Galatians 3:1-9 What Part of Grace Don’t You Understand?
Remember: In Gal. 2:19 Paul says that we, through the Law, have died to the Law. This can only be true if the Law has meted out the punishment our disobedience to it required. And that is exactly the message of Vs 20. That punishment required for our sins was poured out on our Jesus in His crucifixion. And He is so One (Heb. 2:10) with His children in the Ephesians 1 Will of His Father, that in some mysterious spiritual way, we were with Him in that crucifixion, to the incredible extent that “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me!” This union with Him in crucifixion and resurrection is Paul’s message in Romans 6. In a very real sense, we live every moment from that point of time, by faith in that extraordinary death that has freed us from any bill of indictment that the Law once had against us all. Because of our union with our Savior in His crucifixion, we do not receive a pardon, no, no! All charges against us, all debt we have incurred, has been Paid in Full!!! We receive a headstone with the inscription, “They are not here, for they are risen with their Savior”. We now live unto God in Christ, as “new creations: old things have passed away (in Christ’s grave): behold, all things have become new (Through our resurrection in our New Man’s Resurrection!).
Vs 1-4 The Seduction
Vs1 The persons bewitching them were using flattery & half truths, not bold face lies. Bewitched (#940 baskaino) literally means “to bring evil on someone through praise, to charm”. These Judaizers were promoting their traditions (in the old and revered Law) as something these “upstart” Christians needed to really be complete, fulfilled. And it wasn't just a matter of doctrinal opinion, it impacted their behavior. They were being seduced away from obeying the truth of the Gospel Paul had delivered to them, and that truth was in Jesus Christ plus nothing! And I believe that he literally "embodies" that Truth in his next words. "Before who's eyes Christ has been set forth among you, as crucified".(KJV) Christ Jesus wasn’t presented to them as an example to follow, or a source of great wisdom & inspiration. His death on the cross to bear the punishment for their sins actually “came alive” in their midst! This truth is what he applied so personally in 2:19-20! And this belief, this faith in Christ alone as our standing in the Presence of the Father, is the only “work” the Father will receive! (John 6:29)
Vs 2 Paul needs to know only one thing. (This seems to be somewhat of a facetious question asked for the purpose of driving them back to consider the initiation of their new birth.) His mention of their receiving of the Spirit is very significant, considering this transition from “Jerusalem unto the uttermost parts of the world”. Remember the significance that this “coming” had on Peter and the Jewish Apostles in Acts 10:44-47 & 11:15-18. Did that Spirit fall on them because they had fulfilled every jot and tittle of the Law? NO!! Romans 10:17 "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." As with Cornelius’ household, the Spirit came upon them through the hearing of the Gospel Grace of God in Christ Jesus.
Vs 3 Paul’s answer to his rhetorical question implies that the means to Spiritual maturity is exactly the same as our beginning. We don't somehow become better in our flesh so that we can add our two cents to the process, any more that we added our “two cents” to our coming to Christ in the first place! Growth is always and only through "grow in Grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ!” Consider Peter’s words in 2 Peter 1:2-3, 3:18. Peter says that God’s Divine Power has (already) given to us all things that pertain to life & Godliness, and this truth is "sandwiched" between this "knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ!(Vs 2&8) And note Peter's estimation of this faith that is only obtained "by the Righteousness of our God & Savior, Jesus Christ(Vs 2). He calls this faith, "precious faith".
Vs 4 Paul’s customary approach upon entering a city was to go to the synagogue and preach at the invitation of the rulers of that body. This invariably led to division and often times, death threats. Those who had “ears to hear” were separated from the synagogue crowd, and then suffered the stigma of the identity with Christ Jesus & HIs Gospel. Paul is asking the Galatian believers if that was all for nothing. They did not think so at the time!
Vs 5-9 Paul’s Defense of his Gospel of the Grace of God.
Vs 5 "He that ministers the Spirit to you." 2 Corinthians 3:3 & 8-18 implies that all "things" of the New Covenant of Grace are of & by the Spirit, that is, the ministration of the Spirit. The only thing flesh can do is die! (Hebrews 9:8, 14; 10:15-17 It is the Spirit speaking. He is always the Covenant Spirit!) Hence, the initiation of the New Covenant was dependant upon the coming of the Indwelling Holy Spirit. Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8. This leads to Paul's stress on the Spirit in Galatians. The initiation of, and also every iota of New Covenant maturity is equally dependant upon the Indwelling ministration of the Covenant Spirit. Hence, Philippians 3:3, New Covenant circumcision has NO dependance upon the flesh. This is the Covenant of Grace as initiated in Abraham and is all about Grace through faith in every iota of it's manifestation in & through us. And never forget, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. “It is a good thing that the heart be established with Grace; not with meats (duties) which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” (Heb. 13:9)
2 Corinthians 4:7 shows the "holy other" of the Spirits operation, as seen in Vs 5-6. It may be in our mortal bodies, these earthen vessels, but the "excellence of the Power (see Acts 1:8) may be of God, and NOT OF US." Our "us", my flesh, my pre-new birth being, is not part of the Spirits equation! But let me clarify. Since "it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me", and I & the Spirit are inseparable, it is the new I/Him, the New Creation who does it! All of the power & Glory is of God. But to the "untrained eye", that is the spiritually dead, it appears to be us, our earthen vessels. And of course, those "in the Spirit" quickly testify to the truth, "It is not I but Christ!" Our God doesn't eliminate our identity, He Gloriously transforms it.
