For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again according to the scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:3–4)
Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. [Gal 4:8-11] Continue reading “Living in Poverty While Exceedingly Rich”
Now I say, [That] the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. [Gal 4:1-7] Continue reading “From Servitude to Sonship”
As we ended the last study in chapter 3, we began looking at the high position of the believer in Christ as a son of God:
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. [Gal 3:26]
The position of sonship certainly has privileges, and with those privileges there are responsibilities. The responsibility is now an issue between the son and the Father, and not any longer between the child and the steward. Continue reading “Galatians 4: Children of Promise”
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye [be] Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. [Gal 3:26-29]
Notice that Paul here states that “ye” are all the children of God BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. The word children here is not simply ones that are born, but ones that are fully grown sons with all the privilege that comes with sonship. This is not a father-child relationship as much as it is a relationship of privilege. It is important to remember that this is not the position of all people. The members of the human race are Adam’s sons. They share his lot of sin and death. Those who are placed as sons, i.e. adopted, are placed into that position by faith in Jesus Christ.
Wherefore then [serveth] the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; [and it was] ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not [a mediator] of one, but God is one. [Is] the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. [Gal 3:19-25]
Please read the following passages regarding the law and the purpose that it served.
Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though [it be] but a man’s covenant, yet [if it be] confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, [that] the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance [be] of the law, [it is] no more of promise: but God gave [it] to Abraham by promise. [Gal 3:15-18]
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. [Gal 3:10-14]
Before going on with in this passage, let us remember where the last study left off: So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. [Gal 3:9]
Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, [saying], In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. [Gal 3:6-9]
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if [it be] yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, [doeth he it] by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? [Gal 3:1-5]
Having established the cross as the end of self and the beginning of life, the Apostle now speaks to the mind of the believer. He begins by calling them “foolish”. This is an appeal to them to think. This foolishness is just that. It is a way of saying that in going back to the law and to rules and to religion you are not using your mind. As good teachers often do, Paul asks them a series of questions to make them think. Questions have that effect, even if we are not expecting the person that we are asking to answer. The first of these questions:
We have now made it to the third chapter in our study. Paul has established his place as THE apostle that the Lord Jesus has sent to the Gentiles with THE message that the Lord Jesus gave to him. The epistle left off with the truth that the law has no part in our righteousness. The law can only condemn. We have also learned from studying these chapters along with Acts how that those wanting to bring the Gentile Galatian believers under the law by their submission to circumcision would not be allowed. Paul told them that submitting to this was submitting to another gospel which he called accursed.
