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GALATIANS
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PLAIN AND SIMPLE
Mark Bullen
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HISTORIC SETTING:
Before Christ came, if a Gentile wanted to become of follower of the true God, he would have to become a proselyte (convert) to Judaism and become a Jew by religion, though not by birth. This was done by the convert being circumcised, and thus bound to the observance of the Mosaic Law.
After the day of Pentecost. when the Apostles began preaching repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ. they still only accepted Gentiles in the church who had first been proselytes to Judaism (like the Ethiopian Eunuch) for the next 12 years. The apostles, being Jews by birth, observed the Law. but did not follow the popular misconception that observance of the Mosaic Law and circumcision earned the eternal inheritance as a debt. They had realized the error of thinking they were justified before God just because they were practicing Jews. They now realized that the Law had been given simply as a guide for their faith; therefore the key ingredient in obtaining Grace and forgiveness from God was the “Faith that works by Love" which Abraham walked in.
Jesus had taught them all this very plainly before he provided the very atoning sacrifice which made the whole process “lawful" and just. After his atonement, they didn’t look to the temple sacrifices for their atonement, but saw them as only types and shadows. They looked to the Holy Spirit sanctification for their cleanness, not the ceremonial washing. They looked to Jesus’ eternal priesthood as their approach to God, not the Levitical Priesthood. So, now the apostles were practicing Jews who also walked in the steps of the faith of Abraham ---see Romans 4:12:
“And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision ONLY, but who ALSO walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham..’
Twelve years after Pentecost God spoke to Peter in a vision and revealed to him through his encounter with Cornelius that God would accept Gentiles who would walk in the steps of Abraham's faith without them being circumcised and becoming Jewish proselytes. This part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ had not been revealed until this time. As God used Peter to open the door to Jerusalem and Judea on the day of Pentecost; to the Samaritans (half Jews) in Acts 8: 14–20 (6 or 7 years after Pentecost): now he is used to open the door to the uncircumcised Gentiles in Acts 10. The Gospel was to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile – 12 years after the Jew.
Jesus was the Messiah of the Jews and never required the Jews to stop living Jewish. Through his apostles, however, he later revealed that Gentiles who were graffed in no longer had to be circumcised and keep the Mosaic Law’ as a binding code for membership. Following Jesus Christ and his teachings so thoroughly upheld the morality and true righteousness of the Law (actually surpassing it), that Moses’ Law became unnecessary as a binding code for converts. The schoolmaster (Moses’ Law) had passed away, because in Christ the new convert was so elevated by Christ’s example, motives, commands, and enabling Spirit that they needed no schoolmaster. There was no need for outward circumcision, if they were circumcised in heart (Rom. 2:25–29; Gal- 5:6; 6: 15). They had no need of special feast days to focus on God, because now they were daily walking in the Spirit (Rom. 14:5,6; Gal. 4:9,10). By living with a pure heart of Christian love, they actually lived above the righteousness of the Mosaic code, and shouldn't be restricted by it (Gal. 5:13–24; Rom. 8:3–4). They learned that ceremonial cleanness was only a shadow, and now they had the real sanctification of the Holy Spirit to take it’s place. The New Testament church order replaced the state of Israel. Now, being a member of the church under the apostles and bishops was the important thing, not a member of the Jewish Synagogue under the Sanhedrin. Disciples were taught to live righteous through the church ordinances and instructions, not by Moses' Law.
The Jews themselves who converted to Christianity pursued the true righteousness of the law, though still practicing the ceremonies. After AD 70 when the temple and Jewish state was destroyed, and the Jewish Christians were no longer bound by civil obligations to the temple, service of the priesthood, etc.; they lived not much different than their Gentile brothers in Christ - now living the morality of the law in the Law of Christ; now living under Christ’s priestly ministry; now offering spiritual sacrifices of praise and worship; now being living temples of the Holy Spirit; and now a “Christian”, not a “Jew”. Now, they were seeking Christ's atonement to pay their debt of sin (bondage), not the observance of Moses' Law. Many of the Jewish believers would still follow Jewish customs and holidays, and many Gentiles probably joined in for the edification gleaned by the types and shadows.
A vibrant life of “faith that works by love” is what God had actually wanted to begin with, so now that this principle was fully established by Jesus Christ, there was no need for the Mosaic Law that had failed to produce the desired effect (Rom. 8:3,4; Gal. 6:13–16). The Law's sacrificial system was in debt to the coming Messiah, because it could only forgive sin on credit. Those under the old system were still in debt (bondage), because the old system was in debt and couldn't free them. Jesus' priesthood is not in debt, but is free - depending on no other, and owing no other - Jesus paid the debt we owed and redeemed us. Those living in Christ's system are free from sin's debt (bondage), because Christ is free and can give freedom. If one was to teach that any part of the old system is still necessary to pay our sins, then they are indebted to the whole system - this is Paul's argument. In this book "bondage" means "in debt" due to trespasses, and "liberty" means "out of debt". The key verse to understanding Paul's argument is 5:3 "For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law." - and this system (Mosaic) cannot give freedom, because it is in debt itself!
CONSIDER:
1. On what condition would an apostle baptize a gentile for the first 12 years after Pentecost?
2. How does this prove they were not teaching a faith that did not require works of faith and obedience?
3. How did baptismal requirements and membership requirements change after Peter’s encounter with Cornelius and the Acts 15 meeting.?
Answer: The apostles had decided that Gentile faith did not have to include circumcision, Jewish feasts, sabbaths, ceremonial cleanliness, temple sacrifices, etc. However, Gentile faith did have to include repentance from sin, turning to God, and works meet for repentance; such as: walking after the Spirit and not after the flesh, walking in Christian love, obeying what their church elders taught concerning holy and righteous living: and some necessary regulations set forth in Acts 15 to keep them from being overly offensive to their Jewish brethren. In short, they had to be a new creature (Gal. 6:15); submit to all the teaching of the apostles (2 Thess. 3:6); and have a faith that worked by love (Gal. 3:19-27; 5:6,18,24: 6:15).
Summary:
1. The Jews saw the Law as a means of obtaining a righteous standing before God, thus making the inheritance a debt God owed them, and no need for a savior or atonement by Christ.
2. The apostles learned this was a false hope. To gain a righteous standing before God, they must have Christ, who died to make atonement. Now they didn’t trust in the Law to make them righteous, but obeyed the Law as an exercise of their faith in God, seeing Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of every type and shadow of the ceremonies, and the ultimate atonement for their sins. They were bound only by the Law of Christ, which at times made them have to set aside their Mosaic ordinances (1 Cor. 9:19–23; Gal. 2:12).
3. Twelve years after Pentecost the apostles learned that God will accept any and all men who will repent and follow Jesus Christ’s teaching, whether or not they practice Jewish circumcision, diet, holy days, ceremonies, etc. Jesus’ atonement and church membership can be theirs upon repentance, baptism. and a living, obeying faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 10,11,15 &21)
4. Thus came a great challenge of unifying Jews and Gentiles with very different lifestyles into one body of believers and into brotherhood. This challenge lies behind all the epistles, and is the basic purpose of most of them, especially Romans and Galatians. Acts 15 and 21 show us the difficulty they dealt with and how they dealt with it.
Now, having understood the situation, we come to Galatia, where Jewish converts to Christianity during the first 12 years after Pentecost would have a problem with the “new” idea of receiving Gentiles on an equal basis with Jews without them being circumcised and living as Jews – now Christian Jews. They were still very prejudiced for their Jewish ways, were putting them before Christ’s will and were not submitting to the apostles’ authority. They wanted to carry over their Jewish lifestyle into the faith of Christ and make it binding on the church. They came to Galatia to spread their doctrine shortly after Paul established churches there in AD. 52 or 53. It is important to see how the Jews having to accept the Gentiles without them becoming Jews was an acid test for Jewish believers of true faith in Jesus Christ and submission to His apostles. Many professing believers evidently failed this acid test and wanted to establish their own version of Christianity where the Gentiles still had to become Jews.
Paul, being a primary messenger of the new revelation came under attack by those who were ‘stuck’ on their Jewish practice (Judaizers). They basically claimed, that following Jesus Christ, and depending on his atoning grace and priesthood for our salvation was not sufficient to make us acceptable to God; but additionally we needed circumcision and the Jewish ordinances to make us acceptable to God. What they couldn’t see or admit was, that the “real’ holiness of life produced in following Jesus and the “real” atonement and priesthood supplied by Jesus was far superior to that of Moses’ Law; and it was an insult to Christ to supplement his program with theirs. Christ’s program was based on the eternal principles of righteousness which existed before the law; as well as the “obedience of faith” which was established before the law (and before circumcision). The Law of Moses was to be only a temporary part of God’s program, not the entire program. Now Christ was the Priest of a new covenant built on better promises. The Old Covenant was vanishing away to make room for the New Covenant. This transition was completed in AD. 70 when the Jewish Temple was destroyed.
Notes on Galatians
Chapter 1
1:1–5 Paul’s Greeting is also establishing some foundation stones for his message. Notice the emphsasis:
1. “an apostle... not of men, neither by man...not by the other apostles or even Peter, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father....
It seems possible that these Judaizers were claiming Peter as their authority and trying to discredit Paul; but Paul defends his apostleship, and even shows that Peter had to be rebuked by him on the issues at hand.
2. Jesus’ sacrifice is what delivers us from this present evil world, “according to the will of God and our Father:”
1:6–9 “So soon removed” Evidently this letter was written not too long after Paul had established the church there.
"him that called you into the grace of Christ” This was Paul. He had been so slandered that those who once loved him now counted him as an enemy – 4:14–16.
“another gospel” Paul makes it clear that there is no other gospel that can save, hut this so called other gospel is simply a perversion.
Any change of the original is just as much a perversion and the curse of the apostle is on all other perverse gospels. This includes Antinomianism, Calvinism, Mormonism, Romanism, etc.
What we are now practicing is either from the apostles or a deceiver (Acts. 20:17–31; II Thess. 2:15; 3:6, etc.). It is important to practice ONLY first century apostolic faith and doctrine. Trying to add or subtract will leave you with a perversion.
1:10–14 Paul makes two points clear in his own defense:
1. His present preaching is not due to natural bias or preference from his raising, from monetary gain, human reasoning or worldly status; but from direct revelation from Jesus Christ. This he establishes on the evidence of the next point:
2. He had been strongly biased for the Jews religion to the point of persecuting Christians. In this position he had much status and profit even above many his same age. He is an Israelite by blood and was exceedingly zealous of the traditions of his fathers.
1:15–24 Immediately after Paul’s conversion by a direct interview with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus; he first preached in Damascus; then he went into Arabia for a time; then came back to Damascus. He did not go up to be taught by the other apostles; but only to visit them. He was not commissioned or taught by them, but by God.
Paul is establishing his apostleship to be of equal authority with the others, because his enemies were trying to discredit him, and thus discredit his message. “If they can’t prove you wrong, they will attack your character". The other apostles were 3 years taught by Jesus, hut Paul was 3 years taught by the Holy Spirit and revelations from Christ.
These Judaizers were trying to convince the Galatians that Paul was preaching a gospel contrary to the other apostles and Christians, or at least of lessor authority. Paul is showing the true history and relationship he has with the other Christians and the apostles.