Vs 6-7 In Romans 4, Paul shows that Abraham is the father, the forerunner, of all who believe God’s word unto Righteousness. He believed God 400 years before the giving of the Law and therefore is the “Father of the faithful” from all nations.(Rom. 4:16)The sons of Abraham are always the seed of promise, that is, the seed of faith. That seed is Righteous by faith alone, just as their father was. The blessedness of God's imputed Righteousness, our only means of standing in His Presence, is always & only by faith, believing in Him Whom the Father has sent. Any works, however crucial in verifying to the work of Grace in our hearts, proceed only from this faith apprehension & comprehension. The root of our works is not our works! They are the evidence of the Spirits birthing us & sanctifying us through faith.
Vs 8 Notice how Paul “personifies” the Scripture! The Scripture foresees, the Scripture preaches! The Gospel of the Grace of God in Jesus Christ is nothing new. It was preached to Abraham. His life is the Scriptures sermon! Abraham & Isaac are the Scriptures “shadow sermon” of the Seed of Promise. The Son of God is always the Declaration of the Will & Purpose of the Father. I conclude then that the Son is inseparably united to the Scripture. We see throughout the Scriptures that it is the Holy Spirit that is Speaking, Declaring. (Acts 28:25-27; Heb. 3:7; 8:7-13+10:15-16; 9:8) And what does the Holy Spirit always speak? John 16:14-“He will Glorify Me”. (16:13-15) The Spirit and the Word are inseparable! The Scriptures are not just ink on a page. The Scriptures, the Word of God, is Living & Powerful!! (Heb. 4:12-13) It is to be approached with faith & humility. Then & only then will you hear what it is Preaching!
Vs 9 Paul sums up His defense with the conclusion he makes in Romans 4. “So then those (and only those) who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” And what was Abraham’s faith? “And being fully convinced that what He had promised He was able to perform. And therefore, it was accounted to Him for Righteousness.” (Rom. 4:21-22) Do we believe that God has performed the Promise He made to Abraham? Abraham believed in a future event. We must believe in the historical fulfillment of that Promise and our union with it.
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe, sin has left a crimson stain; HE WASHED IT WHITE AS SNOW!
Remember: In Gal. 2:19 Paul says that we, through the Law, have died to the Law. This can only be true if the Law has meted out the punishment our disobedience to it required. And that is exactly the message of Vs 20. That punishment required for our sins was poured out on our Jesus in His crucifixion. And He is so One (Heb. 2:10) with His children in the Ephesians 1 Will of His Father, that in some mysterious spiritual way, we were with Him in that crucifixion, to the incredible extent that “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me!” This union with Him in crucifixion and resurrection is Paul’s message in Romans 6. In a very real sense, we live every moment from that point of time, by faith in that extraordinary death that has freed us from any bill of indictment that the Law once had against us all. Because of our union with our Savior in His crucifixion, we do not receive a pardon, no, no! All charges against us, all debt we have incurred, has been Paid in Full!!! We receive a headstone with the inscription, “They are not here, for they are risen with their Savior”. We now live unto God in Christ, as “new creations: old things have passed away (in Christ’s grave): behold, all things have become new (Through our resurrection in our New Man’s Resurrection!).
Vs 1-4 The Seduction
Vs1 The persons bewitching them were using flattery & half truths, not bold face lies. Bewitched (#940 baskaino) literally means “to bring evil on someone through praise, to charm”. These Judaizers were promoting their traditions (in the old and revered Law) as something these “upstart” Christians needed to really be complete, fulfilled. And it wasn't just a matter of doctrinal opinion, it impacted their behavior. They were being seduced away from obeying the truth of the Gospel Paul had delivered to them, and that truth was in Jesus Christ plus nothing! And I believe that he literally "embodies" that Truth in his next words. "Before who's eyes Christ has been set forth among you, as crucified".(KJV) Christ Jesus wasn’t presented to them as an example to follow, or a source of great wisdom & inspiration. His death on the cross to bear the punishment for their sins actually “came alive” in their midst! This truth is what he applied so personally in 2:19-20! And this belief, this faith in Christ alone as our standing in the Presence of the Father, is the only “work” the Father will receive! (John 6:29)
Vs 2 Paul needs to know only one thing. (This seems to be somewhat of a facetious question asked for the purpose of driving them back to consider the initiation of their new birth.) His mention of their receiving of the Spirit is very significant, considering this transition from “Jerusalem unto the uttermost parts of the world”. Remember the significance that this “coming” had on Peter and the Jewish Apostles in Acts 10:44-47 & 11:15-18. Did that Spirit fall on them because they had fulfilled every jot and tittle of the Law? NO!! Romans 10:17 "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." As with Cornelius’ household, the Spirit came upon them through the hearing of the Gospel Grace of God in Christ Jesus.
Vs 3 Paul’s answer to his rhetorical question implies that the means to Spiritual maturity is exactly the same as our beginning. We don't somehow become better in our flesh so that we can add our two cents to the process, any more that we added our “two cents” to our coming to Christ in the first place! Growth is always and only through "grow in Grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ!” Consider Peter’s words in 2 Peter 1:2-3, 3:18. Peter says that God’s Divine Power has (already) given to us all things that pertain to life & Godliness, and this truth is "sandwiched" between this "knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ!(Vs 2&8) And note Peter's estimation of this faith that is only obtained "by the Righteousness of our God & Savior, Jesus Christ(Vs 2). He calls this faith, "precious faith".
Vs 4 Paul’s customary approach upon entering a city was to go to the synagogue and preach at the invitation of the rulers of that body. This invariably led to division and often times, death threats. Those who had “ears to hear” were separated from the synagogue crowd, and then suffered the stigma of the identity with Christ Jesus & HIs Gospel. Paul is asking the Galatian believers if that was all for nothing. They did not think so at the time!
Vs 5-9 Paul’s Defense of his Gospel of the Grace of God.
Vs 5 "He that ministers the Spirit to you." 2 Corinthians 3:3 & 8-18 implies that all "things" of the New Covenant of Grace are of & by the Spirit, that is, the ministration of the Spirit. The only thing flesh can do is die! (Hebrews 9:8, 14; 10:15-17 It is the Spirit speaking. He is always the Covenant Spirit!) Hence, the initiation of the New Covenant was dependant upon the coming of the Indwelling Holy Spirit. Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8. This leads to Paul's stress on the Spirit in Galatians. The initiation of, and also every iota of New Covenant maturity is equally dependant upon the Indwelling ministration of the Covenant Spirit. Hence, Philippians 3:3, New Covenant circumcision has NO dependance upon the flesh. This is the Covenant of Grace as initiated in Abraham and is all about Grace through faith in every iota of it's manifestation in & through us. And never forget, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. “It is a good thing that the heart be established with Grace; not with meats (duties) which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” (Heb. 13:9)
2 Corinthians 4:7 shows the "holy other" of the Spirits operation, as seen in Vs 5-6. It may be in our mortal bodies, these earthen vessels, but the "excellence of the Power (see Acts 1:8) may be of God, and NOT OF US." Our "us", my flesh, my pre-new birth being, is not part of the Spirits equation! But let me clarify. Since "it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me", and I & the Spirit are inseparable, it is the new I/Him, the New Creation who does it! All of the power & Glory is of God. But to the "untrained eye", that is the spiritually dead, it appears to be us, our earthen vessels. And of course, those "in the Spirit" quickly testify to the truth, "It is not I but Christ!" Our God doesn't eliminate our identity, He Gloriously transforms it.
Vs 6-7 In Romans 4, Paul shows that Abraham is the father, the forerunner, of all who believe God’s word unto Righteousness. He believed God 400 years before the giving of the Law and therefore is the “Father of the faithful” from all nations.(Rom. 4:16)The sons of Abraham are always the seed of promise, that is, the seed of faith. That seed is Righteous by faith alone, just as their father was. The blessedness of God's imputed Righteousness, our only means of standing in His Presence, is always & only by faith, believing in Him Whom the Father has sent. Any works, however crucial in verifying to the work of Grace in our hearts, proceed only from this faith apprehension & comprehension. The root of our works is not our works! They are the evidence of the Spirits birthing us & sanctifying us through faith.
Vs 8 Notice how Paul “personifies” the Scripture! The Scripture foresees, the Scripture preaches! The Gospel of the Grace of God in Jesus Christ is nothing new. It was preached to Abraham. His life is the Scriptures sermon! Abraham & Isaac are the Scriptures “shadow sermon” of the Seed of Promise. The Son of God is always the Declaration of the Will & Purpose of the Father. I conclude then that the Son is inseparably united to the Scripture. We see throughout the Scriptures that it is the Holy Spirit that is Speaking, Declaring. (Acts 28:25-27; Heb. 3:7; 8:7-13+10:15-16; 9:8) And what does the Holy Spirit always speak? John 16:14-“He will Glorify Me”. (16:13-15) The Spirit and the Word are inseparable! The Scriptures are not just ink on a page. The Scriptures, the Word of God, is Living & Powerful!! (Heb. 4:12-13) It is to be approached with faith & humility. Then & only then will you hear what it is Preaching!
Vs 9 Paul sums up His defense with the conclusion he makes in Romans 4. “So then those (and only those) who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” And what was Abraham’s faith? “And being fully convinced that what He had promised He was able to perform. And therefore, it was accounted to Him for Righteousness.” (Rom. 4:21-22) Do we believe that God has performed the Promise He made to Abraham? Abraham believed in a future event. We must believe in the historical fulfillment of that Promise and our union with it.
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe, sin has left a crimson stain; HE WASHED IT WHITE AS SNOW!