Unpacking Galatians: Chapter 5

 

In Chapter 5 the Apostle Paul changes tack from that of stern correction as shown in Chapters one to four, to that of firm encouragement in reminding the Galatians, as well as us (the Church today), of the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. He does this in three distinct areas of our Christian walk:

1. Our Christian Liberty.
2. Faith working through love.
3. Living or walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.

All these working together in the Church both, as individuals and as a body, to bring glory to Jesus!

Note: in the body on this article the verses from Galatians Chapter 5 are in italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures shown in bold italics.

Christian Liberty
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

In verses 1 – 6 above, Paul explains to the Galatians the significance of the liberty or freedom they have in Christ Jesus as opposed to the bondage or enslavement they had under the law and which they will again be under if they return to the practices of the requirements of the law.

Verse 1: Paul encourages the Galatians to stand fast or embrace and don’t let go of the freedom they have through faith in Christ Jesus and not to become once more enmeshed in the bondage that the law brings.

Verse 2: Paul reiterates the fact that if the Galatian churches revert once again to circumcision (circumcision being the main contention in Paul’s letter), then Christ will benefit them nothing. If they revert to the law, then they invalidate the work that Christ accomplished for them on the cross.

They will then have to live and comply with the whole law not just circumcision! Jesus fulfilled the law, he was the only man that could, and so those that put their faith in Him alone become righteous in the eyes of God – Christ is our righteousness. Only through Christ do we receive forgiveness of our sins from God.

Matthew 5:17 (NKJV)

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

Verse 3: In this verse Paul highlights that another negative consequence of returning to the law is the obligation to comply with the whole of the Mosaic Law. As Paul puts it, we become debtors to live and comply with the whole law!

The Law is a unit, and if a person puts themselves under any part of it for justification, like being circumcised, they are a “debtor” to the entire code with its requirements and its curse.

James 2:10 (NIV)

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Verse 4: In this verse Paul makes it very clear that if we try to return to any part of the law, we separate ourselves from Jesus, we become ‘estranged’ as he puts it.

Now, let’s examine the word ‘estranged’ used in this verse. This version, NKJV, uses the word ‘estranged’ from Christ, the NIV uses ‘alienated’ from Christ the KJV says, “Christ is become of no effect unto you,” and the AMP uses the word ‘severed’ from Christ.

All of these basically say that when we try to justify ourselves by the works of the law, we separate ourselves from Christ and make his death on the cross of no value to us and in my view, if that is the case, then we cease to be born-again!

So, the Greek word for ‘estranged’ in this verse is ‘katargeó’, pronounced ‘kat-arg-eh'-o’ (Strong’s 2673) and besides the translated meanings I have already mentioned its full definition is: to render inoperative, to abolish, to make of no effect, to annul, to abolish, to bring to nothing, to sever from and to separate from.

Now, in this verse, we, the Church today should take to heart very seriously the fact that after saying we become ‘estranged’ from Christ and we ‘attempt to be justified by law’, Paul goes on to say, “you have fallen from grace.”

Now, what does this statement mean and what are its implications for us today?

Let’s start examining this statement by having a look at the below two verses from Ephesians 2:

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

The Apostle Paul tells us here that we are saved by grace which is a gift from God and not through any works we do and definitely not by the law which nobody, but Jesus, could keep in its entirety.

Now, coming back to our text in Galatians 5:4, which tells us that in trying to return to the law or trying to incorporate it into the gospel, we become estranged from Christ, and we fall out of God’s grace through which we are saved, and thus we are estranged or cut off or severed or separated from Christ Jesus! Not a good thing!

Verses 5 and 6
5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

In verse five Paul says that we (born again Christians), being filled with and walking in the Spirit, are daily being conformed to the image of Christ, which means our righteousness is being strengthened daily as we are obedient to the Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

In verse six we are told that whether we are physically circumcised or not has no bearing whatsoever on our salvation but only our faith in Christ Jesus, apart from works, working itself out in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the love of God. In this way we bring glory to Jesus and him alone!

Love Fulfills the Law
7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

In verse 7, Paul tells the Galatians that they started off well in their Christian walk, “You ran well.” He then asks them who derailed them, who put them off track from obeying the truth of faith in Christ Jesus alone?

