GALATIANS -- Chapter III
Introduction:
1. Paul has argued in the first two chapters that the Gospel he
preached was from God and that he was a true apostle, equal to
the other apostles.
2. The main theme of the book, "Justification by Faith," was
introduced in the latter part of chapter 2 (vs 15,16).
3. Paul goes immediately into the main argument of the book,
chapters 3 and 4.
THE SUPERIORITY OF THE GOSPEL OVER THE LAW
4. Outline of chapter 3:
I. Spiritual Blindness of the Galatians (3:1--3:14).
All people (those under the Law, those before the Law
---Abraham) are justified by faith and not by the
works of ritual Law.
II. Purpose of the Law (3:15--3:29).
1. Seed promised through Abraham (15-18).
2. The Law was temporary until Christ came (19-22).
3. Law lead to Christ and true sonship (23-29).
I. SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS OF THE GALATIANS (3:1--3:14).
(vs 1) Paul goes immediately into the question on his mind. The
teaching of the False Teachers.
"foolish" -- note the severe reproof.
Foolish to turn to the teachings of false teachers.
cf. 1:6,7
"bewitch" -- mislead by pretense; influence by charm, etc.,
not by reason and judgment.
("That ye should not obey the truth"--in K.J., omitted
by most M.S. Not needed to put across the idea. They
had yielded to falsehood and error.)
"before whose eyes" -- not literally, but a clear picture by
words; the preaching of the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-8).
They had had so clear a presentation of the crucifixion
of Christ that it was strange they had so soon
perverted from the belief of it. PAUL KNEW!!
Today we must keep before us plainly a picture of the
cross. This should keep us from sin and error. Too
often we forget the scene -- shown by the things we
do. We forget the crucifixion and go back to our old
ways. SO, THIS MESSAGE IS NEEDED TODAY as well as
back there in the first century.
NOTE: We must ever be careful of anyone who would seek
to "bewitch" us. Ever a danger. The standard is that
message given by Paul in the first century. (1:8,9).
(vs 2) Paul hits at the main point:
"This only would..." still language of reproof. The word
"only" seems to imply that when they answered the
question the problem would be solved. When they answered
the question, it would prove circumcision was no longer
effective, nor to be bound upon mankind.
"spirit"--included the miraculous power of the spirit (vs 5);
also, the indwelling of the Spirit by the word.
Paul contrasting the Law with the Gospel.
Gospel gives life because it has the Spirit's approval.
They knew that the gifts of the Spirit had come through the
hearing of faith (through the Gospel).
NOTE: Spirit came by the hearing of faith. (Rom. 10:17). This
passage contradicts those who would teach the direct
operation of the Spirit on the heart of man.
(vs 3) Can it be that you are so unwise??? Hard to imagine they could
follow such reasoning. (Stern rebuke again!!)
"Having begun in the Sirit" -- When the gospel was first
preached to them. They had accepted God's new plan which
was taught by the guidance of the Spirit. They were
governed by the Spirit.
"Perfected" -- means to become complete, full, to finish.
Does not mean "without imperfection."
Phil. 3:13-15 -- "press on to the mark." Grow, mature.
"Having begun in the spirit, do you honestly think to
complete, or finish your course in the flesh?"
Can a spiritual act be completed by things of flesh?
Conversion brought about a spiritual change; folly
to go back to the fleshly, the law of Moses.
NOTE: Many begin in the Spirit, obey God and live a good
life, but before long (some even later) they have
pulled in as much of the world as possible. They
start, but slip back into the ways of the world.
Cf. Luke 8:13, 14
NOTE: Others would attempt to pull the world into the
church with them. Thus, the denominations have
flourished with the enticements of the world.
(vs 4) These Gentile converts had suffered many persecutions at the
hands of the Jealous Jews. (Paul himself was stoned.)
Now he asks: "Has your life as a Christian been in vain?"
Have you suffered hardships for nothing?
What advantage to suffer for a false doctrine?
They had suffered because they had obeyed the gospel.
Now, they were practicing exactly what those who
persecuted them were teaching, circumcision, law,
"If it be in vain" I trust that it was not all in vain.
Paul was saying he hoped they would reconsider and
overcome the false doctrine and teachers.
cf. 2 Cor. 11 -- Paul had suffered greatly
NOTE: Today, what is our conception? Do we have the correct
opinion toward suffering? Actually, we have suffered
very little. What a sobering thought, "Does Christ
mean enough to me to allow me to suffer?" (Heb.
12:5-11). Can we withstand the reproaches of our
"friends"? We must, you know.
(vs 5) Restatement of verse 2.
Still pressing the thought of Justification by faith and not
by the works of the Law. The Spirit was not imparted by
the Law, but through Faith.
"He" -- refers either to Paul or to God, difference of
opinion.
"to God"--who furnished or imparted to them the Spirit,
by the preaching of the gospel, not by Law.
"to Paul"--he was the agent who imparted miraculous
aspects of the Spirit. Paul was not then under
the Law, but preached the simple Gospel.
cf. Ephesus -- Acts 19:6
(vs 6) Paul draws a comparison from Abraham:
Shows how Abraham was justified by faith and not by the Law;
he was before the Law was given. (cf. Rom. 4:1-5).
