation.
It is interested in the temporal, not the eternal. It is motivated by self-consideration.
The spirit is interested in what pleases God. It is motivated by love and what
serves God and God’s creation. It is interested in the eternal and not the
temporal. Being operated by the spirit is the opposite of being operated by the
flesh. A person cannot truly have both, one will always take precedence over
the other.
Paul takes us through the works of the flesh
and the works of the spirit. This is one of the many places in his writings he
does so. Paul wants us to know what these works are so we will recognize them when
we see them and know where the works come from, are they of man or of God. Finally, Paul states that our walk should
match what we say we believe. If we say we believe in Jesus as Savior our lives
will witness that but the fruits of the Spirit.
Galatians
Chapter 06
Bear One Another’s Burdens
Brethren, even if anyone
is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a
one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so
that you too will not be tempted. 2Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the
law of Christ. 3For if
anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4But each one must examine
his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to
himself alone, and not in regard to another. 5For each one will bear his own load.
Paul now starts to conclude his letter.
His emphasis is on treating each other with love. Being kind and helpful to
each other. Paul recognizes believers will sin at times. It is the honor and privilege
of other Christians to help and restore each other. We must not allow the sins
of others tempt us to sin. We must not allow Satan to delude us into thinking
if a brother or sister sins they cannot truly repent of be forgiven.
Remembering Jesus’ words to Peter in Matthew 18:22 helps. We also must not allow
ourselves to think more of ourselves than we should. Paul often comments we
should not seek the higher positions or places but work at what calls us to
work at. Paul is simply repeating the words of Christ in Matthew 20:21 and Luke
14:8, 22:24.
An example of this can be seen in 1 & 2
Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians: Paul states: “It is reported
commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so
much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. …..” In 2 Corinthians 2:5-8 Paul is very clear
about forgiving the man who sinned. “……Sufficient to such a man is this
punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought
rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be
swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would
confirm your love toward him.” Our job as
Christians is not kill or ignore the spiritually wounded but to forgive and
help. (The story of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:33 works in the spiritual as
well as the temporal.) Notice in Corinthians Paul did judge the man and the
assembly but only by the Word of God. Just as important he also said the man
repented, changed his actions and God forgave him so the assembly must also
forgive him, or Satan may entrap him again. There is no end to forgiveness; it
must be practiced whenever and
wherever occasion
arises.
6The one who is
taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7Do not be deceived, God is
not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8For 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. 9Let us not lose heart in doing
good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10So then, while we have opportunity, let
us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household
of the faith.
What is the state of your heart? Why are
you doing what you are doing? What is the motivation for your actions? Why
we do what we do will eventually show in our life, and certainly before God. Paul
is a great example. Early in his life he persecuted the church because he loved
God and wanted to serve YHWH with all his being. (Deut. 4:6) His motives were
right on target although his actions were way off base. Because his motives
were right God could and did use him. In verse 9 and 10 we are reminded we are
to do good, even when it is not appreciated or noticed. We cannot let external circumstances
cause us to lose heart in showing love and doing good. We must do this for
everyone, not just other believers.
11See with what large letters I am writing to you with my
own hand. 12Those
who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to
be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the
cross of Christ. 13For
those who are
circumcised do not even keep the
Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they
may boast in your flesh. 14But may
it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, through which
the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15For neither is
circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16And those who will walk by this rule, peace and
mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17From now on let no one cause
trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.
We come to the end of the letter to the
Galatians. Paul returns to his main theme, his reason for writing: Do not
listen to those who say a person MUST be circumcised to be a true believer in
Christ. This is his point throughout the letter. He makes the same point in
Philippians 3:2-3 “2Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil
workers, beware of the false
circumcision; 3for we
are the true circumcision,
who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and
put no confidence in the flesh,” We are a new creation in Christ. Christ
is the perfect Passover Lamb killed for our sins. Christ is the fulfillment of
the ordinances of the law.
18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
References:
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bcc/
John
D. Garr Ph.D., The Church Dynamic, Golden Key Press, Atlanta, GA, 2019
John
D. Garr Ph.D., Our Lost Legacy, Golden Key Press, Atlanta, GA,
2006
Thompson Chain Reference Bible, NIV
New American Standard Bible
Pulpit Commentary
Full
Life Study Bible, NIV, Zondervan Publishing Company
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