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Galatians 4:25 – Jerusalem Bound

Posted on January 7, 2008 by admin

Galatians 4:25

for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—

Truth to Learn

We have been set free from the slavery which is produced by trying to live by the Law, and we want to remain free.

Behind the Words

“This Hagar” is translated from the Greek to hagar. Since Hagar is a feminine name it is normally accompanied with feminine articles when used in reference to Sarai’s handmaid. But the article used here, to, is a neuter article indicating that Paul is not referring to Hagar the person but Hagar the thing. The proper name Hagar in Arabic signifies “wanderer or fugitive” from the Arabic word hadschar. There is a very similar Arabic word, chadschar, which means “a rock or a stone.”

The word translated “corresponds” is the Greek word sustoicheō, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and stoicheō, which means “to advance or proceed in order.” It is a military term used in reference to soldiers in the same column or phalanx who must advance together without breaking ranks. Figuratively, however, sustoicheo is used to express when one thing corresponds to or logically parallels another.

Meaning Explained

There has been much discussion over the centuries as to what Paul meant when he said, “this Hagar is Mount Sinai.” He is not saying that Sarai’s handmaid, Hagar, is a great mountain called Sinai. As noted above, he uses a neuter article in reference to Hagar so as to refer to Hagar as a thing, not a person. This grammatical construction is often used when one thing is being used as representing something else. An example of this type of usage is in the familiar communion passage:

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19)

In this verse in Luke, “This” is a neuter article whereas “bread” is masculine. Christ was saying “This thing is,” or “This bread represents.” Similarly, in the current verse Paul is saying “this Hagar represents Mount Sinai, that is, the Law.” The point Paul is making is that as Hagar represents the Law, her son (Ishmael) is born of the covenant of the Law and as Sarai represents the promise, her son (Isaac) is born of the covenant of promise.

Also, Paul is going to be making a comparison between the Jerusalem which is now (the city of Jerusalem which currently exists physically) and New Jerusalem, the heavenly Jerusalem which will appear as part of the new heavens and the new earth revealed in Revelation 21:1, 2. By making the comparative reference to Hagar and the Law corresponding to the current Jerusalem, Paul is saying that they are all part of the covenant of bondage, whereas faith in Christ is part of the covenant of freedom.

Application

Freedom and slavery can be looked at from many different angles, both physically and spiritually. Once freed from slavery, however, no one wants to voluntarily return to slavery.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

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Galatians 4:24 – Covenant of Bondage

Posted on January 6, 2008 by admin

Galatians 4:24

which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—

Truth to Learn

Living your life under a collection of spiritual rules and guidelines produces bondage.

Behind the Words

It was pointed out a few verses back that Paul is using an allegory of the first two sons of Abram, Ishmael and Isaac. Here’s why. The word translated “symbolic” is the Greek word allēgoreō, from which we get our English word allegory. The Greek word is made up of allos, meaning “another” and agoreuō, meaning “to speak in a place of assembly.” This word means “a thing spoken of as emblematic of something else.”

The word translated “covenants” is diathēkē, which means “to set out in order.” It is the word used to describe the setting in order of property before death. Today we call it a will or a testament.

“Gives birth” is translated from gennaō, meaning “to generate,” that is, to produce offspring. In this case Paul is saying that the covenant from Mt. Sinai produces bondage.

In Greek there is a type of conjunction (one or more words that join two ideas) called a correlative conjunction. One type of correlative conjunction is used to say “on the one hand … on the other hand.” This appears in the Greek text as the words men and de. In the current text, men occurs in this verse but de does not occur until verse 28.

Meaning Explained

In the previous two verses Paul introduced the two sons of Abraham: Ishmael, the son of flesh, and Isaac, the son of promise. He now tells us that he is going to be using these two as an allegory, that is, the symbolic use of one thing to teach another. Here, he says that these two sons represent the two covenants. The one covenant is that which God made with the Jews at Mt. Sinai. Paul does not specifically say what the other covenant is, but the Greek correlative conjunction men … de tells us that the other covenant is in verse 28, namely, “the promise.”

Mt. Sinai is where God presented Moses with the Ten Commandments and where the remainder of the Law was orally given to him, later to be written down by Moses in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Paul tells us that the covenant given at Mt. Sinai produces bondage (he goes into much more depth regarding the bondage of the Law in Romans, chapters three through eight).

He further points out that the bondage produced by the Law of Moses, represented by Mt. Sinai, is symbolized by Hagar. It is interesting to note that at the time of Paul’s writing of this letter the Arabs referred to Mt. Sinai as Mt. Hagar.

