Posts

Galatians 1:9 – The True Gospel Again

Posted on July 22, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:9

As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Truth to Learn

The gospel message does not change with time. It is the same message today that it was in the first century.

Behind the Words

The word translated “we have said before” is proereō, which is made up of pro, meaning “before” and ereō, meaning “to say or declare.” It is used here in the perfect tense, implying past completed action with present, ongoing effect. It is also expressed here as first person, plural. Hence it could be paraphrased this way: “as we have declared previously and, therefore, you know.”

Let’s review again what the word “gospel” means. It is translated from the Greek word euangelion which is made up of eu meaning “good” or “well” and angelion which means “message” (this comes from the same root as the word angelos translated “angel” meaning “messenger.”) So “gospel” literally means “good message” or “good news.” In the current verse the verb form of this word is used, euangelidzetai which is translated as “preaches the gospel,” whereas it literally means “delivers the good news.”

Meaning Explained

The gospel that Paul and the other apostles have been proclaiming is a simple message of salvation by grace, through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross. And apparently Paul and others have previously warned the Galatians not to change or be persuaded to change their beliefs regarding this simple truth. This is evidenced by the fact that Paul says “As we have said before” not “as I have just said before.” He continues on with, “so now I say again.” This is such an important truth that Paul repeats the point about those who pervert the gospel into something other than the simple message it is. Paul’s point is that these who pervert the gospel message are anathema (worthless, discarded, and accursed.)

A very literal translation of this verse would be:

As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone delivers a good message beside what you received, let him be accursed.

These legalizers who had crept into the church, delivered a good message and it was probably delivered eloquently by people of great background and reputation. But it was not the same good message that Paul and other apostles had delivered to them. It included what Paul had taught but it had other things added to it which, according to Paul, was an evil thing for them to do.

Application

When you hear wonderful sermons from preachers in the pulpit, on the radio, or on television telling you the good news of Jesus Christ but their message also includes rules, customs, traditions, or requirements that you must also adhere to, remember what Paul says about them: “let them be accursed!”

God made the gospel message simple for a reason.

Let’s keep it that way!

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 1:8 – The True Gospel

Posted on July 19, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:8

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

Truth to Learn

The gospel message does not change with time. It is the same message today that it was in the first century.

Behind the Words

The word translated “angel” is angelos which simply means ‘a messenger.’

The Greek word translated “accursed” is anathema. This is a noun taken from the verb anatithemi which means “to place or lay up.” It refers to a gift given by vow, in fulfillment of a promise, and given up or devoted to destruction for God’s sake. It is exemplified by a sacrificial animal that is offered up and killed before God. Hence, it becomes something that has been given over to destruction, and is, therefore, considered accursed.

Meaning Explained

Paul has just commented on the fact that the Galatians have strayed from the truth of the gospel of faith in Jesus Christ. The reason for their departure is that some members of the churches were teaching that salvation by faith was not enough. These false teachers were saying that Christians must keep the Law of Moses and the traditions of the Jewish faith if they want to be truly saved. These teachers were likely former Pharisees and Scribes of the Jewish faith who had been so indoctrinated in the ways of Judaism that they believed they must be carried over into Christianity.

In addition, these teachers were probably aware that Paul still observed some of the rites and traditions of Judaism. For instance, in Acts 21:18-26 Paul was persuaded to pay the offering for, and to be a partaker in, a vow that some of the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem had taken. This action is not forbidden in Christianity, but it certainly provided fodder for those who wanted to make Christianity a legalistic religion.

Paul cautions the believers in the Galatian churches not to be persuaded to corrupt the pure gospel of Christ no matter who it was that was teaching. He said, “But even if we,” meaning the Apostles, “or an angel from heaven” tried to teach them any other gospel, then the teacher was to be accursed. But Paul takes special note to point out that even if the message comes via a messenger from heaven we are to reject it if it does not completely agree with what Paul has already taught them.

Application

These are strong words from Paul, but it shows the importance of not adding anything to the truth taught in the Word of God. There are some religions today claiming they have newer revelation than what we have in our Bible, revelation that they received from a special angel. Paul says that those who teach this type of heresy are accursed and we are not to be persuaded by them.

We need to study what Paul and the other apostles teach us so that we will know when someone tries to teach something different. If we know the truth, we can detect deception.

That’s something to think about!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 1:7 – Perverted Gospel

Posted on July 18, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:7

which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

Truth to Learn

The gospel (good news) about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ has absolutely nothing to do with obeying rules or laws.

