Posts

Galatians 3:24 – Personal Guide

Posted on November 12, 2007 by Will

Galatians 3:24

²⁴Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Truth to Learn

The law not only acted as our prison guard in the past, but it also served as our guide, bringing us to faith in Christ.

Behind the Words

“Therefore” is translated from the Greek word “hōste” which is often translated as therefore but actually means, so too.

The word translated “tutor” is “paidagōgos” from which we get our English word pedagogue. This is a compound word made up of “pais,” meaning a child and a form of “agōgos” which means a leader. So, literally it means one who leads children. Originally it referred to a slave who took young boys from home to school and back. Later, though, it came to mean an instructor or “ teacher.

The word translated “was” is not the normal Greek verb of being. It is a form of the word, “ginomai” which means to cause to exist or to become. It is used here in the perfect tense which indicates past completed action with a continuous ongoing effect. The emphasis of the perfect tense, however, is on the effect. In this instance, it means that the law has now become our instructor or, literally “the law has become the one who leads us.”

Meaning Explained

In the past few verses Paul told us that we were imprisoned by the scriptures because of our sinfulness and kept under guard by the law until saving faith in the blood of Christ came along. We are now told, “So too, the law has become our child leader to bring us to Christ, …” Not only was the law our guard, making sure that we did not escape the realization of our sinfulness, but it also has served to lead us like little children to faith in Jesus Christ.

The result being, because of our believing God’s promises concerning the death and resurrection of His son, God has now declared us to be righteous. That is, we are now “justified by faith.”

Paul’s point in this section of his letter to the Galatians is that trying to observe the law can not produce righteousness because the law is condemning and enslaving. It was implemented to show us how sinful we really are. But it also was implemented to lead us to the awareness of, recognition of, and belief in Jesus the Christ, the Messiah. And through this faith in Christ we are declared righteous by God and set free from the condemnation of the law.

So What?

Now that we have been declared righteous and set free from the condemnation of the law, how can anyone think that returning to obedience of the law can add anything to the righteousness and freedom that we now have?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, you can call the church phone (618) 614-3070 and leave a message telling us your name and e-mail address or you can send an e-mail to:

Galatians 3:23 – Liberating Faith

Posted on November 11, 2007 by Will

Galatians 3:23

²³But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.

Truth to Learn

The purpose of the Law was to demonstrate our own sinfulness and our inability to become righteous through its observance. Now that Christ has come and offered Himself, we are no longer bound and kept under guard by the Law.

Behind the Words

The word translated “faith” has the definite article in the Greek. Hence it refers to “the faith.” This is a reference to faith in Christ as the specific faith rather than faith in general.

The word translated “we were kept in custody” is “ephrouroumetha” which means to be kept under guard or under custody. This is a continuation of the imagery that Paul used in the previous verse when he said we were “confined in sin.” It is a picture of someone who is imprisoned and kept under constant watch to ensure there is no escape. Under this imprisonment we were “shut up.” This is a word that we looked at in the previous verse meaning “enclosed as in a prison.”

The expression “to the faith” in the latter half of this verse is from the Greek, “eis tēn pistin.” The Greek word “eis” means into or unto but it also carries the idea of for. In this case it likely means that we were shut up in preparation for the faith to be revealed.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we learned that scripture has declared us all to be sinners so that we are imprisoned by our inability to earn our righteousness. Paul continues on with this analogy by declaring that until faith in Christ came along we were kept under guard in our imprisonment by the Law.

The purpose for this imprisonment was not to prevent us from obtaining righteousness but to keep us aware of our sinfulness until righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ came along. At the time the Law was delivered to the Israelites they were already looking for a Messiah but the “Anointed One” that they were expecting was a conquering, liberating ruler. Before He could come as a King, however, the Messiah had to come as a sacrificial Lamb. This is the Lamb that Abraham was speaking of when he told his son Isaac:

Genesis 22:8a ⁸And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.”

Now that the Lamb has come and has been sacrificed for us we are no longer kept under guard by the Law. The Law no longer has that purpose. Belief that the blood of Christ paid for our sins now liberates us from the Law.

So What?

Do you want to be free? Trying to obey the Law or any other set of rules produces imprisonment. Only the truth about the Lamb of God frees us from the Law and sin.

