BIB361 Early Pauline Epistles

BIB361 Early Pauline Epistles
- Epistlatory introduction - Paul defends Himself and the Gospel -1:1-5
  - Author(s) 1-2
    - Paul is an apostle - authority
      - Not from man and not through man -
        source/ultimate cause and means/efficient cause -
        Paul's calling not directly or even indirectly through humans
        Why important? Gospel not dependent on man - answering detractors that Paul not qualified
        Gospel not dependent on messenger, messenger dependent on Gospel
      - From Jesus the Messiah (Jewish fulfillment) and God the Father
        Father described as One Who raised Him from dead
        Why described as raised from dead?
        Resurrection places in eschatological place in salvation history - justification finished
    - And the brothers with me
      - Why? Paul is not alone in his position - those on his side
  - Recipients 2
    - Churches of the Galatians
      - Plural churches - cf. south Galatian theory
      - Problem is in the churches - genuine believers are the target of the enemy
        False teaching is aimed at the saints
        The devil does not spend his time tempting people in brothels and bars, but in churches
        "Scripture witnesses that antichrist does not sit in a stable of fiends or in a pigsty or in a company of unbelievers, but in the highest and holiest place of all, namely, in God's temple." Luther 32.
        The problem is not primarily Hollywood or Wall street or Ottawa or Washington DC - these are just symptoms - historically understand that the sad state of these institutions is the indirect result of the failure of churches and false problems sown in churches that grew to universities, that infiltrated elsewhere, but started in churches
      - The solution, likewise is in the churches doing well and all culture is then gradually impacted
  - Greeting 3-4
    - Grace and peace
      - Standard, but profound
        Change chairein to charis - for Christians - all is grace
        Peace is Shalom - prosperity
        To you
    - From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
      - Our Father - not everyone's Father - only of adopted
      - Lord Jesus Christ - Jesus is Lord, Master - assumed, never thoroughly explained
        In their culture understood hierarchy - they were someone's servant - gotta serve somebody
        In our culture, needs to be reminded constantly, and embraced
      - The one who gave Himself on behalf of our sins
        On behalf of, for the sake of, in someone else's interest
        Gracious giving - should respond with deep gratitude
        Why here? - against NPP - This is about sins that keep us from God, unrighteousness
        NOT about boundary markers, but broken relation with God
        Sin= rebellion, de-goding God, idolatry of self - opposite of faith and love
        Breaking first commandment before breaking any others.
      - In order that He may deliver us from this present evil age
        Purpose
        To rescue, deliver, set free
        From the present, evil age
        Present - now as opposed to future age
        Evil, worthless, vicious, degenerate
        Not all completely bad, but partly, completely bad - connected with sin
      - According to the will of Our God and Father
        God's giving of Christ was all according to plan and purpose
        He is our God and Father
  - Doxology 5
    - To Him be the glory forever and ever
    - Meant it -so should we
    - not giving glory (He already has it all)
      - But recognizing the fittingness/appropriateness, delighting in the fact that He is of the highest reputation
      - But also wishing and working toward all recognizing His desert of all glory
    - Forever and ever
- Warning against False Gospels and defending the only Gospel - 1:6-9
  - No Thanksgiving - but Shock
  - Reason for Shock
    - Turning Away
    - From the One Who called you
    - To another 'gospel'
  - Cause of the problem
    - There are some
      - Disturbing you
      - Perverting the gospel
  - Paul's Response
    - First statement
      - if
        we or an angel from heaven
        evangelizes to you
        that which is contrary to what we preached to you
      - let them be anathema
    - Second statement
      - As I said before and am saying again
      - if
        anyone evangelizes to you
        that which does not correspond to what you received
        2 differences
        Anyone
        What you received
      - let them be anathema
- The Gospel defended - 1:10-5:12
  - The Gospel defended by Paul's narrative 1:10-2:21
    - Theme statements 1:10-12
      - I am not a man pleaser
        2 questions
        am I seeking the approval of men or of God? A. God
        am I seeking to please men? A. No, trying to please God
        Principle
        If I were trying to please men
        I would not be a servant of Christ
      - evidence that Paul was serving/pleasing God
        I made known the Gospel
        I made known to you brothers
        the Gospel that was Gospeled by me
        It is not according to man
        Reason
        I did not receive it from man
        neither was I taught it by man
        but I received it by revelation of Jesus Christ
    - Paul's early life and conversion 1:13-17
      - Before 13-14
        Against Christians
        Persecuted the church to extremes
        tried to destroy it
        For the law
        advancing in Judaism beyond many of my race
        more abundantly zealous for the traditions of my fathers