Behind the Words

As in the previous verse, we have the word “another,” but this is translated from a different Greek word. In the current verse it is the word allos, meaning “another of the same kind” whereas in the previous verse it was heteros, meaning “another of a different kind.”

The word translated “pervert” is a form of the Greek word metastrepho. This is made up of meta, denoting “a change of place or condition” and strepho, which means “to turn.” Hence, metastrepho means ‘to turn into something different, usually for the worse.’

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse it was noted that Paul was surprised that the Galatians had turned their allegiance to another gospel. In the current verse he seems to contradict himself by saying that it ‘is not another.’ This confusion is cleared up when we see that he used two different words for “another” in these verses

What he is saying is: “I wonder that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different kind of gospel, which is not simply another way of expressing the gospel we preached to you …”

In fact, Paul goes on to describe this different kind of gospel which they have been tricked into believing. He says that it has been perverted. There were some among the Galatians who wanted to change the simple gospel of Christ into something totally different, and worse. These “legalizers” had brought the Law from Judaism and tried to cram it into the good news about salvation through faith and faith alone. They were insisting that the Christians in the Galatian churches bear the yoke of the Law, which they themselves had not been able to bear.

Anytime you add to the simple gospel you make it something less than what God intended it to be. We are not bound by the rules of the Mosaic Law; we have been set free from the Law.

Here’s how Paul expressed it in Romans chapter 8:

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4)

Challenge

Are you walking according to the flesh, trying to prove your righteousness to God? Or are you walking according to the Spirit, accepting the righteousness that only comes through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 1:6 – A Different Gospel?

Posted on July 17, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:6

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,

Truth to Learn

There is only one true gospel message and it is about salvation by grace alone.

Behind the Words

It is interesting to note the tenderness with which Paul deals with this legalistic false teaching that had crept into the church. He starts off this verse with “I marvel.” This is a translation of the Greek word, thaumadzo which means “to wonder.” This is a very mild term which could easily have been replaced with a more forceful and condemning word. Instead, Paul speaks gently to these believers.

The word translated “turning away” is from the Greek metatithesthe which means “to put something in a different place’ or ‘to switch party affiliation.”

There are two different Greek words each of which is translated “another” in the New Testament; allos, meaning “another of the same kind” and heteros, meaning “another of a different kind.” The word used here is heteros, another of a different kind.

Meaning Explained

The basic problem that had occurred in the Galatian churches is that the devout Jewish converts among the churches, perhaps former Pharisees, had been teaching them that the Galatian believers had to obey the Mosaic Law in order to secure their salvation. Paul, on the other hand, had taught them that their salvation and their continuing position in and relationship with God are wholly dependent on God’s grace, apart from the law. Paul will expound further on this as the letter unfolds.

What he is saying, is that these Galatian Christians had left off following the pure gospel message of salvation and righteousness by faith through God’s grace. Iinstead, they were now following a legalistic observance of righteousness.

There has been much discussion through the centuries as to what Paul means by “Him who called you.” Some think it refers to Paul, himself. Others think it refers to Christ. Still others believe that it is a reference to God’s calling of individuals to salvation. This third interpretation seems to make the most sense. Paul claims elsewhere that he is only the messenger and Christ is the satisfaction of our sins whereas God the Father is the one who calls us.

Paul says that the thing to which these Galatian believers had switched their allegiance is “a different gospel.” That is, Paul is claiming that the “gospel” that they are now following, the legalistic rules and regulations that had been added to salvation by grace, was not simply a different interpretation of the true gospel, but it was a different kind of gospel, not following truth at all.

Application

Have you been caught up in church rules and regulations or church traditions that have taken on more importance that the plain truth of the Word? Do you believe what you do about your Christianity because it is what the church has taught you to believe? Or is your faith and relationship with God based solely of what the Bible teaches?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 1:5 – Eternal Glory

Posted on July 16, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:5

to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Truth to Learn

One day God will receive praise and glory from all of creation, and it will last eternally.

Behind the Words

The word translated “glory” is the Greek word, doxa which is the noun form of the verb dokeo meaning “to think” or “to recognize.” Hence, doxa refers to “the good thoughts and recognition” that someone deservedly receives. According to The Complete Word Study Dictionary, “the word primarily means thought or opinion, especially favorable human opinion, and thus in a secondary sense reputation, praise, and honor.”

In the current verse, Paul says that glory is to be given to God “forever and ever.” This expression is the translation of the Greek, eis tous aionos ton aionon. The words aionos and aionon refer to a duration or continuation of time. Hence the expression that Paul used here could be translated as “unto the ages of the ages” or “unto the time of time.” The truest meaning in English, though, would be “eternally” or “forever.”