John 8:32 ³²And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 3:22 – Imprisoned by Sin

Posted on November 8, 2007 by Will

Galatians 3:22

²² But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Truth to Learn

Scripture has declared that all of us are trapped by sinfulness. Since we can’t earn our righteousness by obeying a set of rules, we have to rely on the goodness and grace of God.

Behind the Words

The verb translated “has confined” is “sunekleisen,” which is a compound word made up of “sun” meaning together and a form of “kleio” meaning to shut up or to enclose. Hence, it means to confine together as if in a prison. The same word is used in Luke 5:6 where it is translated as “enclosed.”

Luke 5:6 ⁶When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break;

All of the fish which they caught were confined together by the net just as we are confined, or imprisoned, by Scripture.

Meaning Explained

Once again Paul is personifying the Scripture. That is, he is giving it personal attributes and abilities, whereas in reality it is God who is doing the action. He tells us that Scripture has enclosed us, like in a prison, because we are all sinners. Paul is likely referring to:

Psalms 14:2-3 ²The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. ³They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

This is repeated again in the New Testament in:

Romans 3:10-12 ¹⁰As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; ¹¹There is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. ¹²They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.”

And, in that same letter Paul tells the Romans, as he does the Galatian Christians here, that we are imprisoned by our sin:

Romans 11:32 ³²For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.

But why would God allow all of mankind to be imprisoned by sin? Because God wants the promise of eternal life, the covenant of righteousness, the blessing of salvation, to be a gift from Him to us. Do you see it? Paul is making it clear once again that we can’t earn our righteousness. We can’t perform acts of obedience or acts of contrition that will earn us righteousness. If we could earn it by obedience, then obeying the Law would be able to produce righteousness, but it can’t.

The promise of eternal life, the covenant of righteousness, is a one-sided contract with God as the only signatory. He gives us eternal life, not because we have done anything to earn it, but because He wants us to know how merciful and gracious He is.

So What?

Has Paul convinced you yet? There is nothing that you can do to earn your salvation. If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for your sins, then God has declared you righteous and eternal life is promised to you. Period!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 3:21 – Bad Law?

Posted on November 7, 2007 by Will

Galatians 3:21

²¹Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.

Truth to Learn

The Law of Moses is not contrary to the promises of God, but it is still not possible to obtain righteousness by obeying the Law.

Behind the Words

The expression “Certainly not!” that Paul uses in this verse is one which he uses frequently in answer to rhetorical questions. It is translated from the Greek, “mē genoito” which could very easily be translated into our vernacular as, “No way!”

Meaning Explained

Paul has presented a very strong case as to why salvation is not dependent on fulfilling any part of the requirements of the Law of Moses. This has been his objective since the beginning of this letter to the Galatian Christians; however, many of the converts throughout Galatia, like many in the first century church as a whole, were converts from Judaism. They grew up being taught that God required all Jews to obey the Law. It would be difficult, if not impossible, for these Jewish converts to think that the Law which they grew up with is contrary to the faith that they now hold. So, in anticipation of their objection, Paul now presents the question that they would likely pose so that he can answer it: “Is the Law of Moses contrary to God’s promises through faith?”

He answers his own question with a very familiar expression of his: “No way!” The Law of Moses is as good as a law can be. It is good, and pure, and true, but it is not capable of giving eternal life because no man (except the incarnate Son of God) can be justified by perfect obedience to it. The Law of Moses was as well adapted to justification by obedience as a law could be. Its demands are as just and its terms as favorable as any of the terms of mere law could be.

Because we have a sin nature, we will all break at least some part of the law. And, as James told us:

James 2:10 ¹⁰For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

Therefore, no one can be justified by the Law of Moses. The fact that no one can be justified by the pure law revealed on Mount Sinai forever settles the question about the possibility of being justified by any law or set of rules.

So What?

The Law of Moses, presented to the children of Israel on Mount Sinai detailing how we should live with one another and how we should behave before our God, is the best set of guidelines ever given to man. Obeying these guidelines, or any other set of rules and regulations, cannot make a person righteous in God’s eyes.

The only ones who can stand in the presence of God Almighty are those whom God Himself has declared righteous, and that only happens by faith.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 3:20 – One Sided Agreement

Posted on November 6, 2007 by Will

Galatians 3:20
²⁰Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.

