Justified by faith – Not By Works
By William R. Cunningham for Heidelberg UCC
Background
Not much is known about Galatia from archaeology. It was inhabited by immigrant Gauls from Thrace. The area of ancient Galatia, now in central modern-day Turkey, was the original home of the great Hittites. It later came to be occupied by Gallic Celts in the 3rd century BC. Galatia became part of the Roman empire in about the 2nd century BC and was surprisingly very loyal to the Roman empire.
The Jewish Christians (though they weren’t called Christian at this time) were teaching the gentiles that they had to observe Jewish law, rituals, and therefore, be circumcised. They were in effect stating that in order to be a Christian, one had to become as a Jew in addition to faith. This teaching advocated the stance that salvation was not merely by faith but included works.
We can get a better idea of why they possibly taught this by understanding where they came from. The Jews had the law and followed the law (in principle). They also had various rituals and customs that they adhered to. They were the keepers of God’s law and the conduit for the Messiah to come. They were special people and therefore, Jesus Christ belonged to them in a sense.
They seemed to not take kindly to the apparent fact that gentiles and Jews could receive the Messiah, i.e., salvation, the same way, and that being a Jew did not provide an advantage. Therefore, they began to teach something different than the pure gospel, by promoting works (as a Jew) instead of faith in Jesus Christ.
We find this same scenario today in many churches, i.e., they preach other things that have nothing to do with the gospel of Christ and in some cases are contrary to the gospel. We deal with the same things within the church that Paul dealt with in the church at its infancy.
Author
There is very little dispute among scholars that the Apostle Paul is the author of this epistle to the Church at Galatia.
Date
No one really knows when the epistle to the Galatians was written. There are two camps on the date of the letter and these differ by the believed destination of it. There are those that hold the letter was written to the northern Galatian territory (the ethnic territory), and there are those who believe that the letter was written to the southern territory, which was an extension of the original Galatia by the Romans, i.e., the Romans had expanded Galatia beyond its original borders.
If the epistle was written to the churches in the northern territory, north-central Asia Minor (Pessinus, Ancyra and Tavium) then it is believed that it was written between AD 53 and 57 from Ephesus or Macedonia. If the letter was written to the churches in the southern area of the Roman province of Galatia (Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe), then it was written from Syrian Antioch in 48 – 49 AD after Paul’s first journey and possibly before the Jerusalem council meeting (though some in the southern camp hold that it could have been after the Jerusalem council.
Here is a link to a very good article on Bible.org concerning the date and destination of this epistle: https://Bible.org/article/date-and-destination-galatians.
With that information, we can say with some certainty that the Epistle to the Galatians was written somewhere around 48 – 57 AD. It’s relation to the Jerusalem council is not definite because the date of the Jerusalem council is also not known for sure.
Recipients
This letter was written to the churches of Galatia. This could refer to the churches in the northern and/or southern part of the region. This was a circular letter, which means that it would have been circulated among the churches of Galatia.
There are four known churches in the region of Galatia.
- Antioch (Acts 13:14)
- Iconium (Acts 13:51)
- Lystra (Acts 14:8)
- Derbe (Acts 14:19-21)
Purpose
The purpose of this letter was to show the Galatian church that the Christian is justified by faith and not by works. The Judaizers were teaching new Christians that they had to abide by certain ceremonial (Jewish) practices in addition to believing in Jesus Christ in order to be saved. They believed that the Old Testament (OT) rites still applied to the New Testament church, and foremost that the gentiles had to be circumcised (become as Jews).
The Judaizers were Jewish Christians, who believed, among other things, that several of the ceremonial practices of the OT were still required for the church. The Judaizers challenged Paul’s apostleship. They also charged that Paul was compromising the Gospel by taking out the OT rituals in order to make the gospel more appealing to the Gentiles.
Paul answers these allegations by establishing his apostleship and teaching them that Christians are justified by faith and not by following laws and traditions, i.e., works.
