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Paul's Letter to the Galatians Part 1 of 4
Galatians 1:1-10
The gospel message Paul preached in the churches of
Justification is a judicial act by God. It is God’s declaration that the
demands of His Law have been fulfilled in the righteousness of Jesus
Christ. The basis of justification is the death of Jesus Christ. The
benefits of Jesus’ death are freely given to us through faith. Justification is
a gift from God. The negative result of justification is we are saved from the
wrath of God. The positive result is we have peace with God. Although the
penalty for our transgressions of God’s Law has been paid in full, it is
through faith we receive the benefit of justification.
The doctrine justification by faith only has been under attack for centuries.
Merit salvation has been taught and is taught in churches today. The gospel
that Paul preached and the gospel that should be preached today denies merit
salvation. Merit salvation separates us from the heavenly joy, happiness, and
liberty into which a risen Christ brings us.
There is two points we need to understand. First, the Galatians were Gentiles.
This does not mean there were no Jews converted under Paul’s preaching. Second,
they worshiped pagan gods. Paul begins in his introduction, pointing out the
true source of his apostleship. He is not an apostle either of men or by man.
He does not come on the part of men as though sent by them, and it is not by
means of any man that he received his commission, but by Jesus Christ and God
the Father. He closes his greeting with the apostolic benediction. Paul and the
brethren, who were with him, wish these churches grace and peace from God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace includes God's good will towards us and
His good work upon us; and peace implies in it all inward comfort, or outward
prosperity, which is needful for us come from God the Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ. Both these the apostle wishes for these Christians. However, grace
first and then peace, for there can be no true peace without grace. Having
mentioned the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul cannot pass without speaking of His love;
and therefore adds,
“Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father” (v 1).
This present world is an evil world: it has become an evil and wicked world
because of man’s sin and because of a lack of God’s love. However, Jesus Christ
died to deliver us from this present evil world and rescue us from the power of
it, keep us from the evil of it, and in due time take us to another and better
world. Jesus did this according to the will of God our Father. In offering up
Himself as a sacrifice for this end and purpose, he acted according to not only
the Father’s will but His will as well. Therefore, we have the greatest reason
to depend upon the efficacy of what He has done and suffered for us. For this,
we are encouraged to look upon God as our Father, for He is the Father of our
Lord Jesus, so in and through Him He is also the Father of all true believers.
Closing his introduction Paul states his concern about the defection of the
Galatians.
The desertion of the Galatians from the faith filled Paul with great surprise
and sorrow. Deserting the doctrine of faith and justification removed the
Galatians from the one that had called them; not only from the apostle, who had
been the instrument of calling them into the fellowship of the Church, but from
God Himself. It was by God’s order and direction Paul preached the gospel
message to them. They were invited to participate in the privileges of it; such
as justification, reconciliation with God, eternal life and happiness. These
blessings and privileges our Lord Jesus purchased with His precious blood, and
He freely bestows them upon all who sincerely accept Him as their Savior and
Lord. Deserting the faith resulted in the removing of the blessings and
privileges and a drawing away from the established way of obtaining these
blessings and privileges. In a very short time, the deserters lost the joy and
happiness that they seemed to have, and fell in with those who taught
justification by the works of the law. They perverted the doctrine of Christ,
and so corrupted it. They accepted a different gospel which was not another
gospel. Paul called it a different gospel because it opened a different way of
justification and salvation from that revealed in the gospel of Christ, namely,
by works, and not by faith in Christ. It was the undermining of the foundation
of the gospel, a gross perversion.
The merit salvation taught today is not the gospel of Christ. Paul said the
gospel the Galatians were turning to if he or an angel from heaven preached it
they would be accursed. Observe here, that he will allow nothing in addition to
that which he had preached. The Galatians did not formally deny Christ; they
wanted to add circumcision as a means of justification. . However, the gospel,
which the apostle had preached, was the complete and whole gospel. They could
add nothing to it without altering it, without saying that it was not the
perfect gospel, without really adding something that was of another nature,
that is to say, corrupting it. For the heavenly revelation of God was what Paul
had taught them. In his teaching he had completed the circle of the doctrine of
God. To add anything to it was to deny its perfection; and to alter its
character, to corrupt it.