Truth to Learn

The law of Moses was delivered through a mediator but we’re incapable of keeping our end of the agreement. The only way we can obtain righteousness is if God is the only one involved in the agreement. He always keeps His promises.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “mediator” is “mesitēs,” which literally means one who is in the middle. In this case it refers to one who is a moderator or mediator between two parties. And it is required of the mediator that he has the best interests of both parties in mind. In the previous verse this word is used in reference to Moses as the mediator with respect to the Law between God and man.

Meaning Explained

A mediator has to have two parties to mediate between, but our agreement of righteousness only involves God. We know that Moses was the mediator between God and man in delivering the law to the Israelites. The Israelites could not stand in God’s presence without being killed. In fact, they could not even touch Mount Sinai while the law was being delivered to Moses or they would be killed (Exodus chapters 19 and 20). Moses’ mediation was necessary for the delivery of the law. But, as we have seen in the previous verses, the purpose of the law was to show man how sinful he is, and as Paul has pointed out, Abraham was declared righteous by God long before the law existed.

The covenant, or the contract, between God and Abraham was all the work of God without a mediator. It was promised and reckoned to Abraham with God as the only party involved. It did not require Abraham to do anything in return. Hence, there was only one contracting party. And, if there was only one contracting party, and He made an unconditional promise requiring nothing from the other party, there was no need of a mediator. The fact that the law required a mediator implied that those under the law must keep their part of the agreement.

Paul’s point is this: with a mediator, both parties have to uphold their end of the agreement. With respect to the law, we can’t fulfill our obligation; therefore, the law can never be the means of righteousness. Righteousness can only come as a result of a covenant of promise executed by God alone. He will always uphold His end of the agreement.

So What?

We can’t make any “deal” with God in order to secure our salvation because, as sinners, we can’t keep our end of the agreement. Trying to keep the law to become righteous is futile because we can’t keep our end of the bargain. In the same way, trying to obey a set of church rules is futile. The only way to have a covenant of righteousness between us and God is if that agreement is dependent on God alone.

That’s called grace!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 3:19 – Why the Law?

Posted on November 5, 2007 by Will

Galatians 3:19

¹⁹What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.

Truth to Learn

The law was given to Moses so that we could see how exceedingly sinful we are and how righteous Jesus is.

Behind the Words

In the opening sentence of this verse, you will notice that two words are grayed-out (“does” and “serve”). These two words don’t appear in the original Greek but were added by the translators. Perhaps a better translation of this sentence is, “Then why the law?”

The expression “because of transgressions” is translated from the word “parabaseōn,” which properly means with respect to transgressions or wrongdoing. The point is not that the law was added as a result of transgressions but that it was added to show the true nature of transgressions.

Meaning Explained

As we have been working our way through this chapter of Galatians, it has become obvious that Paul is teaching that salvation (righteousness) comes by faith without any help from obedience to the law. He has made that point abundantly clear several times. Therefore, the obvious question is, “Then why did God go to all the effort to deliver the law to Moses and the children of Israel?”

In Paul’s typical manner he does not dodge this issue but addresses it head-on. Knowing that this would be in his readers’ minds, he proceeds to ask and answer the question himself. The answer is, “It was added to show the true nature of transgressions.” We would not understand the true nature of disobeying God unless there was a way for us to experience it. Since none of us are righteous, we cannot satisfy the law. We are natural born law breakers and the law makes that obvious to us.

Another purpose of the law was for us to see how righteous Jesus is, since He fully kept the law. And, as Paul showed us in the previous verses, Christ was the seed to whom the promise of the inheritance of the world was made. Now, since we can’t satisfy the law and Christ has satisfied the law, we are all under God’s condemnation. The perfect one, Jesus Christ, then gave Himself as the payment for our sins so that we could receive His righteousness by faith, and faith alone.

So What?

As we are told in Romans:

§ “There is no one righteous, not even one,” [Romans 3:10]

§ “The wages of sin is death” [Romans 6:23a]

§ “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [Romans 6:23b]

Without the law we would not know our own sinfulness and we could not accept God’s gift of righteousness through Jesus Christ.

Once again, God thought of everything!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 3:18 – Promised Gift

Posted on November 2, 2007 by Will

Galatians 3:18

¹⁸For if the inheritance is of Law, it is no more of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by way of promise.

Truth to Learn

Abraham was promised an inheritance, not through satisfying the Law but through believing God. Our salvation is exactly the same. We are saved by a gift that is promised us without any works of the Law whatsoever.

Behind the Words

The first thing we have to ask ourselves is, “What, specifically, was the promise that God made to Abraham?” The answer is given to us by Paul in his letter to the Romans:

Romans 4:13 ¹³For the promise that he should be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.

From this we see that the promise was that he (Abraham) should be heir of the world. That is to say, that Abraham and his descendents would inherit the earth.

The Greek word translated “gave” is “kecharistai,” which is a form of “charis” meaning grace. It refers to “an act of freely bestowing a favor on someone else without payment or obligation.” The tense of this word, like others that we have looked at lately, is the perfect tense, indicating completed action in the past with current, ongoing effect. The inheritance that God promised Abraham was given to him in the past and now is in the state of having been bestowed on him, forever.

Meaning Explained

Paul’s argument is that if the inheritance of the world can be obtained through keeping the Law, then it is delivered by obligation, not by way of a promised gift. Since, as we saw in the previous verses, the promise was made to Abraham more than three hundred years before the Law came, the promise is not dependent on the keeping of the Law. It is, as Paul says in this verse, a gift (God gave it to Abraham.) And, as we see from the meaning of the word “gave,” it was presented to Abraham without him having to do anything to earn it or to pay for it. The inheritance was both promised and delivered to Abraham (from God’s perspective) the moment Abraham believed God’s word.

And that’s exactly how it works for our salvation today. This is the crux of Paul’s entire train of thought. The promise that we are saved from our sins is immediately placed to our account the moment we believe God’s Word and accept Christ as Lord and Savior. There is nothing more we have to do because God gave it to us by way of a promise the instant we believed.

So What?

Paul seems to cover these points in excruciating detail, moving ever so slowly through his arguments. The reason is that he wants the Galatian Christians (and Christians today) to completely understand, without a shadow of doubt, that works of the Law have absolutely nothing to do with salvation.

Works of righteousness are the result of salvation, not the source of salvation!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Galatians 3:17 – Covenant Confirmed

Posted on November 1, 2007 by Will

Galatians 3:17

¹⁷And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.

Truth to Learn

Obedience to the Law has no effect on the covenant of righteousness between God and man.

Behind the Words

The expression “that was confirmed before” which Paul uses with regard to the covenant, comes from the Greek word “prokekurōmenēn.” This is a compound word made up of “pro” meaning “before in place or time” and a form of “kuroō” which means “to confirm or establish.” Hence, this means to establish or confirm something in time past. But this particular verb is expressed here in the perfect tense, meaning that it is a covenant which was established at a point in time in the past with a continuous, ongoing (and unchanging) effect.

Meaning Explained

Two verses back Paul used an example from human relations. He pointed out that when a covenant (a contract) is made between two people then no one can change that covenant. He now applies that principle to the current argument. Abraham was declared righteous by God when he believed God’s promise, and that’s when the covenant between them was established.

Genesis 15:5, 6 ⁵Then 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.” ⁶And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

And the covenant that was established in the past has a continuous, on-going effect. This is the contract which God made with Abraham. They were the only ones participating in the covenant. The Law was not presented to Moses until 430 years after this covenant between God and Abraham. Since the covenant can’t be added to or annulled by anyone or anything, the Law cannot add to or take away from the covenant made between God and Abraham.

Paul has just demonstrated to the Galatians that their righteousness, like Abraham’s, is based on faith apart from the works of the law. Their faith is in the promised seed, Jesus Christ. Since their faith resulted in God declaring them righteous just as it did for Abraham, then, like Abraham, they cannot add to or take away anything regarding their righteousness by observing the Law, in part or in whole.

So What?

How long ago were you saved? Do you remember the exact moment that you confessed your sins and accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? That’s when God made a covenant with you (with continuous on-going effect). Keeping the works of the Law or the statutes or ordinances of a church or denomination cannot add to or take away from that. Period!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Galatians 3:16 – One Seed

Posted on October 31, 2007 by Will

Galatians 3:16

¹⁶Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “and to your seed,” who is Christ.

Truth to Learn

Faith in Jesus, and Jesus alone, is the means of God’s blessing.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “seed” is “spermati” from which we get our English word sperm. In this instance, it is a singular noun. Later in the verse the word appears in the plural, “spermasin” and is translated “seeds.” This word can refer to a seed that is planted in the ground or it can refer to a person’s posterity, his descendents. The problem is that neither the Greek word for “seed” nor the Hebrew equivalent of this word, “zera’” is found in the plural anywhere in the Bible when referring to a person’s posterity, except in this passage.

So, why does Paul go to an extreme like this to claim the promise to Abraham was to a single person when in natural language it could refer to all of his descendents? Many Biblical scholars, throughout the centuries, have wondered about this, and opponents of Biblical inspiration and inerrancy have used this verse to try to prove their point. The difficulty of defending Paul’s use of the singular to refer only to Christ has caused at least one expositor to say:

“Perhaps the following remarks may show that there is real force and propriety in the position which the apostle takes here. If not, then I confess my inability to explain the passage.”

Meaning Explained

Paul is referencing a passage in the book of Genesis where God spoke to Abraham after seeing that he (Abraham) was willing to sacrifice his promised son, Isaac, in obedience to God’s word:

Genesis 22:18 ¹⁸In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.

Paul’s thesis is that the singular use of the word “seed” was intentionally referring to a single person, Jesus Christ. Had God intended “seed” to refer to Abraham’s posterity it would have included all the descendents of Abraham including Isaac, Ishmael, and all the children of his second wife, Ketura. But, the blessing of Abraham is conferred on all those who believe God’s promise of a single redeemer, as Paul pointed out in:

Galatians 3:9 ⁹So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

Today, those who believe God’s Word and His promise of eternal life receive God’s blessing. That is, they are accounted as righteous, not because they have earned it in any way, but because they believe in Abraham’s seed, the son of David, the root of Jesse, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God!

To the Galatians Christians, who were fooled into believing that they also had to keep the Law of Moses to be completely saved, Paul could not have made it any clearer.

So What?

Now, I ask you, “Who do you say Jesus is?”

In God’s service, for His glory,

Galatians 3:15 – Eternal Contract

Posted on October 30, 2007 by Will

Galatians 3:15

¹⁵Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.

Truth to Learn

God has made a contract with us to give us eternal life if we believe His truth. Nothing and no one can change it.

Behind the Words

When Paul says: “I speak in the manner of men,” it does not mean that this truth is not from God. It means that Paul is about to use an example of an event that occurs between men. The word translated “confirmed” is a form of the Greek word “kuroō,” a word that refers to “authority.” This particular word is in the perfect tense, meaning this is past completed action with a present continuous effect. Hence, the word that Paul uses here refers to: “something that been made authoritative or that has been established as valid and now continues to be authoritative.”

Meaning Explained

When any two people today make a legal agreement with each other, it involves a contract signed by both parties. Typically, after the contract is signed, two copies of it are made and each retains one of the copies. From this point on, neither party can cancel or change the agreement unless both parties agree and, either mutually amend the contract or create a new one.

God’s contract with Abraham was:

Galatians 3:6 ⁶just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

In other words, Abraham received righteousness in God’s accounting book in exchange for believing what God told him. This is the agreement—the contract—which God made with Abraham and it can never be changed.

But there is another agreement that Paul has told us about in the preceding verses: Those who are of faith, those who believe God’s Word as Abraham did, are blessed (declared righteous) by God just as Abraham was. The curse, that we earned by our failure to live up to God’s righteousness, was taken on by Jesus at the cross. Our curse has been taken away and Jesus’ righteousness has been given to us.

This contract, just like a human contract, cannot be annulled or changed by anyone. When we confess our sins and accept Jesus’ payment for those sins with his own blood, God makes a binding agreement with us. This agreement, as we saw in the previous verse, says that we have been purchased by God and taken off the market. Hence it is an eternal contract.

So What?

Have you made this agreement with God? Have you accepted Jesus blood as payment for your sins? If so, you are no longer for sale. You belong to God and He has declared you righteous forever.

You can’t add to it by good works and you can’t annul it by sinning. You are saved eternally!

Why not thank Him for this gracious contract.

In God’s service, for His glory,