Chapter 2
2:1–10 In continuing his narrative Paul tells of a visit he made to Jerusalem, fourteen years after his conversion, with Barnabas and Titus (Acts 15). Titus was an uncircumcised Greek Christian. At Jerusalem, Paul first shared his mission with the church, but after certain false brethren started an uproar about circumcising the Gentiles, he had a conference with the elders of the church, which included such pillars as James (the Lord’s brother), Peter, and John.
At this conference (Acts 15) it was decided that the Gentiles didn’t have to follow circumcision or Moses’ Law, but only a few standards were set to avoid the Gentiles offending the Jews in the churches (fornication in this place most likely refers to marrying close relatives or pagan temple worship, not just illicit sex - that is covered by following Jesus). Titus, not being compelled to he circumcised was a proof of the decision. This decision did not change the fact that Gentile believers must live a holy life, observing all things Jesus taught, and obeying their church leaders. This is seen in the fact that they had to obey when Paul delivered the “decrees for to keep” from the apostles (Acts 16:4).
Paul says that in his conference with Peter, James, and John and the other elders, he received no new doctrine or light; but rather they accepted him as the apostle of the Gentiles even as Peter was the apostle of the circumcision.
Points to consider: The doctrine of justification by faith which the apostles held was not antinomian faith or this "one act" justification (“once saved–always saved”) which antinomians teach. The apostles would have used that as an argument, which they didn’t; but rather showed that works of faith, obedience to God and his apostles, and even these few “necessary things” were to be a part of their living faith if they were to be saved by the grace of Jesus Christ. They saw this being “saved” as completed in the future, not in the past (Acts 15:11).
2: 11-I3 Paul goes on to tell of a situation that illustrates the controversy at hand. Which controversy the Galatians were ignorantly being led astray in.
Peter was at the Antioch church with Paul and Barnabas. They were all freely fellowshipping with Gentile and Jewish Christians alike. However certain Jewish Christians came from the Jerusalem church, where James was bishop. These people were still prejudiced about freely eating with uncircumcised Gentiles, even though they were believers. Peter, trying to avoid offending these Jewish Christians, withdrew and avoided eating with the Gentiles. When Paul saw him do this and others following his example, he realized this was harmful to the preservation of the truth, and would cause offense to the Gentiles.
2: 14 Paul then confronts Peter with his inconsistency and argues thus: If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles in eating with the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, who separate themselves; why are you now acting as though the Gentiles have to become Jews to eat with you?
2:15–16 Paul says that even he and Peter, being Jews had stopped looking to Moses' Law as a means of justification before God; but had believed and followed Jesus Christ and his doctrine as the only means of being justified before God.
“The faith of Christ" is the doctrine of Christ, or the faith and hope that Christ taught.
2:17–18 “While we seek to be justified by Christ” Did Paul believe in an Antinomian one act of faith justification? No: he had a daily justification by daily faith. His wording proves the point that it wasn’t a “done deal” but a race of faith to run and a course to finish (II Tim. 4:7). The difference between justification by Moses' Law and justification by Christ was the difference between obeying a system that could not deliver the goods, and obeying a system that could -- obedience was still mandatory.
“If while we are following and obeying Jesus Christ so as to find grace in his sight and receive of his atoning sacrifice, we are still admitting that we are not just before God, but need circumcision to fill the gap –– is therefore Christ to blame for leading us in a way that is insufficient to please God? Is Christ the minister of a program that leaves his followers lacking? God forbid!”
“It is my own foolishness in recognizing obligations that I’m no longer bound to, therefore making myself a transgressor (in debt to an obsolete system) instead of asserting my freedom from these obligations while following Christ.”
Peter didn’t have to separate from the Gentiles, but by doing so, he was admitting it was wrong to have eaten with them, thus admitting he was transgressing. This move on his part accused the Gentiles of not having sufficient standing with God apart from circumcision; and therefore charged Christ with not supplying them with enough to please God without them becoming Jews.
That which was “destroyed” (vs 18) was their hope of justification by keeping the Mosaic Law, and therefore living separate from Gentiles. They destroyed this hope when they forsook this hope and followed Christ for justification, who said they could fellowship with repentant, obedient Gentiles.
2:19–21 There are two aspects to be seen in the statement of verse 19:
1. For I through the law’s condemnation of me, am dead to any hope of justification from the law – vs. 16. 2. For I through the law’s own condemnation of me in Christ (He died in my place) am dead to the law’s jurisdiction as long as I remain “in Christ” – vs. 20.
I am in Christ (under his legal guardianship) and no longer under the laws’ jurisdiction: thus making me free to live unto God through Christ (Rom. 6:1–7: 1-6). If Christ died in my place, then technically I died “in” Christ; thus freeing me from the law's jurisdiction while I remain “in Christ”. The way I abide in Christ is to abide in his faith and practice (Jn. 15:10:1 Jn 2:24)
If we take up our cross and follow Jesus, thus being crucified with him––if we lose our life for his sake, thus finding it in him (Mk. 8:34,35); then he will live in us as we live by his faith (his doctrine: Jn. 14:21–23: 15:1–10; 1 Jn.2:24). If we walk in the light with him, his blood will keep us clean before God (I Jn. 1:7;9); and we will have no need for circumcision or Jewish ordinances to supplement this.” **The Law could not pay it's debts, so it was in bondage and couldn't free those who looked to it for freedom -- Jesus paid the debts of the law system and set up his own priesthood that could indeed pay it's debts (pay for sins) - so we should seek justification through Jesus' faith (system); and not through the old obsolete system.