      - After 15-17
        Character of God - 2 ptcps describing God
        He set me apart from my mother's womb
        cf. Jer. 1:5, Isa 44:2,24, 49:1-6
        prophet's call
        
        He called be through His grace
        Action of God
        God was pleased to reveal
        reveal His Son in me/by me
        Purpose of God
        that I may evangelize Him
        among the gentiles
        Paul's Response
        did not consult with any human
        did not go to Jerusalem
        to those who were apostles before me
        but I went into Arabia and returned again into Damascus
    - Paul's first interaction with Jerusalem 1:18-24
      - Visited Peter
      - Did not see others (but James)
      - (Oath Formula)
      - Went Elsewhere
      - Unknown to Jerusalem
      - They Heard about Me
      - They glorified God because of me
    - Paul's second interaction with Jerusalem 2:1-10
      - Paul went up to Jerusalem
      - He set forth the Gospel
      - Titus was not circumcised
      - Against 'False Brothers'
      - Paul stood firm
      - The Apostles added nothing
      - The Apostles recognized Paul's call
    - Paul's rebuke of Peter 2:11-14
      - Paul Rebuked Peter
      - Description of How Peter Was Wrong
      - Paul's Response
    - Paul's theological rationale for his rebuke of Peter 2:15-21
      - Jews and Gentiles are justified in the same way 15-20
        Jews and Gentiles are all sinners 15-17b
        Even though Peter and Paul are Jews and not Gentile "sinners" 15
        We are Jews by nature
        We are not sinners from the Gentiles
        They are still "sinners" 16-17b
        We believe in Jesus to be justified v. 16
        Since we know righteousness is by faith, not law 16a-b
        We know that a man is not justified by works of the law 16a
        But he is justified through faith in Jesus Christ 16b
        We believe in Jesus Christ to be justified because law is ineffective 16c-f
        We believe in Jesus Christ to be justified 16c-e
        We believe in Jesus Christ 16c
        Purpose - to be justified 16d-e
        so that we will be justified by faith in Christ 16d
        not by works of the law 16e
        Reason: All flesh (everyone) is NOT justified by works of the law 16f
        Seeking to be justified in Jesus proves we are sinners v. 17a-b
        If we are seeking to be justified in Christ
        We also are found/proven to be sinners
        Those in Christ are in a new eschatological reality 17c-20
        Rhetorical question: Is Christ therefore a servant of sin? 17c
        Answer and reason 17d-20
        Answer - Absolutely NOT! 17d
        Reason: Christians are in the new age and cannot go back 18-20
        Those who go back are the real transgressors 18
        If we build again that which we destroyed 18a-b
        We demonstrate that we are transgressors
        Paul turns the tables
        The real "sinners" are not gentiles
        Everyone is "sinners" in that sense
        The real sinners are those who reject Christ's righteousness by attempting self-righteousness by returning to the law
        "that which we destroyed" is self-righteousness
        it is destroyed by our being included in Christ's death - cf. following
        Proof/Reason - new eschatological reality 19-20
        For I died to the law through the law 19a
        so that I may live to God 19b-20
        So that I may live to God 19b
        Explanation of what that means 19c-20
        Negatively - I have died 19c-20a
        I have been crucified (pf. tense) with Christ 19c
        I am no longer living
        Positively - I am living a new life through Christ - 20b-d
        Christ is living with reference to me 20b
        I live by faith 20c-d
        The life which I live in the flesh 20c
        I live by faith in the Son of God 20d
        The One Who loved me
        The One Who gave Himself on behalf of me
      - Therefore I will not set aside the grace of God for attempted righteousness via the law 21
        I will/do not set aside/declare invalid/nullify the grace of God
        reason
        if righteous could happen throught he law
        then Christ died for no reason/unneccesarily
  - The Gospel defended by the Galatian's experience 3:1-6
    - the Galatians' experience 1-5
      - Accusation 1a
        The Galatians are foolish
        b/c their grasp of the Gospel betrays their own experience
        i.e. realize your own experience and change your grasp and application of the Gospel
        on relationship between theology and experience - careful
      - Their experience 1b-5
        4 rhetorical questions reminding them of their experience 1b-4
        1. Who has deceived/bewitched you? - i.e. someone has deceived/bewitched you 1b-c
        someone has deceived you
        deceived - fig. use of religious/magical word 'bewitched"
        even though you knew of Christ crucified
        Christ was publicly displayed
        publicly displayed as crucified
        before your eyes
        i.e. in Paul's preaching
        2. How did you receive the Spirit? - i.e. you received the Spirit not by works of law but by hearing with faith 2
        rhetorical intro. - I want to learn this only from you
        how did you receive the Spirit?
        from works of the law? - no!
        or from hearing with faith? - yes
        3. Are you so foolish? - i.e. you are foolish if you change from Spirit back to flesh 3
        Are you so foolish?
