Sunday, March 25, 2007

Galatians 5

After reading Prather's post for a third time, I was lead to seek out several verses in Galatians. I have already discussed Galatians chapters 1-4 and you can access them here. This will be a study and commentary on Galatians 5.

This chapter contains some of my most favorite verses in the Bible. These include verses 17, 18 and 22.

Another thing that I really like about this chapter is the huge contrast that is depicted between living and walking according to sinful, fleshly desires vs. living and walking in the Spirit of God.

The very first verse turns what is perceived by men as "freedom" (meaning the freedom to sin and being unrepentant) and describes that lie as a "yoke of slavery" that burdens our souls. What an accurate description! Being set free from sin and the consequences thereof, of that sin, demonstrates the freedom we have in Christ! It is far better than the "yoke of slavery" that we would be bonded to without Jesus and the salvation he offers!

As always, comments, questions and additional information about this chapter are always welcome.

For now, here are the Scripture verses that will be discussed in detail when I return later today.



Gal 5:1 STAND fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,* and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Study notes: Christ came to set us free - not free to do whatever we want because that would lead us back into slavery to our selfish desires. Rather, thanks to Christ, we are now free and able to do what was impossible before - to live unselfishly. Those who would want to use such freedom so that they can have their own way are falling back into sin. Once free in Christ, we see sin as what it truly is...a yoke of bondage.

Gal 5:2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.

Gal 5:3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.

Gal 5:4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

Study notes: Circumcision was an outward sign of religion. What these verses tell us is that trying to save ourselves by our own merits or by deeds of service in order to try and earn God's love or favor doesn't work. As verse 6 below tells us, we are saved by faith, not by deeds. But love for others and for God comes through as a response of those whom God has forgiven.

Gal 5:5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Gal 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Gal 5:7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

Gal 5:8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.

Gal 5:9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Study notes: A little yeast (leaven) causes a whole lump of dough to rise. What Paul was saying in this word picture is that it only takes one wrong person to infect all the others.

Gal 5:10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

Gal 5:11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.

Study notes: Paul was telling his brethren in the faith that he was being persecuted because he was sharing the true gospel. If he had taught what the false teachers were teaching, no one would be offended!

Doesn't this sound just like the liberal churches today? The "political correctness" of secular humanism doesn't allow anyone to be offended at such churches. That "anything goes" attitude may bring in people, but how many are truly being saved?

Back to Paul. He was being persecuted by both Jews and Judaizers.

Jesus said not to be surprised if the world hates you, because it hated him (John 15:18,19). Dear Christians, have you noticed the ratcheting up of persecution being leveled at believers in Christ today? In comparison, we have it easy here. The hate is spewed on T.V., in the newspapers and magazines, and every Easter we get the usual questioning about Jesus' resurrection. But in China and throughout the Muslim countries in the Middle East, it's a totally different story. People are systematically imprisoned, beaten and killed because they are found out to be Christians! But even under the threat of death, these faithful Christians will not deny their faith in Jesus.

Just as Paul continued to faithfully proclaim the message about Christ in his day, we should continue doing the ministry God has given to each of us - in spite of the obstacles others may put in your way!

Gal 5:12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!

Gal 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Study notes: Paul distinguishes between freedom to sin and freedom to serve. Freedom or license to sin is no freedom at all! Why? Because it enslaves you to Satan, others, or your own sinful nature. Christians, by contrast, should not be slaves to sin, because they are free to do right and to glorify God through loving service to others.

Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."*

Gal 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

Study notes: It is better to confront others in love, than to gossip. It helps to remind ourselves of Jesus' command to love others as you love yourself (Matthew 22:39). It makes a huge difference when we are motivated by love, rather than being critical of another's shortcomings.

Want some motivation for sharing the gospel with others? I received a newsletter today that informed me that it is a fact that in a fallen world, lost souls who are following false beliefs about God are perishing without Christ by the second. The newsletter stated:


Indeed, 106 human beings will ide in the next minute. Gone forever. That is more than 152,000 this very day. And most will enter eternity stained with the guilt of their sins...facing unthinkable judgment. But Christians have been given the ability to bring them the only message of hope that exists!



On a more local level, the ACLU and other opponents of the Gospel in our own nation of America, which was founded upon the Bible - have continued their vigorous campaign to legally close the doors to preaching the Gospel in case after case across America...distorting the role of government in order to block that sole message of hope.

Have you heard about the "Hate Crimes" bill that has, as it's underlying goal, the silencing of Christians regarding the call for the need to repent of the sin of homosexual behavior? Also see 'Hate Crime' Laws Threaten Religious Freedom.

There's much more going on in our culture today that has the goal of silencing the true gospel of Christ. Don't let them silence you!


Gal 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

Study notes: Paul describes the two forces conflicting within us - the Holy Spirit and the sinful nature (our evil desires or inclinations that stem from our bodies; see also 5;16, 19, 24). Paul is not saying that these forces are equal - the Holy Spirit is infinitely stronger. But if we rely on our own wisdom, we will make wrong choices. If we try to follow the Spirit by our own human effort, we will fail. Our only way to freedom from our evil desires is through the empowering of the Holy Spirit (see Romans 8:9; Ephesians 4:23,24; Colossians 3:3-8).



Gal 5:19
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,* fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

Gal 5:20
idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,

Gal 5:21
envy, murders,* drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Study Notes: We all have evil desires, and we can't ignore them. In order for us to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance, we must deal with them decisively (crucify them - 5:24). These desires include obvious sins such as sexual immorality and witchcraft. They also include less obvious sins such as selfish ambition, hatred, and jealousy. Those who ignore such sins or refuse to deal with them reveal that they have not received the gift of the Spirit that leads to a transformed life.



Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Study Notes: The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. They are the by-products of Christ's control - we can't obtain them by trying to get them without his help. If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to his (see John 15:4,5). We must know him, love him, remember him, and imitate him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law - to love God and our neighbors.


Gal 5:24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Study Notes: In order to accept Christ as Savior, we need to turn from our sins and willingly nail our sinful nature to the cross. This doesn't mean, however, that we will never see traces of its evil desires again. As Christians, we still have the capacity to sin, but we have been set free from sin's power over us and no longer have to give in to it. WE must daily commit our sinful tendencies to God's control, daily crucify themn, and moment by moment draw on the Spirit's power to overcome them (see 2:20; 6:14).




Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Gal 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Footnotes:
5:1 NU-Text reads For freedom Christ has made us free; stand fast therefore.
5:14 Leviticus 19:18
5:19 NU-Text omits adultery.
5:21 NU-Text omits murders.

2 comments:

Christinewjc said...

Gal 5:1 STAND fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,* and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Study notes: Christ came to set us free - not free to do whatever we want because that would lead us back into slavery to our selfish desires. Rather, thanks to Christ, we are now free and able to do what was impossible before - to live unselfishly. Those who would want to use such freedom so that they can have their own way are falling back into sin. Once free in Christ, we see sin as what it truly is...a yoke of bondage.

Gal 5:2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.

Gal 5:3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.

Gal 5:4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

Study notes: Circumcision was an outward sign of religion. What these verses tell us is that trying to save ourselves by our own merits or by deeds of service in order to try and earn God's love or favor doesn't work. As verse 6 below tells us, we are saved by faith, not by deeds. But love for others and for God comes through as a response of those whom God has forgiven.

Gal 5:5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Gal 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Gal 5:7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

Gal 5:8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.

Gal 5:9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Study notes: A little yeast (leaven) causes a whole lump of dough to rise. What Paul was saying in this word picture is that it only takes one wrong person to infect all the others.

Gal 5:10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

Gal 5:11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.

Study notes: Paul was telling his brethren in the faith that he was being persecuted because he was sharing the true gospel. If he had taught what the false teachers were teaching, no one would be offended!

Doesn't this sound just like the liberal churches today? The "political correctness" of secular humanism doesn't allow anyone to be offended at such churches. That "anything goes" attitude may bring in people, but how many are truly being saved?

Back to Paul. He was being persecuted by both Jews and Judaizers.

Jesus said not to be surprised if the world hates you, because it hated him (John 15:18,19). Dear Christians, have you noticed the ratcheting up of persecution being leveled at believers in Christ today? In comparison, we have it easy here. The hate is spewed on T.V., in the newspapers and magazines, and every Easter we get the usual questioning about Jesus' resurrection. But in China and throughout the Muslim countries in the Middle East, it's a totally different story. People are systematically imprisoned, beaten and killed because they are found out to be Christians! But even under the threat of death, these faithful Christians will not deny their faith in Jesus.

Just as Paul continued to faithfully proclaim the message about Christ in his day, we should continue doing the ministry God has given to each of us - in spite of the obstacles others may put in your way!


Gal 5:12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!

Gal 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Study notes: Paul distinguishes between freedom to sin and freedom to serve. Freedom or license to sin is no freedom at all! Why? Because it enslaves you to Satan, others, or your own sinful nature. Christians, by contrast, should not be slaves to sin, because they are free to do right and to glorify God through loving service to others.

Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."*

Gal 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

Study notes: It is better to confront others in love, than to gossip. It helps to remind ourselves of Jesus' command to love others as you love yourself (Matthew 22:39). It makes a huge difference when we are motivated by love, rather than being critical of another's shortcomings.

Want some motivation for sharing the gospel with others? I received a newsletter today that informed me that it is a fact that in a fallen world, lost souls who are following false beliefs about God are perishing without Christ by the second. The newsletter stated:




Indeed, 106 human beings will ide in the next minute. Gone forever. That is more than 152,000 this very day. And most will enter eternity stained with the guilt of their sins...facing unthinkable judgment. But Christians have been given the ability to bring them the only message of hope that exists!




On a more local level, the ACLU and other opponents of the Gospel in our own nation of America, which was founded upon the Bible - have continued their vigorous campaign to legally close the doors to preaching the Gospel in case after case across America...distorting the role of government in order to block that sole message of hope.

Have you heard about the "Hate Crimes" bill that has, as it's underlying goal, the silencing of Christians regarding the call for the need to repent of the sin of homosexual behavior? Also see 'Hate Crime' Laws Threaten Religious Freedom.

There's much more going on in our culture today that has the goal of silencing the true gospel of Christ. Don't let them silence you!



Gal 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.


Study notes: Paul describes the two forces conflicting within us - the Holy Spirit and the sinful nature (our evil desires or inclinations that stem from our bodies; see also 5;16, 19, 24). Paul is not saying that these forces are equal - the Holy Spirit is infinitely stronger. But if we rely on our own wisdom, we will make wrong choices. If we try to follow the Spirit by our own human effort, we will fail. Our only way to freedom from our evil desires is through the empowering of the Holy Spirit (see Romans 8:9; Ephesians 4:23,24; Colossians 3:3-8).



Gal 5:19
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,* fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

Gal 5:20
idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,

Gal 5:21
envy, murders,* drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.


Study Notes: We all have evil desires, and we can't ignore them. In order for us to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance, we must deal with them decisively (crucify them - 5:24). These desires include obvious sins such as sexual immorality and witchcraft. They also include less obvious sins such as selfish ambition, hatred, and jealousy. Those who ignore such sins or refuse to deal with them reveal that they have not received the gift of the Spirit that leads to a transformed life.



Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.


Study Notes: The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. They are the by-products of Christ's control - we can't obtain them by trying to get them without his help. If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to his (see John 15:4,5). We must know him, love him, remember him, and imitate him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law - to love God and our neighbors.


Gal 5:24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.


Study Notes: In order to accept Christ as Savior, we need to turn from our sins and willingly nail our sinful nature to the cross. This doesn't mean, however, that we will never see traces of its evil desires again. As Christians, we still have the capacity to sin, but we have been set free from sin's power over us and no longer have to give in to it. WE must daily commit our sinful tendencies to God's control, daily crucify themn, and moment by moment draw on the Spirit's power to overcome them (see 2:20; 6:14).

Christinewjc said...

From the first link:

“It will elevate homosexuality, which is defined by how its adherents engage in sex, to the same level of those who have fought hard and sacrificed to end discrimination based on race and other factors."

“The fact is that Conyers’ so-called hate crimes bill is a fraud and designed for only one purpose: to add homosexuals, cross-dressers drag queens and transsexuals as federally-protected minority groups. There is no ‘epidemic’ of hate crimes – and no mass migration of homosexuals and cross-dressers across state lines.

“The FBI’s 2005 hate crimes statistics reveal that one-third of the cases of so-called “sexual orientation” bias, were nothing more than name-calling. There were a total of 1,171 such cases. Of those, 301 were listed as “intimidation,” defined in law as name-calling or threats.

“The ultimate objective of this legislation is to claim that ‘hate speech’ – criticism of homosexuality – incites individuals to violence and must be suppressed and punished. This will violate the First Amendment rights of any person or group that opposes the normalization of homosexuality in our culture.

We oppose passage of this dangerous anti-Christian bill and urge President Bush to veto it.