GALATIANS

8 - ‘Seeking justification’

Galatians 2:15-21

 

(15)“We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; (16)nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. (17)But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! (18)For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. (19)For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.(20)I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (21)I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

(NASB)

 

This entire section (Paul facing Peter) is at the very heart of the gospel. As we have seen Paul will not let this just pass. If we change the gospel, even slightly, then it is no longer the gospel of truth (2:14). As I write these lines I can give a list of people who congregate together and call themselves ‘Christians’. They have abandoned the original gospel and turned it into a man-made religion; leading its members ever further from God. Jesus spoke concerning these self-professed religious leaders:

 

Matthew 15:14

"Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."

(NKJV)

 

In this section we have a very well-known verse (20). Although many say it by heart there are few that actually understand its context. I hope that our study will enlighten you.

 

(15)“We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles;

 

Please notice that Paul uses the word ‘we’, he now speaks of an entire group of people

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and naturally includes himself in it. In the mind of every Israelite this is how the world population was divided between – Jews and Gentiles. Paul continues to speak about the Jewish believers in the Messiah which included Peter and the men that had ‘come from James’ and also those who were in the Galatians churches. The first thing that he states concerns their ‘nature’ (PHUSIS) meaning: lineage or descent.

 

The Jews were exceptional in the sense that they became a nation by God through one man called Abram (who later became Abraham). They were a nation not because of a desire from a group of men to assemble together to form a new clan, but by the unique plan of the Most High desiring to make for himself a nation who would bear his name (Num. 6:27; Isaiah 43:7). So ‘by nature’ they were ‘not sinners from among the Gentiles’. I would not suggest that this phrase is very kind but remember Paul is trying to get a point across to the Judaizers; the ones who are trying to impose circumcision and following the Law of Moses as a prerequisite for obtaining salvation. Yes you are not like them (the Gentiles) but you and the Gentiles can only be saved by the same means – the Messiah!

 

(16)nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.

 

This is ‘the gospel of truth’ in a nut shell! Paul begins by speaking about something that is known ‘knowing’ (EIDO) meaning: to see, to know, to be aware of. Paul will not expose some hidden truth or unveil a secret only known to the initiated few! He speaks openly like Jesus did:

 

John 18:20

Jesus answered him, "I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing.

(NKJV)

 

The following phrase is probably the most important statement that every person needs to know and accept: ‘man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Jesus Christ’. If man is not justified (become just before God) through the Law (all 613 commandments of God) why was it then given? We will answer this in chapter three. One thing that Paul stresses is that no one can be JUSTIFIED by the works of the Law. Now the word justified, like many others in the Bible does not always mean the same thing. It depends on the context. In his commentary on Galatians William Hendriksen gives this definition of the word justification: When used, as here in Gal. 2:15,16, in dominant forensic sense, justification may be defined as that gracious act of God whereby, on the basis solely of Christ’s accomplished meditorial work, he declares the sinner just, and the latter accepts this benefit with a believing heart.

In defense of this definition see, besides Gal. 2:15,16, the following: Gal. 3:8,11,24; 5:4; Rom. 3:20,24,26,28,30; 4:3,5; 5:1,9; 8:30; Titus 3:7. Justification stands over and against condemnation (Rom. 8:1,33).

 

No one can be justified before God by the works of the Law. I stress the word ‘works’ because there is a difference between the Law and the works of the Law. We all know that the Law is the reflection of the character of God. Through the Law God manifests his holiness. As we will see later the Law was never given as a means of becoming just before the Lord. Let’s just say that (as for now) the Law was given so mankind could know the person of God.

 

(16) …but through faith in Christ Jesus

 

If the Law does not offer any justification what or who does? The answer is Jesus Christ! What man can not do for himself, Christ has come to do. What was impossible for man to reach (justification) Christ has done in his place. That was Christ’s mission towards mankind.

 

John 10:15

"As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

(NKJV)

 

This reminds me of the story when Abraham was told to sacrifice his son Isaac. At the very last moment God substituted Abraham’s son with a ram (Gen. 22:13). This substitution was a ‘type’ that foretold of the messiah to come and how he was going to die in substitution for all who would believe.

 

(16) …even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.

 

Paul continues with the ‘we’ (being the Jews). He reminds the Judaisers, Peter and the Jewish believers in the churches in Galatia that THEY also had to do exactly the same as the Gentiles had to do to receive salvation – ‘believe in Jesus Christ so that we may be justified by faith in Christ’. For the second time Paul declares that salvation is through the person of Christ. Salvation is given ‘not by the works of the Law’. The men from James that had come to Antioch seemed to have forgotten this basic truth. May I ask if you have consented to this truth? Are you still trying to please God through some type of ‘works’? Is your Christianity a system of ‘do’s and don’ts’?

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Is Jesus Christ your ONLY means of justification before God the Father? Have you surrendered your life and asked Christ to save you from the judgment to come? If not, do not lay this book down before you do so!

 

(17)But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be!

 

Paul brings an argument that he also wrote about in Romans. If salvation is through Jesus Christ, does this give us a license to sin? Or does Jesus promote sin if salvation is NOT by works but through his atoning work? Obviously the answer is no!

 

Romans 6:1,2

(1)What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?

(2)Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

(NKJV)

 

This would have been an argument that the Judaisers would probably have given against faith only in Christ and no works at all. It fascinates me that even though two thousand years have passed today there are still people who use the same argument against ‘faith in Christ alone’. Salvation in Christ is given to free us from the power and condemnation of sin not to empower us to sin!

 

(18)For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. (19)For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.

 

Paul continues his thinking by giving an example of what the Judaisers are actually doing. What was it that they were trying to rebuild that was once destroyed? In this context it is the place or the role of the Law. They were putting the Law back into a function that it was never designed for – the giving of salvation. This is what Jesus had said about himself concerning the Law:

 

Matthew 5:17

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

(NKJV)

 

Paul points out that the Judaisers were doing exactly the opposite of what they had set out to do. By saying that the Law must be followed in order to be saved they were destroying the redemptive work of Christ.

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By teaching to keep the Law (to be saved) then they were saying that Christ is not sufficient, that his atoning work on the cross lacked in some way or another. By thinking or teaching this they ‘prove myself to be a transgressor’. They became transgressors before God by keeping the Law as a means of receiving forgiveness of their sins! Do you see how sin can twist the minds of people! And how important it is to keep the ‘truth of the gospel’ pure!

 

In verse nineteen Paul teaches why it is impossible to have both the Law and Christ as a means of salvation.

 

(19)For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.

 

A true believer in Jesus Christ has ‘died to the Law’. He is no longer under the obligation to live by it. Amen to that because if the Law was still in effect today – NO ONE would ever be saved because the law only brings condemnation. The Law shows us that we are sinners (Rom. 7:7-9). That is why Paul writes ‘For through the Law I died to the Law’. Being dead to the Law is necessary so that we can ‘live to God’. One can not live for God when he is still under the Law.

 

This is exactly what the ‘men from James’ were teaching. They taught that you need to keep the Law as well as having Christ as your Savior in order to please God. Paul says ‘you can’t do that’. He even says that it is not ‘the Law’ OR ‘Christ’. It can only be Christ since the Law brings condemnation. In John 1:17 it is written that the Law came from Moses BUT grace came through Jesus Christ. If you have Law then you can not have grace as a means of becoming righteous before God. The only way to live for God (and that is what the Judaisers wanted to do) is by dying to the Law through the Messiah. For some this is very clear but for others it is apparent that there is a veil before their eyes and they just can’t seem to understand that Christ has done it all for us. Dear friend if you are that person to whom it is very clear may I encourage you to ‘live to God’.

 

(20)I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

 

We have come to a very well-known verse it even has been made into a song! It is an anthem that should resound in the hearts of every true believer. This could easily be the ‘Christians Code of Life’.

 

‘I have been crucified with Christ’ speaks of our death with him. But how have I been crucified with Christ? By some manner which only God understands fully he sees all the Redeemed as having died with the beloved Son.

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In Rom. 5:15 Paul teaches that all have died in Adam because Adam sinned. Adam represented all of humanity in dying unto sin. On the other hand when we have saving faith in Jesus Christ we now die in him – to sin. When Christ died because of sin, we (in him) also died to the penalty of sin. So being ‘crucified with Christ’ liberates us from the power and penalty that sin brings.

 

‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me’ speaks of the new reality that every born-again believer can appropriate. There is a new life that fills the believer. As God breathed life into Adam so does God breathe unto the believer a new life in us through the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul wrote it this way:

 

2 Cor. 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

(NKJV)

 

Paul teaches that because we are in Christ we are an entirely ‘new creation’! God does not ‘patch us up’ but creates a ‘new us’ in Christ Jesus. This verse is also important because it teaches that Christ is ‘in us’. If Christ is ‘in us’ then the capacity to live a life that pleases God the Father is also ‘in us’. Far too often we see ourselves as being too feeble to overcome sin or as not able to persevere. But that is not so – Christ lives in me. What I need to do is to draw from Christ the capacity to do so.

 

‘And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.’ Paul says that it is possible in ‘the life which I now live in the flesh’ to live a life that pleases God. There is no mystical aspect to living for the Lord or pleasing him. I can (because Christ is in me) do it. Actually God has done everything for me so that I can be pleasing unto him. But the key that the Judaisers had lost is 'by faith in the Son of God’. They had pushed aside what Christ had done at the cross and were replacing it with works of the Law. It also seems that they had forgotten ‘who loved me and gave Himself up for me’. Once we forget the foundation of salvation – the love of God for the sinner then it is very easy to slip into a system of ‘works’.

 

(21)I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

 

As you may know the apostle Paul is very logical in his approach of theology and the application of it to daily living. Here he brings an argument that no one can contradict not even the Judaisers! He first of all makes a statement ‘I do not nullify the grace of God’.

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That is what the ‘men from James’ and the false teachers that had crept into the Galatians churches were doing. They were taking away the power and the deliverance of the grace of God. They were erasing all the love, care, pity, compassion, concern, kindness and grace that God had poured unto the believers through Christ. If you ‘nullify’ (ATHETEO) meaning: cast off, bring to nought, the grace of God, what do you have left – the opposite of grace – the Law! On one side you have GRACE (a free and unmerited gift of God) and on the other you have the LAW (which only condemns). These Judaisers were choosing the LAW which left out or cast out GRACE. May I say that all religions cast out the grace of God! Because a religion is what a man can do (a system) to please God and appease his wrath. Since this exclude Christ as being the sole way of salvation (John 14:6) it exclude automatically the grace that the Father offers in the Son. May we never nullify the grace of God!

 

The argument I spoke about is the following: ‘for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly’. In other words if I can obtain salvation, the forgiveness of my sins, through keeping the Law, if I can do it myself, if observance of God’s laws and regulations are the way to righteousness – then why did Christ die? More than that – his death had no meaning in itself! If system ‘A’ works why bring in system ‘B’? The point that Paul is making is that there is no other ‘system’ of salvation – Christ died because we are totally incapable of following the Law. Those who taught (and are still teaching today) that you can please God through following a ‘set off rules’ forget what they truly look like in God’s eyes!

 

Romans 3:10-19

(10)As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;

(11)There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.

(12)They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one."

(13)"Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps is under their lips";

(14)"Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."

(15)"Their feet are swift to shed blood;

(16)Destruction and misery are in their ways;

(17)And the way of peace they have not known."

(18)"There is no fear of God before their eyes."

(19)Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

(NKJV)

 

If you desire to keep the Law instead of trusting Christ then you will be guilty before God as verse nineteen proclaims! May we all bow down and accept the grace of God that is found in Jesus Christ. May we all stand on Jesus as our solid and unique foundation for our salvation.

 

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GALATIANS

9 - ‘Foolish Galatians’

3:1-9

 

(1)You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? (2)This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works ofthe Law, or byhearing with faith? (3)Are you so foolish? Having begunby the Spirit, are you nowbeing perfected by the flesh? (4)Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? (5)So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and worksmiracles among you, do it by the works ofthe Law, or by hearing with faith?

(6)Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. (7)Therefore,be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. (8)The Scripture, foreseeing that Godwould justify theGentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” (9)So then those who are of faith are blessed withAbraham, the believer.

(NASB)

 

After declaring the wonders of the gospel of truth, the foundation of our salvation that is found in chapter two verse sixteen:

 

(16)nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works ofthe Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works ofthe Law; since by the works ofthe Law noflesh will be justified.

 

After explaining that both Jew and Gentiles were sinners and both needed to be justified through Christ the Messiah, apart from the Law, Paul now continues to confront them. He calls them ‘foolish’ (ANOETES) which means: unintelligent, unwise. They lacked spiritual wisdom or discernment. They were not able to identify the false teachers and their deceitful instructions! Over and over again the New Testament warns of false teachers or prophets and the ravage that they bring with them. Jesus warned of these wolves that would soon appear after his death.

 

Mt 7:15

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

(NKJV)

 

Paul also told the brethren:

 

Ac 20:29

"For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

(NKJV)

 

Peter cautioned the Disciples of Christ:

 

2 Peter 2:1

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

(NKJV)

 

The apostle John wrote the following concerning false prophets:

 

1 John 4:1

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

(NKJV)

 

This seemed to be the problem with the believers in the Galatian churches – they just could not identify false teachings and they simply believed what was told. They did not put ‘to test’ these men. They just took for granted that what they said was simply the truth – after all are they not supposed to be Christians! The warning from John should ring just as loud today as it should have in his days. Far too many simply believe ANYTHING that is presented to them. Where has the spirit of critical thinking gone? Many leave their discernment at home when they go to their church, or go to a rally, a conference or a meeting! Don’t believe everything you see on the Web. Don’t accept everything that you read. Everything has to pass the test of the Scriptures - in its context. The Galatians should have been like the believers in Berea:

 

Acts 17:10,11

(10)Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.

(11)These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

(NKJV)

 

I wonder why the Galatians had let their guard down. Why they did not readily identify the false from the truth. Paul says that they had been ‘bewitched’ (BASKAINO): meaning fascinated by false representations. This word is only used ONCE in the New Testament and as you can tell it is right to the point. The Christians had literally been under the spell of the Judaizers. They must have been very smooth talkers to bring about such a twist concerning the ‘truth of the gospel’. They brought new thoughts in their minds without them really understanding the immense change that it would bring.

 

(1)…before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?

 

This was the Christ who they had learned to accept. This was the way of salvation. This was the Christ who had suffered in their place. He was the Savior and the cross was where the Father met mankind in forgiveness. This was also the Christ that the Judaizers aimed at demolishing. He no longer was sufficient they thought, the keeping of the Law was necessary along-side the sacrifice at the cross! Which of the two do you believe in? In whom do you place your confidence to obtain your salvation? Is it Christ alone OR Christ and something (or someone) else? If you believe that you can add to Christ’s sacrificial work then you also have been bewitched!

 

In verses two to five Paul will bring out arguments against ‘the works of the Law’ – he will speak of the Holy Spirit and his work with them.

 

(2)This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? (3)Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (4)Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? (5)So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

 

His first argument against the keeping of the Law to obtain salvation is the gift of the Holy Spirit. How had they received the Holy Spirit? Was it a gift bestowed on the person who placed his faith in Christ Jesus to be saved OR was it through applying the Law in their life? In other words ‘Why did God give you the Holy Spirit’- because of your faith or because of your works? Asking the question is answering it. The Holy Spirit was given on the day of Pentecost as a promise made to those who would believe (John 7:39; 14:26; Acts 1:5,8). And when it did happen it was because of the promise of God that he applied to those who had faith in him as we see in Acts 1:4,5:

 

(4)And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me;

(5)"for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

(NKJV)

 

A second argument Paul brings out has to do with a change of switching back to what was believed before Christ had come.

 

(3)Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

 

Again Paul states that they are fools (unintelligent, unwise). But why were they called fools for a second time? Because ‘they had begun by the Spirit’, Paul refers to the very beginning of their spiritual birth. They had come to Christ through the working of the Holy Spirit in them. He was the author of their enlightenment.

 

Titus 3:4-6

(4)But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,

(5)not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

(6)whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

(NKJV)

 

Please notice what Paul wrote to Titus: ‘not by works of righteousness which we have done’. But salvation comes through: ‘the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit’. This was how they had begun their journey with the Lord but because of a twisted new gospel given by Judaizers they now had turned to a different gospel – and actually quite an old one!

 

(3)…are you now being perfected by the flesh?

 

The Galatians had switched from ‘living in the Spirit’ and ‘walking in the Spirit’ to being perfected (EPITELEOS) meaning: fulfill further or finish ‘by the flesh’. In other words they accepted the lie that the flesh can bring you closer to the Lord God. They believed that you could please God through the flesh. That the flesh was now a better path to a life of harmony with God! This was so far from the truth as we see in John 4:23,24!

 

(23)"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

(24)"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

(NKJV)

 

The Galatians had forgotten the words of Christ concerning true worship. It needed to be done ‘in spirit and truth’ not ‘in flesh and truth’. These are the worshippers that the Father is looking for – those who worship ‘in spirit and truth’. The Galatians were not worshipping the Father in one or the other, because they now desired to worship the Lord God ‘in the flesh and in error’. You cannot be perfected by the flesh for it is because of the flesh that you sin!

 

Romans 7:5,6

(5)For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.

(6)But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

(NKJV)

 

We died to the flesh and were delivered from the Law so that ‘we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter’. The Galatians were coming back to the ‘oldness of the letter’ having discarded the Holy Spirit. How many disciples can have the same temptation? Believing once more that what you do for God, your efforts, your labours and your hard work has some merit, worth or value to PLEASE God. Please don’t get me wrong! What we do ‘in Christ’ has merit and the Lord will reward us for doing them (Mat. 10:42). But what we do ‘in the flesh’ is enmity against God (Rom. 8:7).

 

(4)Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? (5)So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works ofthe Law, or by hearing with faith?

 

Still another argument was their suffering. Like all Disciples of Christ the Galatian churches had suffered because of their witness of Jesus as being Lord and Savior. For some it meant death for others banishment or imprisonment. Had they forgotten all the suffering that they had gone through? Had they suffered because they ‘walked in the flesh’ or because they now ‘walked in the Spirit’? If they had walked in the flesh (following the Law of Moses and the traditions of the Elders) then there would not have been any problems at all because they would have lived just like the Jews under the Law. It was the new liberty that Christ gave to the believer that brought suffering.

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Were your sufferings in vain, Paul asks? Have you forgotten why you suffered so much? Why then are you going back – could it be it is because you do not want to suffer for Christ any longer?

 

Paul now turns to God as an argument against this twisted gospel. Paul is asking the Galatians the following question: Why does God ‘who provides you with the Spirit’ and also ‘works miracles among you’ do it? Why does God manifest himself with works of wonders and also the gift of the Holy Spirit? Does he do these things because you work so hard at keeping the Law? Does he do it because you have brought the sacrifice of Jesus down from its rightful and unique place? Was it because of your ‘works of the Law’ or rather ‘hearing with faith’? Just asking the question point to the obvious answer. It was because of your faith! Before faith there WERE NO MIRACLES and there was no giving of the HOLY SPIRIT. So stop what you’re doing and think about it – how does God see things?

 

This section has to do with faith winning over works (the flesh). After speaking of Christ (v.1), the Holy Spirit (v.2-4) and the Father (v.5) Paul now brings an argument that has to do with the ‘father of faith’ – Abraham. As a Jew you had a singular admiration for Abraham.

• Was the Most High not called the God of Abraham (Gen 28:13)

• Were not the Jews the descendants of Abraham (2 Chron. 20:7)

• Were they not also called the seed of Abraham (Ps. 105:6)

• Was Christ not also called the son of Abraham (Mat. 1:1)

• Were the Jewish women not called the daughters of Abraham (Luke 16:13)

• Were they not also known as sons of the family of Abraham (Acts 13:26)

 

The Jews were deeply rooted in the person of Abraham so Paul very wisely brings his last argument by bringing Abraham to the stand.

 

(6)Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. (7)Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. (8)The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” (9)So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

 

In verse six Paul establishes the relationship between Abraham and God and as we will see it was not through ‘works’ but through the faith Abraham had.

 

(6)Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.

 

Paul uses this same argument in his letter to the Romans (Romans 4:3) and comes to the same conclusion ‘his faith is accounted for righteousness’ (Rom. 4:5). James also uses the same argument (James 2:23) speaking of the faith of Abraham that was manifested by doing what God had asked him to do but not for righteousness. Paul is simply saying that when God sees a person who has real faith in what he says then he applies righteousness unto him. You see that by adding on works to what Christ had done at the cross these false teachers did not believe what God was telling the entire world.

 

John 3:36

"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

(NKJV)

 

Righteousness is only given on the basis of our faith in God not by adding or subtracting from it. There is even a curse for those who do so (Rev. 22:18,19).

 

(7)Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.

 

All Jews thought that they were ‘sons of Abraham’ they even glorified themselves in it! But the argument that Paul brings is showing that not all are true sons of Abraham but only those who have faith (as Abraham did) can be truly called sons of Abraham! Paul also wrote in Romans that the true circumcised (Jew) was not the ones of the flesh but of the ‘circumcised heart’ (of the Spirit).

 

Romans 2:28,29

(28)For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh;

(29)but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

(NKJV)

 

Paul will now switch from an Abraham-Jew relationship to an Abraham-Gentile relationship.

 

(8)The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” (9)So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

 

In bringing the Scripture, Paul uses an argument that no one can refute – not even the Judaizers! Paul speaks of how the plan of God included both Jews AND Gentiles! They would both become righteous by the same means – faith! To a Jewish person this would have been difficult to accept. Not because God said that it would be so but because of their pride. The Jews thought that God’s love was entirely for them! They had forgotten what God had said to the father of their faith ‘All the nations will be blessed in you’. ALL the nations and not only the Israelites! Paul concludes with the following:

 

(9)So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

 

Who are the blessed ones – ‘all who are of faith’. How do they receive this blessing – because of their ‘faith’. Where is the place for works – nowhere?. Abraham was saved by faith and all who have faith are just like Abraham. Let no one teach you different! After all, are not the Father, Son, Holy Spirit and the Scriptures sufficient to testify that righteousness comes from faith and not works of the flesh?

 

What about you my friend? Where do you stand? On whom does your salvation entirely depend; on yourself, Christ or a mix of both of them? The Father, Son, Holy Spirit and Scriptures all give the same witness. Salvation is only through Jesus (John 14:6). If you have not received Christ as your Savior why not bow your head right now and ask him by a simple honest prayer.

 

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GALATIANS

10 - ‘The curse of the Law’

Galatians 3:10-14

 

(10)For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.” (11)Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” (12)However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.” (13)Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— (14)in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

(NASB)

 

Paul continues to tell the Galatians how foolish they are by having turned back to the Law instead of continuing with faith in Christ. Please notice that Paul refers to the ‘Law’ on five occasions and to ‘faith’ on three occasions. They will be constantly be juxtaposed.

 

(10)For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.”

 

The first comment Paul makes concerning the Law is the total ABSENCE of forgiveness, compassion and tolerance. Paul actually says that if a person places himself under the rule of the Law then he has automatically placed himself under a curse (KATARA) meaning: imprecation, execration. A curse is the opposite of a blessing (Heb. 6:7,8). Paul is telling the Galatians that by placing themselves under the rule of the Law they are actually rejecting the blessings that the Lord desires to shower them with! The problem with the Law is that it demands perfection. Since there is no forgiveness, compassion and tolerance nothing else but perfection is acceptable! The apostle James wrote a very descriptive verse concerning the Law that must never be forgotten:

 

James 2:10

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

(NKJV)

 

Paul says that ‘cursed is everyone’. There are no exceptions to the rule! If you break the law, even the slightest slip, then you are cursed! It’s a question of being righteous before the Lord God. One needs to be 100% holy to enter His presence. Some taught that it was through the observance of the Law others through faith in Christ who offers his righteousness to those who have faith in him (Rom. 1:17; 3:21,22,26; 4:5; 5:17, etc.). Think of all the people today who believe that they can be with God BECAUSE they have kept his Law! They are all mistaken and fool themselves by believing that they can actually keep the Law perfectly all the time!

 

Paul continues by writing ‘who does not abide by all things written in the book of the Law to perform them’. Keeping the Law of God does not mean that you pick and choose what you want to do and forget about the rest! It means that you do ALL that the Law says ALL of the time without ever missing one miniscule aspect and if you don’t then you are ‘under a curse’. Another aspect of this verse that I would like you to consider is ‘to perform them’. We live in a world where wishful thinking is acceptable. We are full of excuses for not doing what we should have. ‘I didn’t have time’ or ‘I almost did it’ or ‘I really wanted to but…’. With the Law this ‘I really wanted to do it but just couldn’t’ does not exist. The Law is there and demands to be performed. Anything short of that brings a curse upon us. One wonders why one would ever want to go back to a system of keeping Laws after you have tasted the grace of God! May we never, ever think that keeping the Law is more worthy than living by faith.

 

(11)Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.”

 

Another aspect of the Law that Paul reminds the Galatians is that the Law was never meant to bring justification ‘no one is justified by the Law before God”. The law never makes the person become righteous before God. The word justified (DIKAIOO) means: to render just or innocent. The innocence lost in the Garden of Eden can never be regained by following Laws given by God. All have now been infected by sin, it is in our nature, the very fabric of our being. It is in us and controls our members. Even if we could follow the Law perfectly (and we can’t) that does not erase our past sins and does not eradicate our sinful nature. We still are who we are – sinners before God. Since the breaking of one Law brings judgment (James 2:10) I am condemned! The Law never justifies it just condemns. Where is the solution for my dilemma?

 

(11) …“The righteous man shall live by faith.”

 

Here we see the clashing of the two again. What the Law cannot bring - faith offers! What the Law cannot give (forgiveness, compassion and tolerance) faith abounds in. If anyone desires to be righteous before God there is only one way to obtain it – faith in Jesus Christ. Faith that he has perfectly fulfilled ALL the Law in your place. If this was evident for Paul it seems that this was no longer the case for many Galatians. Once you are enlightened by the Holy Spirit how can you desire to turn back and place yourself under the rule of the Law? Can you now see how twisted this ‘new gospel’ was? Dear friend if you are still working to do what the law commands to be justified before God – STOP! Turn to Christ and let him be your justification!

 

Rom. 5:18

Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.

(NKJV)

 

Paul will now introduce the Savior in his argument in favor of faith. For our faith is to be found in the person of Christ and Christ alone.

 

(12)However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.” (13)Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— (14)in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

 

Have you ever tried to mix water with oil? You can shake the container all you want adding more and more vigor. You can change the container from plastic to glass. You can change the color of the container. You can change what you wear while shaking and even change place the result will still remain the same. The water and oil will never, ever ‘become one’. They will always separate themselves from each other. The oil will land up ‘floating’ on the water. Don’t try to mix Law and faith together, they will also never ever ‘become one’. Paul say’s it: ‘the Law is not of faith’. No matter what combination you try to get them to work together – it will never happen. Paul explains why in Romans:

 

Romans 3:27,28

(27)Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.

(28)Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

(NKJV)

 

Paul will continue to speak about the ‘curse of the Law’. We know when we break the Law our conscience bothers us. We know that we ought to turn away from sin and sometimes we fail – we all do. If we fail to keep the Law then there is a judgment upon us. So what am I to do?

 

(13)Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”

 

That’s where Christ comes in – that’s why he is called the Savior. He came to save us from the ‘curse of the Law’. But how does he do this? ‘Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law’. He ‘redeemed us’ (EXAGORAZO) meaning: to buy up, to rescue. There was a legal transaction between the Father and the Son. The Son did something in return for which the Father would also do something. What the Son did was to redeem (to buy up) therefore rescue those who would come to him for salvation. The price of the redemption (the buying) was his bloodshed on the cross. It is the death of Christ that paid for my sins. In turn the Father would give total forgiveness for those who placed their faith in Christ Jesus.

 

Rom. 5:9

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

(NKJV)

 

Col 1:20

and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

(NKJV)

 

What Paul teaches is that Jesus actually ‘became a curse for us’. The sin factor in the individual was transferred unto Christ and he became sin in our place. This is the wonder of God’s grace!

 

2 Corinthians 5:19-21

(19)that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

(20)Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.

(21)For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

(NKJV)

 

When and where did this act of transferring my sins unto Jesus take place? Paul writes: ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’ (Deut. 21:22). When Jesus was nailed on the cross he became a curse in our stead. It is at that moment that the wrath of God fell upon him and that sins were judged. Do you remember the words of Christ when he was on the cross?

 

Matthew 27:46

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"

(NKJV)

 

He was ‘forsaken’ (EGKATALEIPO) meaning: to leave behind, to desert - by the Father. The Father turned his face away from him. The perfect harmony they had tasted from all eternity past was broken. The Father’s wrath fell upon the beloved Son! The Son received the judgment of all my sins. At the cross Jesus was forsaken as I should have been.

 

Have you ever thought how difficult it must have been for the Father to strike his own Son with your sins? Do you actually believe that the Father did this out of pleasure? Do you remember what the Father had said about the Son?

 

Mat. 3:17

And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

(NKJV)

 

This speaks of the Father’s relationship with the Son: ‘my beloved Son’ (EUDOKEO) meaning: to think well of, approve. The Father approved all that the Son did, perfect harmony between both of them. When the Father struck the Son it was not because of anything that the Son had done it was to save your soul from eternal damnation! We see in verse fourteen that there are two reasons why the Son redeemed us from the curse of the Law:

 

(14)in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

 

The first is that the believer would receive the blessing of Abraham. There are two verses that I would like to bring to your attention concerning this blessing of Abraham.

 

Gen. 18:18

"since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

(NKJV)

 

This is the original blessing that the Lord God gave to Abraham. A great and mighty nation he shall become (the Israelites) and that through him all the nations shall receive a blessing - Jesus Christ the Messiah (a descendant of Abraham - Luke 3:23-34)

 

Ge 22:18 "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."

(NKJV)

 

The second blessing has to do with the worth of active faith. Here we see that the blessing that all the nations will receive will be given BECAUSE of the active faith of Abraham. He believed God and was blessed. Now the ones who would later believe would also have their faith accounted for as righteousness (Rom. 4:3-5).

 

The second reason why Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law is ‘we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith’. One of the reason a believer receives the Holy Spirit is because he is the seal of our redemption.

 

Eph 4:30

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

(NKJV)

 

The seal of the Holy Spirit guarantees the promise of God that you are pardoned and that you have become his child. May we rejoice in confidence knowing that our faith in Christ has given us salvation. May we be eternally grateful unto God for his love manifested unto us at the cross.

 

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

(NKJV)

 

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GALATIANS

11 - ‘The promise or the Law?’

Galatians 3:15-20

 

(15)Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. (16)Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. (17)What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. (18)For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

(19)Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. (20)Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.

(NASB)

 

Let’s not forget that Paul is teaching the Galatians the reasons they are foolish for desiring to go back to the Law. He first taught that we need to seek justification in Christ (2:15-21) then he spoke of being justified by faith (3:1-9). He then wrote about the curse of those under the Law (3:10-14) and now he will speak of the promise of God to Abraham. In reality Paul is destroying the arguments that the false teachers were giving in support of needing to follow the Law ALONG with Christ in order to be saved.

 

(15)Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.

 

He begins to speak ‘of human relations’ and then will use this as a springboard to speak of divine relations between God and man. In this section we need to know what a ‘covenant’ is because this is what Paul is emphasising. Nelson’s illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 259) gives us a definition of the word ‘covenant’:

 

COVENANT: An agreement between two people or two groups that involve promises on the part of each to the other. The concept of covenant between God and His people is one of the most important theological truths in the Bible. By making a covenant with Abraham, God promised to bless his descendants and to make them his special people. Abraham, in return, was to remain faithful to God and to serve as a channel through which God’s blessings could flow to the rest of the world (Gen. 12:1-3).

 

In other words a covenant is a solemn promise that is made. In the case of God it is his solemn word that is given that he will act in a certain way. In verse fifteen Paul speaks of a man’s ‘covenant’ (DIATHEKE) meaning: a contract, covenant, testament (Notice that the Bible is divided in two, the Old and New Testament).What does Paul say about a man’s testament?

 

(15)…yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.

 

When a testament is ratified it can never be changed. What gives authority to a testament is the death of the person who wrote it. A testament cannot be applied before the death of its author. I personally have a testament (a will) and my wife or children cannot inherit before I die. Once I die they can receive what I had left for them. In the case of the covenant God made with Abraham a death had to occur to make it valid – and a death did occur. When God renewed his covenant with Abram he asked God how he would know that he would receive the inheritance promised (Gen. 15:8) God told him the following:

 

Genesis 15:8-11

(8)And he said, "Lord GOD, how shall I know that I will inherit it?"

(9)So He said to him, "Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon."

(10)Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two.

(11)And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

(NKJV)

 

As you can see blood was shed and a death occurred. The death of these animals sealed the covenant that the Lord God made with Abram. The Lord went one step further:

 

Genesis 15:17,18a

(17)And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces.

(18a)On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram,

(NKJV)

 

The Lord himself confirmed his covenant with Abram by passing through the divided carcasses. We will come back to this later on. What Paul points out is that when a person dies the testament becomes valid. What he also specifies is that a valid testament cannot be either ‘set aside’ or ‘conditions added to it’. Let’s look at these two interesting facts.

 

First of all Paul writes that a man’s covenant cannot be ‘set aside’. This word (ATHETEO) means: to set aside, disesteem, neutralize. In other words when you write a testament no one can modify it. You are the only person that has authority to do so. If this is true of man, (and it is) how much more of the sovereign God of the universe! By saying this Paul is explaining that no matter what you hear, or what people say and do – nothing that they teach changes anything because they have no authority over God’s covenant!

 

Second Paul writes that no one can have ‘conditions added to it’. This term (EPIDIATASSOMAI) speaks of: supplementing or adding to. Not only can a man’s covenant not be changed by anyone else but himself but no one can add different conditions to the said covenant. As an example, if I give you $1000 dollars once I die as an inheritance no one can add a condition by saying: ‘You can only receive the $1000 if you give up Internet! Again this was to teach the Galatians that no man can add to what God has written in his covenant with them. In other words no one can take away or add to God’s covenant. This is exactly what these false teachers were trying to do in the Galatian churches.

 

(16)Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.