        Specifically - you are foolish if you do this:
        having begun by the Spirit
        Are you now trying to finish with the flesh
        don't change horses in midstream
        If you are winning the first half of the race with the supercharged motor - don't try to finish by pushing the car
        i.e. going back to law is same level of stupidity
        4. Have you experienced all these things in vain? - i.e. if you go back to law, everything you have experienced is in vain
        Have you experienced all these things without result or effect
        If indeed these things were without effect
        i.e. if you go back, these things were without effect
        Summary of their experience 5
        What God did
        God is the One Who provided the Spirit to you
        God is the One Who worked miracles among/in you
        The reason He did it
        Did He do it because of works of the law? NO!
        Did He do it because of hearing with faith? - yes
        Both their objective relationship with God (2:15-21) and their subjective experience of salvation has come by grace through faith, not works of the law
    - The Scriptural proof 6
      - Just like Abraham - disclosure formula
      - Scripture - quoting Gen 15:6
        Abraham believed God
        Result - It was credited to him to be righteousness
  - The Gospel defended by Scripture and true theology 3:7-5:12
    - Law curse vs. Faith blessing (proved by Scripture) 3:6-14
      - Faith blessing vs. Law curse 6-12
        Abraham's blessing via Abraham's faith 6-9
        Abraham's faith results in imputation of righteousness 6-7
        Just like Abraham - Quoting Gen 15:6
        Abraham believed God 6a
        It was credited to him as righteousness 6b
        So also to those who have faith
        You know that:
        Those who have faith - lit. those from faith
        These are sons of Abraham
        i.e. have characteristic of Abraham and therefore can expect the result that Abraham received.
        including implied imputation of righteousness - that was by faith in Abraham's case, same with us
        Abraham's blessing goes to those with Abraham's faith 8-9
        The past promises 8
        First statement of the promise - God is justifying the nations through faith
        The Scriptures foresaw (God foresaw/planned and make known through the Scriptures)
        God is justifying the nations through faith
        Second statement of the promise - all nations will be blessed through Abraham
        The Scripture proclaimed the good news in advance to Abraham
        quoting Gen 12:3 that all nations will be blessed in you (Abraham)
        The present fulfillment 9
        Those who have faith - lit. those from faith, cf. v.7
        they are blessed with the faith of Abraham
        Salvation historical argument
        true heirs of Abraham's promises and partakers in God's plan
        not by circumcision or following the law (even though Abraham did these things, but not in this order - same for Galatians)
        but by believing God - faith like Abraham
        Law's curse via works of the law 10-12
        The Law brings a curse 10
        The principle 10a-b
        Whoever is from works of the law - contrast 'from faith"
        They are under a curse
        The proof 10c-e
        quote formula - Because it is written:
        quoting Deut 27:26
        All are cursed
        Those who do not remain/persist in ALL the things written in the book of the Law to do (all of) them
        if you take on this burden, realize that it is a huge burden, God does not grade on a curve
        it is a 100% or nothing pass or fail
        desire to keep the law is not bad
        But failure to keep the law completely is bad
        therefore desire to keep the law in order to be in right standing with God is stupid and bad
        desiring to keep the law in order to be in right standing with God even when God has graciously provided a better way is blasphemous
        No one is justified via the law 11
        The principle 11a
        No one is justified before God by the law
        This is clear/evident/blatantly true
        The proof 11b
        quoting Hab. 2:4
        because the righteous will live by faith
        notice again the contrast btwn works of law and faith
        The Law is not from faith 12
        principle 12a
        The Law is not from faith
        separation of law from believing God - to be elaborated later
        The proof 12b
        quoting Lev. 18:5
        Contrast with faith
        The one doing these things
        will live by them
        notice this is about "doing", not "believing"
        notice also, those who do them will live, those who don't do them (which no one perfectly will) will not live
      - Christ takes us from curse to blessing 13-14
        Christ rescued us from the curse 13
        The principle 13a-b
        Christ redeemed us/delivered us/freed us by paying a price from the curse of the law
        means - by becoming a curse on our behalf - penal/legal substitution
        The proof 13c-d
        quoting Deut 21:23
        Everyone hanging on a tree is cursed
        spoken of man guilty of capital offense and body hung on tree as a warning to all
        tree = same word as cross in NT
        Christ took on the death penalty of our capital offense and the shame of our public punishment
        That curse is gone because He took it
        The purpose for this rescue 14
        The blessing of Abraham 14a
        so that the blessing of Abraham might be to the nations in Christ Jesus
        Salvation historical turning of the ages
        Atonement opened up God's planned blessing, which could not be justly given without atonement, but which always came by gift received by faith
        The promise of the Spirit 14b
        so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit
        through faith
      - application
        why go back to the law - insanity
        recieve by faith
        Relearn the Gospel every day - preach the Gospel to yourself - focus on the cross
        Be clear on the Gospel, be clear on proclaiming the Gospel
        beware of giving the impression that about not drinking, etc.
        beware of giving the impression of social group or political stance or moral stance
        e.g. hang out with the goody-goodys
        e.g. don't drink, don't chew, don't date the girls that do
        e.g. show up at church because the music is cool and I like the positive feelings it gives me (rant on "positive alternative"
        e.g. Republican or Democrat
        e.g. no Abortion or prayer in schools
        e.g. don't go to the opposite extreme of tolerance of all nonsense using a Christian love label
        e.g. don't substitute social activism for Christianity
        What is the status of the law?
        Why behave?
    - Relationship of the Law and Abraham's promise 3:15-29
      - The Law was temporary and interim 15-18
        The illustration from everyday life 15
        I am giving an illustration
        just as when a man properly confirms and ratifies a will or testimony
        no one can set it aside or add to it (without proper legal recourse)
        The promise was for Abraham and his seed 16
        The promise was spoken (by God)
        to Abraham
        to his "seed"
        Who is this "seed?"
        neg. it does not say "seedS"
        as if it were speaking to many
        i.e., not to all Jewish physical descendents of Abraham
        pos. it says "seed"
        as it is speaking to one
        i.e. to Jesus the true heir of Abraham
        Jesus is the true seed - the totally faithful One
        The law did not set aside the promise 17-18
        The principle 17
        I say this - disclosure formula - often for emphasis
        -The law, which came 430 years after
        salvation historical argument
        not prior in time or priority to promise of Abraham
        Judaizers are tying Abraham's blessing to keeping the law and Paul is calling them on it
        law did not revoke or invalidate the covenant (of Abraham)
        The covenant was validated/ratified by God
        cf. v.15 where this kind of covenant cannot be rejected
        how much more when it is ratified by God
        The result: the promise is not set aside/destroyed
        i.e. the promise is still in force/powerful
        The proof 18
        Negative conditional
        if the inheritance was from the law
        it would no longer be from promise
        implied conclusion - it is from promise, so that it cannot be from law
        Positive alternative
        God freely/graciously gave it to Abraham
        cognate to Gk word for grace
        God gave it through the promise
      - transition: Paul seems to have just made the law a non-entity, raises question of the purpose of the law, which he now addresses
      - The Law leads to sin or to Christ, not to justification 19-24
        first Q&A 19-20
        Question: Why the law? 19a
        Answer: temporary, inferior stopgap because of transgressions 19b-20
        it was added on to the promise (not supplement or replace, but add-on)
        because of transgressions - standard interpretation to protect people from murder, stealing, etc.
        temporary -
        until the seed comes -
        until the Messiah Jesus, when it will no longer be valid
        Jesus was promised
        inferior
        it was "added on" cf. 15, what cannot be done with a validated covenant
        it was added through mediators and angels
        it is not direct - though God is One
        It was a two sided covenant, depending both on God and on us - obvious problem with this is us and our inability
        The promise was one sided, depending only on God
        second Q&A 21-24
        Question: Therefore, is the law against/contrary to/alternative to the promise of God? 21a
        Answer: Certainly Not 21b
        Reason: 21c-24
        The Law and Promise were given for different reasons/purposes 21c-22
        The law was NOT given to bring righteousness
        if law was given that was able to bring life (which it wasn't)
        Then righteousness would have been through the law
        obvious implication, the law could not give life, therefore it was never meant to bring righteousness - never, not even in OT, Law given after passover redemption/covenant
        But the promise comes by faith in Christ
        The Scripture locked up all things under sin
        cf. Rom. 7 shows sin to be sin, proves that we are lawbreakers
        we cannot save ourselves, we desperately need to be saved
        so that the promise from faith in Jesus Christ may be given to those who believe
        God tears down self-sufficiency with the law, so that we will seek our sufficiency elsewhere
        Reformers show the accusing use of the law
        The Law was a tutor/babysitter until Christ and toward Christ 23-24
        We were confined by the law until Christ 23-24a
        We were shut up under the law 23
        time- before faith came
        we were constrained/confined/imprisoned
        we were held in custody/under guard
        can have positive connotation, protected, cf. I Pet 1:5, etc.
