Galatians 5 – Page 3 – Ministry of Grace Church

Category: Galatians 5

Galatians 5:6 – Loving Faith

Posted on January 27, 2008 by admin

Galatians 5:6

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Truth to Learn

Faith is strengthened through acts of love, not through acts of obedience to a set of religious rules.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “avails” is ischuō, which is taken from the noun ischus, meaning “strength.” It refers to something “having strength, ability or power, either physically or morally.” In this particular case, it refers to strength with regard to improving one’s position in the faith of Christ.

“Working” is translated from energeō, which means “to be at work, to be effective, or to be operative.” This is expressed here as a participle and is in the middle voice, which in Greek implies action that the subject (faith) is doing to itself. This is a significant fact because it means that faith is working or performing on itself (i.e. becoming stronger) through love. Some translators erroneously read this as a passive verb and translate this as “faith which is wrought by love” making it appear that faith is produced by acts of love. This is NOT what Paul says. He says that faith strengthens itself by acts of love.

Meaning Explained

It is easy to get into a discussion of this verse and quickly skip over the first four words. That, however, leads to an incomplete understanding of what Paul is teaching here. “For in Christ Jesus” is a reference to those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In other words Paul is saying, “With respect to the Christian faith and walk …” He could have simply said, “In Christianity …” except this was not an accepted term in his day as it is today.

The sentence structure in this verse is a little awkward in English because “avails” applies to the compound subject “neither circumcision nor uncircumcision,” and it is also an implied verb for the subject “faith.” Hence, this verse could have been translated as, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision has any strength nor uncircumcision has any strength, but faith strengthening itself through love.”

What Paul is saying, and has been saying throughout this entire letter, is that obedience to the Law of Moses or any church based set of rules and commandments has no bearing on whether or not we are saved. We do not have to be baptized in order to be saved, although we are encouraged to do so as a public testimony of our salvation. We do not have to be an official member of any church or denomination in order to be saved, though we are commanded to assemble regularly with other Christians.

Notice the door that Paul opened up for women. In the Jewish faith a woman cannot attain the same level of fellowship with God because she cannot be circumcised. In Christ, however, women are on the same level as men.

Application

If you are a born-again Christian, then your faith will be strengthened by your acts of love, not your adherence to rules. Those deeds which you do out of your love for God and your love for your fellow man are the things which will strengthen your faith. And, when God allows trials to enter your life and you endure them because you love God, your faith will be strengthened.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

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Galatians 5:5 – Eager Anticipation

Posted on January 24, 2008 by admin

Galatians 5:5

For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Truth to Learn

Unlike those who think they can earn their righteousness, we eagerly wait for the day of our complete righteousness.

Behind the Words

“Eagerly wait for” is translated from the Greek word apekdechomai, which is a compound word made up of apo, used as an intensifier and ekdechomai, which means “to expect something” or “to look for.” Hence, this word refers to one who is waiting to receive something with intense expectation.

The word translated “hope” is elpis, which refers to “the desire of some good, with full expectation of receiving it.” It is not, as the English word implies, something that is uncertain but hoped for. It refers to something that is fully expected.

We can clearly see through the use of apekdechomai and elpis that Paul is talking about something that is certainly going to happen and is clearly expected.

The words “by faith” at the end of the verse, describe “eagerly wait for,” not “hope of righteousness.” Paul is saying that by faith we eagerly await with expectation our coming state of righteousness.

Meaning Explained

We are all sinners whether we’re saved or not. That’s what Paul tells us in Romans:

As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;” (Romans 3:10)

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)

The difference between Christians and non-Christians is that we Christians have been legally declared to be righteous by God. Those who reject Christ do not have this legal righteousness. In actuality, right now we are not righteous, we are sinners. One day, however, we will appear before our God and Maker as His completely righteous sons and daughters. This is the hope of righteousness that Paul talks about here.

Paul starts off this verse with “For we” as a comparison to the preceding statement. Notice the contrast between “you” in the previous verse and “we” in the current verse.

You who are justified through law …

vs.

We, through the Spirit, by faith …

There is no faith involved in earning righteousness through obeying laws or rules. Instead, it is a works oriented salvation. Those who try to earn their righteousness by obeying the law think that by their good deeds they will obtain righteousness, but they won’t. We, on the other hand, have already been declared righteous and we eagerly look forward to that day when we will appear before our Heavenly Father with the righteousness of Christ.

Application

Do you eagerly look forward to the day you will stand before Almighty God as part of the pure and spotless bride of Christ? If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, through faith alone, then your answer should be a resounding, “Yes!”

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 5:4 – Secure Grace

Posted on January 23, 2008 by admin

Galatians 5:4

You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

Truth to Learn

You cannot be justified by keeping the law, and you cannot lose your salvation by falling from grace.

Behind the Words

The word translated “estranged” is katargeō, made up of kata, used here as an intensifier, and argeō, which means “to be idle.” Hence, katargeō means “to make something inactive, idle, useless, or ineffective.” This verb is expressed in the aorist tense (past, non-continuous action) and in the passive voice (action done to the subject which is “you, plural”).

Some consider the opening phrase of this verse to be what grammatically is called a hypallage, which is where the subject and object are reversed, in spite of the form of the verb. Hence, some translate this as “Christ has become of no effect unto you.” Others would see an implied verb before “from Christ” and would express it thus: “You were brought to nothing, separated from Christ.” Whichever is correct, it is a hypothetical situation, anyway, as we will see.

The words “you have fallen” are translated from a form of the Greek verb ekpiptō, which is made up of ek, meaning “out” or “out of” and piptō, which means “to fall.” Hence, it literally means “to fall out.” In Classical Greek writings this word is used to describe seaman thrown ashore, banishment from a country, someone kicked-out of an office, or of an actor being hissed off the stage.

Meaning Explained

There are those who claim that this verse demonstrates that Paul believed a Christian can lose his or her salvation as the result of willful sinning. Nothing could be farther from the truth. First of all, the people Paul is talking about are those who are committed to keeping the Law of Moses. Christ was committed to keeping the Law of Moses, yet He was without sin. So Paul is not talking about willful sin. He’s talking about people who think they have to earn their righteousness.

Secondly, notice that the two words “attempt to” are italicized. This is because they have been added by the translators. They do not appear in the Greek text. Instead, it literally reads, “you who are being justified by law …” So, now we have to ask ourselves, “Who is justified by the law?” To answer that, we need go no further than the book of Romans where Paul said:

Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20)

The answer is “No one!” Since no one is justified by law, no one has fallen from grace. Therefore, in effect, what Paul is saying is, “You who claim to be justified by law, if you could be justified by law then you would be a cast-off from grace because you can’t have both. It’s one or the other.”

Application

Rest assured, if you have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through faith in his atoning sacrifice, then your soul is eternally saved and there is nothing that you or anyone else can do to take that away from you. But, neither can you add to your salvation by obeying a set of church rules or laws.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 5:3 – Unpayable Debt

Posted on January 22, 2008 by admin

Galatians 5:3

And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.

Truth to Learn

No matter how obedient we are to laws, church ordinances, and regulations, we can never repay the debt that we owe to God for our sins.

Behind the Words

“Testify” is translated from the Greek word marturomai, which in its noun form (martus) refers to someone who has been called to give a testimony in a court of law. Hence, marturomai means to give a testimony regarding what is known by the witness. Throughout the centuries Christians have testified regarding their faith in Christ even to the point of death. These who have given their lives rather than denouncing their faith have come to be known as martyrs from the word martus.

We looked at the word “circumcised” in the last verse. The word used in this verse is from the same root, but this word is a present tense participle in the passive voice. This indicates someone who is currently having himself circumcised.

The word “debtor” is from the Greek ophleiletēs, which is from the word opheilō meaning “a debtor, someone who owes a debt to another.”

“To keep” is translated from “poiēsai,” which means “to make, perform, or do.” The thought here is that the person who becomes circumcised is now bound to perform all the requirements of the law.

Meaning Explained

Paul starts off this verse with the statement, “I testify again.” Some believe that Paul taught this principle to the Galatian Christians when he first delivered the gospel to them. It seems to make more sense, however, that he is simply reiterating what he said in the previous verse.

The central issue that Paul has been dealing with throughout this letter is whether or not a person has to become a Jew, through submission and obedience to the law, in order to be a complete Christian. Circumcision is to a Jew as baptism is to a Christian. It is the final testimony or action that serves as a public declaration of faith. In the case of the Jews, it is faith in righteousness through complete obedience to the law, whereas in Christianity it is faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Paul is telling the Galatian Christians that if they think that circumcision is the completion of faith then they are sorely mistaken. Since circumcision is the declaration that righteousness comes through law, anyone becoming circumcised is declaring that they are trusting in the law and that means the whole law. If they fail to keep a single point of the law, they are guilty of breaking the entire law. They now owe all their righteousness to a set of rules that they can’t obey. What futility!

Application

No matter how sincere we might be, to base our righteousness on anything other than faith and faith alone puts us in debt. As a debtor we are enslaved to the one or the thing to which we owe allegiance. It is our sin debt that must be paid, and that can only be paid with the blood of the sinless Lamb of God, our Savior Jesus Christ.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 5:2 – Faith Alone

Posted on January 22, 2008 by admin

Galatians 5:2

Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.

Truth to Learn

Obedience to the Law of Moses (or any other set of rules and regulations) adds nothing to salvation.

Behind the Words

The word translated “indeed” is eidō which means “to see” or “to know.” It is used in this verse in the imperative mood indicating a command. Paul is commanding the Galatian Christians to know something important. Today, in English we express a similar notion with the word “look,” meaning “understand this.”

“Become circumcised” is from the Greek word peritemnēsthe, which is a compound word made up of peri, meaning “around” or “about” and a form of temnō, meaning to cut off. This word is expressed in the passive voice, indicating action that is done to the subject. And, it is expressed in the subjunctive mood indicating that it is action that has not happened and is not happening but has the possibility of happening.

The word translated “profit” is a form of the Greek word ōpheleō, which literally means “to heap up” hence, “to increase” or “to profit.” It is expressed here in the future tense.

Meaning Explained

Up to this point in his letter to the Galatian Christians, Paul has defended the source of his message, his salvation in Christ Jesus, and his claim to apostleship. He has defended his position of righteousness by grace through faith alone and the inability of the Law of Moses to produce righteousness and he has done so in the presence of the leading members of the church in Jerusalem. He has shown that even Abraham was justified by faith more than four hundred years before the Law was given to Moses. And he has demonstrated that is not those who are descendents of Abraham in the flesh who are God’s chosen, but those who believe God’s Word who are chosen by God and are to be God’s children and heirs through adoption.

Now that he has laid the groundwork, Paul expresses the main point of his letter, “if you should become circumcised then Jesus Christ and his sacrificial death will profit you nothing.” He is not saying that if you are already circumcised then faith in Christ is impossible, as some translations seem to imply. He is saying that if you choose to be circumcised, then by that act you are declaring that you believe that salvation comes through works of the law. And, if you believe that salvation comes via works, then you don’t believe that salvation is by faith alone. The act of becoming circumcised after having proclaimed faith in the blood of Christ is, in fact, a declaration that you never had faith in Christ in the first place.

Don’t miss this point, as it is one of the most important doctrinal issues that Paul defends. Salvation does not come by faith and anything else. It comes by faith alone! Once you have accepted the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross, and the shedding of His blood there as payment for your sins, there is nothing more that you need in order to be a Christian, a child of God, and an heir of all His promises.

Application

As Paul told the Philippian jailer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.” That’s all there is to it!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 5:1 – Stay Free

Posted on January 17, 2008 by admin

Galatians 5:1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Truth to Learn

Once we are freed from the bondage of church laws and rules we are not to return to that form of bondage.

Behind the Words

There is a variant reading of the word order of this verse depending on the text that is followed, but the meaning is essentially the same for either of them.

The words “stand fast” are translated from the Greek word stēkō, which means “to remain stationary.”

“Liberty” is translated from eleutheria, which means “freedom.” You may notice the similarity with the word that was translated “freewoman” in the previous verse, eleutheros. They both have the same root. And, in fact, the word in this verse which is translated “has made us free” is from the verb form of the same word.

The word translated “entangled” is from the Greek word enechō, which is a compound word made up of en, meaning “in or upon” and echō, which means “to have or to hold.” Hence, this word means “to hold on.” In the current verse it is in the passive voice, so here it means “to be held onto.” Paul expresses this word in the imperative mood indicating a command.

The word translated “yoke” is dzugos, which is the noun form of the word meaning “to bind together,” so it refers to something which binds two things together, like a yoke which binds two oxen together in a single task.

Meaning Explained

This verse should have been included with the previous chapter rather than separating it out with this one. It is a statement of conclusion based on the fact that we are children of the freewoman. Since we are born free in our spiritual new birth, we need to remain firmly in place with regard to that freedom that Christ has given us. We are not to allow ourselves to become bound again by the works of the law.

The freedom which Paul talks about is not freedom to do as we please, or to sin without restraint. The freedom he refers to is the freedom from religious rules and practices. In other words, we have been set free from the requirements of rules and rituals that the former way of seeking God’s favor imposed on us. They could not make us righteous because righteousness only comes through faith. We are not to turn again to rules and rituals now as part of our relationship with God.

Again, let me say that we are not free to act as we please. God has given us specific instruction in the New Testament as to how a Christian is to behave in the world. Our actions are now to be based on a father-son relationship with our God, not on what a particular church or denomination says we have to do.

Application

If you are a born-again Christian then you have been set free from rituals and church rules. The proper way to give God the glory is to read and study the Bible, living as he teaches us in the New Testament, not how the “church” tells us to live.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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