Galatians 3:23–29 (NIV),
Verses 23-24 are very difficult to interpret. It might be interesting to the reader that Luther gave this section very little attention. We don't know why but perhaps the complexity of it was part of the reason.
Paul has already established that the faith of Abraham and the Christian faith are synonymous. So the faith he refers to in verse 23 must have a different nuance. The key is the idea of something being "locked up". I would conclude that this must refer to Paul's notion of "mystery" where in other places he describes an idea that for a period of time God's plan for the ages was "locked up" -- a mystery. But now it has been revealed. "A “mystery” in the New Testament is something that had at one time been hidden but is now revealed to God’s people. Jesus spoke of “the mystery of the kingdom of God” (Mark 4:11, NAS) that He was at that point revealing to His disciples. The apostle Paul used the word mystery 21 times in his Epistles. In each case, the “mystery” involved a wonderful declaration of spiritual truth, revealed by God through divine inspiration. A mystery is that “which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets” (Ephesians 3:5). [1]
This mystery of the Kingdom had long been prophesied Abraham along with others had a sense of it. But as to how and when and by whom was not clear until the time of Christ. Now we see that it was the presence of the Law that kept God's eternal plan under wraps. But now that Christ has come, the mystery is no longer a mystery. Here we see another purpose of the Law. Why?
Paul has already established that the faith of Abraham and the Christian faith are synonymous. So the faith he refers to in verse 23 must have a different nuance. The key is the idea of something being "locked up". I would conclude that this must refer to Paul's notion of "mystery" where in other places he describes an idea that for a period of time God's plan for the ages was "locked up" -- a mystery. But now it has been revealed. "A “mystery” in the New Testament is something that had at one time been hidden but is now revealed to God’s people. Jesus spoke of “the mystery of the kingdom of God” (Mark 4:11, NAS) that He was at that point revealing to His disciples. The apostle Paul used the word mystery 21 times in his Epistles. In each case, the “mystery” involved a wonderful declaration of spiritual truth, revealed by God through divine inspiration. A mystery is that “which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets” (Ephesians 3:5). [1]
This mystery of the Kingdom had long been prophesied Abraham along with others had a sense of it. But as to how and when and by whom was not clear until the time of Christ. Now we see that it was the presence of the Law that kept God's eternal plan under wraps. But now that Christ has come, the mystery is no longer a mystery. Here we see another purpose of the Law. Why?
"So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian." That word "guardian" can also be translated "tutor." It is the Greek word παιδαγωγός [2] [pahee·dag·o·gos] [see Note 3]. So the Law was a means of protecting the "mystery" until the fullness of time had come; until this mystery could be comprehended in maturity. I think this will become more clear as we look into Galatians 4:1f.
So now Paul reaches his conclusion to the theological argument. “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26–29, NIV) "The Galatians, though they are Gentiles, are eligible for adoption through faith in Christ. Observance of the law is not a requirement or condition for becoming a child of God . . . he emphasizes here that the standard categories (race, social status, and gender), which normally divide people, no longer apply to those “in Christ.” It is not that people cease to be male or female; rather, these distinctions are not grounds for exclusion from the life that God offers all people in Christ." [5]
How does one benefit from this relationship? Paul introduces a new word in this Letter: "baptized". "This is how one becomes united to Christ. This is not baptismal regeneration and does not refer to water baptism, for that never put anyone into Christ. Paul speaks of the baptism of the Holy Spirit which places all true believers into a living union with Christ (1 Cor 12:12–13), and with each other (Eph 4:15–16). The Greek passive voice means that this was done for them and not by them. Baptism in water symbolizes, but does not effect, this glorious experience." [6] Salvation then is essentially union with Christ and it is accomplished through faith in Him -- alone.