        by the law
        being confined until the faith which was to be revealed
        cf. v. 22 confined under sin
        confined for a purpose - gracious discipline
        Result: The law became our Paidagogue toward Christ
        guardian
        teacher
        leader to teacher
        constrainer toward teacher
        law pushes us to Christ by cutting off other routes
        Purpose: so that we would be justifice by faith
      - We are heirs of the promise through faith 25-29
        We are not under the captivity of the law 25-28
        We are no longer under babysitters because we are heirs, come of age 25
        Faith has Come! Salvation Historical border has been crossed! 25a
        Therefore, we are no longer under the paidagogue
        just as child is no longer under slave when come of age
        Reason: We are sons of God 26-28
        We all are sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus
        Reason:
        General statement
        whoever of you have been baptized into Christ
        you have put on Christ
        fig. taken on characteristics
        That is, taken on priviledges of feudal head/ corporate solidarity
        Specific application
        There is no distinctions for justification
        There is no Jew
        There is no Gentile
        There is no slave
        There is no free
        There is no male and female
        i.e. these distinctions do not matter for justification
        Reason = we are all one in Christ Jesus
        Therefore: we are heirs of the promise 29
        If you are in Christ
        You are the seed of Abraham - heirs according to the promise
    - Argument from Salvation History 4:1-7
      - before 1-3
        illustration from life 1-2
        I say
        heir is no better than a servant while a minor
        for however much time the heir is a minor
        He is no better than a slave
        negatively
        he does not differ from a slave
        even though (technically) he is the master of all
        positively
        he is under the authority of guardians and stewards
        until the time set by his father
        application to Christian 3
        when we were "children/minors in salvation history"
        in the same way, we ourselves were enslaved to the stoicheia of the world
        poss. demonic powers, not probable here
        poss basic elementary principles of life, poss.
        poss elements of the world, i.e. Old creation
      - after 4-7
        God sent the Son 4-5
        God sent the Son 4
        when the fullness of time had come - at just the right time
        God sent His Son
        born from woman - cf. Gen 3:15 "seed"
        born under the law - Jesus conquered the curse of the law by perfectly fulfilling the obedience to the law, by doing what we could not do
        Purpose 5
        so that he may redeem us from the law - cf. 3:13 "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law"
        so that we may receive adoption cf. v. 6
        God sent the Spirit 6-7
        reality 6
        Reason because you are sons
        God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts
        The Spirit is crying out "Abba Father" and we take up that cry as the Spirit exercises influence in our hearts
        result 7
        what we are not any longer- you are no longer a slave
        What we now are
        but you are a son (or daughter)
        not just a son
        and if you are a son, (which you are)
        You are also an heir because of God
    - Application - Galatians do not go back! 4:8-20
      - You have changed, how can you go back?!? 8-10
      - I am worried about you 11
      - Follow through with your former friendship and zeal 12-14
      - You have changed and I am worried about you 15-16
      - Follow through with the good kind of zeal, against the Judaizers 17-18
      - I am very worried about you 19-20
    - Illustration from the slave woman and free 4:21-31
      - introduction - rhetorical question/Challenge about listening to the law
        you are wanting to be under the law?
        are you even listening to the law?
        notice similarity to Jesus' method, correcting them from the Scriptures they revered (for good reason)
        when people misapplied OT, did not throw out OT, but showed them how to correctly apply the OT
      - Abraham had two sons that represent two covenants
        one from the slave woman - born according to flesh
        one from the free woman/wife - born through promise - supernatural, what Abraham could not do on his own - God does not need our 'help'
        This is a picture, representing two covenants
        Hagar
        Hagar is from mount Sina, born into slavery
        That is, Sinai in Arabia - corresponding to present Jerusalem
        She is a slave with her children
        Sarah
        The Jerusalem from above is free
        That is our mother
      - One is better than the other
        quoting Isa 54:1
        Rejoice you sterile woman, who has no children
        let loose and cry out, you who has never been in labor
        because the children of the barren woman are many
        more than the children of the woman who has a husband
        This is contrary to expectation, impossible
        which is in the context of Isa 53
        cf. v. 8 looked like he would have not descendants - complete loser
        v.10 God had other plans
        v.11 He will justify many
        v.12 will have a portion among the great
        God is doing more than Israel expected, using completely unexpected means
      - You are children of promise
        this applies to you, you are like Isaac
      - Therefore, expect persecution from the other son, but stay faithful
        just as Ishmael persecuted Isaac
        so also now, the outsiders are persecuting you
      - What to do?
        What does the Scripture say?
        great question we should constantly ask
        Scripture should be primary functional authority
        Don't look to worldly wisdom
        Throw out the slave and her son
        i.e. don't go along with the Judaizers
        don't adopt their philosophy and practice
        but get rid of them
        reason -
        The son of the slave will not share in the inheritance
        not selfih - keeping his share
        but reality - he does not have a share and never will
        inheritance does not exist down that road, don't go that way
      - Therefore, we are God's children
        we are not children of the slave
        Don't think and act that way
        Don't have to earn God's favor
        We are children of the free woman
        Think and act that way
        Trust in God's grace through Christ
    - Encouragement to freedom by rejecting false Gospel 5:1-12
      - Christ has freed us, don't be slaves again! 1
        Christ set us free
        He set us free into freedom
        Therefore stand in that freedom
        Don't ever again be subject to/ be burdened with the yoke of slavery
      - Don't submit to circumcision 2-6
        Circumcision is slavery - don't submit!
