Bible Study Galatians 5: 16- 26

 

Bible Study Galatians 5: 16- 26

Our text: 

Walk by the Spirit

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh [a]sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you do not do the things that you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, [b]factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who [c]belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also [d]walk in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become those with vain glory, challenging one another, envying one another.

Verse by verse commentary

Verse 16: “But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”

The Holy Spirit’s dwelling within the believer is a sign that the believer is a part of the body of Christ and an heir of the covenant promises given to Abraham. The Greek word translated “walk” is a present tense verb in the imperative mood. This means that the action is to be continuous as opposed to singular action. By imperative, this means the verse is a command. Walking in the Spirit is not an option for the believer. It is required and all true believers know this and this is how they live their lives. When you dedicate each moment to the Lord, you will have no desire for the lusts of the flesh.

Verse 17: “For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you do not do the things that you want.”

The word “flesh” is used at least three ways by Paul: (1) Refers to humanness; (2) the physical body.; and (3) sinful human nature, which includes the mind and soul. If the Galatians were to abandon Christ and place their confidence in the law and their works, they would be turning back to reliance on the flesh, and thus to a place under the law’s curse. The Law reveals sin but never cures it. There is hope as well as warning in Paul’s words. Although the desires of the flesh oppose the Spirit, the desires given by the Holy Spirit deliver us from the flesh and the law. While we live in our earthly bodies we will have an inner conflict with our flesh until we begin living a Spirit-filled life. A Spirit-filled life is one that is fully surrendered every moment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. When one is fully surrendered to Christ, the flesh will become weaker and weaker everyday.

Verse 18: “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.” 

You have a choice; these are mutually exclusive. Choice 1: you live by the power of the Holy Spirit which results in righteous behavior and spiritual attitudes or Choice 2:  you live by the law which can only produce unrighteous behavior and attitudes. The Law never saves. It never has and never will. The Greek word translated “led” is a present tense (means continuous action) passive voice (means that the person is receiving the action) verb. It tells us that the Holy Spirit will bring you to a place He wants you to be. This is not about being led to a new job, house, or relationship, but instead being led to mortify (put to death) sin at every occasion. When someone tells me that God led them, my response is: “what sin did He tell you to crucify?”

Verse 19: “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,”

Paul will not leave his readers in doubt, he will now get very specific. Paul creates four categories of sin: Sensual, Religious, Social and Personal. This verse discusses sensual sins. The flesh manifests itself in obvious and certain ways. The Greek word translated “sexual immorality,” is porneia, from which the English. word “pornography” comes. It refers to all illicit sexual activity, including (but not limited to) adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, bestiality, incest, and prostitution and pornography. The word translated “impurity,” describes a state of moral filthiness, especially sexual sin. The word translated “sensuality”originally referred to any excessive behavior or lack of restraint, but eventually became associated with sexual excess and indulgence. It is clear that there is an emphasis on sexual sin. Sexual sin is against the body and it has always been one of Satan’s best plots to destroy human beings. Let us be ever mindful and attentive to avoid all intentional sin, especially sexual sins. 

Verse 20: “idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions,”

Paul continues with a specific list of sins. Examples of religious sins include: idolatry, sorcery (witchcraft), hatred, contentions. Examples of social sins include: jealousy, wrath, strife, divisions, and envyings. Paul lists gross sins that the legalists would condemn, but follows them with the very sins they were guilty of.

Verse 21: “envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Paul gives a list of personal sins: drunkenness and carousing. Paul concludes the thought by stating clearly that people that practice these sins will not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul’s point is that those who do not practice the graces of the Spirit in their lives will not take part in God’s eternal kingdom. The opposite is true as well. Those that practice sin will not go to Heaven. We are saved to exhibit the grace we have received not to earn salvation, but because we are saved.

Verse 22: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”

Paul uses the metaphor of fruit to describe the conduct of the believer in Romans 6:22; Ephesians 5:9; and Philippians 1:11. John the Baptist likewise claimed that true repentance would produce the “fruit” of concrete ethical behavior. The love produced by the Spirit is like the love of Christ. It goes far beyond the performance of legalistic self-righteousness and comes from the heart. The Greek word translated “love” is agape.  This type of love is the love of choice, referring not to an emotional affection, physical attraction, or a familial bond, but to respect, devotion, and affection that leads to willing, self-sacrificial service. It is the type of love that gives another what they need, not necessarily what they want. The word “joy” means happiness based on unchanging divine promises and eternal spiritual realities. It is the sense of well-being experienced by one who knows all is well between himself and the Lord. Joy is not the result of favorable circumstances, and even occurs when those circumstances are the most painful and severe. Joy is not dependent on circumstances, it is based on your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Peace is the inner calm that results from confidence in one’s saving relationship with Christ. The verb form denotes binding together and is reflected in the expression “having it all together.” Like joy, peace is not related to one’s circumstances. Patience which refers to the ability to endure injuries inflicted by others and the willingness to accept irritating or painful situations. Kindness is tender concern for others, reflected in a desire to treat others gently, just as the Lord treats all believers. Goodness is moral and spiritual excellence manifested in active kindness. Faithfulness is loyalty and trustworthiness. 

Verse 23: “gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Gentleness could also be translated as “meekness.” It is a humble and gentle attitude that is patiently submissive in every offense, while having no desire for revenge or retribution. This can only be accomplished under the power of the Holy Spirit. One that can endure offenses well is truly a Spirit-controlled individual. Self-control refers to restraining passions and appetites. Again, this can be done only in the power of the Holy Spirit. When a Christian walks by the Spirit and manifests His fruit, he needs no external law or rules to follow. What he possesses will flow out of his belly like “rivers of living waters.”  

Verse 24: “ Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

For those that belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, i.e. the elect, the Cross broke the grip of the law (2:19) and also the grip of the flesh. By faith the believer recognizes the reality of his or her union with Christ in His death. So, too, they have been raised to new life in the Spirit of Christ and therefore walk in the Spirit. We are ambassadors of the kingdom. Everyday we are at work, answer a wrong number, get cut off in traffic, or experience rudenes and unkindness directed toward us, we must remember who we belong to and represent Him the way we have been instructed in His Word to do so to bring Him the Most Glory.

Verse 25: “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk in step with the Spirit.”

The word translated “walk” literally means “following in line.” I like the idea of walking in line with the Holy Spirit. How might this change how you treat your family, co-workers, friends, and church members? To walk in line with the Spirit means every action is to be in accordance with the revealed will (The Bible) of God. To live in the Spirit is to walk in the Spirit.

Verse 26: “Let us not become those with vain glory, challenging one another, envying one another.”

Now, Paul cautions them against being desirous of vain-glory, or giving way to an undue affectation of the esteem and applause of men, because this, if it were indulged, would certainly lead them to provoke one another and to envy one another. The glory which comes from men is vain-glory, which, instead of being desirous of, we should be dead to. People pleasers are never good for the kingdom of God and the body of Christ. People that seek glory for themselves will always lead to strife and in-fighting. Let's seek the smile of God on our lives and not the applause of men.

Bible Study Galatians 5: 1-15

 

Bible Study Galatians 5: 1-15

Our text:

Christ Set Us Free

5 [a]It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Therefore, stand firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4 You have been [b]severed from Christ, you who are being justified by law; you have fallen from grace! 5 For we [c]through the Spirit, [d]by faith, are eagerly waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

7 You were running well; who hindered you from [e]obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence [f]in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view. But the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11 But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross would have been abolished. 12 I wish that those who are upsetting you would even [g]mutilate themselves.

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.

Verse by verse commentary:

Verse 1: “It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Therefore, stand firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”

Jewish literature of the time compares the law to a yoke to which the obedient submit. Paul does not want his Gentile readers to let the law take the place of Christ in their lives. Paul is fighting a battle against the Judiazers who were fighting the gospel of grace alone. We have the same fight today. The modern church (which really isn’t very modern as it employs the same methods Satan has been using since the Garden of Eden) wants to reject the sufficiency of the Word of God which proclaims that we are saved by faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ alone, all to the glory of God alone. Let us stand with Paul and resist all efforts to demote the gift of God in the Lord Jesus Christ that saves us as our Substitute.