“I do not frustrate God’s gracious offer of atonement through Christ by saying that I can gain a perfect record another way – by keeping the law. If I could gain a righteous standing before God by keeping the law, then Christ didn’t need to die, because I wouldn’t have any sins to pay for. Instead, I confess my inability to earn a righteous standing, and my need of a Savior, thus following and obeying Jesus to find grace and atonement through him.” By His blood my record is washed clean as I follow and obey Him (I Jn 1:7).
POINT TO CONSIDER: Paul’s idea of “frustrating the grace of God” was saying that Christ’s death was unnecessary, because one could be legally declared righteous in God’s courtroom by observing the law of Moses. This alone is legalism! Does any sane person teach this today in the name of Christ? To preach that we must live holy and obey all Jesus’ taught to be eligible for his gracious atonement and priesthood is not legalism or salvation by works; but the TRUTH. God’s free gift is only offered to the humble, repentant, and obedient believer (11 Cor. 6:17–7:1; Mark 8:34–38). If you teach that obeying any system of belief can atone for sin apart from the atonement of Christ, it will be a form of legalism or idolatry; but not what Paul was combating. Paul was combating apostate Judaism.
Chapter 3
3:1–3 "0 foolish Galatians..." you, who have been taught thoroughly about faith in the crucified Savior....you who had a good beginning in obeying the truth... now are turning back to trusting circumcision and Jewish ordinances for part of your justification as though Christ’s gospel wasn’t enough... this could only he due to Satanic deception.”
Had they received the Spirit of adoption (God's seal of acceptance) and spiritual gifts by becoming Jews or by believing and being baptized into the faith of Jesus Christ? They had begun to walk in the Spirit following Jesus Christ and trusting his eternal sacrifice and priesthood for atonement. Why would they want to go back to the inferior and ineffective Old Testament law, priesthood, circumcison. temple sacrifices, etc., which were only a shadow of the better things to come in Christ?
3:4 "Have you endured so much persecution to follow Jesus Christ only now to turn back and lose out? If indeed you are turning back!" Why else would Paul’s preaching be in vain, if they would still be saved?
3:5 Did I Paul (1:6), who laid hands on you for you to receive the Spirit, prophesied, and worked miracles among you; did I do it as a Jew through the law, or by the faith of Jesus Christ?
3:6–9 The “obedience of faith” (Rom. 16:26) or “righteousness of faith” (Rom. 4:13) being counted to man as perfect righteousness by God’s grace was established before circumcision and the Law of Moses as God’s criteria of acceptance. Abraham was accepted in this way as he exercise faith in God by leaving his homeland (Heb. 11:8): by waiting on God for a son (Rom. 4); and then offering that son upon the altar (James 2). God said to Abraham, “Walk before me and he thou perfect” (Gen. 17:1). As Abraham strove to do this, he was exercising faith in God, and God counted this to his record as righteousness, and put his sins aside for Jesus to pay.
All who exercise this same faith in God and Christ are counted as Abraham’s spiritual children and also accepted by God as sons and daughters (11 Cor 6:17–7:1). This is what the Scriptures meant when they said of Abraham, “In thee shall ALL nations he blessed”.
Abraham received this promise due to his faithfulness, so now we who follow his faith are blessed in this same blessing that came upon Abraham. NOTICE: THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM WAS SEEN IN FAITHFULNESS -- THIS IS THE ONLY KIND OF FAITH SPOKEN OF IN THE NEW TESTAMENT AS SAVING FAITH --A FAITH THAT IS FAITHFUL (Heb. 11:6)
3:10–11. Deut. 27:26 curses everyone who doesn’t continue in all the words of the Law of Moses. Now, if you strive to gain a righteous standing before God through Moses’ Law and apart from Christ’s atonement; you put yourself under this curse (bondage). The Gentile who wanted to accept obligation to one part of Moses' system put himself under the bondage to do all the Law or be cursed by it.
The fact that this legal justification was never intended by God for man in the first place is clearly seen in the Old Testament statement that the Justified man is the man who lives by faith in Gods grace (‘the just shall live by his faith” Hab. 2:4). Obeying God, not thinking you are earning a perfect record, but doing it as an exercise of your faith, trusting God to save you by grace – this is what God intended for man after the fall. Take note: Hab. 2:4 was written to and of people under obligation to obey Moses’ Law – this proves that Paul’s idea of “faith” was not antinomian faith, but the obedience of faith, which is required to obey the law of Christ. Obeying law does not militate against faith, it makes faith alive (see James 2). Faith is the proper response to God’s commandments. How can you exercise faith in your doctor until he has given you a protocol? Giving directions to follow opens the door to faith. It allows faith to show itself.
3:12 Being justified by the law is different than being justified by faith. To be justified by the law – you are actually justified by the fact that you have done all that the law said ––“he that doeth them shall live in them (the deeds of the law)" means you can be saved by keeping the law -- this also means that the sacrifices of the Mosaic system had the power to atone, which they didn't!
3:13 Christ's death in our place, taking upon himself the Law's curse on us, freed all from obligation to the Mosaic system, so we are free to live in Christ's system.
3:14 So now, being freed from the curse of the law, we are to live by faith like Abraham, so we can be justified by faith like Abraham. This promised blessing to Abraham can also now come on the Gentiles through Christ. When they repent and follow Christ, they can receive the Spirit of adoption into Christ's system without any need for Moses' system.
3:15 “Brethren, I am using a illustration from human affairs: even in a human covenant (will or testament), if it be confirmed (sealed, ratified, etc.). no man can take away or add to it” God’s covenant promise to Abraham’s seed cannot be changed. It was actually a promise from God to Christ. God himself would fulfill the atonement for man.