The apostle is not speaking of a doctrine openly opposed to the doctrine he
taught, but one that had been added to the gospel he preached. This would make
the gospel preached by the Judaizers more deceptive than if it were not added
to the gospel Paul preached.
Paul made it very clear he was not doing what the false prophets and false
teachers in his day and today are doing. He was not seeking the favor of men.
He was not striving to please men. Paul said if he was seeking the favor of men
and striving to please men he would not be a bondservant of Christ. What
is greater, the favor of men or the honor and favor of being Christ’s
bondservant? Paul’s desire was to be a faithful bondservant. His goal in life
was to bring men to the cross of Christ where they will find the love of God
revealed and be delivered from the bondage of sin and death. This is why he did
not accommodate the desires of men either to gain their affection or to avoid
their resentment.
The judaizing teachers who were corrupting the churches were mixing works with
faith, and the law with the gospel, only to please the Jews, so that they might
escape persecution. However, Paul was a man of another spirit; he refused to
please them to avoid their rage against him, or to alter the doctrine of Christ
to gain their favor or to avoid their fury. In addition, he gives a very good
reason for it; if he pleased men, he would not be able to be a bondservant of
Christ. Paul knew that no man could serve two masters as the Judaizers were
trying to do. Through the faithful performance of the duties of his office,
Paul proves that he was truly an apostle of Christ.
This must be the goal of every minister of the gospel. We must be faithful to
the One that called us and must not seek to please men but seek to please God.
Paul shows he was a faithful servant regardless of what his enemies claimed. We
must do the same.
Paul's Letter to the Galatians
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Paul's Letter to the Galatians Part 2 of 4
All Scriptural quotes are from the World English Bible unless otherwise stated in quote
Answer: There is only one-way, accept the salvation God’s
grace makes available through Christ’s death and resurrection. Forget about
merit salvation through obedience to the Law of Moses. If the law could have
provided the righteousness necessary for justification, it would not have been
necessary for Christ to die.
In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, there are five arguments Paul used to
support his claim justification is available through faith and not obedience to
the Law of Moses. The first is:
The Argument from Experience – Galatians 3:1-5
The Galatians were behaving like people led blindly and unresisting to their
own destruction. They have closed their eyes. They no longer see Christ
crucified. They received the gift of the Holy Spirit for the refining and
purifying of their hearts; their sins forgiven, and brought into the family of
God. They are adding the law to the gospel preached to them. Paul saw this as
an irresponsible act. Their compromising the gospel awakened in Paul a great
sorrow. He addresses the Galatians as “foolish Galatians” (Galatians 3:1) and
wanted to know “who has bewitched” them (3:1). He wanted to know if they had
received justification for their sins through works or faith.
The Galatians were like many professing Christians today. They have heard the
gospel, accepted it as the truth and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper
administered among them, in both Christ crucified has been set before them.
They accept and practice doctrines that are not according to the gospel message
taught by Jesus and the apostles.
Paul pleads with the Galatians, he tells them to remember the working of the
Holy Spirit upon their souls. He reminds them of the sanctifying influences,
the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, and especially that justification is
by Christ only, and not by the works of the law. To convince them of the error
of their ways he asks them how they came by these gifts and graces: Was it by
the works of the law or by faith. These people could not answer the question.
They were Gentiles and never taught the law before they heard the gospel
message and believed what they heard. This is the reason why the Judaizers
brought their message of works to the Galatians. Their intent, knowingly or
unknowingly was to undermine the gospel preached to them.
Paul told the Galatians to consider their past, present, and judge
whether they were fallen away from what they had been taught; whether they were
being led astray. They believed in the gospel message when Paul preached it,
they accepted it, and now they are involved in a practice that is not necessary
for the forgiveness of sin and accepted before God as a righteous person. Like
far too many converts today, the Galatians had a good beginning but now they
are turning to the law, and expected to advance to higher degrees of perfection
by adding the observance of the law to faith in Christ, in order to be
justified, which could end in nothing but shame and disappointment. They were
pulling down with one hand what they had built with the other.
The honors and privileges we have as Christians should shame us out of
the foolishness of apostasy and backsliding. This was Paul’s intent in writing
this letter to the Galatians. Moral precepts are defective because they are
weak by nature. We are too weak by nature to obey the moral precepts.