It could not therefore be proved that the Law was
necessary to justification, because if so Abraham
could not have been justified. But, Abraham was
justified; by faith, not the law.
What is the design of God to save people now (and then)?
BY FAITH!!! But, what kind of faith? (Heb. 11:8,17)
An OBEDIENT FAITH. When was Abraham justified by
Faith???
NOTE: Paul is not teaching faith only (or alone), he is
teaching justification by faith and not by
circumcision or works of the Law.
NOTE: James 2:21-24--James shows that Abraham's justification
came by his obedience to God's commands.
John 6:29--Faith is something that man must do; thus
faith is a work. Faith is not forced upon man. If
so, God becomes a respecter of persons. (Acts 10:34)
(vs 7) Abraham was called the "Father of the Faithful." He set the
example.
By having Faith, we exhibit the same characteristic as
Abraham.
Not that we believe, nor do we obey, the same commands
which Abraham believed and obeyed, but the principal
is the same. FAITH plus OBEDIENCE.
The Jews prided themselves in being the offspring of
Abraham. John 8:39; Rom. 2:28,29.
(vs 8) "Scripture" -- Old Testament writings.
"foreseeing" -- looked forward. Eph. 3:10; Gal. 3:15; 12:1-6.
"heathen" (Gentiles) -- nations (Greek)
"gospel" -- not as we now know the gospel, but it means here
"the good news," "glad tidings."
Good news about all nations being blessed in Christ.
Joel 2:28; Acts 2.
Prophets foretold this: Rom. 9:25-26; 15:9-12.
Abraham did not understand all that was told him, but he
did know that a promise was made unto him. Jn. 8:56.
Something better than the Law, includes the Gentiles.
(vs 9) Our justification come about the same as Abraham's--by faith.
We receive the same blessings as he, the promise of a Savior.
Although, ours is no longer a promise, but a reality.
(vs 10) "under a curse" -- Because it was impossible for them to be
justified by it. Heb. 10:4; 9:11, 12.
cf. James 2:10 -- "guilty of all." It was impossible for
them to keep all of the Law, therefore they were
guilty of all.
Continuing the thought of being impossible to justified by
the works of law.
Deut. 27:26 -- "cursed be he that confirmeth not all the
works of the law to do them"
("curse of the Law" -- the sentence of condemnation it has
pronounced against sinners; and it was impossible to
receive complete forgiveness, blood of bulls and goats
could not do it.)
(vs 11) Law did not have justification.
Paul still hitting at same point, circumcision not for
salvation.
If justification came by the Law, then Christ was not needed
They stood under the law, not able to live up to it;
therefore, they were living under the curse of it.
"Just shall live by faith" -- not by works of the law.
(vs 12) "not of faith" -- Law did not require faith to become the
child of God. Born into the Family of God.
Obviously, the law required obedience, obedience which is the
result of faith.
(vs 13) "Redeemed us" -- set free, purchased, idea of "scape goat."
Redemption from the Law was necessary.
Christ became the curse of the Law to lift it from us.
Law was a yoke, burden; Christ removed it. Lifted
slavery from us.
Not that Christ deserved to die, not that he was cursed,
but he became curse for us. 2 Cor. 5:21.
(vs 14) As long as Law remained Gentiles were left out of the
promise. cf. vs 8.
Promise to both Jew and Gentile (WE), but Law only for Jew.
Still speaking of faith (Not works)
Spirit comes through faith (not the Law).
"We" -- Eph. 2:14-17
"Promise of the Spirit" -- Joel 2:28,29 "Upon all flesh."
Acts 2:16 -- "This is that..."
NOTE: Promise of the Spirit is something that the Spirit
gives. Cf. "Gift of the Holy Spirit" -- that which
the Holy Spirit gives.
II. PURPOSE OF THE LAW (3:15--3:29).
1. THE SEED PROMISED THROUGH ABRAHAM:
(vs 15) "Brethren, I speak..." -- Paul draws an illustration from
men.
When agreement is made it stands and cannot be changed.
A Will stands as probated.
Another cannot come in and change it.
"Covenant"--A contract. If men are bound by their contracts,
how much more will God hold to His.
"But a man's..." Not to be compared to Jehovah, yet, even the
contracts of men are binding.
(vs 16) Contract made between Abraham and God.
"To his seed" his posterity.
There was only one through whom the world could be
blessed. NOT PLURAL, SEED, the Son of God.
Fulfillment of Gen. 12:1-4.
(vs 17) Promise was made to Abraham before the Law was given.
"Confirmed" -- before the Law.
Therefore when the Law was given it did not do away with
the covenant made between Abraham and God.
Reasoning based on vs 15 & 16.
(vs 18) If the promise came through the Law, then it was not by
promise.
Jews were claiming justification came by Law, thus it could
not have been by the promise to Abraham.
"But" -- This settles it, perfectly clear.
Thus if the Law did not effect the promise, what was the
purpose of the Law?