This is a rhetorical question as he has already told them that it is the false teachers that have infiltrated their congregations! They have corrupted the truth by insisting that they return to the elements of the law such as circumcision.

8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.

In verse 8 he tells the Galatians in no uncertain terms that the argument to return to circumcision, the law, is NOT FROM GOD! And, my dear readers, if it is not from God, it is a deception of the devil – stay away from it!

9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Verse 9, although small in words, carries a HUGE WARNING! If you allow sin (leaven) into your lives and it is not dealt with and repented from, it will corrupt your whole life and many of the congregation around you!

Jesus used leaven as a picture of sin when He warned us against the “leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Matthew 16:6-12 (NKJV)

6 Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”

7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.”

8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? 9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? 11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the (false) doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

In verse 10 Paul encourages the Galatians in saying that he has confidence in them in Christ Jesus that they will return to the true gospel of faith in Christ Jesus alone. He also goes on to tell them that the false teachers and prophets that have infiltrated the Galatian churches shall fall under God’s judgement for them. Their judgement has already been prepared! They will be destroyed - much like the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were in the Old Testament

2 Peter 2:1-3 (NKJV)

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.

In verse 11 Paul draws the Galatians attention to himself and says to them, "if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution?" By this statement it would appear that Paul is being persecuted personally by his former Pharisaical colleagues for preaching the gospel!

He then goes on to say that, "Then the offense of the cross has ceased." What he is saying here is that he could not be preaching both circumcision (legalism through the law) and the Cross, because they are contradictory. If he preached the same message that the false teachers were preaching, then the offense of the Cross or 'stumbling block' of the cross would cease to exist.

1 Corinthians 1:23 (NIV)

but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

The Cross is a “stumbling block” or gives “offense” because it proclaims God’s unmerited grace on those that are born again Christians and live by faith in Christ Jesus alone, we do not earn our salvation through good works or anything else we do, it is a gift from God by grace alone.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Thus the Cross marked the end of the Law system and rendered circumcision and obedience to the Mosaic Law unnecessary and obsolete. Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour fulfilled the law for all mankind to be saved if they put their faith in Him alone!

Matthew 5:17 (NKJV)

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!

In verse 12 Paul, by his words, shows his deep annoyance and enmity to the false teachers that had infiltrated the Galatian churches by saying that he could wish that they figuratively 'castrate' themselves, and not just circumcision, so that they wouldn't be able to reproduce anymore people of their false kind! Believers today should follow Paul's example and look at today's false prophets and teachers in the same way! Church, have nothing to do with them!

Freedom in Christ Jesus
Now that Paul has exposed the false teachers and their teachings to the Galatians, he changes tack and encourages them to walk their Christian path in the freedom we have through faith in Christ Jesus alone!

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

In verse 13 he again personalises his message by addressing them as his brothers and reminding them that in Christ Jesus they have been called to freedom and not to the bondage that living by the law brings. He also gives the Church a very strong warning that still applies to the Church today!

DO NOT USE THE FRREDOM THAT WE HAVE IN CHRIST TO SERVE OUR OWN FLESHLY NEEDS, BUT RATHER LOVE AND SERVE ONE ANOTHER IN THE AGAPÉ LOVE OF GOD!

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

In verse 14 Paul says that the law is fulfilled in one word, that word being love, the agapé love of God. Jesus fulfilled the law and Jesus is love!

1 John 4:16 (NKJV)

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

1 Corinthians 16:14 (NKJV)

Let all that you do be done with love.

15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

And in verse 15 Paul warns us that if we do not love each other as God loves us, then we will only end up destroying each other because we will be void of spiritual, agapé love. if we do not love each other then we are not in Christ Jesus!

1 John 4:20-21 (NKJV)

20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, [d]how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

Walking in the Spirit
In Verses 16-18, Paul explains to us the difference between the work of the Holy Spirit and the work of the flesh (sin) in the believer’s life. The flesh is sinful by nature as a result of the fall and man's every inclination is toward evil.

Genesis 8:21b (NIV)

even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.

Satan works through the flesh to move us toward sin, whereas God works through our born again human spirit by His Holy Spirit to produce Christian virtues in us that please Him. The Holy Spirit energises and empowers our spirit to over come the flesh, our sinful nature. This is why it is so important for every born again Christian to walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16 below) and to be continually filled by Him!