The Galatians, through Christ were God’s children, yet as disobedient
Christians, they were foolish children. They were deceived children following
the deceivers in their midst. It is not enough to know the truth, and to say we
believe it, but we must obey it too; we must submit to it, and abide by it.
Foolish children are those who know the truth when it is plainly set before
them, will not obey it. The doctrine preached was not justification by works or
a combination of faith and works. Paul called the Galatians foolish because
they are forsaking the gospel that Paul had preached and exchanging it for one
that had strings attached to it.
Paul’s second point, The Argument from Abraham – 3:6-9, is to add strength to
his first point.
In this passage, Paul uses the relationship that existed between God and
Abraham. God accepted Abraham as a righteous man because he believed God; he
trusted God and he obeyed God. Those who are the sons of Abraham follow his
example. God preached the gospel message to Abraham, saying, “All the nations
will be blessed in you” Genesis 12:3). The physical sons of Abraham, the Jewish
people, are his descendants through Isaac and Jacob. Those who believe in God
and His Son Jesus Christ are Abraham’s spiritual sons. They are men of faith
and not men of works or men of circumcision. This is what Paul wanted the
Galatians to understand. The Judaizers were the physical descendants of Abraham
but they were not his spiritual descendants. Gentiles become the spiritual sons
of Abraham when they follow Abraham’s example.
Paul’s third point is, The Argument from the Law – 3:10-29
Paul opens this point of his letter with a quotation from Deuteronomy, “Cursed
is he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them” (Deuteronomy
27:26 NASB). In his argument from Abraham, Paul showed the Galatians the
difference between a physical son of Abraham and a spiritual son, who is the
heir of the promise to Abraham.
Paul wants the Galatians to know the difference between the law and grace and
we need to do the same when it involves rites and ceremonies. Grace promises
blessing. The Law pronounces punishment. At the same time the scripture plainly
set forth that it was not the works of the law a person is justified, for it is
written, "The righteous man shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4 NASB).
We cannot be justified by the law because the law condemns us. The condition of
life, by the law, is perfect, personal, and complete obedience. The language of
the law is, do this and live and for every failure there is no forgiveness but
a penalty to be paid. If our obedience is not as written in the law, we fall
under the curse of the law; wrath, ruin, and separation. Under the law, we are
all guilty before God. However, Paul tells us there is a way we can escape this
curse, and regain the favor of God, namely, through faith in Christ. To redeem
us from the curse of the law He took upon Himself the curse of the law. His
purpose in doing this was that the blessing promised Abraham might come on the
Gentiles through Jesus Christ. Therefore, all who believe on Christ, whether
Jew or Gentile, might become heirs of Abraham's blessing, and particularly of
that great promise of the Seed, reserved for the times of the gospel.
Therefore, it was not by putting themselves under the law, but by faith in
Christ, the Galatians became the children of God and heirs of the promise. It
is through faith in Jesus Christ we become children of God and heirs of the
promise.
God’s promise to Abraham was a covenant. The death of Abraham did not annul the
covenant and the Judaizers could not alter the promise to make room for the
law. It would be inconsistent with God’s holiness, wisdom, and faithfulness.
God did not give Moses the law to establish a different way of justification from
the way established by the promise. The Israelites believed they were God’s
chosen people. They believed they were sinners as well as others. The purpose
of the law was to make them aware of their sin and curb the desires of their
hearts that are contrary to the will of God. The Israelites also believed the
purpose of the law was to direct them to the true and the only way sin can be
forgiven. That way is through the law of sacrifices. Paul denies this in his
gospel of faith. Paul claimed the law of sacrifices ceased with the death of
Christ. However, the law is always in force, and is still useful to convince
men they are sinners and to restrain them from committing sinful acts we are
not under the bondage of the law. The law given to Moses to give to the people
could not affect the promise made to them in the promise God made to Abraham.
The law is not inconsistent with the promise, but intended to reveal man’s
transgressions and to show them the need they have of a better righteousness
than that of the law. However, in our present state both Jew and Gentile, are
in a state of guilt, and therefore unable to achieve righteousness and
justification by the works of the law. The law reveals the disease of the human
nature, but cannot prescribe a cure. The law can only prescribe a temporary
relief through the sacrifice of animals. The promise predicts the cure. The
cure is the blood of Jesus Christ.
The position of the law was that of a tutor (Galatians 4:24); to lead and
direct men to Christ that they might be more fully instructed by Him as their
instructor in the true way of justification and salvation, which is only by
faith in Him, and of which He was appointed to give the fullest and clearest
instructions. If this was the purpose of the law before the appearance of
Christ, why can it not continue to be so under the Christian state too? After
the appearance of Christ the way of pardon and life through faith in Him, are
set in the clearest light possible and we have no need of the law to direct us
to Him as there was then.
The law reveals the goodness of God to his people of old, in giving the law to
them; though, in comparison of the gospel the people were in a state of
darkness and fear. However, the law provided the means and helps both to direct
the people their duty to God and to encourage their hopes in Him. The fault of
the people was mistaking the purpose of the law, and using it for a purpose
other than God’s purpose. They expected to be justified by the works of it. The
purpose of the was not to be the means of their justification, but only a means
of convincing them of their guilt and of their need of a Savior, and of
directing them to Christ, and faith in Him, as the only way of obtaining this
privilege.
The great advantage of the gospel is we not only enjoy a clearer understanding
of divine grace and mercy than was afforded to the Jews of old, but are also
freed from the state of bondage and fear under which they were held; we are not
considered children but as sons grown up to a full age. We enjoy greater
freedoms, and privileges, than they were. The privilege we enjoy under the
gospel is, we are sons and not servants. We have a freer access to God.
Having accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and relying on Him alone for
justification and salvation and admitted into a happier relation to God. This
faith in Christ, whereby we became the children of God, Paul reminds us was
what we professed in baptism. Having in baptism professed our faith in Him we
declared ourselves His servants and disciples and through Him, we are the
children of God.
The law made a difference between Jew and Greek, between the bond and the free,
master and servant, and male and female. Now we all stand on the same level,
one in Christ. None accepted on the account of any national or personal
advantages he may enjoy above the other or rejected for the want of them; but
all who sincerely believe on Christ, He accepts and they become the children of
God through faith in Him.
The judaizing teachers would have the Galatians believe that they had to be
circumcised and keep the Law of Moses, or they could not be saved.
"No," says the apostle, "there is no need of that; if you
sincerely believe on Him, who is the promised seed, in whom all the nations of
the earth were to be blessed, you therefore become the true seed of Abraham. As
such you are his heirs according to the promise and entitled to the great
blessings and privileges of it." Christians enjoy greater and better
privileges than the Jews did under the law. It is unreasonable and unwise to
listen to those who endeavor to deprive us of the truth and the liberty of the
gospel.
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Paul's Letter to the Galatians
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Paul's Letter to the Galatians Part 3 of 4
Galatians 4:1-31
Justification by Faith Explained
In the fourth chapter of the letter to the Galatians verses
1-11 Paul compares the pre-gospel age to a child under age and the church to an
adult. A child under age is under tutors who educate and instruct in those
things that he knows little of the meaning of, though afterwards they are
likely to be of great use to him. However, when grown up to maturity becomes of
great use. Under the law, the people were under a great number of burdensome
rites and observances and kept in a state of subjection, like a child under
tutors and governors. They were like a servant who is obligated to do whatever
his master commands him to do. The Judaizers were attempting to put the
Galatians into this state of servitude.
In the pre-gospel state, Paul said, “So we also, when we were children,
were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world. But when the
fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under
the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might
receive the adoption of children” (Galatians 4:3-4). He who was truly God for
our sakes became man; and He who was Lord of all consented to come into a state
of subjection and to take upon Him the form of a servant to redeem those that
were under the Law.
When Jesus came into the world He came to do something greater than merely
deliver us from the bondage of the ceremonial law. He came in our nature, and
consented to suffer and die for us, that He might redeem us from the wrath of God
and from the curse of the moral law so that we receive the adoption of sons. As
sons and not servants, we have greater freedoms, and privileges, than when we
were under tutors and governors. Because we are sons, “God has sent forth the
Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ (Galatians 4:6).
This is the fullest expression of God’s love and mercy in sending His Son into
the world to redeem and save us, the love of the Son of God in suffering so
much, for us and sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts.
Paul reminds the Galatians what they were before their conversion to the faith
of Christ, and what a blessed change their conversion had made upon them. He
reminds them of their past state and behavior, and what they were before he
preached the gospel to them. They did not know God; they were grossly ignorant
of the true God, and the way he to worship Him. Before they heard the gospel
they were worst of slaveries, they served gods who were not gods. They were
involved in superstitious and idolatrous services to those who, though they
were accounted gods, were yet really no gods, but mere creatures, and perhaps
of their own making, and therefore were unable to hear and help them.
Those who are ignorant of the true God cannot but be inclined to worship false
gods. Those who forsook the God who made the world, rather than be without
gods, worship what they have made out of stone and wood. Paul is showing the
Galatians and us worship is due to none but to Him who is truly God. Now that
they have received the knowledge of the true God and of His Son Jesus Christ
and delivered out of ignorance and the bondage they were under, why are they
listening to the Judaizers. They have turned from idols to the living God.
Through Jesus Christ they received the adoption of sons. Why are they placing
themselves under another form of bondage? Why are they turning to the weak,
worthless, and elemental things of the world? They were never under the Mosaic
Law. Why come under it? It is beyond reason and understanding why they are
turning to another form of bondage.
Here is the expression of every pastor who sees those who have begun following
Jesus turn from the straight and narrow way that leads to eternal life to the
broad way that leads to destruction. Read carefully the words Paul wrote. Do
you hear the sorrow in his voice? Do you see the tears rolling down his cheeks
as he says, “I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you” (Galatians
Paul moves to his fourth point in his argument Justification by Faith, The
Argument from Personal Testimony (Galatians
Paul reminds the Galatians of the great affection they formerly had for him and
his ministry. He does not call them “foolish Galatians” but brethren, though he
knew their hearts were in a great measure alienated from him. He desires they
lay aside all resentments and that they would have the same state of mind
towards him that he did to them. He had no quarrel with them it was their
conduct. He expressed himself with warmth and concern. He assured them that it
was not any sense of personal injury or affront, as they might think he wrote
this letter. The writing proceeded wholly from a zeal for the truth and purity
of the gospel, and their welfare and happiness.
Paul teaches us that in reproving others we should take care to convince them
that our reproofs do not proceed from any resentment, but from a sincere regard
to the honor of God and their welfare. If we follow Paul’s instructions they
likely are to be most successful when they appear to be upset.
Paul reminds the Galatians of illness he was suffering when he came first among
them. He reminds them of their reaction; they did not despise nor reject him
because of his illness. They showed a great deal of respect to him. H was a
welcome messenger to them, even as though an angel of God or Jesus Christ
Himself had preached to them.
Paul reminds the Galatians there was a time when they expressed great joy and
satisfaction in the good news of the gospel, and were pouring their blessings
upon Paul. Those who have left their first love would do well to consider,
where are the blessings they once received and the pleasure they found in
communion with God, and in the company of His servants? What happened? Paul
wants to know is he now the Galatians enemy? Can they give him any reason why
he is now their enemy? Is it because he has told them the truth, endeavored to
reveal and confirm them in, the truth of the gospel? It is not uncommon for men
to account those their enemies who are really their best friends; who tell them
the truth, and deal freely and faithfully with them in matters relating to
their eternal salvation, as Paul did with these Christians. Ministers may
sometimes create enemies by the faithful discharge of their duty. We must not
avoid or neglect speaking the truth, for fear of offending others and drawing
their displeasure upon us. Jesus spoke the truth; He was nailed to a cross.
Paul told the truth, he was beheaded.
The Galatians experienced real joy and happiness when they believed and were
justified by faith. They are falling away from the truth Paul preached. They
are following the Judaizers. It is Paul’s desire they return away from the
direction they are headed.