Paul will continue with his allegorical treatment of Ishmael and Isaac in the following verses.

Application

The Law of Moses is a covenant of slavery, whereas faith in Christ is a covenant of freedom. Which covenant do you want as a testament of your life?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 4:23 – Flesh or Promise?

Posted on January 3, 2008 by admin

Galatians 4:23

But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,

Truth to Learn

Works of the flesh, like obeying man made spiritual laws and rules, do not please God. What He wants is faith.

Behind the Words

The word translated “flesh” is sarx, which refers to “the flesh of a living creature.”

The word translated “according to” is kata, which primarily means “down” but it has many functions within the Greek language. Among those uses is a metaphorical one which refers to “a state or condition in which anything is or is done.” In this sense it is often translated as “according to.” This is how it is used in the current verse. The meaning here is that the one born of the bondwoman was conceived through an act of the flesh.

The word translated “promise” is a noun form of the verb epangello. This is made up of epi, which is used here as an intensifier and angello meaning “to proclaim or announce.” Hence, the verb epangello means “to make a promise by proclamation.”

Finally, the word translated “through” is dia, which can refer to motion as in “through the land” or agency as in “through the power of the Holy Spirit.” In this case it refers to agency.

Meaning Explained

As was discussed in the previous verse, Ishmael was born as a result of Sarai giving her handmaid, Hagar, to Abram for the purpose of having a child. In the customs of the time, it was accepted that if a woman could not bear children then she could offer her servant girl to her husband for the purpose of having a child. Since the servant girl was the property of the wife, the child born to the servant was considered to have come from the wife.

Paul’s point in this verse is to show that Abram and Sarai were taking matters into their own hands instead of trusting in God. The Lord had already told Abram that he would have an heir who would come from his own body. In fact, God told Abram that his descendents would be as numerous as the stars of heaven.

And behold, the word of the LORD came to [Abram], saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” (Genesis 15:4, 5)

The next verse even tells us that Abram believed God and, as a result, God declared him righteous. But Abram’s faith was weak, so he and Sarai took matters into their own hands. What God wanted was to bless them with a miracle and all Abram and Sarai had to do was believe Him. Paul is using this allegory to show the Galatian Christians that performing works of the flesh is taking matters into their own hands instead of simply having faith in God.

Application

There is nothing that you can do to please God except to believe what He tells you in His Word. His blessing on your life can’t be earned, it can only be accepted by faith.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 4:22 – Works or Faith?

Posted on January 3, 2008 by admin

Galatians 4:22

For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.

Truth to Learn

Obedience comes from faith, which results in God’s blessing. Neither faith nor blessing comes from our own actions, even when we think they are the right thing to do.

Behind the Words

The word translated “bondwoman” is paidiskēs. This is the feminine diminutive of the word for “boy” (pais) and, therefore, means “a young girl.” Since slaves and children were considered generally equal in first century Roman society, this is also the word which was used for a female slave, sometimes referred to as a bondwoman or a handmaid.

“Freewoman,” on the other hand, is translated from the Greek word eleutheros. This is probably derived from the alternate form of erchomai, which means “to come or go.” Therefore, eleutheros literally refers to “one who is capable of movement.” Since, in Roman society, one who was a slave was only allowed to go where his or her master designated, someone who could go where they pleased was referred to as eleutheros. The use of this word in the current verse is in the feminine form, therefore, it is translated as freewoman.

Meaning Explained

In order to fully understand the allegory that Paul is using we need to understand a little bit about the book of Genesis. In Genesis 11:29, 30 we learn that Abram took a wife by the name of Sarai. Then, in Genesis 12:1, 2 God told Abram,

Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation;

Abram was obedient to God and left Ur of the Chaldeans and went to the land of Canaan. However, even after 10 years, Abram and Sarai were not able to have children so Sarai made a suggestion to Abram:

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai. (Genesis 16:1, 2)

This may sound bizarre to those of us who have been raised in a Western society but it was not uncommon in the days of Abram. He listened to his wife, Sarai, and ended up having a son by Hagar who he named Ishmael. This son grew up and became the father of the Arab people.

But this was not the son whom God had promised to Abram (later named Abraham), so about 15 years later Abraham and Sarai (later renamed Sarah) finally had their own son and named him Isaac. It was through this son of the promise that God fulfilled His promise to make of Abraham a great nation.

Application

Abraham was weak in his faith when he listened to Sarai and had a son by Hagar, doing what he thought was right. Later he believed God’s promise that he would have a son by Sarah and because he believed God he was declared righteous; and Isaac, the son of the promise, was born.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 4:21 – Determined Faith

Posted on January 2, 2008 by admin

Galatians 4:21

Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?