Ephesians 5:18

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

In Ephesians 18 above, Paul commands us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. He says, “Be filled with the Spirit,….” This is not a recommendation but an instruction because he knows that without the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will not be overcomers of the flesh and the evil one! Being filled with the Spirit is part and parcel of our spiritual walk to maturity in Christ Jesus and is all part of our sanctification process – a renewing of ourselves by the Holy Spirit that enables us to gradually have victory over our old selves – the flesh!

The command here to “be filled” is in the present continuous tense, therefore it speaks of something that is continuing, not something that happened just once and stopped. It is something on going. To bring out this sense more accurately we could say: “be being filled,” “keep on being filled,” or “continue being filled.”

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

In verse 16, Paul gives us the solution to overcoming our sinful natures, "Walk in the Spirit," This means that we, as born again Christians are to live our lives by continually being led and guided by the Holy Spirit. This is the only way that we will be able to overcome the lusts of the flesh, our sinful nature! Being led by the Holy Spirit is what Jesus himself desires for us.

John 16:12-15 (NKJV)

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

When we are living life in the Spirit we will be walking according to the will of God for our lives, bearing much fruit, walking to spiritual maturity and bringing glory to Jesus!

17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

In verse 17 Paul explains that the flesh, our sinful nature which exists in the realm of the soul, fights against our born again Spirit to have control over our souls and vice versa, the Spirit fights against the flesh to bring the soul into submission to the Spirit. The Spirit and the flesh are contrary to one another - the flesh wants to sin while the Spirit does not, but often the flesh wins when we act contrary to the things of the Spirit and walk in the flesh.


In Romans 8:1-8 below Paul refers to our being in the 'flesh' as being carnally minded but because we, as born again Christians and led by the Holy Spirit, do not live according to the flesh but according the Spirit and faith in Christ Jesus alone, we do not live under the condemnation that living under the Mosaic Law brings! Thank you Jesus! When we live in the flesh we cannot please God, so don't do it!

Romans 8:1-8 (NKJV)

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. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 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, 4 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. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

In verse 18, Paul summarises the preceding verses very succinctly, but here is my personal opinion of what he is saying:

We cannot live a godly life under the Law, this is impossible, only Jesus could do that! A Godly life can only be lived once we are born again and are being led by the Holy Spirit. When we are led daily by the Holy Spirit we live out the Godly qualities expressed in Galatians 5: 22-23 below - the nine facets of the Fruit of the Spirit!

In verses 19-26, Paul starkly contrasts the difference between a life lived in the flesh and a life lived in the Spirit.

Life in the flesh
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

In verse 19-21 above, Paul first tells the Galatians and the Church today that the works of the flesh are clearly evident. When compared to the Fruit of the Spirit in verses 22-23 below we can consider them to be bad fruit and contrary to the fruit of the Spirit in every way. The works or fruit of the flesh are self-centered and destructive.

The Bible tells us that as born-again Christians we should produce fruit in keeping with repentance! This is the fruit of the Spirit.

Matthew 3:8 (AMP)

So produce fruit that is consistent with repentance [demonstrating new behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin];

So, Dear Readers, what is the fruit that we should be producing in our lives, the fruit we are to produce in keeping with repentance? Well, I believe it is the nine facets of the fruit of the Spirit as shown in verses 22 and 23 below!

In the second half of verse 21, Paul gives us a very stern warning that we should always carry in the forefront of our minds these words, "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Those that live in the realm of the flesh cannot please God an will not enter heaven!

Romans 6:8-9 (NIV)

8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

Life in the Spirit
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

In verse 22 and 23, Paul lists for us the nine facets of the Fruit of the Spirit. This is the fruit that we as Christians should be displaying in our lives, our Christian walk to maturity. When we are walking in the Spirit in all things we will be displaying these Godly characteristics (the nine facets of the Fruit of the Spirit) in our lives. As time goes by in our walk to maturity they will become more and more evident in our lives for the world to see. We will be more and more conformed to the image of Christ - we will be like Jesus to the World!

When we walk in the Spirit we bring glory to Jesus to whom all glory belongs. The person walking in the flesh only wants glory for himself and nullifies the work of the Cross!

24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Through Christ Jesus, the born again Christian, by walking constantly in the Spirit, is able to put to death his flesh, his sinful nature with its self-centered passions and desires. This is when we live for Jesus and it is to the Father's glory that we bear much fruit and to show ourselves to the world as true followers of Christ!

John 15:8 (NIV)

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

It is the Holy Spirit that gives us spiritual life and when we become born again our human spirit is renewed and re-energised and Paul reminds us to also walk in the Spirit. To keep in step with him and to walk the path that the Father has willed for our lives so that we can bring glory to Jesus.

26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

To “Walk in the Spirit” means to obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit in all things. Step by step one’s Christian walk should conform to the Holy Spirit’s direction and enablement, lest believers become boastful (conceited), challenging (provoking) one another, and becoming jealous of one another.

Prayer
Dear Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would continually fill me with your Holy Spirit and give me wisdom and discernment so that I will not be led astray by the errant teachings of false prophets and teachers. Reveal to me, I pray, the wolves in sheep’s’ clothing that I may not stray from your path – faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone! Lord, I pray that you would keep my ears and my heart ever attentive to the voice of your Holy Spirt! I pray, Lord, that you would teach me your ways that I may bring glory to Jesus. Amen!

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!

Unpacking Galatians: Chapter 4

In this chapter, Paul starts off in verses 1 - 7 by explaining to the Galatian churches that in Christ Jesus they become sons and heirs of God and are no longer slaves to sin through the law.

He then goes on in verses 8 - 20 to tell them of his concern and fears for them because they have been deceived by false teachers trying to entice them back into the slavery of the law and into serving them (the false teachers) and their selfish ambitions.

And from verses 21 – 31, Paul tells them once again of the difference between the covenant of the law and the covenant to the promise. The promise being greater than the law – the promise leads to eternal life in Heaven and the law to eternal death in Hell!

1 Corinthians 15:56 (NKJV)

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Note: in the body on this article the verses from Galatians Chapter 4 are in italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures shown in bold italics.

Sons and Heirs Through Christ
1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

In verses 1-7 above, Paul explains to us that in Christ Jesus we are no longer slaves to sin (the law) but we become sons and daughters of God and co-heirs with Christ of all God’s promises. We are set free from the law of sin and death by the blood of Jesus who died for our sins, and we are now partakers of His inheritance. We are now children of God and siblings of Jesus!

In these verses, Paul uses an illustration taken from the life of a typical Jewish family of the time to explain our inheritance in Christ Jesus.

Verse 1: When an heir in a Jewish family is still a child, he is treated like a slave in that he has no authority or responsibility to act on his father’s behalf even though one day when he reaches adulthood, he will be master of all!

Verse 2: In a Jewish family the heir, when he is still a child, he is placed under the tutelage of guardians or stewards. In modern day life this is like being placed in the hands of a personal tutor or a governor until one comes of age.

Verse 3: In this verse, Paul uses first person speech to include himself and give the sense that he and the Galatian churches and we today are in this together. Prior to receiving our salvation and freedom through the grace of God in Christ Jesus, we are born into and enslaved by the sin of the flesh just like Israel was a slave to the sin of the law.

1 Corinthians 15:56 (NKJV)

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Verses 4 and 5: In these two verses Paul explains that when the law had accomplished God’s purpose (God’s timing is perfect) which was to expose man’s sinful life and ways, He sent His Son to redeem us, Jesus Christ the Messiah! Only Jesus was able to live a sinless life and was appointed by God out of love to sacrifice Himself on the cross in order that mankind can be saved! Our salvation is found in no one else and in no other thing!

1 Corinthians 5:21 (AMP)

He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].

Acts 4:12 (NKJV)

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Verses 6 and 7: In verse 6 Paul explains to us that because we, in Christ Jesus, are now sons and daughters of God, he has sent his Holy Spirit into our hearts to lead and guide us in our Christian walk to maturity. This reveals that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (the full Godhead) are intimately involved in our salvation as individuals. And because of this we are no longer slaves to sin but are sons and heirs of God through Christ!

Luke 24:49 (AMP)

Listen carefully: I am sending the Promise of My Father [the Holy Spirit] upon you; but you are to remain in the city [of Jerusalem] until you are clothed (fully equipped) with power from on high.”

John 16:13-15 (AMP)

13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. 14 He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you.

