Galatians 6:11-18

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 6:11-18

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

 11 Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting.

 12 Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. 13 And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.

 14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross,^[a] my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 15 It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 16 May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.^[b]

 17 From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.

 18 Dear brothers and sisters,^[c] may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Background/Insight:

• Paul used a scribe to write the majority of his letters, but would often add a note at the end in his own handwriting.  
• It is widely believed that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” had to do with bad eyesight.  One reason for that is the “large letters” he uses when writing with his own hand.  
• He emphasizes again the thrust of his letter, that “the cross of Christ alone can save.”  That pleasing men does not earn salvation, trusting in Jesus is the only way.  
• His focus on the cross was likely because the Judaizers saw the cross as a symbol of great shame.  Paul is saying that because of what Jesus did there for us it was now something to be glorified.  
• The marks Paul refers to are most likely the scars he received when being tortured for preaching Christ.  He likens them to to the signs of ownership that were branded on a slave or cattle.  

For your thought/discussion:

• Take some time to reflect on the text. Do you see the cross and name of Christ as something that brings shame or something to be glorified?
• Paul wore physical scars proudly as a testament to his devotion to Jesus.  Do you feel that you follow Jesus so boldly?
• Pray that this word of God would speak and challenge you and spend some time in confession and repentance with your savior Jesus.

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.

 

 

Galatians 6:1-10

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 6:1-10

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

 1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer^[a] is overcome by some sin, you who are godly^[b] should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. 4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

 6 Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. 7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Background/Insight:

• Paul now turns his discussion to the Godly, spiritual way to help others overcome sin.  
• This passage is filled with gems of wisdom like “If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself.  You are not that important.”   
• And for those who would look at the rest of this book and say that good works don’t matter, Paul now brings them up in the proper context.  ”So let us not get tired of doing what is good.”
• Paul also points out that a legalists response to sin is incorrect.  A Christian should help to restore a person.  The Greek word for “help” or “restore” is katartizete, and is a word used in secular Greek for setting broken bones or fixing broken fishing nets.  

For your thought/discussion:

• Take some time to reflect on the text. What is your typical reaction to someone who is caught in sin?
• Are there any examples in your life where someone caringly, lovingly and truthfully restored/helped you when caught in a sin?
• What does this say about the real freedom that is given us through Jesus?
• Pray that this word of God would speak and challenge you and spend some time in confession and repentance with your savior Jesus.

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.

 

Galatians 5:16-26

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 5:16-26

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Background/Insight:

• Most people think that following the Spirit of God is binding.  As this passage points out, the truth is that is incredibly freeing.  It is being who you were meant to do and being let loose to do what you are meant to do.  
• The list of sinful desires verses the spiritual fruit adds further realism to the struggle we all have.  
• The word peripateite, translated here as “let the Spirit guide” literally translated is “keep on walking“.
• For you Pharmacists out there…  The word sorcery, or in some translations, witchcraft, is the greek word pharmakeia and is where we get the word pharmacy from.  In ancient times the worship of evil powers was accompanied by the use of drugs to create trances.  (So, you could look at Revelation 9:21 and say that all Pharmacists will need to repent ) 

For your thought/discussion:

• Take some time to reflect on the text. Where is the epic struggle between your sinful nature and the Spirit’s pull most evident.
• Why do you think so many people choose to follow the rules and not the Spirit?
• What areas of your life are you blocking or ignoring the Spirit?  
• Pray that this word of God would speak and challenge you and spend some time in confession and repentance with your savior Jesus.

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.

 

 

Galatians 5:1-15

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 5:1-15

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

 1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. 2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. 4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.

 5 But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. 6For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

 7 You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? 8 It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. 9 This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! 10 I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you.

 11 Dear brothers and sisters,^[a] if I were still preaching that you must be circumcised—as some say I do—why am I still being persecuted? If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended. 12 I just wish that those troublemakers who want to mutilate you by circumcision would mutilate themselves.^[b]

13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[c] 15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

Background/Insight:

• Circumcision was an outward sign of Judaism and a following of the Jewish law.  Paul is saying, contrary to these teachers, that it is not necessary to become a follower of all of the Jewish laws, including circumcision, to be saved and a Christ follower.  
• The problem with following the law is that we can’t.  
• Paul is not worried about offending as long as the truth about Jesus is proclaimed.  
• Paul makes a bold statement, essentially saying that the Judaizers should just go the whole way and castrate themselves, as did the pagan priests of the cult of Cybele in Asia Minor.  He is emphasizing that that sign of the covenant can not save them and will not gain righteousness in God’s eyes.  

For your thought/discussion:

• Take some time to reflect on the text. In what areas are you trying to earn your way into God’s favor? 
• Why is it so dangerous to focus on doing the right things and ignoring the truth of being saved by Jesus?
• Would your rather have someone share the hard truth with you and offend you, or tell you want you want to hear?  
• Pray that this word of God would speak and challenge all of us to keep the right things as the right things.  

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.

 

Galatians 4:21-31

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 4:21-31

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

21 Tell me, you who want to live under the law, do you know what the law actually says? 22 The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one from his slave wife and one from his freeborn wife.^[a] 23 The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God’s own fulfillment of his promise. 24 These two women serve as an illustration of God’s two covenants. The first woman, Hagar, represents Mount Sinai where people received the law that enslaved them. 25 And now Jerusalem is just like Mount Sinai in Arabia,^[b] because she and her children live in slavery to the law. 26 But the other woman, Sarah, represents the heavenly Jerusalem. She is the free woman, and she is our mother. 27 As Isaiah said,

   “Rejoice, O childless woman,
      you who have never given birth!
   Break into a joyful shout,
      you who have never been in labor!
   For the desolate woman now has more children
      than the woman who lives with her husband!”^[c]

 28 And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, just like Isaac. 29 But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, just as Ishmael, the child born by human effort, persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit.  30 But what do the Scriptures say about that? “Get rid of the slave and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”[d] 31 So, dear brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman; we are children of the free woman.

Background/Insight:

• Paul is using an Old Testament story about Abraham to draw yet another illustration of how it is not what we do that saves us but God.  Read about Abraham, Sarah, Hagar and Ishmael in Genesis 16-21.
• Abraham’s child with Hagar (the slave) was a human attempt to do what God had promised and only he could do.  
• This illustration would have hit home with the audience reading this.  As they were Judaizers and Old Testament scholars.  Abraham is regarded as the father of the Jewish nation.  

For your thought/discussion:

• Take some time to reflect on the text. In what arena’s of your life are trying not trusting in God?
• Where have you seen God’s faithfulness in the past?
• Spend some time in prayer and ask God to reveal the truth of who he really is to you.  

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.

 

Galatians 4:8-20

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 4:8-20

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. 12I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. 13As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. 15What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

17Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. 18It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you. 19My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Background/Insight:

• Again we see that religious ritual without Christ, no matter how devoutly followed, means nothing.  
• The word used to describe knowing God is the word gnontes and literally translated means “to know intimately and on a personal level.” 
• When Paul spoke words they liked to hear, he was their hero.  Yet, when he spoke a needed truth they treated him as an enemy.   

For your thought/discussion:

• Take some time to reflect on the text. Think about whether you are, “just going through the motions” or truly deepening in your connection with Christ.   
• How do you typically react to someone who tells you a hard but needed truth?
• Spend some time in prayer and ask God to reveal the truth of who he really is to you.  

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.

Galatians 4:1-7

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 4:1-7

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

 1 Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. 2They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. 3 And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles^[a] of this world.

 4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.^[b] 6 And because we^[c] are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”^[d] 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.^[e] And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Background/Insight:

• The word used for child is nepios (infant, young child) and is used in contrast with huios (son).
• The word for “guardian” here is different than the last section.  It is the word epitropous, emphasizing that they watched over him.   
• Note in verse 4 where Paul again uses the “But… God” structure to indicate how God has moved.  
• “The right time” indicates that God purposely sent Jesus at a specific time and place.  In other words He had and has a plan.  
• The word “Abba” is the Aramaic word for “Father”.  It is the word small children would use in addressing their father much like our modern equivalent “Daddy”.  The use of this name indicates intimacy and trust as opposed to formalism or legalism.  A remarkable term to be used for our relationship to the God whom we fear.  That tells us what a significant and relationship changing event Jesus’ death and resurrection is.
• Where verse six uses plural versions of the word “you”.  Verse seven is singular, making this application direct and personal to the reader.    

For your thought/discussion:

• Take some time to reflect on the text. Look especially at verse five and think about the statement, “that freedom is never free.”  
• Why do you think Paul takes the time to emphasize that Jesus was “born of a woman” (verse 4)?
• Reflect on the term of endearment, Abba, daddy, father, that we are given to address God because we are now considered heirs.
• Spend some time praying to your heavenly Abba and seek His movement in your life and heart.  

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.

 

Galatians 3:23-29

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 3:23-29

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed. 24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. 25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.

