Lesson Passage: Galatians 3:1 to 4:11
This lesson continues Paul’s defense of the Gospel of Grace.
Read 3:1-5 ===========
NIV
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?ESV
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—The position that the Galatians are in is so confused that Paul begins this line of argument as if they are under some sort of stupid spell. He asks if someone has bewitched them. Each of us has to answer that we became a Christian by faith and not by works of the law. However, we also have an inclination to add works.
I was watching a David Frost interview of Billy Graham once years ago. David Frost was trying to make the point that Billy Grahams works would certainly get him some favors with God. Billy Graham kept saying he was a sinner saved by Grace but David Frost wasn’t buying it. In Frost’s mind God owed Billy Graham for his service.
Phil 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.Billy Graham knew that he was simply letting God be God in his life. How much fear and trembling do we have in our hearts when we think God now owes us something for our fine service to His kingdom. God has not profited by my salvation. I have profited. He has shown great patience with a stubborn procrastinator. I serve by His Grace.
Luke 17: 7-10 “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”Hear what Jesus is saying because this is a key attitude for serving God. When you do what you are supposed to do then you should know in you heart of hearts that God doesn’t owe you something for your service and you have only done what was your duty. Your flesh with not be happy with this knowledge and you’ll need to relearn it from time to time. I’m sure that if God wasn’t God then I’d drive Him crazy with my service.
Read 3:6-14 ===========
NIV
Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
ESV
just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.Paul points out that the Gospel was foreshadowed in two key ways in Abraham. First salvation by faith, “Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness” and secondly, “all the nations” would be blessed. The Gentiles would enter into the blessing of Abraham.
For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
Paul then points out the fatal flaw of those who try to be justified by the law. They are under a curse. They have all failed on some point and are subject to judgment. However, the curse for us has been dealt with by Christ. Our sins have been imputed to Christ. His righteousness has been imputed to us and we have received the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Read 3:15-25 ===========
NIV
Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” a meaning one person, who is Christ. What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.ESV
What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.
Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.Note that Paul uses “brothers” here rather than foolish Galations.
Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.
Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,
Paul continues an exposition based on Old Testament history and logic. He makes the point that the law actually came after Grace.
I think it is important to see that the law would have no real purpose except for the Gospel. It was there to foreshadow Christ. That is why so many Old Testament scriptures have so much relevance for us.
3:19 because of transgressions.
The law not only makes our sins specific it also reveals our disinclination to serve God.
3:20 mediator.
Moses mediated between God and Israel when God made His covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai (Ex. 19–34). The promise given to Abraham was one on one and required no mediator. Consequently it takes precedence over the covenant at Sinai and demonstrated God’s unity and sovereignty more perfectly than the covenant at Sinai.
against the promises of God.
The law doesn’t compete with the Gospel because it provides not method of justification. Once you are under it you are simply a dead man walking.
3:24 tutor.
Some functions of the law are ended. There is no need for separation and protection from the Gentiles. The ritual law pointed to Christ and is no longer something we must obey.
Read 3:26 – 4:7 ===========
NIV
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
ESV
for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.3:26 you are all sons of God.
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
We are adopted because we are united to the Son, Jesus Christ. Baptism is a public testimony and sacrament that reflects our living union with Christ. Double imputation is present here in the positive sense.
3:28 you are all one in Christ Jesus.
There is no preferential status in salvation.
3:29
Strong statement against circumcision and for the sufficiency of Christ since some in the list can’t be circumcised and others certainly are not.
4:1–7 Paul has compared the law to a prison warden (3:23) and a tutor (3:24 note). Now he compares its preparatory role to that of guardians or trustees of a minor. The full right reserved for one who has grown up is adoption as a son and receiving the inheritance.
God sent forth His Son. His eternal Son, sent to be born of a woman.
under the law.
Although Christ was without sin (2 Cor. 5:21), He was born under the law, not only as One obligated to fulfill it, but also as One identified with sinners who are under the curse of the law. His death freed us from that curse (3:10–14).
The concept of redemption comes from the institution of slavery. In both the Jewish and Greco-Roman worlds, a slave could buy his freedom (or someone else could buy it for him) by paying a redemption price to his owners. The price of our redemption was paid by the Father in the blood of His Son (1 Pet. 1:17, 18), and by the Son in giving His life a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28).
the adoption as sons.
Paul has been speaking of God’s people under the law as children (Ex. 4:23; Is. 1:2). He now describes the only way in which the children become full members of the household, no longer minors. God seals our adoption by giving us the Spirit of His Son (Rom. 8:9–17).
4:6 Abba. The Aramaic word for “Father,” used by Jesus (Mark 14:6). It was natural for Jesus, God’s Son in a unique sense, to use this term. Now the Spirit puts the same word on the lips of men and women who are adopted in Christ.
Read 3:26 – 4:7 ===========
NIV
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.ESV
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.
Coram Deo
Adoption
The gift of justification (that is, of present acceptance by God, the world’s Judge) is accompanied by the gift of adoption, that is, of becoming a child of the heavenly Father
Adopted status belongs to all who receive Christ. In and through Christ God loves His adopted children as He loves His only begotten Son, and will share with them the glory that is Christ’s
Adoption results in a new relationship, while regeneration is a change of our moral nature. Yet the connection is clear. God wants His children whom He loves to have His character, and He takes action accordingly.
This relationship has natural extensions to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our behavior, as our sanctification increases will change the way we view and treat others in the body of Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment