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Galatians 6:15 – New Creation

Posted on March 26, 2008 by admin

Galatians 6:15

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Truth to Learn

Our attempts to cause, or secure, salvation are a waste of effort.

Behind the Words

The word translated “avails” is the verb ischuō, which means “to have force” or “to exercise force.” Hence, Paul is saying that neither circumcision nor lack of circumcision has any force (or carries any weight). Neither the presence not absence of circumcision makes any difference regarding our standing before God.

“New” is translated from the adjective kainos. Indeed, this word means “new,” but not new in terms of age, rather new in terms of quality. The new creation is one that is a new kind of creation.

The word “creation” is translated from the noun ktisis. This is derived from the verb ktidzo, meaning “to create” or “to form.” It is used to express the act of creation, but it is also used to express the thing created.

Meaning Explained

Paul now makes a very clear statement regarding the doctrine of salvation. This seemingly innocuous verse, buried in the last chapter of his letter to the Galatians, is possibly the most important and poignant verse in the entire letter. The False teachers in the Galatian churches taught that complete salvation depended on full observance of the law, especially circumcision. Paul now topples their house of cards with a single statement; “circumcision is nothing!”

According to Paul, church ritualism and church rules have absolutely nothing to do with salvation. Let me state that again, church ritualism and church rules have absolutely nothing to do with salvation. It comes about because of a new creation of God’s doing, not because of anything that man does or doesn’t do. Paul is telling the Galatian Christians that there is nothing that they can do to effect their salvation any more or less than what God has already done for them.

It is this transformed life and the spiritual anointing that only God can effect which makes a lost sinner one who is forgiven of their sins and energized by the Holy Spirit to live as a child of God. This new creation is what Jesus was referring to when he told Nicodemus:

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:5, 6)

We had absolutely no part in effecting our physical birth in the flesh, it was something brought about by God. Likewise, there is nothing that we can do to effect the spiritual birth which makes us a new creation. It is God who, by His grace, proclaims us righteous, gives us spiritual life, and adopts us into His family.

Application

Are you still trying to complete your salvation? Are you trying to not lose your salvation? If so, then Paul tells you that all your efforts are futile. It is completely in God’s hands.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Galatians 6:14 – Brag About Losing

Posted on March 25, 2008 by admin

Galatians 6:14

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Truth to Learn

It is not foolish to give up all that could be gained in this world to gain all that God has to give.

Behind the Words

“God forbid” is translated from the Greek words me genoito. This expression literally translates into “may it not be.” In the current vernacular we might say, “No way!” It is used by Paul as an expression of extreme abhorrence.

The title “our Lord Jesus Christ” is one that we hear and use so often that we tend to gloss over the significance of it. As written here, it is “the Lord of us, Jesus Christ.” The emphasis of the expression is on the word Lord which is translated from kurios, meaning “lord, master, or owner.” It is derived from the word kuros, which means “might or power.” Hence, it is used of someone who has power over someone else. In this case it is a reference to the one who now owns us and has absolute power over us. Anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior has given himself or herself, body, soul, and spirit, to Jesus Christ. He now is our owner, master, and Lord!

The word translated “crucified” is a form of stauroō, which comes from stauros, meaning “a pole on which a person is impaled, or a pole with a cross-piece onto which a person is nailed and hung until dead.” The purpose of a crucifixion is death with the most agonizing suffering possible.

Meaning Explained

Paul has just told the Galatians that the false teachers there only want the Christians in Galatia to be in bondage to the law so that they (the false teachers) can brag about the Galatians’ subjection to the law. They were not at all interested in the welfare of the Christians, just their own bragging rights. Paul, on the other hand, has repeatedly demonstrated to the Galatians that he truly cares for them and is looking-out for their best interests.

In light of his accusation that the false teachers only want to brag about them, Paul now tells them that the only thing that he cares to brag about is the cross. The significance of this is the fact that crucifixion was used, not only as an instrument of death and torture, but as an instrument of humiliation and abasement. Anyone who was crucified was seen as the most shameful of persons. Hence, Christians who hold up the cross in reverence were seen as the lowest of society following a shamed common criminal.

Paul, on the other hand, sees reason to boast in the cross and willingly submits himself to the Christ (anointed one) of the cross. He has, in fact, laid aside all the attractions of this world by figuratively nailing them to the cross, considering them as dead and shameful compared to his Lord.

Challenge

Do you know that you are a sinner? Have you accepted the blood of Jesus as payment for your sins? Have you given all of your rights and expectations to Him as your Lord and Master? If so, then you can boast in the cross and count all worldly gain as worthless.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 6:13 – Bragging Rights

Posted on March 20, 2008 by admin

Galatians 6:13

For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

Truth to Learn

Our boasting should be in the Lord, not in anything we have done.

Behind the Words

The word translated “keep” is phulassō, which means “to keep watch” or “to guard.” By implication it means “to obey, observe, or keep” as it is translated in this verse. Here it is written in the present tense, active voice, and indicative mood, implying current, ongoing activity.

As in the last verse, the word translated “desire” is a form of thelō, which refers to more than just a simple desire, it refers to desire that is acted on. Hence, we could translate this as “… they are determined to have you circumcised …”

Once again, we see the word “boast,” which is translated from the Greek word kauchaomai, meaning “to brag or boast.” It shows that these false teachers took pride in each person they were able to “convert” from simple Christian faith to their own form of legalistic religion.

Meaning Explained

Paul now reveals a bit more about these false teachers. In the previous verse we saw that they were using the circumcision of the Galatian believers as a means of making themselves look good to the Jews. Now we see that they were so focused on outward show that they were regularly neglecting to keep the law themselves. They were intent on preaching the necessity of Christians to obey the Law of Moses, but they lost sight of the fact that they, themselves, were not obeying it.

We also see, as Paul has been subtly pointing out throughout this letter, that the motives of these false teachers were not for spiritual victories in which God would get the glory. Instead, they were determined to get the glory themselves. And, they wanted to get this recognition, not through anything spiritual that they had done, but through the undeniable evidence of an act of the flesh, circumcision. It appears that these false teachers became more self-centered and proud with each Christian that they were able to bring back into the bondage of keeping the law.

Compare this with the type of boasting that Paul talked about in his second letter to the Corinthians:

For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. (2Corinthians 1:12)

As we will see in the next verse, Paul considered the boasting of the legalizers to be wrong.

Application

Where is your boasting today? Is it in your own ability to obey a set of church rules? Is it in the fact that you go to church every Sunday and always tithe your ten percent? Is it in the number of people you have witnessed to who have come to faith in Christ?

Or, is your boasting in what God has accomplished for His glory, in spite of all our feeble efforts?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 6:12 – All For Show

Posted on March 19, 2008 by admin

Galatians 6:12

As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

Truth to Learn

Outward show and ritualistic practices are hollow and worthless.

Behind the Words

“Desire” is translated from the verb thelō, which means “to will, wish, or desire, implying active volition and purpose.” This word means more than desire. It carries the idea desire in action, hence it is often translated as “determine” or “choose.”

The expression “make a good showing” is translated from the Greek word euprosōpeō. This is a compound word made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well,” and prosōpon, which literally means “toward the eyes” but has the general meaning of “face.” So, euprosōpeō means “to have a good face” or “to look good.”

The word “compel” is translated from anangkadzō, which means “to force or compel by external violence.” This verb is written in the present tense, active voice, indicative mood, which implies present ongoing action. Hence, it could be translated as “they are compelling you.”

Meaning Explained

This verse and the next verse are closely tied together. In this one, Paul talks about what the false teachers are forcing on the Galatian believers which is then contrasted with the actual practices of these teachers. This is given here to show how different the false teachers are than Paul who just showed that he would go the extra mile for them by writing part of this letter himself.

These false teachers, like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, were more interested in outward show and appearance than they were in personal piety. They were determined to look good to others (probably Jews) and for this reason were pressuring the Galatian Christians to become circumcised. The reason for this, Paul tells us, is so that they would not suffer persecution for the cause of Christ. Apparently, these false teachers were afraid of what the local Jews would say about them, and do to them, if they fully embraced the Christian faith. They were more concerned about their own personal comfort and ease than they were in serving others. They were more interested in avoiding personal criticism and persecution than they were in building up the body of Christ.

Jesus called the Pharisees of his day whitewashed tombs because they maintained the appearance of godliness while inside they were spiritually dead. Paul is now making the same claim about the false teachers who were seducing the Galatians into self-serving showmanship rather than faith in action.

Application

How many things do we do as simply ritualistic observances? Things such as saying the same memorized prayer at mealtime, singing the same song every time the offering is presented at church, or even bowing the knee at the proper times and places are all rituals, which have the appearance of godliness without any real spiritual value.

Instead, we should, like Paul, sacrifice our own comfort and freedoms in order to enrich the lives of others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and master.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 6:11 – Love Letters

Posted on March 18, 2008 by admin

Galatians 6:11

See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!

Truth to Learn

Personal example is the best proof of any belief.

Behind the Words

The words translated “what large” are from the Greek word pēlikos, meaning “how great” or “how large.” It is expressed here as a neuter adjective in the plural, which agrees in gender and number with “letters.”

“Letters” is translated from gramma, which can refer to the individual letters used in writing or to an entire book or other piece of written communication. As used here, this is a neuter noun in the plural, indicating that the adjective translated “what large,” as explained above, applies to this word.

The words “I have written” are translated from a form of the verb graphō, which means “to write.” It is used here in the aorist tense, which expresses action which was performed at a point in time in the past. Some Greek scholars view this, however, as an “epistolary aorist,” meaning that it expresses an event having occurred in the past from the viewpoint of the reader, not the writer.

Meaning Explained

There is much disagreement as to what Paul meant by this verse. Some believe that he is referring to the size of the letter which is written and the fact that he wrote it himself instead of having a scribe or “amanuensis” writing what he was dictating. This is the manner in which Romans was written:

I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord. (Romans 16:22)

The problem with this interpretation is that Paul said “what large letters (plural).” Also, it would also be unusual for Paul to refer to a letter of his as a gramma, since his custom is to use the word epistolē (letter or epistle) to refer to his writings:

For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same letter made you sorry, though only for a while. (2Corinthians 7:8)

The other interpretation of this verse is that Paul was referring to the closing part of this letter beginning with the current verse. According to this belief, Paul wrote the remainder of the letter himself and used larger letters because of his difficulty in writing due to a physical malady (perhaps bad eyesight). The problem with this interpretation is that Paul says “I have written,” which we noted is a past-tense verb. As was explained earlier, however, this may have been intended as a past tense from the readers’ point of view, not Paul’s.

Whatever the interpretation, it is clear that Paul had a strong love for the people of Galatia. He clearly wanted them to know that not only did he care deeply for them personally, but he was willing to put extra effort into teaching them good doctrine. He was doing it for their sake, not his own as the false teachers had been doing.

Challenge

Do you practice what you preach? Does your everyday behavior demonstrate your love for God and for others? Do others see Christ in you? When you stand before Him at the Bema Seat Judgment, will you have a bountiful harvest or will all your crops go up in flames?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 6:10 – Time For Sowing

Posted on March 17, 2008 by admin

Galatians 6:10

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Truth to Learn

Doing good deeds for others, especially other Christians, should not be an occasional event, it should be continual.

Behind the Words

There are two Greek words here which are together translated as “Therefore.” They are ara oun. The Greek word oun is a conjunction meaning that “one thing follows from the other.” The word ara means “therefore” or “in conclusion.” So, what Paul is saying is “In conclusion to what has just been said, it follows that …”

“Opportunity” is translated from kairos, a form of which we saw in the previous verse. This refers to “a season” or “an opportunity.”

The expression “let us do” is translated from ergadzomai, meaning “work” or “labor.” It is a reference to not just accomplishing something but to putting a lot of effort into accomplishing it. This word is used here in the subjunctive mood indicating that, “we should work at doing good to all.”

“Household” is translated from oikeios, which is taken from oikos, meaning house. It refers to those who share the same house or those who belong to a specific household.

Meaning Explained

In verse seven Paul began using the analogy of works being equated to a farmer sowing seeds. Fleshly works will produce fleshly (rotting) results and spiritual works will produce eternal, spiritual results. In the previous verse Paul told us that we should not be discouraged as we are doing good deeds because at the appropriate time (season) we will reap that which we have sown.

Now he tells us that the season for sowing our good seeds (doing good works) is whenever we have the opportunity. Any farmer knows that only seeds which are sown during the proper season will fully develop and ripen into good crops. But works of goodness are spiritual seeds which can be sown whenever we have an opportunity to do so. We don’t have to wait for just the right time to help a stumbling brother with the burden he is carrying. We don’t have to wait until the right week of the year before we share our financial blessings with those who teach us the truths of God’s Word. Any opportunity to do good for others is a good time and is capable of producing fruit which will last for eternity.

Paul tells us that this is especially true with regard to other Christians. Certainly, we should look for opportunities to do good for any other member of the human race, but we should be particularly on the lookout for ways in which we can do good for a brother or sister in the faith. The family of God, the household of faith, should be a special emphasis of ours as we look for good things to do for others.

Application

Our adversary, the Devil, and the entire world system which is under his control, are constantly battling against us. And, our own sin nature is continually dragging us down. Let us, therefore, offer assistance to one another. Let us share the load and share the blessings. This is pleasing to God!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 6:9 – Heavenly Harvest

Posted on March 13, 2008 by admin

Galatians 6:9

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Truth to Learn

Doing good for others is not easy and may seem to go unnoticed by anyone, but God sees it all.

Behind the Words

The word translated “grow weary” is the Greek word ekkakeō, which means “to lose courage” or “to become despondent.” This word is expressed in the subjunctive mood, indicating possible action, hence this could have been translated as “And we should not become discouraged …” This is a better translation because it expresses the possibility of losing courage, as the word indicates, rather than losing strength.

“In due season” is translated from the Greek words kairō idiō. These words mean “at its set time” or “in its proper season.” It is a reference to the appropriate time for something to happen.

The expression “if we do not lose heart” is translated from mē ekloumenoi. The Greek word mē, which we learned a couple verses back, refers to negation (usually translated, not). Ekloumenoi is a compound word made up of ek, used as an intensifier, and a form of luō, meaning to let loose. When used in the passive voice as it is here it means “to become exhausted” or “to faint.”

Meaning Explained

A literal translation of this verse might be “But we should not become discouraged as we are doing good things because at the proper time we will reap, not becoming exhausted.”

Paul has just instructed the Galatian Christians, and us, that sowing fleshly seed (succumbing to our fleshly desires and making self the center of our thoughts) will lead to a harvest of gradual, continuous decay. Sowing spiritual seed (living a life submitted to the Spirit of God and having the good of others as our focus), however, will lead to an eternal harvest. He knew, though, that sowing spiritual seed and doing good for others are like swimming upstream against the onrushing torrent of worldly beliefs and attitudes.

Paul knows from personal experience that if we continue to do those things which are good and right, we are likely to get discouraged because the fruits of such actions are not immediate. Like a farmer who has to wait until the proper season to harvest the crops he has so diligently labored over, we must be willing to wait until the proper time to see the fruit of our labors. So he encourages us that if we keep on, in God’s perfect timing we will eventually see the result of our labors. And, keeping this carrot in front of us will help us not to become weak and ineffective.

It may be that we will not see the harvest of our seed sowing at all in this lifetime. But that which is being done for God through His Holy Spirit will not go unnoticed. At the Bema Seat Judgment, where all of our works will be tested by fire, we may finally see the harvest and know the eternal consequences, and God will receive all the glory.

Application

Though we may not see the fruit of our labor in this life, we must not become discouraged, and we must not stop living for Christ. He gave His life that we might live eternally. We must now live this life in His power through His Spirit so that others might see that He is alive in us.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 6:8 – Sowing Life

Posted on March 12, 2008 by admin

Galatians 6:8

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.

Truth to Learn

Where you put the focus of your life will ultimately determine whether you will reap rottenness or life eternal.

Behind the Words

“Flesh” is a word that we have looked at before. The Greek word sarx refers to the meat of a live animal. Allegorically, Paul uses this term to refer to the desires and cravings of our sinful nature; that part of us that is influenced by our body of flesh as distinct from that part of us that is influenced by the Spirit of God.

The word translated “his” is heautou, which means, “his own.” This makes the emphasis clearly on an inward focus of the one sowing to his own flesh.

The word translated “corruption” is phthora, which refers to “decay or spoiling, especially that which is progressively wasting away.”

“Everlasting” is translated from the Greek word aiōnion, which, according to Archibald Robertson in his Word Pictures in The New Testament, “comes as nearly meaning ‘eternal’ as the Greek can express that idea.”

Meaning Explained

The Christians in the Galatian churches were being continually deceived by the false teachers there, teaching a salvation that required adherence to the law. This doing of acts of obedience and contrition focuses on self, and the satisfaction of such requirements produces personal pride. The whole purpose of legalism is to make oneself the center of all thinking and action. A life lived in submission to the Spirit of God, on the other hand, is a life which is focused on others.

Paul uses a farming analogy which all his readers would be familiar with because in the agrarian society of the first century, nearly everyone was involved in sowing seeds as well as in the harvesting of the resultant crop. It was common knowledge that good seed planted in good soil produced good crops and bad seed planted in bad soil produced poor crops. In using this analogy, Paul demonstrates to the Galatians that if their religious “faith” is one in which they are performing selfish works focused on themselves, the resulting crop will only be a progressive rotting of life. If, on the other hand, their faith is solely based in God through the power of the Holy Spirit, the crop they harvest will produce life without end.

Application

If we live our life in a manner that focuses on pleasing our fleshly desires, then we are sowing seed unto the flesh. This is what the world system is all about. “After all, I’m worth it!” And, living a life committed to God will result in your being ridiculed and persecuted by the world. But we, like Moses, must turn from the attractions of the world which only satisfy the flesh and turn to a life dedicated to God and His glory:

By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, (Hebrews 11:24, 25)

Where are you sowing your seed?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 6:7 – No More Lies

Posted on March 11, 2008 by admin

Galatians 6:7

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Truth to Learn

Fleshly works are not the way to please God. Only complete submission to Him and His will can produce peace.