 

The promises of God (or covenant) towards Abraham (which can never be changed or added to) was also for ‘his seed’. Paul is directly speaking of Christ. This meant that all of God’s promises to Abraham were to be fulfilled by Christ who came through the lineage of Abraham (Luke 3). It also meant that only those ‘who are in Christ’ are eligible to partake in God’s eternal covenant with Abraham. That is why it is imperative to be saved by Christ so that we can benefit in God’s promises of being blessed by Him. By pointing out that the word ‘seed’ is in the singular form Paul points out that there is only ONE that can fulfill the covenant’s requirements – Jesus of Nazareth.

 

(17)What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. (18)For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

 

What Law is Paul speaking of? The law that was given to Moses, which is called the Ten Commandments. Not only that but also all the other Laws given by God to Moses as they ventured in the desert. In all there are 613 laws that the Jews received from God.

But what about the covenant (promise) that God had made with Abraham, was it abolished because of the 613 laws given four hundred and thirty years later? In other words was the covenant of grace given to Abraham changed into a covenant of works (Laws).

 

(17) …does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.

 

Paul’s answer is NEGATIVE! The word ‘invalidate’ (AKUROO) means: to disannul, make of none effect. So the covenant of God to Abraham WAS NOT annulled by the Laws that God gave Moses for the Israelites 430 years later. God kept his promise to Abraham – remember he became righteous because he believed God.

 

Rom. 4:3

For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."

(NKJV)

 

All the believers can say ‘Amen’ to that. Amen that it is not by the works of the Law but by the promise God has given.

 

(18)For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

 

Paul continues his argument in favor of the first promise, the one given to Abraham. What is the inheritance that Paul is speaking about? It is the covenant that God made with Abraham. The promise of the inheritance of a land that he had never seen. What later would be known as the land of milk and honey. He was also promised descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky – all of this because of his faith in God. The word ‘inheritance’ (KLERONOMIA) means: a patrimony. Paul testifies that Abraham’s inheritance if it was to be given because of the ‘works’ that he would do THEN it was no longer a promise but something that was due to him. Paul explains this well in his letter to the Romans.

 

Romans 4:1-5

(1)What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?

(2)For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

(3)For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."

(4)Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

(5)But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,

(NKJV)

 

The point is that Abraham DID NOT DO ANY WORKS and he received the inheritance PROMISED by God simply because he honestly believed God. Placing this in the perspective of the Judaisers that were in Galatia we can understand the following. The Judaisers were teaching that the promises of God were no longer promises but something that you had to work for. Therefore these false teachers were annulling the covenant of God by adding on works that had to be done to inherit from God. This is the foundation of every cult, every religion, and every spiritual philosophy: that you must not accept that all is done by the person of Jesus Christ (it is insufficient) that you absolutely need to ADD something to what he has done to obtain salvation. So is the inheritance granted by the promise or by the Law?

 

(18) …but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

 

This puts an end the discussion. Salvation was not, is not and it shall never be by the Law but it will forever be by the solemn promise that God pledged to Abraham. And never forget that God does not lie!

 

Hebrews 6:16-18

(16)For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute.

(17)Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath,

(18)that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

(NKJV)

 

Never accept the lies of so many around us today. They approach you under sheep’s clothing but they are ravaging wolves. They even may have the same ‘language’ and have the same ‘terms’ as you do. Then like vipers they will bite you with their venom hoping to enslave you with their doctrines of works.

 

A logical question must be answered. If the inheritance is not given through the Law why did God give the Law and tell his people to follow it? What then is the legitimate purpose of the Law?

 

(19)Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. (20)Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.

 

The Law needed to be given because of the transgressions of the people. Since there was no written Law people could almost do as they pleased. Certainly God had placed his laws in people’s hearts (Rom. 2:13-16) but because the hearts of the people were twisted (Jer. 17:9) they automatically twisted God’s perfect Law. So the Law was given to manifest God’s character and his perfect will. NO WHERE is it written that the Law REPLACED the promise. Actually the law was given so that we can see ourselves as sinners and run to Christ for salvation.

 

Rom. 3:20

Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

(NKJV)

 

Paul says that the law was given ‘until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made’. We just learned that the promise had been made to Christ, who was the ‘seed of Abraham’. So the Law was given because of the many sinful ways of man. It did not take away the promise given to Abraham. The Law was there until Christ came. Why so? Why did the bondage of the Law not continue AFTER Christ had come? Simply because Christ accomplished all the demands of the Law!

 

Mat. 5:17

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

(NKJV)

 

Christ came to fulfill the Law and he did! Do you remember what Christ said on the cross?

 

John 19:30

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

(NKJV)

 

I would like you to know that this is the only place in the entire Bible where it is written ‘it is finished’. Christ has done it all – his sacrifice is perfect.

 

Verse twenty ends by speaking of the mediator.

 

(20)Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.

 

This is in reference with the mediator of the law which was Moses. As great as Moses was the mediator of the New Covenant is superior in all ways.

 

Hebrews 3:1-6

(1)Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

(2)who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.

(3)For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house.

(4)For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.

(5)And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward,

(6)but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

(NKJV)

 

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GALATIANS

12 - ‘The Law that leads to Christ’

Galatians 3:21-25

 

(21)Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. (22)But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

(23)But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. (24)Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. (25)But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

(NASB)

 

The apostle Paul just finished teaching that salvation is through faith and not by works. God has made a solemn promise to Abraham which cannot be set aside or added to by man. The Law was given because of man’s sinful heart and because he needed to know how corrupt he was and how that effected his relationship with the Lord God. In this section Paul will answer yet another question that arises concerning the Law.

 

(21)Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.

 

We have seen that in a way the Law and faith are like water and oil – they just don’t mix together. We may wonder why God would place so much importance on the Law since it does not bring righteousness. Why then were the Jews given the Law? Are there any advantages in relationship with the keeping of the Law? As you may know Psalm 119 is all about the commandments of God and we can find in it so many benefits that a true believer can receive. I wrote down a few:

• There are blessings in keeping the law (v.1)

• It keeps us on the right path (v.3)

• It establishes our life (v.5)

• It keeps us from being ashamed (v.6)

• We will worship with upright hearts (v.7)

• God will not forsake us (v.8)

 

There are five benefits for keeping the Law found in the first eight verses and there are one hundred and seventy six of them! Imagine how many benefits you will find if you do an in-depth study of this Psalm!

 

In a way the Law that is kept by a pure heart brings blessings upon the believer but it NEVER BRINGS righteousness before God! Only Christ can do that (Gal. 2:21; 3:6).

 

2 Cor. 5:21

For He (the Father) made Him (the Son) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

(NKJV)

 

So, ‘Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God?’ In other words does the law work against the promises (covenant) of God? Is the Law an enemy towards the faith? This is very important because even today there are those who disregard ‘the law’ saying that it is useless since we are ‘under grace’. I believe they say this because they do not understand the role that the law plays in the plan of God. We have seen that it is not the role of the Law to bring salvation. Here we will see what the Law was meant for.

 

(21)Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be!

 

In some older translations Paul answers is ‘God forbid’ which gives it a very clear sense. The Law will never, never, never be contrary to the promises of God! The idea of being ‘contrary’ means to be against. Like a boxing match is the Law fighting against the faith as if they were adversaries. One is not against the other. They actually have two different roles in salvation. We must never get mixed up – the Law is not a means of salvation.

 

(21) …For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.

 

Here Paul states what the Law is not able to do – ‘impart life’. This term (ZOOPOIEO) means: make life, give life, quicken. This is what the Law can never do – it can never give true spiritual life. Simply because the Law activates sin, Paul explains this in Romans.

 

Romans 7:5

For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.

(NKJV)

 

Romans 7:8

But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead.

(NKJV)

 

Romans 7:11

For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me.

(NKJV)

 

The Law in man: bears fruit to death (7:5), all manner of evil desire (7:8) and it killed me (7:11). As you can see the law does not impart life but rather spiritual death.

 

(22)But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

 

Paul uses the Scriptures as the foundation to his teachings – and so should all of us. It is never what I believe to be right but what the Bible says is true. So what is the witness of the Scriptures? It has ‘shut up everyone under sin’. Paul says that sin shuts together (or includes) EVERYONE. All of mankind has been marked or branded by sin, there are no exceptions. If there is one things that unites all of mankind whatever the color of their skin, their language, traditions, and physical appearance – it is SIN. But why is mankind shut up under sin?

 

(22) …so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

 

What God does is that he places everyone under the rule of sin and then offers salvation to those who believe in Christ. There is one cause of spiritual death and that is sin. There is also only one remedy to cure us from our spiritual death and that is Jesus Christ. There is no confusion or misunderstanding. All are sinners and all need Christ to be saved. Please notice what is written ‘Jesus Christ might be given’. Jesus is a gift from God – the Father to all of those who repent of their sins. Given (DIDOMI) means: to bestow, grant, offer. By faith the Son is given to the believer. If someone says that he is not a sinner then he is not given the Son as his Redeemer simply because he does not believe that he needs him! But what happens to the person who rejects the Son?

 

John 3:36

"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

(NKJV)

 

The person who has no need for Jesus because he is trying to be justified by the Law, receives the wrath of God! What he is trying to get rid of by the Law only amplifies it! He who lives by the Law shall never see life and the wrath of God abides on him! How foolish are those who are filled with pride and set Christ aside! I hope, dear friend, that you are not one of them – that you have placed your faith in the person of Christ to justify you before the Father.

 

(23)But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.

 

Paul is painting a picture of what a person looks like before faith gave him a new life. Have you ever seen a ‘before’ and ‘after’ picture of someone? It can be quite revealing! If you would see some of my ‘before’ pictures as a teenager or a young man you would not believe that it was me. There is so much difference between the two! Paul speaks of ‘before the faith’. What did a person look like, well he was two things:

1. Kept in custody under the Law

2. Shut up to the faith

 

As sinners ‘we were kept in custody under the Law’. We were in custody (PHROUREO) which means: to mount guard as a sentinel, to keep. It gives the picture that we were under the watchful eye of the Law. A bit like prisoners in the courtyard. There are guards all around them keeping a watchful eye on all that they do. And if they do something wrong, instantly, they suffer the consequences. The law keeping a close watch on sinners instantly pours the wrath of God upon them when they transgress it. The second picture is one of being ‘shut up to the faith’. This is the same term that we have seen in verse twenty-two. It means to shut together, to include. The reason why the Law keeps us in custody has to do with faith. We are all together under the heading of the Law (as sinners) so we can also be under the heading of faith (as redeemed). All are under the Law but not all are under the faith. One has to come to Jesus to receive redemption. We are invited to come to Christ and we need to make the personal choice to do so. Jesus said:

 

Mat. 11:28

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

(NKJV)

 

John 5:40

"But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

(NKJV)

 

As you can see some are not willing to come to Christ. They resist, they fight, and they battle with the Holy Spirit refusing to repent and abandon their lives at the cross.

 

Some who were invited to the wedding were not willing to go (Mat. 22:3). Most of the people of Jerusalem were not willing to be gathered by Christ under his wings (Mat. 23:37). Are you still resisting the call to repentance? Do you still believe that you can make it on your own? Are you still under the custody of the Law which only brings death?

 

(24)Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. (25)But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

 

In these final two verses we see the main reason why the Law was given (apart from serving as a testimony of the character of God). The first is that the Law ‘has become our tutor’ (PAIDAGOGOS) MEANING: instructor, schoolmaster. We have seen what the Law teaches us – we fail over and over to keep the standards of God. It also teaches us that the wrath of God is upon sinners.

 

We absolutely need the Law because it teaches us that we are not like we think we are. I personally did not know that I was such a sinner until the Law was opened to my understanding by the Holy Spirit. Only then did I see my spiritual ugliness! The Law ‘shined a light’ on all of my flaws as a human being. So the Law is a ‘good thing’ because it can ‘lead us to Christ’. The Law points to Jesus as the unique solution for my spiritual sickness. What the false teachers were pointing to was the exact opposite of what the Law was meant for. They pointed to the Law as a means of securing salvation. When in truth it only brought judgment! The proof that the Law does not save is the end of the phrase:

 

(24) …so that we may be justified by faith.

 

Justified by faith not by the works of the Law. Now the word ‘justified’ (DIKAIOO) means: to render just or innocent, be righteous. I am rendered just or innocent, I become righteous by faith in Jesus Christ. Amen for that! Christ has perfectly done all that I was called to do but that sin kept me from being able to do. This is the call of all true believers ‘Salvation by faith alone’. May God be blessed forever! What a wonderful gift he has bestowed upon all that believe. May we forever be grateful that he has kept his promise given to Abraham.

 

(25)But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

 

This verse explains the consequence of having faith in Jesus as your Savior. Although there are many benefits and blessings that are given unto the child of God. Paul specifically speaks of this one because it has to do with the false teachers he is battling. The true believer is ‘no longer under a tutor’.

​

Remember we have seen that the Law acts as a tutor that points to Christ. Once we belong to Christ by faith in Him the tutor is no longer necessary. Have you ever passed through a road that is under construction or repair? On both sides of your car there are ‘cones’ that guide you. But once the construction or repairs are finished the ‘cones’ disappear! The Law disappears once you have been brought safely to Christ. The law disappears because you have now arrived at your destination – safe and sound in Christ. Braces are taken off when your teeth have been straightened. A cast is taken off when your bones have mended. And the Law is taken away when Christ is your Savior. The believer is no longer ‘under the Law’ but now is ‘under grace”. Paul writes the following:

 

Romans 8:1-3

(1)There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

(2)For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

(3)For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh.

(NKJV)

 

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GALATIANS

13 - ‘The sons of God’

Galatians 3:26-29

 

(26)For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (27)For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (28)There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (29)And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise

(NASB)

 

This section is the conclusion of the series of arguments that Paul has presented to the Galatian churches. On one side it is mind boggling and on the other so re-assuring.

 

(26)For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

 

Have you ever thought of the countless numbers of people around the world and what they would do to have this security? I believe that every single human being deeply desires to know what will happen to them once they leave this world and yet so few really know. Notice that Paul says ‘you are’. He does not say, you might, you could, or you may if…. It is in the present tense ‘you are’. There is no question about it. In the eyes of God you are no longer an enemy.

 

John 1:12,13

(12)But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

(13)who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

(NKJV)

 

Other verses also confirm that those who are in Christ have become children of God (Rom. 8:14; Eph. 5:8; Phil. 2;15: 1 John 3:1,2). In a way the story of mankind has come full circle. In the beginning while our first parents were in the Garden of Eden there was perfect unity between God and Adam & Eve. It was lost because of their sinning against the Almighty. Because of sin man fell under the curse of God’s judgment. Christ came and offered himself as a sacrifice substituting himself for us. The perfect sacrifice was accepted by the Father and all of those who repent and place their faith in Christ as their substitute are re-established as children of God. Not the Law nor any works that they may do but only through the sacrifice of Christ. Jesus was the ‘Lamb that takes away the sins of the world’ (John 1:29). Oh, what great depths can our thoughts plunge into when we read the following words concerning those who have become children of God!

 

Romans 8:35-39

(35)Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

(36)As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."

(37)Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

(38)For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,

(39)nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(NKJV)

 

May God be blessed forever! May his glory shine on earth as it is in heaven! May we lift our hands and exalt his name! He has made all who repent his redeemed who shall reign with him for all eternity (Rev. 22:5). Friend are you a child of God? Have you received forgiveness? Has the blood of Christ covered your sins? If you are not certain, please stop reading and bow your head and ask Christ to forgive you and give him your life.

 

(26)For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

 

Paul reminds the Galatians HOW they had become ‘sons of God’ it was ‘through faith in Christ Jesus’. There was and there is only one way to become a child of God and this is through faith in Jesus. Once again Paul is pounding this truth simply because the false teachers were bringing a ‘new gospel’ which we can call ‘the gospel of twisted truth’! They said: ‘through Christ and the Law’, the Scriptures said: ‘through Christ only’ (John 14:6). They said ‘your works have a part in your salvation’, the Scriptures said ‘we are all unclean and our righteousness is like a filthy rag’ (Isaiah 64:6). They said ‘you can lose your salvation’, the Scriptures said: ‘there is no more condemnation’ (Rom. 8:1). How can we set aside faith to be saved and substitute it with personal works or the Law? Remember what the writer of Hebrew wrote:

 

Heb. 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

(NKJV)

 

With the following verse Paul will introduce a new theological aspect of our redemption in Christ Jesus.

 

(27)For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (28)There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

Again we see that Paul writes ‘For all of you’. He first writes ‘For all are sons of God’ (v.26) and now he writes ‘For all of you’ (v.27). There are NO EXCEPTIONS concerning who has become a child of God and who was baptized ‘into Christ’. ALL means ALL. Each and every one: man, woman and child. Everyone who come to Christ for salvation receives forgiveness and become a child of God. Some say that there are two different types of Christians: Those who have fully received the blessings of God and those who have not yet. The more spiritual and the less. This is not true and never has been. There is only one type of Christian for they all stand in Christ and his sacrifice was the same for all – his death on the cross. But what does Paul mean when he writes: ‘baptized into Christ’?

 

The term ‘baptized into’ is typically from Paul. Baptized (BAPTIZO) means: to immerse, submerged. Imagine plunging into a pool. When you do this you become immersed into the water. You are literally submerged. Keep this picture in mind and try to imagine what Paul is stating. You are baptized (immersed) in Christ or you have ‘plunged into’ Christ. We know that it is the Holy Spirit who has baptized the believer into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). When we believe we are spiritually placed into Christ to become his living body here on earth. Paul also uses this term ‘baptized into’ in:

 

• Rom. 6:3 in regards to the believers being plunged into the death of Christ.

• 1 Cor. 10:2 in regards to the believers being plunged into Christ’s body.

 

As for verse twenty-seven it is self-explanatory. Here being baptized in Christ means: ‘have clothed yourselves with Christ’. The believer has been fully dressed with Christ. The word ‘clothed’ (ENDUO) means: to invest with clothing. Do you remember the parable about the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32)? He was with his father, then he sinned against him and abandoned him. When he repented he came back and asked forgiveness. Have you noticed what the father did towards his son?

 

Luke 15:22

"But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.”

(NKJV)

 

He got rid of his dirty and smelly clothing (having worked with pigs) and brought to him a new set of clothing. When the son came back to the father he was given new clothing in which he slipped into. The father gave him the ‘best robe’ (notice best) and also notice that it is the father that put it on his new found son! Then he received a ring and sandals for his feet. It is the same with the believer God the Father gives the believer the honor of wearing Christ’s righteousness. We are ‘in Christ’ as the prodigal son was ‘in his new clothing’. We have received a newness of life because of Christ and we should now live this newness (Eph. 4:1; 17; 5:2;8).

 

(28)There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

In this verse Paul explains who the ‘all’ that have been baptized and clothed into Christ are. This verse was quite revolutionary (and still is). It is revolutionary because the world has divided itself into different compartments. Things have not changed, just look around and you will see. Society is divided between the wealthy and the rest, the fit and the sick, the very intelligent, intelligent and those who lack intelligence, the different races, those who are royal and those who are common, the strong and the weak, men and women, the gifted and those who lack talents and so forth. In the days of Paul this was even more accentuated. But something unbelievable happens when one is redeemed. Yes he is a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) but his standing has also changed. Before the world was divided by race, the Jews& Greeks. Now in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek. The world was divided by civil status, slave or free man. Now in Christ there is neither. The world was divided by sexual identity, male and female. Now this no longer exists. What we see is that race, civil status and sexual identity no longer create any barrier or discrimination before God (it never did). All these barriers which infect humanity and cause so many hardships do not stand before the Lord. Some may say certain races are superior to others but not so with God. Others may see some as their slaves but this is absent in God’s eyes. Others may segregate between men and women. This is not the way God sees things. The reason given is the following:

 

(28) …for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

The reason being that every believer is ‘one in Christ Jesus’. I would like you to once again notice the word ‘all’. This is the third time that Paul uses this word!

• All sons of God through faith (in Christ)

• All baptized into Christ

• All one in Christ

 

In Christ, there are no more worldly distinctions. There are no more barriers. The walls have all broken down. In Christ there is perfect unity not only with the Father, Son and Spirit but also perfect unity between true believers. Now when I look around I honestly do not see this perfect unity between believers. Why is this so? It is because we have not yet become perfected in Christ. We still have this fallen nature in us that constantly rebels against the Lord. We still are sinners and our sins are manifested in different forms and fashions. But one day believers will become truly Christ-like and for this to happen we must pass from this world unto the Father’s, from this side of eternity to the next. This is how John writes it:

 

1 John 3:2

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

(NKJV)

 

A day will come when all the redeemed will be revealed as who they really are in Christ. On that day we will be 100% who we should be, because we have been baptized and been clothed in Christ (v.26). Until then we need simply to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us into his image as a potter transforms a lump of clay into something beautiful (Isaiah 64:8; Jer. 18:6).

 

(29)And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise

 

To end this section Paul returns to the beginning of his argument concerning Abraham and his faith that made him righteous before God (3:6). He told us that the promise made to Abraham concerned his ‘seed’ (3:16) which was Christ. We were also told that those who believe become children of Abraham (3:7). What Paul now teaches is that those who ‘belong to Christ’ are ‘Abraham’s descendants’. And what does this give us? Why is it so important? It is important because of the ‘promise’ made by God to Abraham. Since we are spiritual descendants of Abraham we ALSO have inherited the promise (covenant) of God. The spiritual blessings promised to Abraham have become ours. All of this is because of Christ and his redemptive work at the cross. Believers in Christ have become ‘heirs’ like Abraham was. The word ‘heirs’ (KLERONOMOS) means: getting by apportionment. Believers have become heirs of God and we will get our portion when we come into his presence.

 

1 Peter 1:3-5

(3)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

(4)to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

(5)who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

(NKJV)

 

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GALATIANS

14 - ‘The chosen time’

Galatians 4:1-7

 

(1)Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, (2)but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. (3)So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. (4)But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, (5)so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (6)Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (7)Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

(NASB)

 

In our last chapter we have seen that the true believers have become children of God (3:26) and that by faith they have inherited along with Abraham. In this section Paul will give the Galatians more details about what it entails to be a child of God.

 

(1)Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, (2)but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.

 

Paul is speaking concerning children that have not yet become adults with all the rights, privileges and duties this involves. This is no ordinary child for he is an heir. There were different ‘classes’ of children in the Roman empire just as there are today. There was the first born who would normally be the heir, then what I would call the ‘normal’ children, and finally there were also the adopted children. All the children played different roles and had different expectation from their parents. We will look more specifically at the adopted child later on in this chapter.

 

What Paul teaches in the first verse is that as long as a child, even though he is heir, has not yet become an adult he is treated as a slave ‘he does not differ at all from a slave’. So what does the child look like? We see that ‘as long’ (HOSOS) meaning: as much, great, long as. This gives the idea of a time period in one’s life. Many parents say to their rebellious child: ‘As long as you’re in our house it’s our rules’. Meaning that for the time period that you enjoy living in our home you are to follow our rules. It also means that when you will leave our home our rules will no longer have authority over you. A child does not remain a child forever. In time he will become an adult.

 

The word child (NEPIOS) means: not speaking, giving the idea of an infant, being immature or a babe. This is the type of person that Paul is talking about. In the Roman Empire when a boy became an adult depended on his maturity, schooling and intellect. There was no official ‘set date’ as in our modern countries. Normally it was around the age of sixteen that he passed from childhood to adulthood. The boy who became a man changed clothing. As a child he wore a Toga Praetexta but was given by his father a toga virilis which manifested to everyone that he had now become an adult.

 

As a child of God until this time of becoming an adult comes we ‘do not differ’ (DIAPHERO) meaning: to differ from, be of more value than a slave. We are looked upon with different eyes because we have not yet reach the state of maturity. In our culture we see this all the time. Children are not looked upon as being capable of being adult. This is simply because they lack knowledge and experience that only time can give if the child is receptive. By the way some grownups are also not looked upon as being adults because they also lack in knowledge and mostly maturity! This child, even though ‘he is owner of everything’ has not yet received the authority over his inheritance – he is like anyone else.

 

(2)but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.

 

If we go back to Paul’s day, an heir would be given over to a tutor who would teach him how to be a good citizen. The child would be taught morality, what is honorable, the laws of the land, the traditions of the family and country and so forth. The father would give his child over so that he could learn from his tutor and then become worthy of being an heir. This is the picture that Paul is giving the Galatians, which they understood very well from living in the Roman Empire.

 

This child was under the authority of a ‘guardian’ (EPITROPOS) meaning: a commissioner, tutor, guardian or ‘manager’ (OIKONOMOS) meaning: a house manager, overseer. We are getting closer to the point that Paul is trying to get across to the Galatians. These tutors had authority over the child ‘until the date set by the father’. At one point the father of the child would step in and determine that time had come for his child to pass unto adulthood.

 

(3)So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.

 

Notice that Paul uses the word ‘we’, he includes himself in the process that he is speaking of. Even though Paul had quite the experience when he was born-again he does not see himself as being any different than all the other children of God. This reminds me that I should always see myself as equal to my brothers and sisters.

​

I am no greater or more important than they are. The blood of Christ was shed for them as well as for me. I am loved by the Father, Son and Spirit just like they are. I may have different spiritual gifts or ministries but these were also given to me.

 

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

(4)There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

(5)There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.

(6)And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

(NKJV)

 

Paul speaks of ‘while we were children’ which means that they were no longer children. They had passed from childhood to manhood spiritually speaking. So what was the life like when they were children?

 

(3) …were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.

 

When we were children we were ‘held in bondage’ (DOULOU) meaning: to enslave. We were literally chained, bound, trapped by something, as though we were in prison, unable to escape, with no one to set us free. But what are these things that ensnared us? Paul calls them ‘the elemental things’ of the world. The word ‘elemental’ (STOICHEION) means: element, principle, rudiment. We can see this as the very basic things that make up this world. Paul writes about them in Colossians:

 

Colossians 2:8

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

(NKJV)

 

Here we see that Paul gives four examples of what the fabric of this dark world is made of: human philosophy, empty deceit, tradition of men and basic principles of the world. Notice that Paul states that these four things are NOT based on Christ. So as a child we were held captive by things that are not of Christ but rather from the opponent of everything that is of the light – Satan. In Ephesians Paul speaks of Satan and his government and how he uses sin, the world, lust and the flesh to keep all of mankind enslaved by his power.

 

Ephesians 2:1-3

(1)And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

(2)in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

(3)among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

(NKJV)

 

As I said these are the things that have kept people in bondage. But God did not leave the world in a hopeless situation. He did what he alone could do.

 

(4)But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, (5)so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

 

God intervened in human history. He stood up and the plan that he had decreed before time existed was about to be revealed. Paul calls this ‘the fullness of time’. The word ‘fullness’ means: repletion, completion. The time had become complete, in other words ‘time had come’. Imagine you have to wait for one hour before you receive a desired gift. You wait and you wait and finally the hour has passed – it has been completed – and now you can open your gift. Paul speaks of this ‘fullness of time’ in his letter to the Ephesians.

 

Ephesians 1:10

that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him.

(NKJV)

 

God had a plan and that plan was to ‘gather together in one all things in Christ’. Paul explains what God did when time had finally come.

 

(4) …God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law

 

This is the mystery of the incarnation: God sending forth his son to be born of a woman. The Son of God was ‘born of a woman’. The word ‘born’ (GINOMAI) has a variety of meanings some of which are: to become, to come into being. Have you ever thought of the impact on God – the Son becoming a man(born of a woman)?The first I see is that God kept his promise to Adam and Eve. Neither the sins of man nor the opposition from Satan and his hosts of fallen angels could oppose the plan of God for man’s salvation.

 

Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."

(NKJV)

 

God had said that from the seed of the woman would come someone who would crush the head of the serpent and he did come. Our God always keeps his promises, he keeps them in his ‘fullness of time’!

 

A second implication is that being born of a woman makes Jesus perfectly man. When Jesus came he was not God in disguise or God playing a game imitating that he was a man! Being a man meant that he was subject to everything other people were. Here are some examples:

• Jesus was tired (Mat. 8:24)

• Jesus was hungry (Mat. 4:2

• Jesus wept (John 11:35)

• Jesus was tempted (Heb. 2:18)

• Jesus suffered (Luke 22:15)

• Jesus bled (John 19:34)

• Jesus agonized (Luke 22:44)

• Jesus died (Mark 15:37)

 

Because he was perfectly man, Jesus could represent mankind and become the second Adam (1 Cor. 15:45). This point is extremely important. Adam represented mankind and Christ also represented mankind (Rom. 5:12-19). Adam represented man in his fallen state because of sin and Jesus represented man to make him righteous because of his sinless state. In other words if Christ had not been perfectly man he could not have represented mankind and taken his punishment upon himself to save them from the wrath of the Father.

 

Now Jesus was not only born of a woman including all that entailed but he was also ‘born under the Law’. Just as Jesus being born of a woman is crucial for salvation so is being ‘born under the Law’. Being under the Law meant that Jesus (just as all mankind) was subject to the consequences of the Law. If Jesus would have broken one Law then he would have been considered as having broken all the Law!

 

James 2:10,11

(10)For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. (11)For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

(NKJV)

 

If Jesus would not have been subject to the Law then his death at the cross would have had no bearing on our salvation. Let’s not forget that Christ was our substitute and because of this we have gained his righteousness. But for this to have taken effect, he absolutely needed to be under the Law. For it is the Law that needs to be perfectly kept before God.

 

Romans 8:3,4

(3)For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,

(4)that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

(NKJV)

 

Christ died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3; Gal. 1:4; 1 John 2:2; 4:10) and for this to be accepted by the Father it had to be done ‘in the flesh’ or as a man if you prefer. Why is it so? Simply because God condemned sin in the flesh (Rom. 8:3). So Amen that Jesus was both born of a woman and born under the Law!

 

(5)so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (6)Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (7)Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

 

There are many glorious benefits that can be found in salvation. In verse five the apostle Paul presents two of them. The first being: ‘redeem those who were under the Law’. For those who have been saved by Christ redemption is as sweet as it can get. Notice that Jesus was placed ‘under the Law’ (4:4) so that he could redeem those who are ‘under the Law’(4:5)! The word ‘redeem’ (EXAGORAZO) means: to buy up, to rescue from loss. Jesus actually paid a price for our salvation – The cost was his shed blood and death at the cross (Eph. 2:13; Col. 1:20; Heb. 9:12-14; Rev. 7:14). The second benefit flows from the first one: ‘we might receive the adoption as sons’.

 

In the very beginning of this present chapter I wrote that we will be looking at the ‘adopted children’ further on and here we are. Paul teaches the Galatians that because of the redemption which is only found in Christ, those who believe ‘receive adoption as sons’. First of all adoption is given because of what Christ has done in favour of the believer. Adoption is never given because of the Law that one may be able to keep. This automatically is a ‘jab’ given to those who taught differently to the Galatian believers. One may wonder why Paul speaks about being ‘adopted’ by God. Isn’t becoming a child of God important enough? Yes, it is but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Let me explain.

 

In the Roman Empire (like in our society) one is able to adopt a child. If a Roman couple was unable to procreate adoption was a way to fulfill their dream of having a family. Suppose a couple had children who were foolish, thoughtless, and irrational being incurable. Or maybe the heir would be a drunk, always in trouble and wasting his father’s wealth – what would you do? You could also adopt an older child that was worthy of your family’s name. When time came to write your will you could give an inheritance to any child you wanted (or anybody else for that matter). You could also dis-inherit a child because you felt that he was not worthy of it. What was unique (and this is Paul’s point here) was that you COULD NOT dis-inherit an ADOPTED child – Roman law forbade it! The adopted child was certain to receive an inheritance, he did not have to worry or fret about it. This is the point of writing that God adopts believers as his children – they can not lose their inheritance (salvation if you prefer). Again this was aimed straight at the teachings of these false teachers who said that you have to keep the Law to maintain your redemption.

 

Isn’t it wonderful to know that you can rest because you are safe and sound because of Christ? He has done it all and done it all perfectly. His sacrifice is eternal and so is the redemption that he offers.

 

Hebrews 10:10

By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

(NKJV)

 

Hebrews 10:14

For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

(NKJV)

 

Romans 5:1

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

(NKJV)

 

May we be forever thankful unto God for his mercy given unto those who believe. May we love and serve him – respecting his holy name and glorifying him though our lives. Redemption is not given to fallen angels. Becoming a child of God is not given to the angels that kept their original state. It is only given to those who receive salvation through faith! What an immense privilege! Think about it!

 

The next two verses teach us about the grace that is given unto this child of adoption. If you have been born again he is speaking about you!

 

(6)Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (7)Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

 

In verse six we see that being an adopted child of God gives you the privilege to receive ‘the Spirit of His Son into your hearts’. I must take a line or two to explain why this is important that Paul writes this. I have spoken about this before but since the Holy Spirit deemed important for Paul to write it I guess I can comment on it also. Paul says that when you become a child of God – He gives the Spirit of His Son into your hearts. You do not receive the Holy Spirit by a later experience in life! This is a false teaching that has no correct foundation in an historical-grammatical approach of interpreting the Scriptures. There are no two classes of Christians: the ones that have the Spirit and those that do not. Now God sent the Spirit ‘into your hearts’ and there is a reason for this. Because it is through the Holy Spirit that you can cry ‘Abba! Father!’. This teaches us that there is now a completely new relationship between the believer and God. Before adoption we were the following in our relationship with God:

• Children of the flesh (Rom. 9:8)

• Children of a bondwoman (Gal. 4:1)

• Children of wrath (Eph. 2:3)

 

Now that we have become children of God through adoption we can now cry out ‘Abba – Father because that’s what we have become. We are no longer under the judgment of God. God has now become the Father of all of those who have repented of their sins and have cried out to Christ to come and save them. Are you one of them? Is God your Father?

 

(7)Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

 

This is the second grace that is given to all the adopted children of God. We have passed from being a slave to being a son (a child) of God. What a difference there is between being a slave in a household and a son. The main difference is the fact that the son is the heir of all that his father has.

 

1 Peter 1:3-5

(3)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

(4)to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

(5)who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

(NKJV)

 

Peter says that this inheritance is according to the ‘abundant mercy’ of God (not the Law). This inheritance is ‘incorruptible’ and it is ‘undefiled’. It also ‘does not fade away’ and it is ‘reserved in heaven for you’. Notice what Peter then writes ‘who are kept by the power of God’. The believers are kept by the power of God. In other words God is making sure that you will receive all that he has planned for you. No one can take away your inheritance! No one!

 

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