        I Paul say to you - statement of gravity, emphasis
        If you are circumcised,
        Christ will benefit you nothing
        emphasize the mutual incompatibility - can only choose one road to God, if you choose circumcision/works, you have not chosen Christ - there is no Christ Plan A and Christ plan B. Only Christ plan A and a plan that has nothing to do with Christ
        If a man wants to be circumcised (as a way to favor with God) that road requires doing the whole law (which no one can, and is the road of slavery) as already proved
        Circumcision is separation from Christ - Don't submit
        Whoever seeks to be justified by the law no longer has anything to do with Christ
        You have have changed standing from Grace - changed teams, mutually incompatible
        Reason - those in Christ receive the hope of righteousness from the Spirit by faith (not circumcision or law keeping)
        CANNOT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS
        Circumcision doesn't matter - faith working through love Matters everything!
        In Christ Jesus - i.e. on plan A
        Circumcision is nothing (does not have validity, force, power)
        uncircumcision is nothing
        Faith working itself out in love is everything
      - Crossroads of decision: Comparing The Galatians, Paul, and the False teachers 7-12
        Galatians were doing well, but now in danger/hindered
        you were doing well, What happened
        who kept you from obeying the truth and made you follow lies?
        Galatians, reject the false teachers and come back to God
        Their persuasion is not from God
        Their persuasion is in danger of infecting everything
        Galatians, I am hopeful for you
        I am confident you will see the truth
        I am confident you will embrace the truth and not leave room for lies
        False teacher - will be judged
        The one throwing you into confusion
        He will pay the penalty
        Paul is willing to stand firm in the Gospel - so that the cross stays central
        I am not preaching circumcision, therefore I am persecuted
        If I were, the cross would be emptied
        It is unthinkable to compromize an inch on the cross
        Therefore I will stand firm and take whatever persecution may come
        I pray that we do the same - because the cross is the only road to the empty tomb and new life
        False teachers - Paul wishes they would cut it all off
        Ironic rejection of agitators
        They already have punishment hanging over their heads, if they don't repent
        They make such a big deal about elective surgery
        Why not combine the two and cut it all off?!
        Their false gospel is hurting them and the people around them more than cutting it off would
- The Gospel Applied 5:13-6:10
  - Living in Freedom 5:13-15
    - You were called for the purpose of freedom 13a
      - cf. 5:1
      - contrasted with slavery in both places
        there slavery was bad thing - yoke of slavery
        here slavery is good thing - serve one another
    - The Implications 13b-15
      - Use your freedom to serve others 13b-14
        neg. Only don't let your freedom be an opportunity for the flesh 13b
        implication that flesh = selfishness and sin
        aphormhn = base of opperation, starting point, foothold, cf. Eph 4:27 - Do not give the devil a foothold - favorable opportunity/circumstance
        Freedom is not absolute - it is not all about us
        Pos. Serve one another because of love 13c-14
        serve one another in a loving manner 13c
        reason: 14
        All the law is fulfilled/summed up in one word
        Love your neighbor
        as yourself
        notice about fulfilling law, which is what they were dealing with
        Caution: beware of making love the new law
        We can't fulfill this law by works any more than we can fulfill the Law of Moses
      - Don't use your freedom to consume one another 15
        Twofold condition 15a-b
        If you bite (fig. for harm) one another 15a
        If you devour one another (engage in spiteful partisan strife 15b
        Effect 15c
        Beware - Watch out
        So you will devour one another
      - serve one another - everyone gets served, everyone gets what they want
      - be selfish and bite one another - everyone gets bitten, nobody gets what they want
  - Living by the Spirit (not the flesh) 5:16-26
    - Live by the Spirit 16-25
      - Walk by the Spirit 16-17
        Command 16
        I Say to you:
        Twofold Command
        Walk by the Spirit
        Walk = lifestyle
        by means of, by the empowerment of the Spirit
        Supernatural work, not depending on us and therefore not subject to our weakness, but received by faith
        Result
        And you will certainly not fulfill the desires of the flesh
        sinful desires opposed to Christ
        Spirit is opposed to law and to flesh
        Reason 17
        Flesh and Spirit at enmity
        The flesh desires against/contrary to the Spirit
        The Spirit desires against/contrary to the Spirit
        In context (v. 16) God's Spirit, not human spirit
        Reason
        These are opposed to each other
        Purpose - so that you will not do what you want -
        to keep you from doing it
        i.e. flesh purposes to keep you from doing right
        Spirit keeps from doing wrong
      - Be Led by the Spirit 18-24
        Statement 18
        If you are led/guided by the Spirit
        You are not under controlof/ obligation to law
        answer to how to behave without law is to live by/be led by the Spirit - will then fulfill the law