Behind the Words

The word translated “deceived” is a form of planaō, which is derived from planē meaning “a wandering.” Planaō, therefore, means “to cause to wander” or “to lead astray.” Here it is in the passive voice, so it means “to be led astray.” It is also in the imperative mood indicating a command and it is preceeded by the negative article mē which represents relative negation. Putting this altogether, we see that Paul is saying “Stop being led astray!”

“Mocked” is translated from verb muktēridzō, which is from the noun muktēr, meaning “nose” or “nostril.” The verb form means “to turn-up one’s nose in scorn.” Hence, by application it means “to mock” or “to deride.” This verb is in the passive voice also and is preceded by the article ou which expresses direct and full negation. Hence, Paul is saying that God is not mocked or scorned. Though men may believe they are mocking God, they ultimately never get away with it.

“Sow” is translated from speirō, which means “to scatter seed.” And the word “reap” is translated from theridzō, derived from theros, the word for Summer or harvest. Hence it refers to the activity that is done at harvest time.

Meaning Explained

The false teachers in the Galatian churches had been leading the believers astray for years with their false doctrine that a Christian had to fully keep the Law of Moses in order to be completely saved. Paul now tells the believers there in no uncertain terms to stop allowing themselves to be led astray. It is a particularly harsh command on Paul’s part and is meant to get their attention.

It is a known fact that if a person is told a lie often enough and with enough conviction that he or she will eventually believe it to be true. This is exactly what had happened in the Galatian churches. Paul now tells them to come to their senses and stop believing these false teachers. The false teachers had been declaring doctrines absolutely contrary to God’s grace and were, in effect, turning up their noses at what God had declared to be true. That’s why Paul tells the Galatians that God is not mocked. What he means is that even though these legalizers think they are putting one past the Galatians and God, ultimately, they will be shown to be the fools.

These teachers had been sowing discord and lies, a religion based on fleshly activities, instead of one based on submission to the Holy Spirit. What they will ultimately reap is fleshly works and the lake of fire, not grace and peace.

Application

If you find yourself still bound by church rules and regulations that aren’t clearly supported by Scripture, then you need to throw off those shackles and lay yourself at the feet of the Savior. Spend time every day reading the Bible and praying for God to guide you to His truth. Believe Him and He will!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 6:6 – Shared Blessings

Posted on March 10, 2008 by admin

Galatians 6:6

Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

Truth to Learn

Consider the spiritual blessings you have received from God as a result of what you have learned from your pastor or teacher and share, in return, a blessing for them.

Behind the Words

The words “taught” and “teaching” are both from the Greek word katēcheō. This is a compound word made up of kata, meaning “down” but used here as an intensifier and ēcheō (from which we get our English word echo), meaning “to sound” So, literally, this word means “to sound down,” but by application it means to teach or instruct orally.

“Share” is translated from the verb koinōneō, which is from the noun koinōnos, meaning an associate or a partaker. Hence, koinōneō means “to be a partner, partaker, or sharer of something.” As used here, it refers to the sharing and distribution of a material resource for the good of all.

The word translated “word” is logos, which refers to the written or spoken word. It is a reference not simply to the representative markings or sounds (written word or spoken word), but the thought or meaning of the word. This term, as is the case here, is often used by itself to refer to the Word of God, or the message of the gospel (see Acts 4:5; 8:4; 11:9; 14:25; 16:6; IThessalonians 1:6; Colossians 4:3).

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking about assisting a brother or sister in Christ who has stumbled under his or her load. On the other side of this issue, however, is the fact that we should not be lazy and expect everyone else to carry our own load. We should all be working together on building up the church through the power of the Holy Spirit, making sure that what we do is not for ourselves, but for God.

Paul seems to make a specific remark, now, regarding those who receive the spiritual blessing of doctrinal teaching. It appears that he has been so harsh regarding the false teachers that he wants the churches in Galatia to remember what a blessing they receive from those who teach them good doctrine. James warns us not to all want to be teachers because God holds the teachers under special scrutiny:

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. (James 3:1)

Paul also knows how much effort goes into preaching and teaching God’s truth and he encourages those who are the recipient of the teaching to share in material things those who teach. Just as we are all to share the gospel message with the world, those who are gifted to teach are compelled to share doctrinal truths with members of the church. Thus, as teachers share with us the bounty of what they have been given, we too should share the bounty that we have been given with them.

Application

When was the last time you thanked your pastor or teacher for all the work they do? They freely give of their time and effort for God’s glory. What would God have you do today?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –