The Final Blow!

Paul now brings this letter to the Galatian churches to a close.   But in the process it would seem that he takes the pen from his amanuensis and writes the final conclusion himself.  An amanuensis was someone who wrote down what the Apostle was dictating.  They were scribes, secretaries.

We know that Paul did not physically write some of his letters. It seems like he may have dictated all of them to a scribe. The Book of Romans closes with the following statement: “I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.” (Romans 16:22, NIV).  In many letters Paul concluded the letter with his own hand (e.g. 1 Corinthians 16:2, Colossians 4:18, etc.) It was a sign of authenticity; and in this case he summarized the letter. So we read in Galatians 6:11–18 (NIV),

¹¹ See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! ¹² Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³ Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. ¹⁴ 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. 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. ¹⁷ From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. ¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

This conclusion does several things:  One, it gives a fresh and straightforward knock-out punch; it restates the point in the clearest of terms; and it concludes with Paul's personal testimony and greeting.  First the warning:

“Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.” (Galatians 6:12–13, NIV) 

"To this end, therefore, they teach circumcision as necessary to salvation, that they may remain in favour with them and avoid the persecution of the Cross . . . Your teachers (saith Paul) are vain heads, and not regarding the glory of Christ and your salvation, they seek only their own glory.  [1] Paul is able to cut right to the heart of the matter in those who are trying to lead the Galatians astray. They were trying to avoid persecution.  Thus they found a compromise.  But it was a compromise that robbed the Cross of its power and its significance. They also seemed to view the Galatians as a challenge, a game.  They wanted to be able to boast that they won them over to this odious doctrine. 

Then Paul makes a broader, more astounding claim: “Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.” (Galatians 6:13, NIV).  "For he saith, that not only the false apostles, but all the nation of the Jews which were circumcised, keep not the law, yea rather that they which were circumcised, in fulfilling the law fulfil it not." [2]  Luther then writes on to make plain the issue of keeping the Law in the flesh:

"Wherefore, although they keep the law outwardly in their actions; yet in keeping it, they keep it not. For without Holy Ghost the law cannot be kept. But the Holy Ghost cannot be received without Christ; and where the Holy Ghost dwelleth not, there dwelleth an unclean spirit, that is to say, despising God, and seeking his own [gain and] glory." [2] 

If one is not born of the Spirit.  If one does not have the Spirit.  If one does not rest in the enabling work of the Spirit -- they cannot keep the Law.  Paul makes this clear in Romans 8:6–9 (NIV),

⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. ⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

Without the Holy Spirit, the entire nation of Israel in the flesh are covenant-breakers, hostile to God. They cannot obey Him.  They need to be born-again.  They need that special work of the Spirit. More about that tomorrow.

Father, what a brilliant conclusion to this Letter.  What a challenging conclusion!  I wonder how much trouble and persecution I try to avoid but instead seek to water-down, compromise the Gospel? How easy it is to dance with the Devil.  Father, this compromise can be so easily rationalized.  These men thought they were keeping the Law.  They were filled with self-righteousness.  They hoped to win support to their new "christianity."   All they did was add one little element called circumcision to faith in Christ and they assumed everyone would be happy.  Just one little element!  No, it is Christ alone.  On Christ, the solid Rock I stand.  All else is sinking sand.  My hope alone is in You, Lord Jesus.  Nothing in my hands I bring.  Simply to the Cross I cling.  Wash my Savior or I die.  Today, Father I am refreshed in the truth that apart from the regenerating, enabling work of the Spirit, I cannot please You.  Help me Father to truly walk in the Spirit.  For the glory and beauty of Christ. Amen!

 

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1.  Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 6:12). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 6:13). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Proclaim Liberty!

Galatians 4:28–31 (NIV),

²⁸ Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. ²⁹ At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. ³⁰ But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” ³¹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

So the Apostle brings this conclusion: If you are a Christian you are like Isaac.  You are a child of promise.  You are the believing seed that is identified "and your children after you." But here's the downside: "Whosoever are born and live in Christ, and rejoice in this birth and inheritance of God, have Ishmael for their enemy and their persecutor . . . But God overthroweth their judgment and pronounceth this sentence against them, that because they are the children of the bondwoman, and persecute the children of the free-woman, therefore they shall be cast out of the house, and shall have no inheritance with the children of promise; to whom only the inheritance belongeth because they are the children of the freewoman." [1]  Legalists, slaves hate people who are free, but will have no part of the blessing.