Then Paul repeats but makes clear that this is the exact way that Abraham was justified and therefore if you are united to Christ, you have the same faith as Abraham. You are of all intent of purpose a real Jew. "Thus, by union with Christ, believers become "Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Here that which Paul had previously declared to be Christ's—the inheritance of the promise made to Abraham (3:16)—he now applies to the Christian church as a whole by virtue of its actually being Christ's body." [7]
The implications of this are profound and the most important is that all the promises given to Abraham's seed according to the flesh (Israel) are ultimately found in fulfillment in Abraham's Seed, Jesus Christ. And all who have faith in Christ share in the same faith as Abraham (and all true believers from all ages) and are counted as Abraham's spiritual seed, thereby sharing in the promises to Abraham from a spiritual nature. (To read more on this in detail I encourage you to read Abraham's Four Seeds, by John Reisinger. It can be read online by going to this LINK.
This teaching of course flies in the face of all who call themselves Dispensational or even Covenantal. It removes the importance of ethnicity and elevates faith. Even to the Jews of his time, Jesus had to correct their thinking when He said, “If you were Abraham’s children, then you would do what Abraham did.” (John 8:39, NIV). Abraham believed. Abraham had faith. Later in this Letter, in Galatians 6:15–16, Paul will make this very plain: 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.
Father, Your ways are often so elaborate and complicated, its hard to understand what and why You've done what You've done. There is a 'not knowing' when it comes to You. This is no surprise to me because You are God and I am not. Yet You do give us sufficient understanding and this passage is an example of that. The New Testament writers always understood the prophecies of the Old Testament to be spiritual in nature. They transcend ethnicity so that they can include all ethnic people. The Gospel if for all and Christ is the treasure. Father, by Your Spirit, enable me to embrace with great joy the truth of salvation by faith alone in Christ alone. And Father may that bedrock of faith provide the inertia to live for You more fully and more obediently today. For the glory of Christ. Amen!
This teaching of course flies in the face of all who call themselves Dispensational or even Covenantal. It removes the importance of ethnicity and elevates faith. Even to the Jews of his time, Jesus had to correct their thinking when He said, “If you were Abraham’s children, then you would do what Abraham did.” (John 8:39, NIV). Abraham believed. Abraham had faith. Later in this Letter, in Galatians 6:15–16, Paul will make this very plain: 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.
Father, Your ways are often so elaborate and complicated, its hard to understand what and why You've done what You've done. There is a 'not knowing' when it comes to You. This is no surprise to me because You are God and I am not. Yet You do give us sufficient understanding and this passage is an example of that. The New Testament writers always understood the prophecies of the Old Testament to be spiritual in nature. They transcend ethnicity so that they can include all ethnic people. The Gospel if for all and Christ is the treasure. Father, by Your Spirit, enable me to embrace with great joy the truth of salvation by faith alone in Christ alone. And Father may that bedrock of faith provide the inertia to live for You more fully and more obediently today. For the glory of Christ. Amen!
___________________________________
1. Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/mystery-of-God.html#ixzz38IiB9bWJ
2. Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
2. Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
3. Among the Greeks and the Romans the name was applied to trustworthy slaves who were charged with the duty of supervising the life and morals of boys belonging to the better class. The boys were not allowed so much as to step out of the house without them before arriving at the age of manhood.
4. Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study Bible: Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James Version (Ga 3:24). Nashville: T. Nelson.
5. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 3:26–29). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
6. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2389). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
7. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Galatians/Exposition of Galatians/II. Paul's Defense of the Gospel (3:1-4:31)/B. The Doctrinal Argument (3:6-4:7)/5. Heirs with Abraham (3:23-29), Book Version: 4.0.2
8. The use of the word "seed" without the article is of great importance, for it keeps the necessity of a union with Christ constantly before the Galatians. The prize the legalizers had been holding before the eyes of the Galatian Christians and by which they had hoped to win them to the ceremonial aspects of Judaism was the possibility of becoming part of the seed of Abraham. They meant physical seed. Paul now replies that what the legalizers were offering through circumcision was actually already theirs in Christ. But it was only theirs in him. He is the seed to whom the promises were made. Believers enter into the promises by entering into him, thereby also becoming spiritual seed to God. (Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Galatians/Exposition of Galatians/II. Paul's Defense of the Gospel (3:1-4:31)/B. The Doctrinal Argument (3:6-4:7)/5. Heirs with Abraham (3:23-29), Book Version: 4.0.2)
No comments:
Post a Comment