Verse 2: “Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.”

Paul has made clear that circumcision is not required for salvation. The Judiazers want the requirement but Paul will not back down. Paul is a Sovereign Grace preacher! To Paul, to say that circumcision is necessary for salvation is the same as denying the sufficiency of Christ’s death for salvation. For those set free in Christ, to be circumcised for salvation is to undertake to do what they can never do, and to reject what Christ has done for them. It is to return again to the dominion of sin and the law’s curse. The last phrase is a warning. If you attempt to add a  “Plus One” (means to add anything to Christ’s complete work at the cross), you have lost the benefit of Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice for His sheep.

Verse 3: “And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.”

God’s standard is perfect righteousness, thus a failure to keep only one part of the law falls short of the standard. It is all or nothing with the Law. You must obey it all in perfect obedience or it will condemn you. Paul wanted his message of grace to be crystal clear.

Verse 4: “You have been severed from Christ, you who are being justified by law; you have fallen from grace!”

That is, those that seek justification through their efforts to obey the Law would be renouncing God’s grace by no longer relying on it. In essence, they would be handing the cross back to Christ and say, “We didn’t need a substitute for our sins.” Those who are chosen in Christ will be kept from such a renunciation of the gospel, and Paul continues to have confidence that his warning will be heeded. There may be those, however, who appear to us to be true members of the body of Christ who will abandon the gospel. Let me be clear, I don’t believe those who have been truly born again, have felt the Holy Spirit conviction, knew their place in Hell, and saw that only Christ will ever save them, these sheep will never turn their back on Christ. They will persevere to the end. However, Paul will continue to warn on the dangers of apostasy. To the believer, we should stay true to the means of grace, e.g., prayer, Bible reading and study, communion, and church attendance, which will assist us to remain true to our calling and election.

Verse 5: “For we through the Spirit, by faith, are eagerly waiting for the hope of righteousness.”

The sure hope of righteousness by faith is in contrast to the false hope of righteousness by legal works or human will or effort. That same Spirit, being the Holy Spirit, is imparting to us the saving benefits of our risen Savior, and that is our foretaste of the fulfilled heritage in glory. We can see a glimpse of Heaven now as we experience our sanctification and being set apart daily for His Glory and Will.

Verse 6: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.”

Paul is not arguing against circumcision itself, but against the attempt to make the rite a requirement for salvation. In essence, the Judiazers wanted converts to become Jews. Paul was very opposed to this and fought this heresy his entire evangelical life. The one who believes in Jesus Christ, and demonstrates the reality of his belief through a sanctified life, is saved. You will know who the saved are by seeing who their Master is. Those that rely on work are lost. Those that rely on anything other than faith are lost as well. Remember the principles of the Reformation: Christ alone, by faith alone, through grace alone, according to the Word of God alone, all to the Glory of God alone.

Verse 7: “You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?”

Paul gives a compliment, “You were running well….” But, he asked the question, “who hindered you…?” The word translated “obeying” also means “being persuaded by.” I like the visual from this. When we are facing temptations, struggles, or challenges, what persuades us? Is it the truth of God’s Word, or the cultural influences of the world or our flesh? We need to be steadfast in our being persuaded by God’s Word.

Verse 8: “This persuasion is not from Him who calls you.”

By “persuasion,” Paul means salvation by works as opposed to by grace through faith. God does not promote legalism as a way of salvation. Any doctrine that claims His gracious work at the cross is insufficient to save is a false heresy and must be opposed at every turn.

Verse 9: “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”

This was a common self-evident saying regarding the influence of yeast in dough. Leaven is often used in Scripture to denote sin because of its power to spread throughout the entire lump.

Verse 10: “I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view. But the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.”