Paul’s concern for the Church
In verses 8-20, Paul expresses his deep concern for the Galatian churches as they have turned away from the true gospel of faith in Christ Jesus alone and were being sucked back to the slavery of sin by returning to the law at the urging of false the prophets and teachers that had risen among them.

8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

Verse 8: Paul reminds them of what they were like before the came to know Jesus. They were idol worshippers. They worshipped and followed the worthless things made by the hands of men and by chasing after the things of the flesh – money, power and so on! The things of the flesh are worthless in the lives on men! People who live to gratify the needs of the flesh (our sinful nature), cannot please God!

John 6:63 (NKJV)

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

Romans 8:5-8 (NKJV)

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Verse 9: In this verse he (Paul) shows them that he is amazed and perplexed that after coming to know Jesus, they are now returning to their old ways of bondage to sin in the law! He uses the word ‘beggarly’ to describe the things that they have turned back to. Beggarly is translated from the Greek word ‘ptóchos’ and the expanded meaning refers to someone who is poor and destitute and has the spiritual connotation of someone ‘lacking any kind of true spirituality and good sense’ that they had in Christ Jesus. The Galatian churches were returning to the path of spiritual death and destruction!

Verse 10: In this verse Paul points out that they have gone back to the observance of law with its special days and times of festivals. They were observing these special times, thinking that they would gain additional merit before God and be extra pleasing to Him. But Paul had already made it clear to them previously that works could not be added to faith as grounds for either justification or sanctification – only faith in Christ Jesus alone can do this!

Verse 11: Here Paul expresses his fear that they were tuning away from Jesus and their salvation despite all his efforts to teach them the truth of faith in Christ Jesus alone!

This is the same problem that the Church faces today with the myriad of false prophets and teachers that have emerged in modern day churches and congregations. These people are leading many others on the road to apostasy, the great turning away of believers that the Bible warns us about in the end times! Those that turn away from the true gospel, the things of God are described by the Bible as being wicked and unbelieving!

1 Timothy 4:1-2 (AMP)

But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 [misled] by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of ethical functioning],

Hebrews 3:12 (AMP)

Take care, brothers and sisters, that there not be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart [which refuses to trust and rely on the Lord, a heart] that turns away from the living God.

12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

Verse 12: Paul encourages the Galatians to become like him now, as he was once like them but after his conversion, he was set free from the sin of the law and but did not return to it or try and incorporate it into his freedom in Christ Jesus. Paul says a similar thing to us in 1 Corinthians – imitate or follow him as he follows Christ!

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV)

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Verses 13 and 14: In these two verses, Paul reminds the Galatian churches of their good relationship with him and particularly referring to his first visit to them when he preached the gospel to them when he was not well and incapacitated, but despite this, they received him in love as if he were an angel. You can read about Paul’s first visit to Galatia in Acts 13 and 14.

Verses 15 and 16: Paul asks the Galatians two questions in these two verses, one question in each verse, in my first visit: “What was the blessing you received?” and “Have I now become your enemy because I tell the truth?”

By the first question he is reminding them that they had accepted the true gospel at first without prejudice and wants them to think about this. By the second question he is asking them not to see him as their enemy because out of his love for them, he is telling them the truth! He is urging them to think clearly about what he is telling them about their deviation from the true gospel to follow the false teachings of the false prophets and teachers that have infiltrated their numbers!

17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. 18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.

Verses 17 – 20: In these four verses, Paul draws a ‘good’ and ‘bad’ word picture for us. The bad is in verse 17 where he tells the Galatians that they have been deceived by the misdirected enthusiasm of the false teachers. Their evil motives are to draw the Galatians away from the true gospel to follow them so that the Galatian church can in turn lead others astray.

In verse 18 he tells them that it is only good to be zealous for the good things of Christ, and not only when he (Paul) is with them but when he is away from them as well!

In verse 19 and 20 Paul gives them the good picture and starts off by calling them his little children, a term of endearment and love. He tells them that he is teaching them the gospel all over again and will continue to do so until Christ is unshakably embedded within again! A good father figure to the young Church!

He goes on to say that he would have preferred not to be harsh with them but has had to in order to remind them of the true gospel because he fears for their spiritual wellbeing.

Church! Sometimes we need to hear a harsh word as long as it’s Biblical truth to shake us out of religious complacency and error taught by the many false prophets and teachers that are prominent in the World today, including those that are on social media. The Bible tells us to test the spirits! If what is being taught at your church does not line up with the Word of God, then get out of there!

