INTRODUCTION
In the book of Hebrews Chapter 9, the writer outlines the intricacies of the institutions and practices of the Old Covenant as Moses and the Israelites had to do them on a regular basis for over 430 years. All the rituals that were necessary before the priest could enter the Holy of Holies, were symbolic rituals of what was to come in and through Jesus the Christ. It was imperfect but necessary for a while, because the splashing of the blood of animals or any of the washings, food, and drink, etc. could not cleanse the conscience of man. And the shedding of blood was necessary for the remission of sin. Without the shedding of blood, there is not remission of sin. These were imposed until the time of reformation when CHRIST CAME AS THE HIGH PRIEST OF THE GOOD THINGS TO COME. Jesus came with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands—not of human creation, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with the BLOOD OF CHRIST JESUS HIMSELF. Therefore, the Blood of Christ, through the ETERNAL SPIRIT, cleanses the conscience from dead works to serve the Living God. FOR THIS REASON, CHRIST IS THE MEDIATOR OF THE NEW COVENANT OF GRACE THROUGH FAITH. He rented the vail and opened the way to our inheritance of the Eternal Promise. (The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit) The Blood of Christ Jesus, gives us direct access to the Mercy Seat and to the Throne of Grace. Therefore, the laborious rituals of the past 430 years were no longer necessary. But breaking away for them was a challenge for some of those who were now of the New Covenant.
Paul’s previous knowledge and practice of the Old Covenant, as a Pharisee, taught him all he knew of the many works that had to be done in order for one to even come near to the Holy Place. He knew that even the priest who offered the sacrifices and gifts, fell short of perfection. So, it behooves us and all who receive Christ to not turn back to the old ways which were good for a while, but were merely symbolic. It is against this backdrop that Paul so earnestly urges, warns, and encourages the Galatians and now us, to place a high value on God’s great gift of Grace given to us through the sacrifice of His Son, Christ Jesus.
CHAPTER 1
HIS MAIN CONCERN: They seem to be falling away from the truth of the doctrine of Grace they had recently embraced, to return to the Law of Circumcision and other legalistic rituals and teachings.
PAUL’S GREETINGS TO THEM IS LINKED TO THE SOURCE OF THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL: God the Father, who raised the Son from the dead, from whom Paul received the Gospel of Grace directly by divine revelation and not from any human source.
–There were some who were perverting the Gospel of Christ, but no matter who or what tries to do such a thing, it must not be allowed or accepted; for there is no other Gospel. Paul is distressed over the weakness of their faith in the church of Galatia.
PAUL’S CONFIDENCE IN THE PURITY OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST: He is persistent in his convictions that he has taught them what is right and what was divinely revealed by the Almighty God and Father. It came to him through the Lord Jesus Christ, who divinely revealed Himself on His way to Damascus to persecute Christians. This Gospel is pure and was not handed down by man.
PAUL OUTLINES HIS MOVEMENTS AND JOURNEYS OVER A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS TO PROVE HIS EXPERIENCE AND TRANSFORMATION FROM JUDAISM TO CHRISTIANITY. (Gal. 1:18-19) The only disciples he spent time with was Peter and James—the brother of the Lord Jesus Christ.) He went through Arabia and Damascus. Later He went up to Jerusalem briefly. Then he went through Syria and Cilicia where they only knew of him as the one who once persecuted the church but is now preaching the faith.
WHEN THESE CHURCHES HEARD THIS, THEY GLORIFIED GOD!
CHAPTER 2
PAUL DEFENDS THE GOSPEL OF GRACE THAT WAS ENTRUSTED TO HIM FOR THE GENTILES. —IT DID NOT INSIST ON CIRCUMCISION TO BE SAVED AND ACCEPTED AS A BELIEVER.
He went with Barnabas and Titus after fourteen years back to Jerusalem to give a report to those who were considered “pillars” of the church. He wanted to be clear that there was only one Gospel…not two. Whether one was circumcised or uncircumcised, the Gospel is the same—by Grace through Faith.
Some of the apostles like Peter, were insincere about their understanding of the Gospel of Grace. The same Gospel of liberty is the same for Jew and Gentile. Peter, James, and John were convinced that Paul was right and agreed to offer him and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship. Their only requirement was that they should always remember to take care of the poor. Also, Paul confronted Peter for insisting that Gentiles live as Jews. THIS IS HYPOCRITICAL AND UNACCEPTABLE.
“If righteousness came through the Law, then Christ died in vain.”
CHAPTER 3
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
QUESTION: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by the works of the Law or by the hearing of faith?
Oh Galatians, why have you become so foolish to renounce the liberty of Grace through faith, to return to the works of the Law? Did you receive the truth of the Gospel by the Spirit and the hearing of faith–or through the works of the Law?
Like Abraham, only those who are of faith are sons of God. Because of His faith, God considered Abraham a blessed friend. God counted his faith as righteousness by which all the families of the earth would be blessed. Without the Grace received by faith, no one can receive the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. No one can have this by the observance of the Law.
Jeremiah 31:31 promises that God would show Israel the promise of a New Covenant in days to come but when the day came, it was not recognized, and it was hard to tear away from the Old Covenant of the Lawir. Convincing the Israelites that the New Covenant had come was challenging. Grace would now be the order of the day. For four hundred and thirty years, the Law was a tutor to discipline their minds and hearts, actions and behavior. How long would it take to make the switch from Law to Grace? (Even though Grace through faith was a liberator.)
CHRIST HAS REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW, WHICH NO ONE COULD FULLY SATISFY. HE PAID THE PRICE FOR US. THEREFORE, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT BELIEVERS CLING TO JESUS FOR HIS HELP. HE WILL SHOW US THE WAY AND KEEP US ON TRACK IN THE FAITH UNTIL WE ARE FIRMLY FORMED IN THE PRINCIPLE OF GRACE AND UNDERSTAND THE BEAUTY AND FREEDOM THAT IS IN THE NEW COVENANT.
Christ is that SEED of Abraham who brings the blessing upon the Gentiles as well as on the Jews. —that all may receive the PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT through faith.
QUESTION: WAS THE LAW HOLY AND WAS IT USEFUL?
Yes, it was necessary to discipline us/Israel until faith is fully formed. The Law was a tutor to bring us to Christ in the liberty of Grace through faith.
All who believe in Christ, are children of God and have “put on” Christ. We have become “one” as heirs of the Promise.
CHAPTER 4
In the fullness of time, Christ came to redeem both Jews and Gentiles from the curse of the Law and to elevate them/us from enslavement to the Law to the position of heirs and sonship.
–Heirs of God through the Spirit of God is given to us in Christ Jesus. Therefore, we have the privilege and the right to cry: “ABBA/FATHER!” to find grace and mercy in our time of need.
–Now that we know God and are known of God, no more shall we turn again to the weaker and beggarly, elemental desires of bondage to the Law—observing days, months, seasons, and years…
–Paul urges them to observe him and to be as he has been as an example. For even though he has a certain infirmity in his flesh, they accepted him and respected him and trusted him even as if he were an angel of God. Their acceptance of him was not about the perfection of his physical and fleshly appearance. It was about the power of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that convinced them of his authority and authenticity.
–Yet, now, it seems they have allowed deceivers and deviants to court them and to turn them away from their new- found liberty and faith through the Grace of God in Christ Jesus.
–Paul urges them on to be zealous for the faith, and not only when he is present but at all times.
–He feels a fatherly tenderheartedness toward them as they are being more fully formed in Christ.
THE TWO COVENANTS: Figuratively Paul speaks of the covenant of the bond-woman—Hagar, and another of the covenant of promise or of the free woman—Sarah.
–Ishamael, son of Hagar, was born according to the flesh, therefore giving birth to bondage, corresponding to Mt. Sinai in Arabia. This relates to the earthly Jerusalem, which is now in bondage physically, politically, and morally.
–The other Jerusalem is from above (spiritual) –and is the mother of us all. (Isaiah 54:1) This refers to spiritual sonship of both Jews and Gentiles.
–All are welcome (Jew and Gentile)–to be children of the Abrahamic Promise by faith in accepting Christ Jesus as the only Begotten Son of God. –The Scripture tells us to “cast out the bondwoman and her son (Ishmael) who was born according to the flesh. For the son of the bondwoman cannot inherit the rights of the son who is heir according to the Promise—Sarah, the free woman- (Isaac). The Law and Grace cannot co-exist.
CHAPTER 5
THE INSISTENCE ON KEEPING THE CEREMONIAL LAW/CIRCUMCISION MAKES THE LIBERTY AND FREEDOM OF GRACE THROUGH FAITH NULL AND VOID
–Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any value, for if we seek to be justified by the Law, we separate ourselves from Christ and from God’s gracious favor and unmerited blessing. We, through the
Holy Spirit’s help, anticipate and await the blessing which gives us cause to hope.
–It is faith activated and energized by love that matters most. ***
–You were doing well, but now you have fallen into error and are turning back to the bondage of the Law.
–The acceptance of just a little false teaching can corrupt the entire body. Those who do these things will have a penalty to pay.
–You/we were called to freedom and to the liberty of the Law of love. However, do not use your freedom to selfishly indulge the flesh. For those who belong to Christ, the flesh and its godless human appetites, passions, and desires, are crucified, so let our conduct be controlled by the Spirit. –Do not be competitive, conceited, irritating, envying, and jealous of one another.
CHAPTER 6
EXTENDING GRACE, RESTORING FELLOWSHIP, AND RECONCILING WITH THOSE WHO MIGHT HAVE FALLEN AWAY.
–if anyone has yielded to temptation and fallen away from the faith, let those who are spiritual gently restore such a one to the faith, considering our own faults and vulnerabilities.
–Help to sustain one another in times of trial for this fulfills the Law of Christ.
–Do not consider ourselves superior and be self-exalted but be humble and gracious in our demeanor towards one another; for we all have our own (little) faults.
–Anyone who restores another to the faith, has done a great job.
–Let those who have been taught the Word, remember to share with those who teach it to them, remembering that whatever we sow we shall also reap, for God is not mocked or deceived.
–Those who sow to the flesh and its worldly desires, will ultimately reap what can decay.
But those who sow to the Spirit will in due season reap what is eternal—EVERLASTING LIFE.
–Do not grow weary in doing good, for if we do not faint, we shall reap a good and eternal reward.
–Do not allow yourselves to become entangled again with the things that are corruptible –with the Law of circumcision, and other ceremonial laws that ultimately nullify the Gospel and Doctrine of God’s Grace purchased by the Blood of Christ crucified, dead, buried, resurrected, ascended, and coming again. For those legalistic practices amount to nothing. Only that which is a new creation in Christ Jesus matters.
–Let those who walk according to the Spirit, according to the rule of love, have peace and mercy bestowed upon themselves and upon Israel from Jehovah God.
A CLOSING BLESSING:
MAY THE GRACE OF OUR Lord Jesus Christ, be with our spirit now, always, and forevermore. ALLELUJAH!…AMEN!
Note: Resources:-The Amplified Bible, The Thompson-Chain Study Bible—(NKJV), Greek N.T. / 4th Edition