3:16 The promises were not simply to Abraham’s fleshly children, otherwise lshmael’s descendants, Esau’s descendants, Keturah’s descendants, etc. would be heirs of the promises. This the Jews admit was not the case. So Paul, from this basis, explains that the promise was to “The Seed” spoken of to Eve in Genesis that would bruise the serpents head, and this seed is Christ –– therefore all who become “in Christ” are the recipients of the promises. This includes all true believers front the beginning of the earth. This same argument is used in Romans 9–11 to show why believing Gentiles can be graffed in as equals with believing Jews, and the unbelieving Jews, though descendants of Abraham, are cut off,
3:17–18 God’s promise to Abraham’s seed (Christ) cannot he changed or affected by a law given to Israel 430 years later. God had established that the inheritance would come to those “in Christ” 430 years before the law was given. The way to he “in Christ” was to follow Christ’s teachings with the faithfulness of Abraham –– to have the righteousness of faith or obedience of faith. Hebrews 11:6 describes this faith:
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’
3:19 Why then was the law given? It was given to restrain the flesh and educate faith until Jesus could come and set the perfect example; give the perfect teaching; make the perfect atonement; set up the perfect priesthood; and give the holy Spirit to empower believers to live holy under the Law of Christ.
“It was added" It did not supersede or change Gods covenant as 3:15 states (3:15 “no man addeth”), but was supplementary in the program (Rom. 4:12). This proves that the addition of laws, standards, and ordinances does not interfere, nor is contrary to a life of faith, or salvation by faith. God added Moses’ law to the Israelites faith, just as the apostles in Acts 15 added laws to the Christian’s faith. Obeying the apostles or church bishops in the application of Scripture is not contrary to "living by faith", but is a necessary part of Christ's system (faith).
“Till the seed should come to whom the promise was made” ––Christ is the seed to whom the promise was made, and He is now come.
“Ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator” ––The angels were instrumental in the giving of the law to the Jews (Heb. 2:2). Moses was the mediator between God and the Jewish nation.
3:20 “A mediator is not a mediator representing the interests of one individual; but two parties; however God is one individual”-- Paul is refering to the fact that the promise was to Christ (vs. 16), who is ONE with God. God swore by himself in Gen. 22:16; which means that God’s sending of Jesus Christ was not dependant on man, but on God himself. This means that Moses’ mediatorial work, and also the law, had nothing at all to do with God’s promise of inheritance to Christ and those who would be “in Christ.”
3:21–22 Does the law then interfere with or work contrary to the promise? God forbid: they were made for completely different ends. The law was never intended to give life by atoning for our sins; pardoning us; and giving the promise of the Spirit. It is incapable of doing this (Rom. 8:3,4). If the law could have atoned; pardoned; and given the Spirit, then a just standing and unity with God could have been attained through the law. However, since Moses' Law was in debt to a coming Messiah, and since the Scriptures prove we have all sinned and fallen short of perfect obedience; we can only seek a just standing with God through the promised atonement of Jesus Christ when we follow the “faith” or teachings of Christ and thus become “IN CHRIST”. The people in the Old Testament had to obey Moses’ Law as an exercise of their faith, but could not look to it as the means of earning a righteous record in Heaven. New Testament believers obey the Law of Christ as the exercise of their faith, but still only look to Christ’s atonement for their just standing with God. That “the faith of Christ” means following his doctrine and teachings is proven by the next verse.
3:23 “But before faith came... -- Did not Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, etc. have saving faith? This means the “faith of Christ” -- following his teachings in order to abide in his love and be a recipient of his grace (Jn 14:21; 15:10; 1 Jn. 2:3-5; 3:24, etc.) -- Following Christs' system (faith).
Before Christ’s example and teaching came, they were to exercise their faith in God’s promises by keeping his law (Acts 26:7). This law condemned them and taught them their need for atonement in Christ. The Mosaic system taught them about law, priesthood, atonement, etc.; which are all essential elements in Christ's system.
3:24 The law, including the commandments as a plumbline and the tabernacle sacrifices for atonement, was teaching them their need for atonement, and their inability to be just before God without it. This was to prepare them for Christ’s real atonement, so they would follow him for atonement, and not trust their “works of the law” for justification. The Mosaic system taught us all the basic elements of Christ's system, so we could learn to live "in Christ", trusting his priesthood, etc.
The teachings of Christ take the place of the moral law; and the priesthood of Christ takes the place of the ceremonial law and priesthood of the Old Testament.
WHAT DID THE SCHOOLMASTER TEACH?
--God expects obedience
--God will not have a relationship with those who are not living by his standards
--Fallen man, even though he tries to do right, is crooked when compared with God’s plumbline, and needs an atoning sacrifice to make him acceptable to God
--You must be living according to God’s program to be eligible for an atoning sacrifice
All of this prepared us for living by the “Faith of Christ”; because the same principles apply. The law was a complete system of precepts, priesthood, and sacrifices. The faith of Christ is a complete system of precepts, priesthood, and sacrifice. You must choose which “system you will follow to be acceptable to God. The Mosaic “system” was dependent on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, so it is not an independent system; therefore it is no longer valid. The Jew must recognize this and turn to the “system” or “faith” of Christ to be made acceptable to God.
3:25 After we have the real atonement in Christ; the real plumbline in Christ; the true teachings and love of Christ; the circumcision of the heart in Christ; and the gift of the Spirit from Christ; we don’t need the law of Moses. It has fulfilled its purpose. Our number one concern should be, “AM I IN CHRIST?” (II Cor. 5:17,18); “HOW DO I GET IN CHRIST” (Jn. 14:23); and, “HOW DO I STAY IN CHRIST” (I Jn. 2:24)? In Christ I am dead to the old system, free to live unto God, Abraham’s seed, and a recipient of God’s promised inhertance.