This also implies "that those who teach the false gospel of justification by works should not be allowed to remain and teach in a church that follows Christ." [2]  "Christendom is critically infected with the deadly doctrine of the legalists. The crying need of the hour is for uncompromising men to proclaim the liberty in Christ which is the birthright of every believer." [3]

This then will lead us to the next topic that Paul addresses:“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, NIV)

 

Father this is decisive language of the Apostle.  It is not politically correct.  It will hurt people's feelings.  Christians are not to dance with those who do not believe in justification by faith in Christ and Christ alone.  Stop the music.  We are to cast them out.  We are to ἐκβάλλω [ek·bal·lo] -- deprive them of power and influence -- expel them -- with force but not violence. I live in a time Father where this is not accepted.  We are to tolerate people.  As long as they believe in Jesus.  This is the kind of language that gets people into trouble Father.  Will I have the courage of these biblical convictions to be strong in this day of tolerance?  Grant Father, even as that ancient brother prayed, grant me the ability to do Your will.  May the chips fall where they may.  Fight for freedom.  Freedom which Your Son and my Savior bled and died for. There is no compromise for the fame and glory of Christ and the ultimate freedom and joy of His Church.  Amen .

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1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 4:29). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2253). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

3. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2395). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

You Obey The Law By Not Doing The Law!

Galatians 3:10 (NIV),

¹⁰ For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

We enter into what might be one of the most significant and important "contradictions" and arguments in this Book.  Paul has established that Christians are justified by faith in Christ, not in the Law.  “know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.” (Galatians 2:16, NIV).

Now in this part of the discussion he appeals to Moses in Deuteronomy 27:26 (NIV),

²⁶ “Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

Paul has established that "the blessing was given to faithful Abraham before the law and without the law. Now like as Abraham believed in Christ which was to come, the giver of the blessing: so and by the same faith we believe in Christ which is come and present, and so are we now justified by faith, as Abraham was then justified by faith. They therefore which are under the law, are not blessed, but remain under the curse." [1] But then he goes on to say "that all men which are under the law, or under the works of the law, are accursed, or under the curse; that is to say, under sin, the wrath of God, and everlasting death." [1]  Paul and Moses seem to be at odds with each other.  Paul says if you do the works of the Law you will be cursed (i.e. you don't have faith in Christ alone) and Moses says if you don't do the works of the Law you are cursed.  

Luther argues that to "do the Law" is to obey the Law both externally and internally and do it perfectly. Then he asks, "But where shall we find him that will so accomplish the law?" [1]  Of course that man is Jesus Christ.  "Wherefore Moses together with Paul doth necessarily drive us to Christ, through whom we are made doers of the law, and are not accounted guilty of any transgression. How so? First by forgiveness of sins and imputation of righteousness, because of our faith in Christ. Secondly, by the gift [of God] and the Holy Ghost, which bringeth forth a new life and new motions in us, so that we may also do the law effectually."

We do the Law by first not doing the Law!  "For Christians are not made righteous in doing righteous things, but being now made righteous by faith in Christ, they do righteous things." [1] "It is impossible therefore, to accomplish the law without the promise, which is the preaching of Christ who was promised to Abraham, that through him the world should be blessed." [1]

In contemporary discussions this debate and "seeming contradiction" is posed to us from Catholics, legalists and often by well-meaning fundamentalists.  Some would argue that to expect salvation simply by faith alone will produce antinomian lifestyles.  But that is to misunderstand Law and Gospel.  For as Luther has rightly stated, the person that truly repents and turns to Christ for forgiveness of sin is made righteous and granted the Holy Spirit's help to live out this new life.  If there is no new life, one can argue that there has been no justification.

Father You do not grade our lives on a curve.  There is but one standard and that is perfect perfection.  I along with the entire human race have not lived one millisecond of perfection.  Your standards condemn us all, yet none of us can enter into an eternal relationship with You apart from perfection.  With Luther we ask, "Where can we find a man who can do this?"  Thanks be to You, Father, for the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is the Man.  He is the Perfect Man.  Jesus lived a perfect life and You Father have freely given to all who believe His perfection.  He died fully and completely for every millisecond of transgression: past, present and future.  He gave to those who have faith, the gift of the Holy Spirit to enable us to obey the Law, not to save us, but because we are saved. I am truly overwhelmed by Your grace.  Truly there is none like You.  To rest in the Law condemns us.  To rest in Jesus saves us and fulfills the Law.  That is truly amazing.  May I show today by my love and obedience to You that I have and am resting in Jesus.  Amen!

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1.  Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 3:10). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.