Paul believed that the Galatians would ultimately reject the heretical teaching of the Judaizers. He says, “I have confidence in you” which meant that he believed that the Galatians would return to the true gospel of grace that was preached to them, and they would see that the teaching of the Judaizers was an intrusion, a heresy, and that it was leaven (represents sin).

Verse 11: “But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross would have been abolished.”

We may assume that the Judaizers had falsely claimed that Paul agreed with their teaching making circumcision necessary for salvation. But he makes the point that if he was preaching circumcision as necessary for salvation, why were the Judaizers still persecuting him instead of supporting him? The Greek word for “stumbling block” can mean “trap,” “snare,” or “stumbling block.” Any theology of salvation that strips man of the opportunity to earn it by his own will or works breeds opposition. To be clear, there is no salvation without Holy Spirit conviction, a complete breaking down of the sinner’s will, the necessity of blood redemption by grace (all of grace), and making Jesus Christ the Lord of his or her life.

Verse 12: “I wish that those who are upsetting you would even mutilate themselves.”

Paul’s anger is a result of seeing young believers led astray by a false gospel. The Lord Jesus Christ had some equally strong words of warning for those who dared to lead others into error. Too often Christians are slandered if they respond to heresy with directness pointing out the error of the teaching. There is nothing “unChristian” about being firm in our standing for truth. The gospel is offensive and so will we be as well at times.

Verse 13: “For you were called to freedom, brothers; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

Christian liberty is freedom from sin, not liberty to sin. This is so important to grasp. Many charismatic preachers would have you think that being free in the Holy Spirit means you can do whatever you want, especially pleasing the desires of the flesh. It was God’s plan from before the foundation of the world, that He would have a people conformed to the image of His Son. Let us embrace the freedom to love the Lord and to serve Him. That is the freedom we have which will result in serving others. 

Verse 14: “For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

The ethics of the former Old Testament law are the same as those of the New Testament gospel as indicated in the quote from Lev. 19:18. Both Testaments have the common to love your neighbor as yourself.  When a Christian genuinely loves others, he fulfills all the moral requirements of the Law of Moses concerning them. This is the ruling principle of Christian freedom, and it is relational. We cannot live the Christian life in isolation from others. We are to take our spiritual freedom and go and make disciples for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 15: “But if you bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.” 

I have always wanted to preach a sermon on this text, and I would name it “Christian Cannibals.” I have seen this in operation first hand and in person. There are church members that think nothing of saying mean and hurtful words top other members in the name of God. Did you know that in many churches today the Christians bite, eat, and devour one another on a consistent basis? It is most sad that many in the world have passed by the church in our day because the world has watched how supposed “Christians” act toward each other. Paul warned against it, but many in the church today have ignored this verse. I have personally known examples of this. I know churches in which the Christians have no love for each other, but they bite and devour one another. 

Bible Study Galatians 4: 21-31

 

Bible Study Galatians 4: 21-31

Text:

An Allegory of Two Covenants

21 Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the Law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant-woman and one by the free woman. 23 But the son by the servant-woman had been born according to the flesh, while the son by the free woman through the promise. 24 [a]This is [b]spoken with allegory, for these women are two covenants: one from Mount Sinai bearing children into slavery; [c]she is Hagar. 25 Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free; [d]she is our mother. 27 For it is written,

“Rejoice, barren woman who does not give birth;
Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor;
For more numerous are the children of the desolate one
Than of the one who has a husband.”

28 And you brothers, in accordance with Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh was persecuting him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. 30 But what does the Scripture say?

“Cast out the servant-woman and her son,
For the son of the servant-woman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.”

31 So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant-woman, [e]but of the free woman.

Verse by verse commentary

Verse 21: “Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the Law?”

Again, Paul emphasizes the difference between being a free child of God and being a slave to the law, sin, flesh, and false gods. Abraham’s firstborn son Ishmael represents the slave sons of Abraham and thus the enslaving Sinai covenant. Isaac represents the free sons of Abraham. Paul asks a direct question. Why would anyone want to earn salvation through works when you can be born again by grace through faith?

Verse 22: “For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant-woman and one by the free woman.”

The older son named Ishmael was born to Hagar; the younger son Isaac to Sarah. Hagar was Sarah’s slave.

Verse 23: “But the son by the servant-woman had been born according to the flesh, while the son by the free woman through the promise.”

Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, was born after Abraham and Sarah doubted God’s promise of having their own child. They took matters into their own hands. The result was not good. Ishmael was the father of what today is the Islamic faith. Isaac was born to Sarah by a miracle long after her child-bearing years had ended. God showed that none of His promises are empty. A promise delayed is not a promise forgotten. 

Verse 24: “This is spoken with allegory, for these women are two covenants: one from Mount Sinai bearing children into slavery; she is Hagar.”

An allegory is a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. “Spoken with allegory means that these events in Abraham’s life contain an allegory. Paul is going to draw a lesson from it. Paul references two covenants: the first is the covenant of the Law which Moses received from God on Mount Sinai. Paul compares Hagar to Mount Sinai which is synonymous with the Mosaic Law.

Verse 25: “Paul compares Hagar to Mount Sinai which is synonymous with the Mosaic Law.”

God established His covenant with Israel when He gave Moses the Law at Mount  Sinai.In both Paul’s day and our own, most Jews remain, like all unbelievers, in slavery to sin and under the curse that the covenant of Sinai pronounces upon all who disobey its conditions. Over the years I have seen time and again church members trying their best to create some “do’s and don'ts” that they perform to prove that they are saved. I use the term “unsaved religionists” consistently to describe people that think they are saved but they are not. They are the group that says, “Lord, Lord,” and He says back, “I never knew you.” When someone has been under Holy Spirit conviction and they know the truth, they draw close to Christ, not their works.

Verse 26: “But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother.”

Jerusalem was the city where God had placed His name, the place of His dwelling in the midst of His people. Today, the reality of God’s dwelling with us was accomplished in Christ, the true temple. The true Jerusalem is in heaven where He is. Only Jerusalem has this protection in God’s Holy Word: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” (Psalm 122: 6)

Verse 27: “ For it is written,

“Rejoice, barren woman who does not give birth;
Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor;
For more numerous are the children of the desolate one
Than of the one who has a husband.”

Paul applies the passage from Isaiah 54:1 to the Jerusalem above. The verse in Isaiah is speaking of the coming habitation of now desolate Jerusalem, making it clear that God can bring abundant blessing where, humanly speaking, none is forthcoming. That principle, already at work in the birth of Isaac to barren Sarah, found expression in Paul’s day when Gentile believers became part of the people of God.

Verse 28: “And you brothers, in accordance with Isaac, are children of promise.”

Just as Isaac inherited the promises made to Abraham, so today believers are the recipients of God’s redemptive promises, because they are spiritual heirs of Abraham. Please note we are talking about spiritual blessings, not material prosperity. Many charlatans create schemes “cherry picking” verses out of context to lead people to think that giving to a certain ministry will bring monetary blessings to the giver. Please see what is happening. The false preacher says, “Give me your money and God will give it back to you.” I say, “I have a better idea, I will keep my money and God can give it to you directly.”  

Verse 29: “But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh was persecuting him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.”

Ishmael’s descendants (Muslims) have always persecuted Isaac’s (Jews). So unbelievers have always persecuted believers when the truth is preached. The gospel is offensive to those who are not God’s elect. 

Verse 30: “ But what does the Scripture say?

‘Cast out the servant-woman and her son,
For the son of the servant-woman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.’”

We are not slaves to sin or under the curse of the law. We are under a grace that changes us. No one who seeks salvation from the Law will ever know the peace that comes from a salvation based on grace through faith.

Verse 31: “So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant-woman, but of the free woman.”

Paul continually points us back to the Genesis narrative, reminding the believers that belonging to the slave woman (or returning to the Law of Moses) will never result in receiving the inheritance that comes from faith. Paul is making a strong case against the Judiazers.