Truth to Learn

Those who would please God must do so through faith, not through obeying a set of rules and regulations.

Behind the Words

The word translated “desire” is a form of thelo which was pointed out in the previous verse as meaning “to will, wish, or desire, implying active volition and purpose.” This word means more than simple desire (which would be the Greek word boulomai) and is sometimes translated as “determine.” To illustrate the difference, imagine a child being given a dollar and told to buy whatever he or she wants. Though the child may desire (boulomai) many things, he or she will determine (thelo) what can be purchased for a dollar. We can see, therefore, that Paul is saying, “you who are determined to be under law.”

“Under the law” should actually be translated “under law” since there is no definite article in the Greek text. This, therefore, is not a reference to the Law of Moses but refers to any collection of required actions as a means of attaining holiness and acceptance with God.

Meaning Explained

Paul now abruptly changes his subject matter. He has been comparing his relationship with the Galatian Christians to the relationship that they had with the false teachers. Paul has expressed his tenderness and concern for their welfare whereas the false teachers were only interested in their own personal interests, not really caring for or about the Galatians.

He now goes back to the difference between the liberating simplicity of the gospel message and the imprisoning complexity of the message of the legalistic teachers. In this verse he begins an allegory equating being bound under a set of legal requirements with Ishmael, the son of Abraham through Hagar, and being free through the covenant of promise to Isaac, the son or Sarah. Ishmael was rejected by Abraham because he was not the son of promise whereas Isaac was accepted and blessed because he was the fulfillment of God’s promise.

Paul starts off this section of his letter with a rhetorical question. This question is addressed to “you who are determined to be under law.” Paul is pointing out to the Galatians that there is an inner drive of theirs which was compelling them to be under a strict set of rules and laws. This is an example of man’s attempt to please God through religion. No matter how strict the adherence to these rules and laws and no matter how sincere a person is in doing these things, he or she can not please God and can not be free.

The rhetorical question is, “do you not hear the law?” In other words, do you not hear what the law is telling you? Do you not understand how you are enslaving yourselves by trying to satisfy the requirements of the law? He will continue with his allegory in the following verses.

Application

Is it your desire to know God more completely and to live in a manner that will please Him? If so, then you must determine to do so through faith, not through obeying a set of rules or church ordinances.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 4:20 – Loving Doubt

Posted on December 21, 2007 by admin

Galatians 4:20

²⁰I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.

Truth to Learn

Our message to the world needs to be concise and clear and it must be presented with the love of God.

Behind the Words

“I would like” is translated from the Greek verb “ēthelon,” a form of “thelo” meaning to will, wish, or desire, implying active volition and purpose. In this verse the verb is in the imperfect tense. This tense shows continual or repeated action in the past. Hence, Paul is saying “I have been wanting to be present with you …”

The word translated “tone” is a form of “phonē,” which is a derivative of the verb “phaō” meaning to shine. Hence, “phonē” has the meaning of a sound or tone given forth. According to the first century Greek writer and historian Plutarch, this word describes, “that which brings light upon that which is thought of in the mind.” It is most often translated as voice when applied to an intelligent being and as sound when applied to an inanimate object like a musical instrument.

The expression, “I have doubts” is from a form of “aporeō,” which is made up of “a” meaning no or not and “poreuomai” meaning to go from one place to another. Therefore, “aporeō” literally means no place to go or no way out. Figuratively it means to doubt or to be perplexed.

Meaning Explained

Paul is very much aware that the false teachers in Galatia have led astray those who were saved under his preaching and teaching ministry. It surely pained his heart to know they were being led into error and being turned against him. Paul had a genuine love for these saints, but he was also resolute in proclaiming the truth and challenging false doctrine. He has spoken in a very direct manner to the Galatian Christians and now expresses the fact that he has often wanted to be with them again.

Anyone who has sent an e-mail message which was misinterpreted by the recipient understands Paul’s feelings. A written message does not convey body language or vocal inflection, so it is difficult to ensure that the recipient is getting the message that the sender intends. Paul wanted to present a more conciliatory message to the Galatians, but he was perplexed as to why they would so easily turn from the simplicity of the gospel message to the bondage of legalism.

In the following few verses Paul will once again get very direct and forceful with the Galatians. If only he could have delivered the message in person, he is sure that he would be able to make them understand, and they would renounce the legalism that the false teachers were spreading.

Application

We need to proclaim the truth of the gospel to all who will listen but we must do so with the warmth and love of Jesus Christ Himself. Keep in mind what Paul told the Colossians:

Colossians 3:17 ¹⁷And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 4:19 – Spiritual Children

Posted on December 20, 2007 by admin

Galatians 4:19

¹⁹My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,

Truth to Learn

Spiritually healthy Christians are constantly maturing to become more like Christ.

Behind the Words

“Little children” is from “teknia,” a diminutive form of “teknon,” the word for child. Therefore it refers to small or very young children.

The word “formed” is translated from the Greek word, “morphoō” from which we get our English equivalent morph, meaning to form into something new. In the current verse the word is in the passive voice meaning that it is action done to the subject (you) and it is in subjunctive mood indicating that it has the possibility of happening but it is not necessarily happening currently.

Meaning Explained

As any woman who has given birth will testify, it is hard work! That’s why they call it labor. Similarly, Paul had labored hard in delivering the gospel message to the Galatians even in the midst of physical infirmity as he told us in Galatians 4:11, 13. And attaining eternal life was referred to by our Lord as being born again:

John 3:3 ³Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

So Paul’s use of the imagery of birthing labor is fitting. But let’s not confuse the imagery with reality. Paul is not saying that the Galatians have to be “born again” again. That can only happen once. He is simply saying that the labor he is going through is of the same degree as when he first delivered the gospel message to them.

Because of his great love for the Christians in the Galatian churches, Paul refers to them as his children. Notice, however, that he refers to them as little children. This is an indication that they are still immature in their faith. The writer of Hebrews said a similar thing to the spiritually immature Jewish converts of the early church.

Hebrews 5:12, 13 ¹²For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. ¹³For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby.

And, Paul said of those whom God called to be His children;

Romans 8:29 ²⁹For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Application

God’s purpose for us as Christians is for us to continually mature spiritually. As we do, we become more like His Son. But, if we are not growing or are being led into doctrinal error, we are not maturing and spiritually we are still little children.

Are you growing as a Christian and becoming more Christ-like in your thoughts and actions?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 4:18 – Good Zeal

Posted on December 19, 2007 by admin

Galatians 4:18

¹⁸But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.

Truth to Learn

We should proclaim the gospel message with zeal, but we must ensure that we only proclaim the truth.

Behind the Words

As in the previous verse, the word translated “zealous” is a verb form of “dzelos.” But in the current verse this particular verb is an infinitive in the passive voice indicating that it is activity done to the subject of the sentence which is you (implied). So Paul is saying, “But it is always good to be zealously sought after when it is in regard to a good thing …”

Meaning Explained

Paul is once again using a turn of words to make his point with the Galatian Christians. In the previous verse he said that the false teachers were zealously pursuing the Galatians but not doing so for a good reason. He now says that it is good for someone to pursue you with zeal but only when it is for a good cause.

Paul may very well have given us a clue here as to the identity of these false teachers. At the time that Paul was writing this letter there was a group who had broken off from the Pharisees and organized into a formal party during the reign of Herod the Great (37 B.C. to 4 B.C.). This sect was largely responsible for the final rebellion against Rome from 66 to 73 A.D. The Jewish historian Josephus referred to them as the Zealots because of their fervent reverence for the Torah and hatred of non-Jews and Jews lacking in religious fervor. From around the time of the birth of Jesus Christ until the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., the Zealots used hatred and violence to express their opposition to anyone who conformed to Roman ways.

Since Paul’s message was one opposed to the Jewish adherence to the Law of Moses, it is clear that he would also have been a target of their vehemence. And because of Paul’s repetition of this descriptive word (zeal), it is quite likely that these same Zealots were the ones trying to steer the Christian believers in Galatia away from Paul’s teaching.

Notice, however, that Paul does not attack the false teachers, only their methods. In fact, he declares that being zealous in a good thing is always good just as Paul was zealous in preaching the gospel. He tells the Galatians, in effect:

“I do not desire that I should have the exclusive privilege of zealously courting you. Others may do so in my absence with my full approval, if only it is done in a good way (truthfully), and if Christ is faithfully preached.”

Application

We have a message of peace and freedom which we are to proclaim to the entire world. We should faithfully proclaim our message of Christ with determination and enthusiasm. But let us be careful that we proclaim only the truth as revealed to us in the Bible. Adding to the message, or spinning it in such a way as to make it say something that it doesn’t say, is simply wrong.

Instead of your way, do it His way, giving Him the glory!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 4:17 – Misplaced Zeal

Posted on December 18, 2007 by admin

Galatians 4:17

¹⁷They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.

Truth to Learn

Motive and method are often intertwined. We need pastors and teachers who are not only sincere and enthusiastic, but also concerned above all else for our spiritual health.

Behind the Words

“They zealously court” is translated from “dzēlousin,” which is the verb form of the noun “dzelos,” meaning zeal. Hence this verb means to be filled with zeal or to act with zeal. What Paul is saying is that the legalistic teachers in the Galatian churches were zealously seeking to win over the people with their false teaching.

The expression “but for no good” is translated from “ou kalōs.” “Ou” is the absolute negative in Greek and “kalōs” means good or well. So this basically means not in a good way. So, in effect, what Paul is saying is that these false teachers were zealous of gathering a following but not doing so in a good or honorable manner or for a good or honorable purpose.

The word “want” is from a form of “thelō,” which means to desire with active intent or purpose. It is sometimes translated as “determine.” There is a similar word in Greek, “boulomai,” which means to wish or desire but not pressing on to execute that desire. These false teachers not only had a desire to mislead the Galatians but they were determined as well.

Finally, the word translated “exclude” is the word, “ekkleiō,” which literally means to shut out. This may be a play on words by Paul since he refers to Christians as having been chosen (eklegō) by God (Ephesians 1:4). Here, the false teachers are not choosing, but just the opposite – excluding.

Meaning Explained

Paul has just been talking about how the Galatians have seemingly rejected him and his message in favor of the legalistic doctrines of the false teachers among them. Now that he has made this rejection a clear point of discussion he goes on to show how it has come about.

The false teachers in Galatia certainly could not be accused of being complacent. They were energetic and hard charging in their efforts to teach their false doctrines. But unlike Paul, who had a genuine love for these people and desired to see them be followers of Christ, these false teachers wanted the people to follow them. Their zeal was not for the purpose of building up the church but of tearing it apart.

Paul even comes right out and alerts the Galatians as to what their ultimate goal is: they want to shut you out. There is some disagreement as to whether Paul means shut-out from fellowship with Paul or shut-out from fellowship with God. It doesn’t really matter. The point is that Paul has the best interests of the Galatian Christians in mind and the false teachers have their own best interests in mind.

Application

I’ve heard Christians who have been led astray by false teachers say, “Oh, but they are sincere in their teaching.” That may be so, but to be sincere, even zealous, does no one any good if they are sincerely wrong!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 4:16 – Truth or Consequences

Posted on December 17, 2007 by admin

Galatians 4:16

¹⁶Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

Truth to Learn

Holding to the truth of God’s Word is more important than being well liked.

Behind the Words

The word translated as “therefore” is “hōste,” which is best translated here as so then. It is the first word in this sentence in the Greek, and it serves to closely tie the previous clause with this one.

“Enemy” is translated from the Greek word “echthros,” which is from a primary verb meaning to hate. It is a very strong word used of someone who is strongly opposed to you, that is, someone who hates you. In fact, Christ used this very word in describing Satan as the enemy in his parable of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13:39.

The phrase “tell the truth” is from the word “alētheuōn,” which is from the adjective “alēthēs,” made up of “a” meaning not and a form of “lanthanō,” meaning to hide. Hence, “alēthēs” literally means not hidden and is therefore applied to someone who is true or cannot lie. In the current verse, however, this word is used as a participle; so what Paul is saying, in effect, is “because I am truthing you” or “because I am being truthful to you.”

Meaning Explained

Paul has written this letter to the churches in Galatia because of a heresy which had begun to show-up in these churches. The basic problem was that some devout Jewish converts among the churches, perhaps former Pharisees, had been teaching them that they had to obey the Mosaic Law in order to secure their position with God. Paul, on the other hand, had taught them that their salvation and their continuing position in and relationship with God are wholly dependent on faith apart from the Law.

After they had succumbed to the deception of these false teachers, Paul had apparently communicated to the Galatian churches of their error and received back a report that they didn’t like him or his message. This was probably brought about by the false teachers themselves who claimed that Paul was the enemy of the church because he did not hold to the same doctrines that they taught.

But Paul’s message and style were always based on truth and love. Paul did not hold back the truth even though it may have been painful at times, and his affection for them is evidenced by the terms of endearment that he consistently uses for them. Regarding their current animosity toward him, Paul now asks the Galatian Christians, “Do you hate me now because I am proclaiming the truth?”

Application

Jesus said to those who held fast to His words, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32). He didn’t promise them that the truth would make them popular. The world today doesn’t want to hear the truth of God’s word and Paul tells us in Romans 1:18 that God’s wrath will be upon those who suppress the truth. May we not be among them!

Let us steadfastly hold to the truth of God’s word and proclaim it without shame or fear and may God receive the glory!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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