Verse 11.
“But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still
persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been
abolished.”
The man who was
causing all the confusion in the Galatian churches, was “nudging”
the people with words, telling them something like, “Aw, c’mon, you
guys, Paul really knows all this – He WANTS you to be circumcised
and keep all the Jewish Law!” And he must have continued, “I was
sent to tell you the REST of what you need to do”. And Paul was
receiving letters about the problem. He’s answering those letters.
Paul did NOT preach that Gentile converts must be circumcised or
that they must keep any OTHER kind of Jewish Law. He taught we are
saved by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ.
In fact, Paul was
constantly persecuted by those who taught Law instead of the Grace
of God in Christ Jesus. The cross is like a “stumbling block”
(something you trip over in the dark) for those who are spiritually
in the “dark”, teaching we must do some “good” thing in order to be
saved. It is fine to do good, but FIRST we must be right with God,
and that can only happen through His grace, given in Christ Jesus.
He died on the cross that we might have LIFE, and we are saved by
trusting in Him.
Verse 12. “I
wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate
themselves.”
Paul was really
angry at this point, and well he should have been, for the eternal
salvation of the Galatian people (and everybody else) was at stake.
The grace of God in Christ Jesus promises FREEDOM to those who
believe, and some persons were going around telling the people they
had to be slaves to some kind of Law in order to be right with God.
The teachings seemed to refer to ALL the traditional Jewish customs
but the focus of this argument was on the rite of circumcision.
Circumcision was a
cutting away of the foreskin of the newborn male on the 8th
day after birth. This ritual was established by God for Abraham and
his descendents “throughout their generations” (Genesis 17:9 &
context). The question is, does the word “their” in relation to
“generations” apply to non-Jews who come to Christ? Paul
emphatically shouts “NO” to such an idea, and is so upset that he
wished the ones promoting those thoughts would turn their
circumcision knives on themselves (and shut up about their
opinions).
Verse 13. “For you
were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into
an opportunity for the flesh, but through love, serve one another.”
We were called to
FREEDOM in Christ, and it’s kind of traditional for Christians to
think that the phrase “an opportunity for the
flesh” relates to something like adultery or murder. And it
can, but the worst sins are often insidious and difficult to see.
You and I can be forgiven so MUCH in Christ Jesus, and yet, the one
sin that is very dangerous for the one committing it, is to mislead
someone else. That’s the context of these verses and it is
dangerous to lead into legalism and away from the grace of God.
Jesus said we are
to “become like little children”
(Matthew 18:3). Not clever in our words but innocent in our
hearts. Paul said we are “through love”
to “serve one another.” Jesus
said, “whoever receives one such child in
My name, receives Me” (Matthew 18:5). He also said, “Whoever
causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is
better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck and
that he be drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).
Give your brother
the freedom of love – NOT the bondage of legalism. The act of
enslaving him in legalism will cause problems for our brother – but
even more for ourselves.
Verse 14.
“For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘You
shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
In Leviticus
19:18, the Lord reveals His heart for His people: “You
shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge…
but you shall love your neighbor as
yourself” and He continues, “I am
the Lord.” Jesus commented on this verse, noting that the
religious commentators had added “and hate
your enemy” to “love your neighbor”
(Matthew 5:43). He then said each of us is to “love
your enemy”. Such a command is impossible if we are merely
following the Law – but it becomes possible when we respond to
others through the grace of God given in Christ Jesus.
Bill George has
pointed out that the commandment of Jesus for His church is that we
“love one another” (John 13:34-35).
This is not only His command, but it is also His prayer. The Son of
God is at the right hand of God the Father and He is continually
praying (interceding) for you and me. The key prayer for us is
found in John 17:22-23 and context. Jesus asked that we “may
all be one, even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that
they also may be in Us”. We can only be “one”
in this way: “Commit your way to the Lord,
trust also in Him, and He shall being it to pass” (Psalm
37:5). Give yourself to Jesus, and receive His love.
Verse 15.
“But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not
consumed by one another.”
The idea of “bite
and devour” has been all too common in the words and
practices of the religions of this world. Many have been burned at
the stake in the name of religion. Our Lord was crucified in the
name of religion, and so was the Apostle Peter. ALL of the
Apostles, except one, were murdered simply because they talked about
the Lord they loved, and shared Him with others. Wars in the name
of religion have raged throughout history and all across the world.
Such wars are occurring right now.
Those attitudes
will destroy us, our families, our children; and our children’s
children will be affected by them (Numbers 34:7). But in the same
place we find He keeps “mercy for
thousands” and “forgives iniquity”
(Numbers 34:7, again). What is the process for us to receive
forgiveness? (for God is holy and does not tolerate sin). The
answer is right here in these Galatian verses: We are given Jesus
by the grace of God, and those who trust in Him receive His Spirit.
“Walk by the Spirit”,
he tells us, “and you will not
carry out the desire of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
Verse 16.
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the
desire of the flesh.”
There are all
sorts of people in the world, ranging from those who try to be
“good” in some manner or another, to those who could only be
classified as outrageous sinners by those who might be harmed by
them. We find these two extremes portrayed clearly in the parable
of the “Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:11-32). The one son actually ruined
his life with debauchery, but then he repented and returned to his
father. The other son was the child who remained home and worked
hard at being “good.” When the “prodigal” came home and was
received, his brother told his father how irritated he was about his
brother.
Both of the
brothers were sinners and so are we. If we are not lost through our
actions, we will be condemned by our attitudes. But something new
happens in Christ Jesus. We are given the Spirit of God and we find
that not only is there a change in our actions, but our minds and
hearts are renewed as well. There is a process now operating within
us, in Christ Jesus, called “sanctification”, an action wrought by
God and not by ourselves, where we begin to “walk by the Spirit,
and… not carry out the desire of the flesh.”
Verse 17.
“For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit
against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so
that you may not do the things that you please.”
Verse 16 is a mini
Romans Chapter 8, and this verse is a reminder of Romans 7. We are
given a new nature in Christ Jesus. Something (Some One) comes into
us that is not of this world at all; and we are given God through
Jesus Christ. And yet, it’s like a “beachhead” in a war that is
within us. You could say the war in Europe was “over” when the
Allies landed in Normandy, during World War II. And yet, many years
of fighting and death continued from that time. So it is with you
and me, only the battle is inside each one.
If Jesus Christ is
in you, the war actually is won and you are His (He is yours) –
forever. And yet, the “war” continues for a time. The Church is
indeed a “hospital for sinners” (as it has been called) and it is no
wonder that many throw up their hands as they consider the visible
“body of Christ”. But there is more. Within each Christian a
battle is raging. “Bullets” of unbelief are fired and many hits are
made. Yet the Lord has weaponry also, and He gives us faith. We
lose battles and grieve about who we are, but there is MUCH more:
“If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law” (verse
18).
Verse 18.
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”
There is another
study on the Friday Study website at this time, in Acts 21. A group
of Jewish Christians in Jerusalem (who held fast to Jewish customs)
were intently listening to the Apostle Paul as he told about the
miracles God was performing among the Gentiles (non-Jews).
Thousands were coming to Christ and they were NOT being taught to
follow the Jewish Law. In other words, they did not have to become
good Jews, in order to be right with God. We only have to receive
the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ to be saved from sin
and death.
The Book of
Galatians is like a “mini-(Book of) Romans” in many ways. This
verse is strongly reminiscent of Romans 8:9, where Paul (and the
Holy Spirit) taught us that we are “not in the flesh but in the
Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in us.” The commands of
the Law are set aside for us, just as though we had kept the Law -
when we trust in Christ. And the great bonus is that when we
receive the Lord, we are led by His Spirit. In Him, we are not
under Law, nor are we “in the flesh”, for we are in Christ and have
been set free through Him.
Verse 19.
“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality,
impurity, sensuality,”
I met with a man
today who wanted to know my views on homosexuality, which he
discussed as “the gay lifestyle”. Actually, it’s not so “gay” at
all, for most in that “community” exhibit tension and anger, much
more than any other emotions. I pointed my interviewer to James
2:10, where we are taught that if we “keep the whole law and yet
stumble in one point, (we are) guilty of all.” The homosexual is
not all that different from the promiscuous heterosexual in that
regard, for to engage in impure, sensual and immoral conduct or
thoughts – is to break the whole law and be in serious danger of
judgment. Sin is sin but in Christ we are delivered from sin and
death.
Verse 20.
“idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger,
disputes, dissensions, factions,”
A book could be
written on any one of these “deeds of the flesh” (verse 19) and many
such books have been written. “Idolatry” is anything or anyone you
put ahead of your love for God. “Sorcery” is the improper use of
medicine or drugs, and/or the use of drugs for “magical” purposes or
sorcery. “Enmities” is hatred of others. “Strife” involves those
disputes between people that never seem to end. “Jealousy” is much
like to “covet” and may be rendered “moved with envy”.
“Outbursts of
anger” are expressions of wrath due to indignation at another
person. “Disputes” may be called “rivalry”. “Dissensions” are
“divisions” between people. In Romans 16:17, the latter word is
used and we are to “mark” people who cause such things. “Factions”
denote self-seeking, rivalry, and self-will – taken to the extent
that we become separate groups. Jesus prayed that we of the church
might all be “one” (John 17:21) but
the attitudes reflected in Galatians 5:20 take us away from God,
away from one another.
Verse 21.
“envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I
forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice
such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Paul is
continuing a mini-discourse on the nature of the sinful mind and
attitude. To “envy” is to want something (or someone) that belongs
to someone else. This is seen in the Law as to “covet” (the 10th
Commandment – Exodus 20:17, Deuteronomy 5:21). “Drunkenness” and
“carousing”, along with the other “deeds of the flesh” mentioned in
these verses, involve an effort to be “happy” outside of the will of
God. Cindy Lauper sang, a few years ago, “Girls Just Wanna’ Have
Fun”, which is actually typical of the desires of men and women,
boys and girls, all over the world. Most forsake the lasting and
wonderful joy of the Lord, in favor of the transitory “fun” of this
world.
Paul cautioned us
to “not get drunk with wine… but be filled with the Spirit”
(Ephesians 5:18), suggesting there is an exclusivity in both
activities. If you have the one on a continuing basis, you probably
don’t have the other. Paul is alerting us in this verse that the
activities mentioned in Galatians 5:19-21, say a lot about the
person who exhibits such behavior. Those who routinely do such
things are being warned, for such people will not be with the Lord
in eternity.
Verse 22. “But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness,”
The “fruit” of the
Spirit in the lives of those who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ,
will include “love”. This is the Greek word “apapao”, which refers
to “the deep and constant love and interest of a perfect Being
towards entirely unworthy objects” (W. E. Vine). In other words,
His love will be in you, and this is a love that reaches out,
insisting on nothing in return. “Joy” is delight and gladness.
“Peace” speaks of harmonious relationships. And how can we not know
joy, considering that we have found peace with God?
“Patience” is to
suffer long. “Kindness” is the giving of grace (unmerited favor) to
others. “Goodness” in the Greek is to be morally honorable.
“Faithfulness” is based on the character of God Himself. We have
enabled to have faith in Him and He is worthy of our trust.
Incredibly, the very attributes of God are imparted to those who
love Him. The “fruits” of the Spirit are His characteristics,
expressed through those who have His Spirit. It is all about His
nature, given to those that receive the Son of God.
Verse 23.
“gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
“Gentleness” is
actually “meekness”. In Scripture, the word does not limit itself
to a person’s outward behavior, but “rather it is an inwrought grace
of the soul” (W. E. Vine). This “meekness” is expressed before God
and is in relation to Him. To have encountered Him is to understand
1) He is great, and 2) we are not. We are given a gentleness that
is only possessed by the one who has met Jesus Christ and has been
fundamentally changed by Him.
“Self-control” is
“temperance” (KJV) – This is the person who is under the controlling
power and influence of the Holy Spirit of God. Such a person is not
merely under some kind of religious law, and this has been Paul’s
point from the beginning. We are FREE from the law of sin and
death. There is no way any of us can keep all the points of the
law, and to try is to have a life of continuing discouragement. The
Spirit of God offers us JOY (verse 22) which is not found by
attempting to be outwardly religious.
Verse 24.
“Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with
its passions and desires.”
Jesus taught us,
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up
his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). You have to wonder,
what is that “cross” and how do we take it up? Here in this verse
of Galatians, catch a glimpse of it: 1) The “cross” is something
that has its basis in the past (when Jesus died for you and me), and
2) it is something that will deal with our embarrassing tendency to
embrace “passions and desires”.
Looking at all of
these verses in the letter (epistle) we call “Galatians”, we
conclude the Holy Spirit MUST be involved in this act and/or process
of crucifixion, for we told to “Walk in the Spirit” as the way we do
“not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). To be
crucified in (die to) this world is to come alive in another. Our
first need is to receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior; to
breathe “yes” to Him. The Spirit of God then begins to prune the
“tree” of the one who is yielded to Him.
Verse 25. “If
we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. “
If we are alive in
Christ, it is because we have said “Yes” to the urging of the Spirit
of God, who brings us to our Lord. When we receive the Lord, the
Spirit is going to become deeply involved in every facet of our
lives. Before, we weren’t really “alive” from God’s perspective,
but now we are. The Spirit within us is not some dormant thing, by
the way, He is a living Person within, complete with opinions and
emotions (love is an emotion), brought to us by the Holy Spirit.
The question was asked, "What does it MEAN to
'walk in the Spirit?'" I asked Victor Morales what HE thought. He
replied: "It's like a doctor. They receive years of training.
When the training is needed, it will come out of them and through
them, for the benefit of others. It's the same with the Holy Spirit
of God. If He is in you, He will come out of you and through you,
for God's purposes and for the benefit of others." How do you know
you are in the Spirit and walking in Him? Paul just told us in
verses 22 and 23 (you will have love, joy, peace, etc.) - If you
consistently exhibit these "fruits of the Spirit", you have HIM.
Verse 26.
“Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one
another.”
For emphasis, Paul gives us another glimpse of
the OPPOSITE of walking in the love of God (see also verses 19-21).
What's the opposite of love? - Why, that would be: Conceit
(boasting)! To love someone is to delight in them and to want to do
FOR them. To be boastful is to delight in yourself and to want to
get everything you can. And obviously, when two conceited people
get together, they will challenge one other. If you want everything
YOUR way, you will become annoyed at someone who thinks
differently. And of course, to the extent another person knows
something you don't, you will envy them.
These verses are typical of the Hebrew writing
in the Old Testament. Something is stated and then it is restated
in a slightly different form for emphasis. Or the opposite is
given, so the one will illuminate the other, much like fine diamonds
are placed on black velvet in a jewelry store. Paul has just told
us to love ("Walk by the Spirit" - verse 25) and now he is giving us
the opposite of love, as a means of helping us to understand. Look
at your attitudes in the light of verse 26: Do you feel superior to
others? Do you often enter into arguments? Do you secretly envy
others? Those who do, need to be "restored with gentleness" as we
shall see in Chapter 6, verse 1
Ron
Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
ron@fridaystudy.org