2. THE LAW WAS TEMPORARY, UNTIL CHRIST CAME (19--22):
(vs 19) What was the Law? Why was it given at all?
It would seem then to some that the Law was useless and was
not needed. NOT SO!!!
"Added because of transgressions"
The Law showed the true nature of sin.
It was not to reveal a way of justification.
This was not the only purpose, but the major one.
1 Tim. 1:9; Rom. 3:20; Rom. 7:7
"Till the seed come"-- a conclusive proof of the length of
the Law.
"Till" -- adverb of time; up to that point; would mark end.
When Christ came no longer any need for the Law.
"Through angels..." Heb. 2:2, word spoken through angels.
"ordained" -- set in order, arranged.
Acts 7:53; Deut. 33:2; Ps. 68:17.
"mediator" -- Moses. God called him to be His spokesman.
(vs 20) Many interpretations have been offered for this verse.
There must be two parties to have a mediator.
Law was like this, God on one hand; Jews on the other.
It was valid so long as both parties fulfilled contract
Unlike the Law, the promise was absolute.
It depended upon the sole decree of God--Not two
contracting parties.
The giver of the promise is everything. No need for a
mediator.
Thus, the law differs widely from the promise, but it not
antagonistic to the promise.
(vs 21) Paul does not want to leave the impression that the Law was
opposing to the promise, but only to prepare for it.
Paul states here that the Law of Moses was as good and
perfect as a law could be. And if righteousness could
have come by law, then the Law of Moses would have
brought it. But, law cannot justify.
Settles question of people being justified by law.
NOTE: Does this mean that mankind has no laws to obey?
Certainly not!! We are under law to Christ and will
be judged as to how we kept that law. But the law of
Christ is tempered with mercy and grace.
(vs 22) "Scripture" -- Old Testament writings (including the Law).
"Shut up all" has declared men as sinful individuals,
declares them to be guilty, still offers no escape or
pardon. Heb 10:4.
"the promise by faith.." Law was to prepare people to accept
Christ by faith; for justification.
3. THE LAW LED TO CHRIST AND TRUE SON-SHIP (23-29):
(vs 23) "Before faith came" -- Before the system of salvation by
faith in Christ. Faith denotes the Christian
religion. Faith is the distinguishing characteristic
Faith in Christ was not under the Law:
"kept under Law" -- Men were under the condemning sentence of
Law, fence in, shut up, restricted by.
"shut-up unto the faith" "shut-up" on all sides;
cf. "Fish" Luke 5:6.
Shut up from faith -- did works of Law.
There was no way for them to escape, except by pardon.
Faith was their only hope.
Reason why they were continually looking for Messiah.
Even though they were in oppression, bondage, they
were conscience of it and were preparing for
deliverance.
(vs 24) "Schoolmaster" (R.V. "Tutor"; SRV "custodian";
Goodspeed, "attendant"
________________, "pedagogue" a slave or freeman who
cared for the child and watched over it until school
age. He prepared the child for later work under the
teacher. He would walk with the child to the school
and then leave him in care of the teacher. Then
return for him at the close of the day's studies.
He helped to train the child in morals.
Read quote from Expositor's Greek Text: pg 173, Vol. 3.
The Law was likewise a part of the elementary training of the
Israelite. Cf. Law to child learning his ABCs.
Law served this purpose:
(1) Part of God's elementary training to prepare the
people and lead them to Christ and the gospel.
(2) The Law was a means of moral training to prepare for
Christ.
(3) The Law was the unfolding of God's purposes.
"justification" -- original forgiveness of sins.
The law could not justify, yet it still served a purpose
Justification comes when we appropriate God's grace through
faith, or by faith. Personal faith in the system of
faith.
(vs 25) "faith" -- the Christian system.
When the child entered school there was no longer the
need for the tutor. Free from close watch of tutor.
So were they under Christ freed from the restraints, the
bondage of the Law. Have now come directly to the
Great Teacher, and to freedom.
Direct statement that the Law is not longer in force.
there is no longer any need for it, except as it
may serve as an example.
(vs 26) "Sons of God" -- "Children of God" signifies freedom.
They were no longer under the tutor, but had reached the
age of sonship and had put off the tutor and become
a son.
Liberty had been gained (from the Law)
Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6 -- shall notice later.
(vs 27) The act that puts one into Christ.
Writer is speaking of the period of change from tutor to the
school teacher, from Law to Gospel and puts the point of
change at baptism.
"put on Christ" -- change of dress which marked transition
from boyhood to manhood. Eph 6:11, put on, enveloped.
When child was taken out from under the tutor he became then
a full son, taking his place along wide the father.
Baptism is a spiritual change of age. One was not considered
a son until age was reached. So a person does not become
a son until baptized into the family of God.
Rom. 6:4 -- contacts the blood of Christ in baptism.
(vs 28) All are one in Christ. The unity of Christians. The churches
in Galatia were made up of all races and types of people
All are on the same level, all saved the same way, all
entitled to the same privileges. No distinction.
"In Christ" -- in the body which is the church.
(vs 29) "Abraham's seed" -- saved by faith, spiritual descendents
"heirs" -- inherited the blessing of the promise made to
Abraham.
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