1 John 4:1-6 (AMP)

Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know and recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ has [actually] come in the flesh [as a man] is from God [God is its source]; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus [acknowledging that He has come in the flesh, but would deny any of the Son’s true nature] is not of God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world.

Let us be like the Bereans and search the Word to make sure that what we are being told, what we are watching and what we are listening to is the truth according to the Bible, the inerrant Word of God!

Acts 17:10-12 (NIV)

10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.

In verse 11 of Acts 17 above, Paul describes the Bereans as being “of more noble character” and it is my belief that here he is not referring to a noble birthright but rather to their spiritual character which infers to me that they were of a Godlier character than the Jews in Thessalonica. This would explain why they received the gospel message with great eagerness and were zealous in proving it against the Word of God that had already been written in the Old Testament! They wanted to believe that their Messiah had come!

We need to be wary of those Churches that turn themselves into multi-million dollar businesses through music, books and entertainment programmes, and then use the money to feather their own nests and lord it over others. They are leading many to destruction and are thieves and robbers – ravening wolves in sheep’s clothing! We don’t see their like in any of the New Testament Bible teachings and especially not from Jesus! God blesses many men and churches with monetary wealth, but it is like every gift from God, it is to be used to bless others and not to lavishly overindulge on oneself!

Two Covenants
In verses 21-31 of our text, Paul gives us a biblical illustration of the difference between law and grace from the life of Abraham and the difficulties he went through with his two wives, Sarah and Hagar and two sons, Isaac and Ishmael.

Paul uses this account as he knows that the Galatian Jews will know the story well. It is an excellent example of the contrast between the Mosaic Covenant which is the Law and the New Covenant of faith in Christ Jesus, and the contrast between works of the flesh and faith in Christ Jesus. The allegory also provided him with the opportunity to explain Biblically why the Galatians should cast out those men who were trying to bring legalism (the false prophets and teachers) into the gospel of truth of faith in Christ Jesus alone!

Verse 21: Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?

In verse 21, Paul says if you desire to go back to the old covenant of the law, do you not hear the law? Now, ‘hear’ in this verse is translated from the Greek word ‘akouó’, (pronounced ak-oo'-o – Strong’s 191) and means in this context to not only hear with the ears but to fully understand with your mind what it means as well. So, he is actually asking the Galatians, “Do you fully understand the spiritual meaning of the law?” Paul wants them to know and understand the bondage and sin they would be returning to after once being set free from the law through faith in Jesus.

Verse 22: For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.

In verse 22, Paul brings us back to the story of Abraham who believed God in faith, and it was accredited to him as righteousness. It was to Abraham that God promised that all nations would be blessed through him.

Genesis 15:6 (NIV)

Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 22:18 (NKJV)

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

To seal his point to the Galatians about the bondage that the law brings, Paul refers them to the account of Abrahams two oldest sons, Ishmael and Isaac.

Genesis 16:1-4 & 15 (NKJV)

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. 2 So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai. 3 Then Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan. 4 So he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress became despised in her eyes.

 15 So Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram named his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael.

Genesis 21:1-3 (NKJV)

And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken. 2 For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. 3 And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him—whom Sarah bore to him—Isaac.

Verse 23: But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,

In verse 23, Paul continues with the story of Abraham and now refers to the way in which Abraham’s two oldest sons were born.

God had promised Sarah a son even though she was old and past the age of childbearing. But Sarah had become tired of waiting and started scheming in the flesh (of her own mind) how a son could be born to her and Abraham. This she achieved by encouraging Abraham to have sex with her Egyptian slave woman, Hagar. This happened and Hagar gave birth to a son, Ishmael. Thus, Ishmael was born according to the scheming of the flesh from a slave woman.

Ishmael was born of the flesh by the scheming of Sarah who was unable to be patient and obedient and wait for God’s promise that he would give her a son. Ishmael was not the son of the Promise, he was a son of the flesh!

Isaac on the other hand was the son of the Promise, he was born of the Spirit when God opened Sarah’s womb when she was very old and passed the age of chidbearing!

Genesis 21:1-2 (NKJV)

And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken. 2 For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— 26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written:

“Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”

In verse 24 - 31 Paul explains the prophetic symbolism of the births of Ishmael and Isaac that was relevant to the Galatians at that time and that is also relevant to the Church today – they are representative of two covenants.