Paul’s fifth point is The Argument from an Allegory (Galatians
In these verses, Paul illustrates the difference between believers who rest in
Christ only and Judaizers who trusted in the law, by a comparison taken from
the story of Isaac and Ishmael. This he introduces in such a manner that will
get their attention, make an impression on their minds, and convince them they
are making a big mistake in falling away from the truth. He takes it for
granted that they did hear the law, for among the Jews it was read in their
public assemblies every Sabbath day. Since they were so very fond of being
under the law, Paul wanted them to know what is written in Genesis 16 and 21.
His idea was, if they knew what was written in the two chapters they might see
how little reason they had to trust in the law.
We Christians, who have accepted Christ, and rely upon him, and look for justification
and salvation by Him alone, we become the spiritual, though we are not the
natural, seed of Abraham, so we are entitled to the promised inheritance and
interested in the blessings of it. If the Galatians are tempted to fall away
from the gospel because of the Judaizers who demanding obedience of the
ceremonial law and will persecute those who would not submit, Paul tells them
what they should do. He quotes Genesis 21:10-12, “Cast out the bondservant
and her son. For the son of the bondservant shall not be an heir with the son
of free woman” (NASB). Though the Judaizers should persecute and hate them, yet
the issue would be that Judaism would sink, and wither, and perish; but true
Christianity should flourish and last forever.
The conclusion of the arguments of Paul, justification is by faith only and not
faith and works. Those who advocate justification by faith and works are
walking in darkness. Paul closes this part of his letter with the statement “we
are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free” (Galatians
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Paul's Letter to the Galatians Part 4 of 4
Galatians 5:1-26
advocating.
Submitting to the law or obeying the law for the wrong reason can and will
cause us to fall away from the gospel. It will cause us to fall back into the
darkness we were in before Christ lifted us out of the darkness into light.
Paul told the Galatians Christ would profit them nothing if they submitted to
the gospel on the grounds advocated by the Judaizers.
What are the Christians looking for and desiring? Paul answers the question,
“the hope of righteousness” (Galatians 5:5). This is the hope of Christians, it
is the great object of their hope, which they are above every thing else
desiring and pursuing this hope. The hope of righteousness is founded on
righteousness, not of their own, but that of our Lord Jesus. We obtain this
righteousness through faith and not the law. Through the righteousness of
Christ alone, that He has procured for us. Through the influence of the Holy
Spirit and His assistance, we are able to believe on Christ, and to look for
the hope of righteousness through Him. Christ is the end of the law, now it is
not whether a man submitted to the ceremonial law but has he believed in Christ
to be justified. The requirement submission to the ceremonial law or any other
ritual is an unreasonable requirement.
When in danger of backsliding Christians need to remember how they began their
relationship with God. The life of a Christian is a race, wherein he must run,
and hold on, if he wants to win the race. It is not enough that we run in this
race, by a profession of faith, but we must run well, by living up to that
profession. This is what the Galatians did for a while, but they encountered an
obstruction just as we do. Either they quit running or they slowed down. Paul
asked the Galatians a question we need to ask when we encounter an obstacle and
either quit the race or slow down. “Who hindered you?” (Galatians 5:7).
Paul knew what it was that hindered them; but he wanted them to answer the
question. He wanted them to determine if they had a good reason to forfeit the
liberty they had obtained. He wanted them to offer sufficient evidence to
justify their present conduct.
Many who begin the race run well for a while but a hindrance in their progress
quiet the race and forfeit their liberty. Christians must always be aware
of the fact that Satan will lay obstacles in their way. He will do all he can
steal the liberty they have obtained and put them in bondage. Whenever they
find themselves in danger of falling away from the gospel and forfeiting their
liberty, they need to determine what or who is hindering their progress in the
race. The Galatians were falling away from the gospel and forfeiting their
liberty because they listened to the wrong people. It is heartbreaking when we
see thousands of people who began the race and ran for a while following
millionaire supposed men and women of God, and falling into their web of deceit
and darkness.
The gospel Paul preached and they accepted and professed was the truth. It was
the only true way of justification and salvation and in order to enjoy the
advantage of the gospel preached it must be obeyed. The truth is not only to be
believed, but also obeyed, to be received not only in the light of it, but also
in the love and power of it. Those who do not obey the truth, who do not
steadfastly adhere to it, forfeit the liberty obtained.
