Paul uses blistering language against the false teachers who were trying to multiply their influence by convincing the Jewish converts the necessity of keeping the Law of Moses. This passage is rich not only in condemnation but in expressing the positive attitudes and actions of those who had a mind to obey the one in whom they had faith, Jesus Christ. Galatians 5 5:1 For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage. [Does it matter where we worship or how we worship? Does it matter to whom we entrust our offerings to God? Does doctrine matter? Does it matter what church leaders bind upon the Lords flock? Does Paul need to be instructed on being tolerant of the beliefs of others? This one verse should answer these questions, but for sure the remainder of this chapter and the letter will further confirm the obvious.] 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. [Receive circumcision -- teach it or allow it to be taught as a doctrine in the church. It could be practiced as an individual decision for reasons other than it being commanded of God (see Acts 16: 1-3). These are believers that Paul is talking to. Profit you nothing -- does this mean they would lose their salvation? We are sure that those who teach otherwise will have a lengthy explanation why this could not possibly be the meaning. We recommend that the normative meaning of this simple statement be believed. Nothing means nothing.] 3 Yea, I testify again to every man that receives circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. [It seems that circumcision was the tip of the iceberg and that quite often the false teachers would only emphasize this one part of the law. We say this because of the many places where circumcision is attacked by Paul as seemingly the only doctrinal difference. This verse implies that some were teaching circumcision as though it were the only doctrinal difference from the gospel. Paul warns against this step toward enslavement. Any first departure from the pure gospel of Christ will soon be followed by others. Why is this? Simply because of the reasoning: if this is required then why is that not required? Or conversely, if we can do this, then why cant we do that. Our children are excellent logicians in this regard, able to see hypocrisy for what it is quite clearly in their parents and others. If the first step is rationalized it will be followed by other steps unless there is repentance and a return to the truth.] 4 Ye are severed from Christ, ye would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace. [This reiterates the truth of the simplest interpretation of Verse 2. The argument is often made: they (the fallen) were never saved to begin with. But how can one be severed from Christ who was never in Christ? How can one be fallen away from grace who was never in grace? Those who would go beyond the teaching of Christ as given in the the gospel will not find a very comfortable place to stand in the day of judgment.] 5 For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. [As contrasted with the works of the law. Does this mean that we do nothing but wait? Again we urge a review of Romans 1:16-17, where the saving power of God, the gospel, is defined in terms of faith and the righteousness of God -- all of which are brought together in this verse. The righteous (those made righteous by the blood of Christ) shall live by faith -- not just wait around. So, in what sense do we wait? In the sense that we do not possess eternal life right now in the sense that it cannot be lost. So we wait in faithfulness for the coming of our Lord. The is confirmed in the next verse.] 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love. [One motive for this statement was to dissuade Gentiles from getting the idea that Paul is teaching that all you have to do to be saved is to be uncircumcised. Salvation was/is not based on keeping the old law or the rejection of the old law. It is based on a system of faith that will (without exception) cause us to work through love. Our faith will motivate love, and our love will motivate our keeping the entirety of the teaching or the One that we believe in, Jesus Christ (1 John 5:3). This provides additional meaning to the righteous shall live by faith of Romans 1:16-17.] 7 Ye were running well; who hindered you that ye should not obey the truth? [Was it Paul? Was it the faithful preachers and teachers that were there? Was it those who were being guided by the Holy Spirit? Or was it those who were jealous of their former positions of leadership in the Synagogue? This is more than a rhetorical question in that false teachers will without exception blame those who are teaching the truth for causing the problem. Who else could they blame? Themselves? The answer to this question was crucial to the Galatians -- if they did not identify the source of the error they would never be able to escape it. Like many other passages, this teaches that the truth requires more than belief; it can and should be obeyed. Running – a sports analogy comparable to that used at the end of 1 Corinthians 9 and into the 10th chapter where Paul wrote on very much the same subject.] 8 This persuasion (came) not of him that calls you. [No doubt they were blaming Paul. Paul asserts that it did not come from Paul, since the calling is of God (John 6:44-45), and Paul was just echoing this call.] 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence to you-ward in the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubles you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. [Bear his judgment -- again words that would indicate the ultimate fate of those who have fallen from grace and are teaching something that is not in the doctrine of Christ. We suspect that the little leaven was the teaching of circumcision as a what does it really matter type of thing. It could also refer to the fact that there were only a few in the church who were teaching it. Consistent with our comments for verse 3 above, error will not be satisfied to stop with a little leaven, but will cause the entire small lump to swell into a large loaf. Paul is also expressing his confidence in them that once they read and understand what he is saying, they will see the truth, and the false teachers will be exposed.]
Posted on: Fri, 11 Jul 2014 05:28:48 +0000
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