The birth of Ishmael is of the covenant of the law (verses 24 – 27), starting with the 10 Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai, and as we’ve already learnt, the law leads to slavery or bondage which is what Hagar signifies.

Paul explains too that Hagar is also representative of Jerusalem which, at the time of his writing, was in bondage to Rome and of course the law! Today, Jerusalem is still in bondage to the law and to today’s world systems as it was to Rome in those days and as was much of the world at the time!

In verse 26, Paul refers to the new Jerusalem from above (the Heavenly Jerusalem) which is free of bondage and and sin that God has prepared for his bride. This also refers to the freedom of the offspring of Sarah the free woman and wife of Abraham. It is through the line of Isaac that Christ is born and it is through belief in Christ Jesus that that man has freedom from the law!

Revelation 21:1-4 (NKJV)

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

I believe that the question Paul is also posing here, both to the Galatians and the Church today is, “Are you going to follow the present Jerusalem with its bondage and sin or are you going to follow the heavenly Jerusalem which is freedom by faith in Christ Jesus alone?

In verse 27, Paul quotes a passage from Isaiah 54:1. This quotation prophesied the changing fortunes of Israel and, which Paul applied to Sarah’s history. So, from Abraham came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as immeasurable as the sand on the seashore - and Sarah, the barren, desolate woman thus became the mother of multitudes.

Genesis 22:15-18 (NKJV)

15 Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, 16 and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— 17 blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

In his closing statement to this chapter, verses 28 – 31, Paul makes four very important points that not only applied to the Galatians at the time but also applies to the Church today, those who are born-again!

1. We are children of The Promise, born-again according to the Spirit! Verse 28.

Romans 9:6-9 (NKJV)

6 But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, 7 nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” 8 That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. 9 For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.”

2. We will face persecution because we belong to Jesus! Particularly from false prophets and teachers! Verse 29.

John 16:33 (AMP)

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

3. We are co-heirs with Jesus of all God’s promises! Verse 30.

Romans 8:15-17 (NKJV)

15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

4. We have true freedom in Christ Jesus – freedom from the law of sin and death! 

Romans 8:2-3 (AMP)

2 For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do [that is, overcome sin and remove its penalty, its power] being weakened by the flesh [man’s nature without the Holy Spirit], God did: He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh [subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son],

My concluding thoughts on Chapter 4
The false teachers (the Judaisers) that had infiltrated the Galatian churches believed that faith alone in Jesus Christ was not enough for our salvation and our walk to Christian maturity. Unfortunately, they were drawing the Galatians away from the gospel of faith in Christ Jesus alone that he had first taught them and consequently they were no longer in line with God’s love, grace and mercy.

What really concerned Paul was that the eternal destinies of people are jeopardized when grace is clouded over by legalism. In addition, Christianity is extremely unattractive when presented with a works based legalistic flavor. Legalism repels, while grace attracts. Fortunately, for the Galatians and for modern readers, Paul tackled this legalistic distortion head on.

Praise God that the born-again Christian is set free from the curse of the Law and control of the Law by the blood of Jesus that covers our lives. Christians must repent of and cast off the yoke of legalism and a works-based theology (“Cast out the bondwoman and her son”).

To attempt to mix Law and grace is to attempt the impossible and negates the Christian walk of faith in Christ Jesus. To live by grace, through faith in Christ Jesus alone, gives one a free and fulfilling Christian life and enables us to walk our path to maturity.

The key to living the life of faith in Christ Jesus is The Holy Spirit, to live life in the Spirit – Romans 8, please read this whole chapter for yourselves. And it is this key that Paul will share in the closing “practical” chapters of this letter. Meanwhile, you and I need to beware to not let legalism and works creep back into our lives.

Prayer
Dear Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would continually fill me with your Holy Spirit and give me wisdom and discernment so that I will not be led astray by the errant teachings of false prophets and teachers. Reveal to me, I pray, the wolves in sheep’s’ clothing that I may not stray from your path – Jesus Christ and Him crucified! Lord, I pray that you would keep my ears and my heart ever attentive to the voice of your Holy Spirt! I pray, Lord, that you would teach me your ways that I may bring glory to Jesus. Amen!

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!