The obstacle to the liberty that they have in Christ did not come from
Christ. The obstacle came from the Judaizers. The Judaizers are like “a little
leaven leavens the whole lump of dough” (Galatians 5:9). The dough represents
Christianity that can be tainted and corrupted by one such erroneous principle,
or one member of it may infect the Christian society, and this is what the
Galatians will do if they yield to the teachings of the Judaizers. It is
dangerous for Christian churches to encourage those among them who propagate
destructive errors. This was the case here. The doctrine, which the false
teachers were teaching and which some in these churches accepted as the truth
was subversive of Christianity itself, as the apostle had before shown. If
these false teachers are permitted to teach their false doctrine it might
spread further and wider and result in the utter ruin of the truth and liberty
of the gospel. There is only one way to remove the obstacle, remove the source.
Paul told the Galatians they should stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ
had made them free. They should be very careful that they did not use the
liberty to indulge themselves in any corrupt affections and practices that
might create quarrels and contentions among them. They should love and serve
each other, maintain a mutual love and affection so that any minor differences
there might be among them, would not affect the respect and kindness to each
other.
The liberty we enjoy as Christians is not a licentious liberty. Though we ought
to stand fast in our Christian liberty, we should not use it as an occasion of
strife and contention with our fellow Christians but should always maintain an
attitude of love. This is what Paul is trying to convey to the Galatians. They
are to love their neighbor as themselves. Love is the sum of the whole law; as
love to God comprises the duties of the first table, so love to our neighbor is
the duties of the second. The apostle takes notice of the latter because he is
speaking of their behavior towards one another. This would be evidence of their
sincerity in their relation to God and the most likely means of rooting out
those dissensions and divisions that were among them.
Paul claims the Galatians, instead of acting like men and Christians; they were
behaving like animals. Paul’s point is mutual strife among brethren, if
persisted in, is likely to prove a common ruin. Christian churches cannot be
ruined if Christians help one another and do not act like animals, biting and
devouring each other. What can be expected when Christians act like beasts? The
God of love will deny His grace to them, the Spirit of love will depart from
them, and the evil spirit, who seeks the destruction of them all, will prevail.
The best antidote against the poison of sin is to walk in the Spirit. Commit
ourselves to the guidance of the word, wherein the Holy Spirit makes known the
will of God.
Paul identifies the works of the flesh are sins against the seventh
commandment, such as adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness.
Some are sins against the first and second commandments, as idolatry and
sorcery. Others are sins against our neighbor, and contrary to the royal law of
brotherly love, hatred, variance, wrath and strife. Others are sins against
ourselves, such as drunkenness and revellings. Paul gives us fair warning
these sins will separate us from God. They will shut men out of heaven if they
have not been washed and justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. God
will never admit them into His presence.
Paul specifies the fruits of the Spirit, or the renewed nature, which as
Christians we are to bring forth. The sins that shut men out of heaven are
called the works of the flesh because the flesh, or corrupt nature, is the
source of these sins. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control are evidence of the renewed nature of
men. They are called the fruits of the Spirit because they proceed from the
Holy Spirit, as the fruit does from the tree.
The works of the flesh, which are not only hurtful to the individual, they tend
to make an individual hurtful to others. The fruits of the Spirit have a
tendency to make Christians agreeable one to another. Those in whom these
fruits of the Spirit are found, the apostle says, there is no law condemning
them. These fruits of the Spirit, in whomsoever they are found, plainly
show that that person is led by the Holy Spirit. It also reveals the person who
is led by the Holy Spirit have crucified the flesh with all its affections and
lusts. Our relationship with God requires us not only to die unto sin, but also
to live unto righteousness; not only to oppose the works of the flesh, but also
to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit. This must be our sincere desire, to be
like Jesus. "If we profess to have received the Spirit of Christ, or
that we are renewed in the Spirit of Christ, or that we are renewed in the
spirit of our minds, let us show it by the proper fruits of the Spirit in our
lives.
Paul concludes this chapter with a caution against pride and envy. Now, as a
means of encouraging them he cautions them against being desirous of
vain-glory, or giving way to an undue affectation of the esteem and applause of
men, because this, if it were indulged, would certainly lead them to provoke
one another and to envy one another. The glory that comes from men is
vainglory, which, instead of being desirous of, we should be dead to it.
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