Chapter 1
Greeting (1:1-5)
Paul greets the Galatian churches as an apostle of Jesus Christ. He establishes the fact that he is a full apostle who was called by Jesus Christ just as the other apostles were. He was not an apostle of man, but of Jesus Christ and therefore had the full authority as such.
Paul states that Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins, which is an important fact in this letter.
Another Gospel (1:6 – 10)
Paul said that he was astonished that they were so quickly pulled away from the gospel that he preached to them. They were, according to Paul, deserting God by following a new gospel (a false gospel). See 2 Corinthians 11:4.
Paul said that anyone who preached another gospel besides what they had already heard be accursed. That included even angels that may come down from heaven. The gospel is static, in that it does not change.
Application – So Many Doctrines (“Gospels”)
There are a multitude of “gospels” in the religious community of churches. There are a plethora of denominations and therefore a multitude of dogma, many not based on the word of God. There are many ministers who push their denomination instead of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the word of God.
There is only one true gospel, which is that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead and is now at the right hand of the Father (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). Those who believe in Jesus Christ is saved and will not perish (John 3:16).
Men Pleasers (1:10)
Paul says here that if he were trying to please men (i.e., people) then he would not be a servant of Christ. You cannot be bound to Christ and to people at the same time. Jesus said that we cannot have two masters (Matthew 6:24). Paul was not trying to please people, but rather God. We either therefore tell the truth about salvation (the gospel) or we don’t.
Matthew 6:24 (NKJV) — [24] “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Paul’s Apostleship (1:11 – 2:2)
Paul establishes the fact, in verse 11, that he is a true apostle of Jesus Christ and that he received the Gospel by revelation from Jesus Christ and not from man.
Paul describes his former activities that led him to his apostleship. We should note that Paul makes the point that his apostleship did not come from the original apostles, but from Christ. Paul lays out the details of how he became an apostle of Jesus Christ just like the others. He therefore had the authority of Jesus Christ as his messenger.
Chapter 2
Paul at Jerusalem (2:1 – 10)
Paul went to Jerusalem and preached to the Jews the same gospel that he preached to the gentiles.
Galatians 2:3–5 (NKJV) — [3] Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. [4] And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), [5] to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Paul states that he did not allow the Judaizers to bring them into bondage by their laws. Paul resisted this attack so that the truth of the Gospel might continue with the church at Galatia, i.e., not be corrupted. He said that Titus, who was a Greek (gentile) was compelled to be circumcised.
Paul said that it made no difference who the people were that seemed to be important (verse 6). The people that seemed to be important did not add anything to Paul’s presentation of the Gospel. We should remember that Paul received his apostleship directly from Christ, so, no man could claim to be something to Paul above Christ.
God does not show favoritism (2:6). We are all treated from the same righteousness and given no special standing with him because of anything we have done. The only thing that matters is whether or not we believe in Jesus Christ for salvation.
Paul Recognized as Apostle to Gentiles (2:7-10)
The original apostles recognized the ministry that God had given Paul and recognized him as such. He was given the right hand of fellowship.
The right hand of fellowship was a custom or practice that exists even today. It was a gesture of acceptance, recognition, or welcoming where the right hand was extended to be grasped. Even today, when we shake someone hand, we customarily extend our right hand to shake.
God gave Paul the ministering of the gospel to the Gentiles, whereas Peter ministered to the Jews.
Peters Hypocrisy (2:11-14)
Paul describes an incident where he confronted Peter about his hypocrisy. Peter would eat and fellowship with the Gentiles as he did with the Jews. However, when certain people from James came around, Peter would separate himself from the Gentiles. This gave the impression that there was a separation of Jews and Gentiles. It also implied that perhaps the Jews were better than the Gentiles. Others joined in Peter’s hypocrisy, which was very bad for the purity of the gospel message.
There are a couple of things to note here.