        want to, not have to
        Elaboration 19-24
        Works of the flesh 19-21
        The works of the flesh are manifest
        general principle
        works of the flesh - the things that the flesh does
        flesh - part of sinful nature characterized by weakness and therefore sinfulness as opposed to God
        manifest, evident, known, obvious
        specifically elaborated
        sexual immorality - any sex outside of God's sanctioned purpose of marriage
        impurity - spiritual uncleanness, vileness, impurity, immorality
        debauchery - complete lack of self restraint which leads to wicked behavior
        idolatry - worship of images/false gods
        witchcraft - sorcery/magic, often using drugs
        enmity - hostility, hatred
        Strife - discord, contention, rivalry, quarreling
        Jealousy - envy, spiteful feeling/hatred toward success of others
        Anger - wrath, rage, fury, outbursts
        Strife - selfish ambition, resentment, petty bitterness
        division - dissention, putting people against one another/separating people into camps
        dissention - faction, division, religious faction with the connotation of false teaching
        envy - jealousy, ill will to others
        drunkenness - intoxication
        orgies - drunken parties usually involving sexual immorality
        and those things which are like these
        Result
        I am telling these things to you in advance/warning you, just like I already told you
        Those who practice such things as these will not inherit the Kingdom of God
        Fruit of the Spirit 22-24
        The fruit
        The fruit of the Spirit
        product of the Spirit of God
        singular fruit with a number of facets
        specifically elaborated
        love - concern for others
        joy - gladness, happiness
        peace - harmony in personal relationships, lack of anxiety/turmoil
        patience - forebearance, longsuffering, ability to calmly persevere under adverse situations
        kindness - benevolence, goodness, helpfulness, generosity
        goodness - generosity, interest in welfare of others
        faith - trust, reliance, faithfulness, trustworthiness, reliability, commitment, loyalty
        gentleness - not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance, humility, courtesy, considerateness, meekness
        self-control - restraint, mastery of desires and impulses
        The law is not against things such as/like these
        Result
        Those of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh
        with the passions and inordinate desires
        desires out of place/out of control/out of balance
      - Conform to the Spirit 25
        If/since we live by the Spirit
        let us live in conformity with/according to the standard of the Spirit
    - The Implication 26
      - let us not be conceited/boastful - wrapping up from v. 15
      - manner/explanation
        provoking/challenging one another
        being jealous of one another
  - Living toward one another 6:1-10
    - bear burdens 1-9
      - Carry one another's burdens 1-2
        Specific example - someone caught in transgressions 1
        If someone is detected/surprised/caught in a transgression
        generic term
        not limited to big sins or small sins
        restore them
        Command
        You who are spiritual - mature, walking in the Spirit (fruit, character, etc.)
        mend/restore this one - setting a bone, process, not one time thing - pastoral care with the goal of full restoration
        in a spirit of meekness/humility - not lording over or pride in his downfall
        manner
        keeping a close watch over yourself
        so that you are not also tempted - i.e. caught in the same trap or other traps (like spiritual pride) - "there but for the grace of God..."
        General command - bear one another's burdens 2
        bear the burdens of one another
        oppressive hardship, burden, something too heavy to carry alone
        carry it - cf. v.5
        one another
        and in this way fulfill the law of Christ
        carry out the obligations of the law of Christ
        not a new law that we cannot do, but the model of a Christian lifestyle of love taking the character of Christ
      - Carry your own burdens 3-5
        How to evaluate yourself 3-4
        Incorrect way 3
        If someone thinks much of himself
        If someone thinks himself to be something
        even though he is nothing - inaccurate judgment that we all do
        he is deceiving himself
        stop deceiving yourself - don't think too highly of yourself
        you are a sinner, in need of grace
        our significance comes from Christ and His identity given to us
        not that we were or ever will be worthy of HIs love - another form of self-deceit
        Correct way 4
        Each should test his own work
        and then boast accordingly
        pos. then have the boast in himself only
        neg. and not have the boast in someone else
        contrast the false teachers that were boasting in the Galatians
        Reason 5
        For each will carry his own burden
        That is in the eschatological judgment
        i.e. taking pride in others will not do you any good on that day
      - Carry your leaders' burdens 6-8
        The one who is taught the Word should share all good things with the one who teaches them
        implication: a principle that is true universally, but is here applied to giving
        Introduction to take God's principle seriously
        Do not be deceived/led astray!
        Specifically: God is not mocked/ridiculed/shown contempt
        Explanation/elaboration of the principle
        reap what is sown
        If a person sows something
        He will reap this very thing
        agricultural metaphor with obvious significance and application
        Farmer would be insane to expect a crop of tomatoes if he sows wheat seeds
        How can we expect a harvest of eternal life if we sow seeds of hell
        Yet far too often people are shocked/surprised when they get exactly what they deserve - blinded
        Reason
        neg.- The one who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption/destruction from the flesh
        reminder flesh is corrupt, incapable part of humanity
        pos. - the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit
        God's Spirit, who gives eternal life
        implied application
        specifically -
        invest in things that will teach you spiritual things, things of God - great investment
        Don't invest in thinks that feed your flesh, i.e. Xbox, profitless, sinful things
        generally -
        back to 5:22-23 - sow to those things that produce the fruit of the Spirit - you will be glad you did
        back to 5:19-21 - don't sow to those things that produce the works of the flesh - the inheritance of these things is NOT the Kingdom of God
      - Persevere in this 9
        Principle
        As/when you are doing good (which should be continuously)
        Do not become weary/give up
        Do not lose motivation, lose enthusiasm, lose heart, become discouraged
        Reason
        we will reap in the proper time
        a good farmer knows that it takes time for a crop to grow
        don't lose patience (have faith) in God's perfect timing
        foolishness of an instant society - good things take time (don't get in a rush)
        as we don't give up/ become exhausted, lose heart and/or strength
        don't reap just because we persevere - life is in the seed, not our perseverance
        but you will never win if you don't finish the race
    - Summary 10
      - As we have time
        NOT "as much as it is convenient to our schedule"
        but "as we are still in this age", as much as we have opportunity
      - Let us do good
        toward all
        but especially/above all/particularly toward those of the household of faith
        priority toward the family of God - not excluding others, but priority
- Conclusion 6:11-18
  - Personal autograph 6:11
    - for authenticity
      - I am writing to you
      - with such large letters
      - with my own hand
      - cf. use of amanuensis for rest of letter
    - for emphasis
      - "behold!", "Check it out"
  - Final rejection of false teachers 6:12-15
    - Two kinds of "boasting"
      - boasting in the flesh
        They want to make a good showing of the flesh
        They compel circumcision to look good
        Those who want to make a good showing of the flesh
        showy hypocrisy
        outward appearance, not necessarily reality
        spin, publicity and image
        They compel you to be circumcised
        compel, force, encourage - no certainty how hard, no matter
        used 3X in this letter
        false brothers who would compel Titus to be circumcised
        Peter who would 'compel' gentiles to live like Jews
        here
        connected with their publicity, not with your spiritual health
        so that they look good, not caring about you
        beware this self-centered model of ministry -
        why do we want success?
        will we use people for our good?
        will we serve people for our good?
        whose kingdom are we building?
        draw attention to self or to Jesus?
        purpose - so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ
        better to be persecuted than to give up the cross
        cf. possible good motives of Peter and false teachers, but not recognizing what they are giving up for it - in reality not good motives
        self-protection is not the highest virtue - cf. I Pet. 2:11-12
        reason:
        Those who are circumcised do not keep the law
        but the opposite
        They want you to be circuncised
        purpose: so that they may boast in your flesh
        more paying attention to outward, without dealing with inward reality
        reminder that it will never work because flesh is weak and sinful and we need the Spirit of God, the power of God
      - boasting in the cross
        May I never boast!
        except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ
        notice centrality of the cross - the answer to all problems, go to the cross first, meditate on the cross, boast in the cross
        elaboration on the function and significance of the cross- why it is boastworthy
        The world is crucified to me through the cross
        and I to the world
        the cross and resurrection is the beginning of the new age
        therefore, it is the end of the old age
        we are no longer stuck/destined only for this world/ captive only to this age
        The new world/age has been opened up to us - characterized by freedom/ experience/power of the Spirit, and presence of God
    - The reason
      - circumcision does not matter
        circumcision is not anything
        uncircumcision is not anything
        neither option is bad in itself, neither option is good in itself (Paul did not mind for Jews to be circumcised)
      - The new creation matters!
        not just our subjective experience
        but the eschatological reality
        b/c we are experiencing the new age, the old age does not matter
        Christ has come, the law does not have a hold on us
  - Postscript blessing and warning 6:16-18
    - Conditional blessing
      - to those who live according to this standard
      - peace and mercy be unto them and unto the Israel of God - i.e. the true people of God (defined earlier as Abraham's spiritual descendants through Abraham's faith)
    - Warning to others
      - finally - don't let anyone cause trouble to me
      - reason: I carry the marks/wounds of Jesus in my body
        not some spiritual/miraculous marks
        but physical wounds as a result of suffering for the cross
    - Grace wish
      - The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers, amen