3:26–27 When I put my faith in Jesus Christ, am baptized in His name; and set out to follow his doctrine; I am put into Christ and I also put on Christ by walking in the mind of Christ––Him living through me. Thus, in Christ, I am the seed of Abraham, whether physically I am Jew, Gentile, bond, free, male, or female. Because I am Abraham’s seed, then I am an heir of the promise. This is all mine as long as I remain in Christ (I Jn 2:24) Notice how “putting on Christ” to become God’s sons and daughters relates to daily obedience in the following related verses.
“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” Rom. 13:14
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Gal. 5:24
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” II Cor. 6:17– 7:1
3:28–29 If being in Christ is the way to be just before and accepted by God, then it doesn’t matter whether you are a Jew, Greek, slave, free, male, or female. As long as you are a disciple of Christ, and thus his spiritual child: you are then Abraham’s true spiritual seed, and the heir to the promises made to Abraham you are the true “Israel of God” (6:16).
Chapter 4
4:1–2 Now Paul uses the example of a child to illustrate Israel’s spiritual growth from the tutoring of the law to the adoption or legal age. The child, though by his father’s will is heir of all his possessions, yet until he is of legal age is master or nothing; but is under tutors and guardians. When he graduates to maturity, he will receive the “adoption of a son”, and will then partake of his inheritance
4:3–5 Even so we, when we were, spiritually, children in understanding: we were in bondage under the schoolmaster of Moses’ Law. But when Jesus came and fulfilled the law and made atonement for man; we who were under the schoolmaster of the law, were now ready to receive the adoption of sons through Christ’s teaching, Spirit, atonement, and priesthood. Christ lifted us up from just being servants, to now being sons through him. If we “put on Christ’, we live far above the law.
Illustration: Though my son is heir to my automobile, he cannot be trusted with the keys. He must, at 15, be under instruction and tutoring. His immaturity could cause his death or someone else’s if given the keys without being prepared. Once he has matured and been taught, he is no longer under the “bondage” of tutoring, outward restraint, and having an instructor with him at all times. Now, he is ready for his license and is “free”. But, is he free to trespass the law? Is he free to sin? Is he free to drive according to immaturity? No, he is free, because the law is now in his heart, and he is self–disciplined, so he needs no instructor. He is given freedom with the assumption that he “wants” to obey the law and drive safe; NOT so he can drive unsafe.
SO IT IS IN CHRIST! We were under the bondage of the law until the law was written in our hearts by the indwelling Holy Spirit who regenerated us. Now we are free from the schoolmaster with the assumption that we want to live like Jesus Christ; for Jesus Christ; and by all his teachings. We are not free from obedience to righteousness; but free because we will live righteous without the ordinances of Moses law.
4:6 Because we are clean, repentant, changed, and have put on Christ; we are acceptable to he called sons and daughters ([I Cor. 6:16–7:1). God has confirmed this acceptance by giving us the Spirit (seal of his acceptance; Eph. 1:13.14), which testifies within us we are sons, crying Abba, Father. Abba referring to filial affection: and Father to civil respect; as though we say, my Daddy and my Lord.
4:7 Because of Christ’s work, we who follow Christ are no longer servants, but sons. This makes us heirs to the kingdom through Christ. As long as we abide in Christ, we are certain of the inheritance.
4:8–9 Paul asks how it is that after experiencing the bondage of idolatry; and then the glorious sonship through Christ: they would want to turn back to rites and ceremonies that cannot atone for their sins or bring them to God. They had come from heathenism to Christianity, and now were intrigued with Judaism as though it were higher than Christianity.
4:10 They were being taught that one must observe Jewish sabbaths, feasts, circumcision, and sacrifices to be acceptable to God.
4:11 If these people were unconditionally secure, Paul could not say this, but they weren’t. They must continue in the true faith of Christ to remain “in Christ” and be saved.
4:12 “Be as I am” Follow my faith in Christ standing free from superstition and useless dependence on ceremonies; For I am a man of like passions as ye are. I understand the human tendency to lean on these outward ceremonies; but I have followed Christ instead, and so can you. I’m not beseeching you due to some harm caused to me by your apostasy (referring to vs. 11); but because I love you, and want to help you.
4:13–16 How often a preacher pushes himself and his family to extremes to help bring converts to Christ only to he criticized and judged by them later. How often carnal people judge your spiritual ability or condition by looking at your physical ability or condition. This is foolish. Paul had a physical weakness, but it was DUE to his spiritual condition, and AIDED his ability II C.or. 12. Often people start out loving you; but once you tell them “no” or correct them, they turn on you.
4:17 They have stirred up your zeal, but not in a good direction. They want to separate you from us apostles. so you can just he zealous about them alone.
4:18 I don’t expect you to only grow when I am with you, rather it is good to study and grow in GOOD things at all times.
4:19–20 Paul feels like he is having to convert them all over again. He is anxious to speak with them, and be convinced that they are still on track, because he doubts it at the present. They cannot be “in Christ” unless Christ is “in them”, which is not a simple, painless matter; but a travail to bring forth a new birth into truth. They cannot find salvation "in Christ", unless they are living according the the rules of Christ's system, and not any other system - including Moses'.
4:21–31 Paul relates an allegory. An allegory is a figurative way to relate a story. It implies a deeper meaning than that which is obvious.
The allegory of Hagar and Sarah is this. Abraham had two wives: Sarah was a free woman; and Hagar was a bondwoman. Every child Hagar had was born in the same bondage she was in. She could not give them feedom, because she did not have it to give. Sarah was a free woman, and all her offspring were therefore free. This pictures Moses' Law, which could not pay for sins, but was in debt (bondage); and Christ's system, which was not in debt, but free -- Jesus' blood pays for sins, and can redeem his own.