- Even ministers are human and make mistakes and have certain biases and the like
- Even the prominent ministers may need to be corrected.
Justified by Faith in Christ (2:15-16)
Galatians 2:16 (NKJV) — [16] knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
See also Romans chapters 3 and 4, as well as Romans 5:1.
There are a couple of things to note in this passage.
- We are justified (declared righteous before God) by our faith in Jesus Christ and not by the works of the law.
- Even the Jews had the very same access to salvation as the Gentiles.
We are not justified by the law, but rather by faith in Jesus Christ.
What does it mean to be justified? The word justify means to show or prove to be just or valid, to declare to be free of blame, to free a person of the penalty attached to grievous sin. To be justified is to be declared righteous. So, when the Bible says that we are justified by faith, it is telling us that we are declared righteous by God because of our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. We are, therefore, free from blame, and from the penalty of our sins.
Died to The Law (2:17-21)
Note what Paul says in verse 17. He says,
Galatians 2:17 (NKJV) — [17] “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ, therefore, a minister of sin? Certainly not!
The point is that apart from Christ we are not justified.
Galatians 2:18 (NKJV) — [18] For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
If after knowing the truth we go back to the lie, then we are indeed lawbreakers. The truth of Christ destroyed the letter of the law, or more precisely the righteousness that comes from the laws of men.
Galatians 2:19–20 (NKJV) — [19] For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. [20] I have been crucified with Christ; 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 for me.
Paul, as well as all Christians, died to the law. The law has no power over us. Why? We cannot be justified or declared righteous through the law. Therefore, in order to live to God, we must die to the law. This is why he says that he was crucified with Christ, who was the fulfillment of the law (See Matthew 5:17). I have died (the sin nature) and now the anointing lives in me (the Spirit of God).
The word “Christ” is the English rendering of the Greek Christos, meaning “anointed” or “anointed one.”
Galatians 2:21 (NKJV) — [21] I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
If we strive to establish our righteousness by following a set of religious laws (applying this to today), then we lay aside the grace of God. In other words, we say to God “what you have done is not good enough, so I am going to add something to make what you planned work properly.” We tell God that “your grace is not sufficient for me and I can’t live by faith.” Righteousness does not come by the law (any law) but through faith in Jesus Christ.
Chapter 3
The Foolish Galatians (3:1 – 4)
The Galatian church had been fooled by the Judaizers into believing another “gospel.” How could they fall away from the truth that they had preached to them by Paul? Jesus was clearly presented to them as being crucified for their sins, and now they have in effect denied that by accepting another “gospel.”
Paul later asks them a very interesting question: “I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?” (Galatians 3:2 NIV) That was kind of a rhetorical question. On the one hand, the Spirit was received by faith. On the other hand, according to the false gospel, the Spirit is received ty works. The Galatians were indeed taken away as so many are to this day.
We have to be careful and guard our hearts from being pulled away from the gospel truth, namely that we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ, not by works. It is so easy for us to get into a works mentality instead of continuing in the faith.
Abraham’s RIGHTEOUSNESS BY Faith (3:5 – 9)
Abraham was considered righteous by God because he believed God (See Genesis 15:6). He was not considered righteous because he kept the law, any law. Therefore, those who are of faith are descendants of Abraham.
The Curse Of The Law (3:10 – 14)
Paul presents the argument that anyone who is under the law is under a curse (See Deuteronomy 27:26). If you do not live by faith but insist on living by the law, then you are cursed because no one keeps all the law. There are traditionally 613 laws in the Torah (Gk Pentateuch, the first 5 books of the Bible)
No one has ever been able to keep the whole law, except Jesus Christ who fulfilled it. The law is a whole and breaking any law is breaking all the law. Unfortunately, Christians tend to focus on the 10 Commandments, which gives the impression that those 10 laws were somehow special. They were only a very small part of the whole law. If a person wanted to be saved by keeping the law, then he or she would have to keep all 613 of them all the time (their entire life). However, the Bible declares that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
The Bible tells us in Romans 1:17 and Habakkuk 2:4 that the righteous will live by his faith. Therefore, if we apply the principle that Jesus describes in Matthew 6:24 (You can’t serve two masters), we see that you cannot live by faith and live by the law at the same time. Either you are one or the other: a faith person (blessed) or law abider (cursed).