26 For you are all children^[a] of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.^[b] 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile,^[c] slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children^[d] of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

Background/Insight:

• The word for guardian is paidagogos and is a hard one to catch in English as there is no exact parallel in our society. They were slaves whose job was to guard children from the evils of society and to give them moral training.
• A good way to look at this is that the law did not lead us to Christ but was the disciplinarian until Christ came. Galatians makes the strong point that the law could not make us right in God’s sight and that we are desperately in need of Jesus’ sacrifice in our place.
• The plural “you” used to talk of sons of God indicates the Paul is not only talking to Israelites but to all people, Gentiles and Israelites.
• His words about “oneness” in Christ remain as controversial today as they were at the time. He breaks beyond all social barriers to say that Christ salvation is for all people. All are heirs of the promise of Abraham.

For your thought/discussion:

• Take some time to reflect on the text. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where cultural distinctions and biases have intruded on your relationship with Christ.
• Contemplate what it means that you are an heir to eternity in heaven if you have faith in Christ’s sacrifice.

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.

Galatians 3:15-22

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 3:15-22

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

 15 Dear brothers and sisters,^[a] here’s an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or amend an irrevocable agreement, so it is in this case. 16 God gave the promises to Abraham and his child.^[b] And notice that the Scripture doesn’t say “to his children,^[c]” as if it meant many descendants. Rather, it says “to his child”—and that, of course, means Christ. 17 This is what I am trying to say: The agreement God made with Abraham could not be canceled 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his promise. 18 For if the inheritance could be received by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God’s promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham as a promise. 19 Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. 20 Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham.

 21 Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises?^[d] Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. 22 But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.

Background/Insight:

• The take home verse in this section is verse 22, “But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom by believing in Jesus Christ.”
• When we simply try and obey it is a trap that we will never be able to fulfill or accomplish.  When we trust in Jesus sacrifice and grace we are set free to serve him.  In other words it becomes a joy and not a burden. 
• Paul connects God’s promises to Abraham and Moses to their fulfillment in Christ.  
• A believer’s inheritance of life, eternal life, is an unconditional gift for those who believe.  

For your thought/discussion:

• Take some time to reflect on the text. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where things other than Christ have taken prominence in your thoughts and life.  
• What sin do, or have you felt a prisoner to?  What ways have you tried to break out?
• Ask God to intervene in those areas of struggle and give you the “freedom” of the gospel.  

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.  

Galatians 3:1-14

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 3:1-14

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

 1 Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. 2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. 3 How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? 4 Have you experienced^[a]so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it? 5 I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.

 6 In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”^[b] 7 The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.

 8 What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would declare the Gentiles to be righteous because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.”^[c] 9 So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.

 10 But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.”^[d] 11 So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”^[e] 12 This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.”^[f]

 13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”^[g] 14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised^[h] Holy Spirit through faith.

Background/Insight:

• I had a friend sum up the Law(obey) & Gospel(grace) teaching in this passage by simply saying, “The Law brings death, the Gospel brings life.”
• It should be noted that Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness.  That is significant because he chronically doubted God and even went so far as to lie about his marriage to his wife to save his own skin.  (Genesis 20:1-18)
• The word used in verse one to say how clear Christ’s sacrifice was made to them is the word proegraphe and literally means, “to write for public hearing” as would be used for the posting of a public announcement.
• Paul continues to hammer the point that doing the religious things will not save you and for these Galatians has gotten in the way of clearly seeing Jesus and the weight of his sacrifice.  
• The Judaizers taught that they had some special track because of their direct lineage as children of Abraham.  Paul makes the point here that the Gentile Christians are also “children of Abraham” because of God’s promise that he would be a blessing to all nations.  This would not have been heard well by the self focused Judaizers.  
• Paul quotes Deuteronomy 27:26 to show that the Law demanded perfection and that a curse was attached to failure to keep any part of it.  He then emphasized that there is hope for those who put their trust in Christ, who redeemed us from the curse of the Law by “becoming a curse for us.”(Isaiah 53)

For your thought/discussion:

• Take some time to reflect on the text. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you where you are foolishly missing the weight and grace of Jesus death on the cross.  
• This passage talks of those who have faith but are misled into believing that their faith is not enough.  That they must earn God’s favor.  According to Paul this is impossible.  Why is that such an easy trap to fall into?
• Think about the curse that is on us because of our failure to do as God would require.  Now, think of the awesome grace of a Savior who became a curse for us!  How does that affect you?

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.