Hagar, the mother of the Arabic peoples, represents the law of Moses from Mount Sinai in Arabia and also the earthly Jerusalem -- this system is in debt, and cannot give freedom from the debt of trespasses. All those born to this earthly Jerusalem under the law are in bondage (debt), just like Hagar’s children. The law system cannot give freedom, and so Judaism's sacrificial system cannot make us free from the curse of the law.
Sarah represents the kingdom of Messiah, which is the Heavenly Jerusalem. Since this kingdom is free -- Due to Christ's blood being able to truly redeem all in debt from trespasses; all those born into this kingdom are free–born. The way to freedom therefore is to be born again into Christ’s kingdom, not struggle under the law. The Jewish writters believed that everything in earth was a type of something in Heaven; and Paul is using this idea to present the superiority of the Gospel system.
The verse in Isaiah 54:1 refers to the conversion of the Gentiles (the “desolate”), which produces more children (converts) than she who hath an husband (Jerusalem under the law). Because we are the children of promise (like faith with Abraham), like Isaac (supernaturally born); and not just children after the flesh (bloodline of Abraham, but not like faith), like Ishmael (of natural generation); then we are recipients of God’s promises to Abraham. But just as lshmael mocked Isaac. so those born of Abraham’s natural generation now mock and persecute those born again by faith in Christ. Because of this God will cast out Judaism and those who adhere to it against their own Messiah. They will not inherit the promises to Abraham. If we are in Christ, we are children of promise – the children of Sarah – children of the Heavenly Jerusalem – and thus heirs to the promises.
NOTE: Does “bond” and “free” mean one has to obey, and the other one doesn’t? Not at all. Sarah had to obey Abraham, Isaac obeyed his father, and Jesus obeyed his Father. “Free” and “Bond” has to do with debt (bondage). It has to do with whether or not we will get an inheritance from the Father. “Bond” means I am the child of a servant, who is in debt; and I am inheriting that debt or bondage. “Free” means I am not in debt, but am a child of the king; and will inherit the kingdom. Jesus' priesthood and atonement pays my debts (trespasses) and makes me a child of His Father. Moses' system could not pay for sin or free from the bondage of trespasses against the law of God.
All still must obey the Law of Christ, which is the law of His Father. Paul said he was “free–born”, which means he was a legal Roman citizen with all the privileges - and not in debt - no need of redemption from Roman slavery. Jesus said the Jews were not free–men, though they claimed they were, because they were living in sin; servants of sin; and they were rejecting their atonement in Christ. “Free” in the Scripture never means free from obedience to righteousness and holiness! "Liberty" means free from the debt of tespass, free from obligation to Moses' system, etc.
Chapter 5
5:1-3 Though Paul himself was circumcised, and still a law observing Jew, yet he had forsaken Judaism as a means of justification. The Gentiles’ only motive for adopting Judaism (signified here by “circumcision”) would he as a means of finding acceptance with God. They were not born Jews, had no civil obligations, had been baptized into the faith of Christ for acceptance with God; so why take on Judaism? For them to take this step now could only he to gain greater acceptance with God, which could not he –– they were working away from God, not towards him.
To seek circumcision (the law system) as a means of securing acceptance with God now, would be a rejection of the faith of Jesus Christ as their hope. This would leave them under obligation to keep the whole law perfect, which is the only way to be saved by the law; because the sacrifices of the “law system” are incapable of taking away sin. They could not keep the law perfect, so they would be in big trouble. They were also offending God and Christ. They were implying that Jesus’ atonement wasn’t necessary; and that the law system of principles, priesthood, and sacrifices could make them acceptable to God apart from Christ.
5:4 To seek salvation by keeping the law means you have fallen from salvation by grace though the faith of Christ. You either have atonement and forgivenenss in Christ, or you gain a clear record by perfect obedience to the law. Salvation by grace means you are not perfect, and God’s accepts your obedience and faith in Christ as perfect righteousness by grace. He can do this because Jesus paid for your sins. This is what “Faith imputed for righteousness” is all about. Abraham had the righteousness of faith, and it was imputed for complete and perfect righteousness be God’s grace and Jesus’ atonement.
5:5–6 We through the Spirit mortify the flesh, walk in a faith that works by love in obedience to Jesus Christ; and do this in hopes that as he sees our faith, he will count us righteous by his grace. So we walk by faith waiting for the hope of being counted righteous by Jesus’ gracious atonement. In the faith of Christ. the only thing that saves or avails is a faith that works by love. If you don’t have this, you will he lost –– grace is only given to those who obey Christ with a faith that works by love.
5:7–9 We must be careful who we listen to! A little heresy will grow and ruin the whole church just as a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.
5:10–12 Paul declares that his preaching the Faith of Christ as the means of acceptance with God, brings persecution from the Jews. This fact proves that Paul is not preaching circumcision and Judaism as necessary along with Christ, or he would not he persecuted by the Jews who were zealous for their ways. The cross was offensive, because the Jews didn’t see themselves in need of a dying savior; and couldn’t accept this dying savior as sufficient for Gentiles without Judaism.
5:13–26 Now Paul shows what Christians under grace are accountable for. They are free from the ceremonial laws and rites of Judaism, but are not free from the morality of the law, which was taught by Christ, If they lived after the flesh, they would not inherit the kingdom of God: which proves they were not unconditionally secure. They had to live holy, righteous, and in the Spirit, which is higher than Old Testament righteousness.
5:14–15 They were accountable for the “Law of Christ” (6:2), which is the law of love. So, if while they were under grace, they were not loving one another, they would destroy one another’s hope of the inheritance. “Under Grace” does not mean you can disobey without repentance. You must he led of the Spirit to be under grace. To be led of the Spirit, you must renounce your flesh, and follow Jesus Christ - This is being led of the Spirit.
5:16 Paul gives a command: Walk in the Spirit. This is a law we must obey. We must walk, talk, obey, love, react, etc. just as the Spirit teaches through the Word of God. We cannot be Antinomians in our faith.
5:17 “Ye cannot do the things that ye would” means you cannot act by natural inclinations or reflexes; but must deliberately, by choice and effort, walk in the Spirit. You must discipline and deny yourself just as Jesus taught.
5:18 Only when you are “in Christ” and “led of the Spirit” are you not “under the law”; but “under grace”, This is very important to understand. It is a day by day walk! It is a matter of jurisdiction and accountability. When I am following and obeying Jesus Christ, I am under his gracious jurisdiction and am accountable to him to obey all he taught. When I am not under Christ’s gracious jurisdiction, then I am automatically under the jurisdiction of God’s moral law, and will face the law in judgment without a gracious priest or atonement to save me. The Jew was under the jurisdiction of the Mosaic ordinances until Christ came; but now that system is obsolete.
5:19–21 This is a summary of the works of the flesh, and a solemn warning that all who take this course, whether once professing Christ or not, will not inherit the kingdom of God!
5:22–26 This is the only acceptable way for a Christian to act, if he wishes to remain “in Christ”. These are daily character traits that must be developed by prayer, discipline, and continued choice. These are spiritual, not carnal: spiritual love, spiritual joy, spiritual peace, etc.
All who are Christ’s now, have, in their repentance and decision to follow Christ, rejected the flesh, world, and Devil. This crucifixion is not something that God did to you apart from you seeking and choosing it; but something you chose when you took up your cross to follow Jesus. “Crucified with Christ” is not just some abstract legal transaction; but a choice you make daily by choosing to walk daily in the Spirit, and denying daily the inclinations of the flesh.
Notice the “flesh” is not just your physical body, but the values and pursuits of the “self–life”. Self preservation, self glory, and self exaltation is opposed to the Spirit of Christ, which is LOVE. If you are not crucified to the world, then you cannot understand God’s true love.
Chapter 6
6:1–2 The Christian is under the Law of Christ, which demands a greater righteousness and morality than did Moses’ Law. We must not only do right, but do it in the right attitude and motive. We must love our brother and help him in meekness. We must bear others’ burdens in humility and love.
6:3–5 We must not judge our godliness by comparing ourselves among ourselves, but by comparing ourselves with Christs teachings and example. When we match up with this, we can rejoice in this alone; and not that we are better than another. For we must all answer for ourselves before Christ.
6:6 Those who are taught the Word of God ought to help support the one who gives up his time to preach to them the gospel. This is part of the Law of Christ ( I Cor. 9)
6:7–9 Don’t be deceived by teachings of unconditional security or false security –– because God will not be mocked. You will not disobey one precept without suffering for it. You will not disregard God, and get by with it. If you pursue the flesh, world, and Devil, you will be damned. If you pursue obedience to Christ, you will inherit everlasting life. So Don’t he weary in obeying Christ, for in due season you will get eternal life – if you don’t faint by the way.
6:10 Because of verses 7–9 take every opportunity to obey Christ and do good to all men, but especially to fellow believers.
6:11 Paul penned this entire letter with his own hand to be sure they knew it was authentic.
6:12–13 A carnal man could practice Judaism without much pain or crossbearing in the regions of Galatia; but Christianity was more strict. It required a changed heart; a crucified flesh; and a true faith and love. Those who only cared for the “fair show”; but did not like the crucified life or persecution; would easily prefer circumcision to Christianity.
These circumcised Jews did not obey the law themselves, they just boasted in their circumcision; and wanted to glory in making another convert to circumcision. They glory in that which they think makes them acceptable without them dying to self; but they reject that which is truly acceptable and requires death to self. Consider John the Baptist’s remarks to the Jews who came to his baptism about trusting in their circumcision and relation to Abraham, but not having good fruit (Matt. 3:5–12; Luke 3:7–14)..
6:14–15 Paul is not going to glory in some false security; but in the cross of Jesus Christ, which he has taken up and by it been crucified with Christ to the values and lusts of this world. The world is “estranged” from Paul, and Paul is “estranged” from the world by means his denying himself, taking up the cross and following Jesus. The only thing that matters in the eyes of God and Christ is whether you have denied yourself, taken up your cross. been crucified with Christ; and by this become a new creature in Christ.
Notice Paul doesn’t say that “praying the prayer” avails in Christ. He doesn’t say “simply trusting” avails in Christ; but that being a new creature by being crucified with Christ to the world avails in Christ.
6:16 As many as walk according to this criteria; they are the true spiritual Israel of God, and Paul blesses them with God’s true peace and mercy. The unbelieving nation of Israel is no longer the “Israel of God”, but are apostate. The believing Jews/Gentile church is God’s remnant – the true children of Abraham – the children of promise – the Israel of God.
6:17–18 Paul had suffered so for Christ; and his body had so many scars for the cause of Christ; that he felt his integrity ought not to be called in question any more.
COMMENTS: As you can clearly see the issue in Galatians is not whether or not Christians have to “obey rules” or “live righteous”; but whether or not Christians had to obey the ceremonial rituals of Moses’ Law to be “clean” and “acceptable” in the sight of God. Moses Law was a complete system of law and temple; principle and priesthood; morality and atonement. The Faith of Christ is also a complete system of law and heavenly tabernacle; principle and Christ’s priesthood; morality and atonement. You cannot mix the two; but must choose one. Since Moses’ law is dependent upon animal sacrifices, which are dependent on Christ’s sacrifice for ultimate atonement; then Moses’ system is now obsolete. We must follow Christ’s law and hope in Christ’s priesthood if we are to be made acceptable to God.