Paul then says,
“The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”” (Galatians 3:12 NIV)
There is no faith necessary to live by the law. You are like robots just doing what you are told. There is no mind of Christ, no direct dependency on God. You just do what you are told like a robot. You just live your entire life following a bunch of instructions not pursuing a fellowship with God and seeking his will.
All Christians must realize that Jesus Christ came and redeemed us from the curse of the law. He was cursed for us and died as a result of the penalty of that curse (See Deuteronomy 21:22-23). Therefore, Jesus Christ died for our sins by becoming sin (the cursed) for us, and He rose from the dead so that we could live. Jesus Christ said himself,
“”Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17 NIV)
And
“I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:18 NIV)
Therefore, if I am in Christ (the anointing) then the law has been fulfilled in me and all that I have to do is live by faith.
We receive the promise of the Spirit of God not by observing the law but by faith.
Since we receive the salvation of God by faith, it is not necessary for us to become like Jews and follow the Torah (the law). Gentiles can receive salvation by faith, and so can the Jews.
Receiving the Promise by Faith (3:14)
Note what Paul says here. He says,
“He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” (Galatians 3:14 NIV)
Paul uses the word Gentile in the latter verse. What actually is a gentile and am I a part of that group of people. The Holman Bible Dictionary describes “gentile” as people who are not part of God’s chosen family at birth and thus can be considered “pagans.”
An Example Given By Paul (Galatians 3:15-18)
The promises that God made to Abraham were given to him and to his seed. See Genesis 17:19. God made a covenant with Abraham and his seed. The seed referred to here is not Abraham’s descendants, according to Paul. The seed referred to here is Jesus Christ. Paul is referring to Genesis 12:7. However, he is kind of splitting hairs here, so to speak. The Hebrew and corresponding Greek word (sperma) were in the singular (a noun). Paul takes that fact to say that it referred ultimately to Christ. However, it could also refer to a collective and mean all of Abraham’s descendants. The point that Paul was making here is that we (Gentiles) are partakers of the promise to Abraham through Christ and by faith.
The covenant that God made was not based on Abraham’s obedience to the law since the law didn’t come until about 430 years later. The covenant was based on Abraham’s faith and the promise of God.
The Purpose of the Law (3:19-25)
If the blessing of Abraham does not come from the law, then what was the purpose of the law? Paul said that the law was added because of transgressions until the seed, Jesus Christ, came. Paul also states that the law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. See Deuteronomy 33:2 and Acts 7:53. This refers to the concept that God spoke to Moses via spiritual messengers (angels) and that Moses was the mediator of the law between God and humans.
Paul says that the law was a tutor to keep us until Christ came. After all, if there was no law that said not to kill, then we wouldn’t know it was sin. The law revealed our sinful nature
Now since Christ has come, and we are now justified by faith, then we are no longer under the law, because faith has come as promised. The law couldn’t bring life, but it held the people in place until the life of God was manifest for all people so that they could walk in faith being reconciled to God.
We Too Are Abraham’s Seed (3:26-29)
Paul now tells the Galatians,
Galatians 3:26–29 (NKJV) — [26] For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. [27] For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
We are one with Christ. We are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Since we are one with Christ, i.e., in Christ, then we too are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise of God.
Chapter 4
Heirs with Christ (4:1-7)
Before Christ came, we could be thought of as little children in the sense that we needed a guide until maturity.
When the time came, God sent Jesus Christ onto the earth; born of a woman and under the law, to redeem us from the law. Jesus Christ would make it possible for us to be adopted (grafted into the family of) by God. Since we are now sons of God, through Jesus Christ, we have the Spirit of Christ in us that cries ‘Abba Father.’ (See Mark 14:36 and Romans 8:15).
Abba is an Aramaic word that referred to intimacy. It means more than mere daddy, as is sometimes claimed. It represents an intimate relationship with the Father.
Again, Paul makes the point that we are heirs of God through Christ.
Why Go Back to Bondage? (4:8-20)
Paul goes back to the original point of the Galatians: turning from the true gospel, which was taught and believed. Now that they are free from bondage, they want to go back into bondage (under the law) by submitting themselves to false teachings linked to obeying the law and not faith.
Paul appeals to the love they had for him at the beginning. They would have done “anything” for him when he first preached to them while being sick somehow.
Galatians 4:17 (NKJV) — [17] They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.
What the Judaizers wanted was to separate the Galatians from the truth that they had already heard and caused them to be zealous for their beliefs. Paul also expressed his doubts about them.
Paul became like them (under the law), but he wanted them to be like he had become (of faith).
Children Of The Free (4:21-31)
In Galatians 4:21-31 Paul illustrates the two covenants (the law and faith respectively) by using Isaac and Ishmael, born of Sarah and Hagar respectively. The free son born under the promise (Isaac) was persecuted by the son of bondage (Ismael), just as it was with the Judaizers and the Gentiles.
Ishmael was born by normal means. Isaac, on the other hand, was the direct result of a promise from God and the faith of Abraham. Since Isaac did not come by immaculate conception, we must assume that Abraham acted on God’s promise by sexual intercourse with his wife Sarah.
We are not children of the bondwoman (Hagar), but of the free (Sarah and Abraham).
Chapter 5
Once we are free in Christ, we have to stand firm in that freedom or liberty. Where God is there is no bondage because where God is there is liberty (See 2 Corinthians 3:17). If we are not careful, then we can fall for some other doctrine and enter bondage of that doctrine being alienated from the freedom given to us through Jesus Christ.
Compromising The Gospel Of Truth – Circumcision (5:1-12)
“Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.” (Gal 5:2 NIV)
Allowing oneself to be circumcised in this context meant that you placed yourself under the law in trying to earn your salvation, even after Jesus Christ was plainly shown to have died for your sins and that you can be saved by faith in Jesus’ redemptive act. You cannot be of faith and of works at the same time (See Matthew 6:22-24) and being double-minded (See James 1:6-8).
Paul says that it is by faith that they eagerly (with expectation) wait for the righteousness that they hope for (expect to see). In Christ there is no value in following the law unto righteousness but faith that expresses itself through love. God has done everything concerning man’s redemption because of his love for man. Love is the underlying principle for all that God does.
“”A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”” (Galatians 5:9 NIV)
You only put a small amount of yeast in bread and yet the entire loaf is affected (See Matthew 6:6-12, 1 Corinthians 5:6, 15:33).
This was directed at those who were spreading the false gospel in the church. That person, Paul says, will be judged (3:10)
Galatians 5:11 (NKJV) — [11] And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.
This appears to indicate something that Paul was responding to in his letter. Perhaps the Judaizers were telling the church that Paul condoned what they were teaching or perhaps that Paul was really preaching the same thing. Paul appears here to be refuting such claims.
Verse 12 indicates how serious Paul took this. He said that if they wanted to circumcise themselves, then to complete castrate themselves.
Our Liberty Is Not A License To Sin (5:13,14)
Paul says,
“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13 NIV)
Though Christians are not required to keep the Law of Moses for salvation, they are not to live any way that they want to live. Our liberty is not a license to sin. We are all required to live a godly life. What we are to do is to serve each other in love (motivated by love).
Consider the following diagram taken from a teaching by David Pawson (Galatians [2] – Unlocking the Bible at https://youtu.be/1QTio7vjFYQ ).
David created a diagram that illustrates the relationship between legalism, liberty, and license. He made the point that license was just as dangerous as legalism with regards to our liberty in Christ and therefore our experiential relationship with God. We have to be careful to stay on the straight and narrow else we may fall into legalism (salvation by works) or license, thinking that we can do whatever we want because we are forgiven.
Paul then goes on to repeat a teaching given by Jesus in Matthew 22:39,40 and commanded by God in Leviticus 19:18. Paul says,
“The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14 NIV)
If we do not love each other, as Paul states in verse 15, then we should look out else we will be destroyed by each other. If all are serving each other in love, then all will be served in love. If all are devouring each other then all will be devoured.
Living By The Spirit (5:16-18)
“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” (Galatians 5:16 NIV)
If you are busy living by the Spirit of God, then you are just as much NOT gratifying the desires of the sinful nature. The converse is NOT true. If I live to NOT gratify the things of the flesh, then I am not necessarily living by the Spirit. Therefore, concentrate on living by the Spirit and you will automatically live less by the flesh. The more Spirit living you live the less flesh living you live.
If the Spirit, therefore, leads you then you are not under the law. The Spirit gives life and sanctifies us, which the law cannot do.
The Acts Of The Sinful Nature (5:19-21)
(Galatians 5:19-21 NIV) “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; {20}idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions {21}and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
The following are the definitions to the “acts of the sinful nature” listed in the above scripture. Note that the definitions are in the context of this scripture since some of the words have multiple meanings that do not apply here.
Sexual Immorality: This refers to anything that is sexually immoral based on accepted standards (God’s standards). This could also refer to adultery, which is sexually immoral.
Impurity: State of being or process of not becoming free of inferior elements or ritual uncleanness. Being physically or morally unclean. Spiritually unclean, unchaste, hypocritical or mixed minded
Debauchery: Lascivious, extreme indulgence, uncontrolled, to corrupt others. Let’s look at the word lascivious since this is the word that the King James Bible uses. Lasciviousness is a KJV term for an unbridled expression of sexual urges (Mark 7:22; 2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 4:19; 1 Pet. 4:3; Jude 4). RSV translated the underlying Greek as licentiousness; the NASB, as sensuality. Other translations used a variety of terms: debauchery; indecency; lewdness; sexual sin.
Idolatry: Worship other gods. Giving your allegiance to another instead of God the Father.
Witchcraft: The practice of witches; sorcery; black magic. The practice of attempting to contact supernatural powers to determine answers to questions hidden to humans and usually involving the future. The use of drugs and magical potions
Hatred: Passionate dislike, detestation. A strong negative reaction, a feeling toward someone considered an enemy as well.
Discord: Lack of agreement, strife, contention, conflict
Jealousy: Hostility towards a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage (approximates envy). Resentment, covetousness, envious.
Fits of rage: Temper tantrum; Acting out hatred or anger (See James 1:19,20; Ephesians 4:26)
Selfish Ambitions: Wanting gain with no thought for meeting the needs of others. To consume what we obtain on our own lusts (See James 4:3)
Dissensions: Violent disagreement, strife, discord, divisions
Factions: A group or clique seeking to promote partisan interests.
Envy: A feeling of discontent excited by the prosperity of another person; desire for possessions and advantages of another person; covetous. Painful or resentful awareness of another’s advantage joined with the desire to possess the same advantage.
Drunkenness: Being intoxicated. A state of dizziness, headaches, and vomiting resulting from drinking alcoholic beverages.
Orgies: Secret rites, secret worship, violent passion, any wild riotous merrymaking, an overindulgence in any activity.
Note Paul’s statement: “ I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.“ This implies a lifestyle of the acts of the sinful nature.
It is important to not fall into the same trap that the Galatian church had fallen into. Some may take the list above and start checking them off as something they don’t do, and therefore justify themselves. Remember that Paul is writing to the Galatian church in response to conditions there. It is very possible and probable that the things he listed are the things that may have been going on there or what was common for gentiles.
A person who lives after the flesh is not living after the Spirit. Those who do not live after the Spirit do not have Christ and therefore, as Paul says, will no inherit the Kingdom of God.
Fruits of the Spirit (5:22,23)
Paul contrasts the fruits of the flesh with the fruits of the Spirit,
(Galatians 5:22-23 NIV) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, {23}gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.”
Love
The Bible says that God is love (1 John 4:8). The Bible also states that
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, always hopes, always preserves.”- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
Love is the very nature of God the Father.
Joy: The happy state that results from knowing and serving God. A number of Greek and Hebrew words are used in the Bible to convey the ideas of joy and rejoicing. We have the same situation in English with such nearly synonymous words as joy, happiness, pleasure, delight, gladness, merriment, Felicity, and enjoyment. It should be noted that joy is not a mere emotion but may cause an emotional response.
Peace: A spirit of tranquility and freedom from inward and outward disturbances or circumstances. Being still.
Patience: The ability to consistently wait and to tolerate. The ability to go through trials – longsuffering. An active endurance of opposition, not a passive resignation. Patience and patient are used to translate several Hebrew and Greek words. Patience is endurance, steadfastness, longsuffering, and forbearance.
Kindness: Benevolent, thoughtfulness, considerate. The steadfast love that maintains relationships through gracious aid in times of need.
Goodness: Well behaved. Having desirable or positive qualities.
Faithfulness: Being faithful. Steadfast, dedicated, dependable, and worthy of trust. It is derived from the Hebrew root having the basic meaning “to trust (a person),” or “to believe (a statement).” This is the same root that gives us the word “amen.” The derived meaning is that the one so described is trustworthy, dependable, trusting, or loyal.
Gentleness: Meekness, peaceful, mild-mannered, not harsh
Self-Control: The ability to retain your composure, to remain in control of your actions. Modern translations’ term for several Greek words indicating a sober, temperate, calm, and dispassionate approach to life, having mastered personal desires and passions.
The Crucified Sin Nature
Paul says,
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24 NIV)
The term “have crucified” means to become separated from the dominion of the sinful nature by our identification with Christ in His death. See Romans 6:2. Before we were saved, we were in bondage to the sin nature. We were separated from (dead to) God and connected to the sin nature passed down to us from Adam. However, when we became born again, the sin nature was put to death. That is, we were freed from its bondage and connected to God. The sin nature is therefore crucified in those who are born again.
The next thing Paul says illustrates that it is up to us to actively live a lifestyle according to the Spirit of God. He says,
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25 NIV)
Since we are no longer in bondage to the sin-nature (the flesh), we are at liberty and have the power within us according to the Spirit of God in us, to live by that Spirit.
Chapter 6
Caught In Sin (6:1-2)
Paul now deals with the subject of what to do if someone is caught in sin. He says,
“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1 NIV)
The word caught here means to be apprehended, caught by surprise, “caught red-handed.” Paul says that we should restore the person gently. Why gently? If we try to snatch the person back onto the right path, then we may cause them to go into denial (our first reaction to the revelation of sin is to hide). If a person goes into denial, then they may become offended at your “accusations.” In this way, they will have dug themselves deeper into their sin and you will have a much more difficult time getting them restored. Also, gentleness presents an air of non-condemnation. If we approach someone gently, then they are more likely to receive what you tell them because they will perceive that you are not trying to be a judge.
However, Paul does say that we should be careful else we might become tempted as well and find ourselves in sin too. We are to bear with each other and thus fulfill the law, which is Christian love).
Proper Perspective Of Self (6:3-5)
We should not think more of ourselves than what we are. We shouldn’t consider ourselves a great person when we are not. It is our responsibility to examine our own self and then determine where we are. Only then can we think properly of ourselves. See also Romans 12:3. We do not compare ourselves with others when we evaluate ourselves. We only examine our own actions, motives, etc. to determine where we are in our Christian walk.
Do Good (6:6-10)
Paul says,
“Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.” (Galatians 6:6 NIV)
This scripture establishes the principle that those who instruct you in the word are worthy of good things. The “good things” here represents material things. We normally give gifts or money to people to show our appreciation for their helping (instructing) us. Therefore, it is OK to give ministers of the word gifts and/or money. This is sharing all good things. We can also give these people our time (labor) when needed, assistance when needed and more.
Jesus said that a workman is worthy of his keep (meat). These people deserve to be blessed by you. The word of God is the most important thing to the Christian’s life. From it springs fruit to meet every need: material, spiritual, and psychological (See Matthew 4:4).
Sowing And Reaping
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7 KJV)
Here is a basic Spiritual principle, which states that the harvest that you will reap is the result of the seeds that you have sown. Therefore, you reap what you sow. If you sow friendship, then you will receive friendship (not necessarily from the person or people to whom you sowed).
Now Paul applies this principle to the spiritual nature and the sin nature. He says,
Galatians 6:8 (NKJV) — [8] For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
If you sow to your flesh (the sin nature) then you will reap whatever that sin nature produced according to what was sown. The general or broad classification of what will be produced is corruption. If you sow to the Spirit, then you will reap what the Spirit produces: perpetual life.
Sow Persistently (6:9,10)
Galatians 6:9 (NKJV) — [9] And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Sometimes we can get to the point where we ask ourselves if all that we do is worth anything. However, don’t get discouraged or weary. Be patient (a trait of the Spirit), and you will reap what you have sown.
Paul then goes on to say that we should do good whenever the opportunity presents itself. See Proverbs 3:27.
PAUL TAKES THE PEN (6:11)
“See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!” (Galatians 6:11 NIV)
This letter to the Galatians was written by a scribe for Paul up to this point. Now Paul takes the pen from his scribe and finishes the letter himself with large letters. Some believe that Paul wrote in large letters for emphasis and others believe it was because of an eye illness. There seems to be no indication that Paul used the large letters due to an eye ailment.
True Motives (6:12,13)
“Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.” (Galatians 6:12 NIV)
The Jewish Christians who were spreading the false gospel that Paul attacks in this letter, were only thinking of themselves. They were fearful of the Jews who opposed the Christians and used this doctrine of circumcision to appease them so that they would not be a target for persecution. They compelled others to follow suit probably to justify their fears and actions. In other words, the Judaizers were not interested in the salvation of the Galatians. They were acting simply on their own fears.
Though the Judaizers compelled the Gentiles to keep the law, they themselves did not.
Crucified To The World (6:14)
Paul says,
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14 NIV)
This statement means that Paul has been separated from the world (world system) and that system is separated from him. Paul was in the world, but not of the world. He did not conform to the ways of the world but remained true to Christ.
The New Creation
“Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.” (Galatians 6:15 NIV)
The only thing that really matters to the Christian is that we are a new creation. Circumcision or no circumcision does not matter. Paul also says,
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)
We are new, so, live the new life in Christ.
Final Blessing
Paul ends his letter by asking them not to bother him any longer. He was evidently going through something. Perhaps he was being persecuted. He had already said that he had doubts about them.
Amen – So be it.
Conclusion
There are a couple of primary points made in this letter.
- We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by works or following the law
- We should not fall for false doctrines and find ourselves alienated from Christ.
It is interesting that what Paul describes in this letter still happen in churches today. There are so many extra-biblical doctrines regarding salvation, that one wonders where to turn for truth. There is a plethora of religions to chose from and many denominations within the Christian church. The message or objective of Christianity is rather simple. Preach Christ so that people would enter into an eternal relationship with God. This relationship is established through faith in Jesus Christ and not by trying to earn it through works.