Meaning Explained

In the current verse we have to first ask ourselves who Paul is referring to when he says “to whom.” Is he referring to Jesus Christ, who gave his own blood to pay for our sins, who willingly gave of his perfect life in payment for our imperfect lives? Or is he referring to God the Father, whose will it was that his only begotten son should be sacrificed for us, who laid out the plan of the ages including a way for us, dead in out trespasses and sins, to be reconciled to a perfect, holy, righteous God? It is very likely that Paul is referring both, though from a strict grammatical sense this would refer to God the Father.

One of the supreme examples of God receiving honor and glory is given to us in the book of Revelation. This is a scene from God’s throne room in heaven:

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” (Revelation 4:9-11)

And, quoting a passage from the prophet Isaiah, Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans:

For it is written, “As I live, says the lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to god.” (Romans 14:11)

Application

If God is some day going to receive our praise for all of time and eternity, because of who He is and what He has done, then we should be practicing daily our giving of this glory to Him who “was and is and is to come.”

Let each one of us give God all the glory and all the praise right now!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 1:4 – Submissive Giving

Posted on July 15, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:4

who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

Truth to Learn

Jesus freely gave his life in perfect submission to God the Father as payment for our sins and as an example for us.

Behind the Words

The word translated “deliver” is the Greek word, exeletai which means “to pluck out, to tear out, to take out from a number, to select, or to rescue.”

Meaning Explained

It is interesting that Paul starts out this letter with an immediate statement of the central doctrine of Christianity, namely that Jesus Christ died for our sins. This is something that the Galatians had apparently forgotten, or it had become obscured by other beliefs as we will see in the third chapter of this letter. Notice two things about Christ’s sacrifice. The first is that He “gave Himself.” Jesus’ life was not taken from Him, He gave it up freely on His own. This is confirmed by what is written in the gospel accounts of His death:

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. (Matthew 27:50)

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into your hands I commit my spirit.’ “ Having said this, He breathed His last. (Luke 23:46)

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19:30)

Jesus gave up His spirit, that is, He voluntarily died on our behalf.

The other thing to note about His giving up His life on the cross is the fact that, in doing so, He was acquiescing to the will of God the Father (“according to the will of our God and Father.”) Jesus gave Himself, not because He thought it was a good idea, but because it was what the Father wanted Him to do. Throughout His earthly life, Jesus was committed to doing the will of God the Father. In giving up His life He gave us all an example of submitting to the will of the Father.

And, by giving up His life, according to the present verse, Jesus delivered us from this present evil age. His voluntary death was the means by which Jesus rescued us from the condemnation that is coming on all those who reject Him. Through Jesus’ submission to the Father by giving up His life for us, we were reconciled to the Father.

Application

Are you submitted to the will of our Heavenly Father? Are you willing to do whatever God asks of you? Or are you running your life the way you want to, believing the things you want to instead of learning from the Bible what God the Father wants you to do?

Let me challenge you right now to submit your will to the Father by confessing your sins and seeking His guidance in all areas of your life!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 1:3 – Grace and Peace

Posted on July 12, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:3

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,

Truth to Learn

Peace only comes from God, and it is bestowed on us only through His infinite grace.

Behind the Words

“Grace” is translated from the Greek word charis, which is derived from the verb chairo, meaning “to rejoice.” But charis means more than ‘joy,’ it is the source of our joy. According to The Complete Word Study Dictionary, charis means, “a favor done without expectation of return; the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver; unearned and unmerited favor.”

The word “peace” is the translation of the Greek word, eirene, which means, “in a civil sense, the opposite of war and dissention and, among individuals, harmony, tranquility, and peace of mind.”

Meaning Explained

Paul now gives a familiar opening blessing of grace and peace. In fact, these two are so inseparable that Paul frequently opens his letters with a blessing of both grace and peace. See also 1Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1Thessalonians 1:1; 2Thessalonians 1:2; Philemon 1:3.

Grace is an important word and concept for the Galatian churches as it is in direct opposition to works of the Law. Remember what Paul taught in Romans:

Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (Rom 3:20-24)

The other thing Paul bestows on the Galatian churches is peace. For a Christian, this is the calm assurance that God has removed all our sins from us, has declared us righteous, and assures us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. It is only by His grace that He gives us His peace.

Interestingly enough, neither grace nor peace can be obtained by obedience to the Law. We are not saved by works neither are we kept in God’s good graces by works. The Galatian Christians were confused about salvation by grace apart from the works of the law as we will see throughout this letter.

Application

Are you a saved Christian who is still trying to please God by your good works? If so, then stay with us and learn what Paul taught about this type of legalism.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 1:2 – To The Church

Posted on July 11, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:2

and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:

Truth to Learn

We all need to learn about doctrinal error so we can spot it and resist it in any church.

Behind the Words

The word translated “brethren” is adelphos, which is made up of the connective particle a, denoting unity and delphus, which means “the womb.” Hence, it means those who are united through the womb, or those who come from the same womb. Hence, though it is usually thought of as implying males who have the same mother or father, it really means all those, male and female, with a common mother or father. In the New Testament it is used of all those who are members of the church and, therefore, all who are children of God.

Meaning Explained

In this verse Paul includes the fact that there were others with him in support of what he was about to say. It was common for Paul to include others in the salutation of his letters (see 1Corinthians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; and 1Thessalonians 1:1). He also indicates who this letter was written to, ‘the churches of Galatia.’

Galatia was a Roman province in the interior of Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) directly north of the island of Cyprus, extending nearly all the way to the Black Sea. Since the borders of Galatia were somewhat ill defined and were often changed, it is difficult to say exactly which churches were included in ‘the churches of Galatia.’ It is possible that they included the churches at Lystra, Iconium, and Derbe, which were churches that Paul and Barnabas visited on the first missionary journey (see Acts chapter 14), although these are referred to as being in Lycaonia according to Acts 14.

There were several cities in Galatia proper such as Ancyria, Tavia, and Pessinus. It is quite possible that a church had been established in each of these cities, and, since they were not far distant from each other, could have been referred to as the churches of Galatia.

Whatever the specific churches were, it is clear that they all had a similar doctrinal error that Paul was intent on correcting. This error had begun to creep into the churches from the very beginning, as converted Jews who had been brought up under the Law of Moses were insisting that all converts to Christianity also keep the Law of Moses. This was the subject of the very first church council recorded for us in Acts chapter 15. We will get more into the details of their doctrinal errors later.

The thing to note is that Paul would not tolerate bad doctrine in the church. To many Christians today, doctrine is a dirty word. They believe that learning doctrine is not nearly as important as loving one another, but Paul would strongly disagree. Doctrine is important and correct doctrine is of paramount importance!

Application

Though this letter was specifically written to the churches in Galatia, it has truths that are pertinent to all Christians. As we go through this letter let us, each one, consider how these truths apply to our own Christian walk.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Galatians 1:1 – Apostolic Message

Posted on July 10, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:1

Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),

Truth to Learn

All who are Christian are thus through the grace of God. He has called us to serve Him and we must humbly obey.

Behind the Words

The word apostle is a transliteration, that is, the word has been carried directly across from the Greek word ‘apostolos’ which means ‘one who is sent with a message.’

Meaning Explained

Paul starts off his letter to the Galatians in his typical style, which was a common way of beginning a letter in his day, by identifying who the letter was from. He also states right at the beginning that he is ‘an apostle.’ He says that his apostleship was not conferred on him from other men nor did he inherit his apostleship from someone else. Instead, he affirms here that he was called to be an apostle by Jesus Christ Himself as conferred on him by God the Father. In this case, as Paul notes in this first verse, he was sent by Jesus Christ. His conversion experience is detailed in Acts chapter 9 and again in Acts chapter 26.

There are two qualifications that are necessary before anyone can be considered an apostle of Jesus Christ. The first is that a person must have actually seen and been in the presence of Jesus and the other is that Jesus must have specifically called that person into the ministry. This is certainly true of the 11 original apostles and it is also true of Paul. The unique thing about Paul’s apostolic calling is that he was specifically sent to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. After Paul’s 3^rd missionary journey he returned to Jerusalem to deliver gifts, probably money, from the Gentile churches in Greece. While he was there he was arrested and put on trial before the Sanhedrin. During his defense in this trial Paul explained why he was specifically taking the gospel message of God to the Gentiles. This is detailed in Acts 22:17-21:

“Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’

So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’

Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ “

Thus was Paul sent by Christ Himself to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, a task which Paul took very seriously and a task which he pursued until the day of his death.

Application

According to Romans chapter 8, every Christian is called. We each have work that God wants us to do for Him. We must not resist what God has called us to do but we must willingly submit to His will and give Him all the glory.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Welcome

Posted on July 8, 2007 by Will

Welcome to the Ministry of Grace Church blog for our Daily Bible Study verse.