Galatians Chapter 4 Study
Galatians Chapter 4, Verses 1-7
“Born A Full Grown Adult!”
[1-17-21]
Review: “You Are All the Children of God!”
Galatians 3:24-29) [KJV] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
See our Galatians Chapter 3 Study Guide
(NIV) So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.
“schoolmaster” – “a servant whose office it was to take the children to school” [Strong].
“Christ is our Schoolmaster and the law as paedagogue kept watch over us till we came to Christ” [Robertson].
25) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
NOTE: Paul’s talking to those of whom he said, “I’m amazed at how quickly you abandoned the genuine Gospel for a fake Gospel” [Gal. 1:6-9]. He’s talking to those of whom he said, “Someone bewitched you and caused you to abandon the genuine teaching of the Gospel” [Gal. 3:1].
NOTE: These “children of God by faith in Christ” were tested by false doctrines; but they were still “all the children of God.”
27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
NOTE: When faith came, when we placed our faith in Jesus, we were baptized into Jesus. We no longer need to be led to Christ, but we are now living “in Him.”
NOTE: We are not only living in the sphere of being “in Christ,” but we are now the very “children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” WE ARE NOT JUST SAVED FROM OUR SINS; WE ARE NOW GOD’S CHILDREN!
28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
NOTE: The Jews who had the Law of Moses and the non-Jews who had the law of conscience were all found to be sinners in need of a Savior. Faith brought the believing Jew to Christ for that salvation, and it brought the believing Gentile to the same Savior for salvation. Consequently, in the area of faith there is “neither Jew nor Greek,” “bond nor free,” or “male nor female,” but we are all “one in Christ Jesus.”
29) And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
NOTE: He takes us back to his original point in this particular argument; the point being that the genuine descendents of Abraham are those who have saving faith in Christ. Therefore, we are, through Christ, heirs of the promise.
This Week’s Lesson: “Born A Full Grown Adult!”
Galatians 4:1-7) [KJV] Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2) But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
(GNB) While he is young, there are men who take care of him and manage his affairs until the time set by his father.
QUESTION: Can Paul possibly be right here; can the child of a wealthy man really be compared to the servants of that rich man?
ANSWER: You certainly can’t make that comparison across the board! Dad loves his child; he owns his servants. The servants can never grow out of servitude; the child can.
QUESTION: In what way can you make that comparison?
ANSWER: Until that day when dad’s will gives all that he has into the hands of his son, which is that day when the son reaches the age set by his father in his will, that son will remain under the supervision of the servants set in charge of him.
NOTE: In that sense, until the designated day arrives the son is not only living like a servant, but is subject to some of his father’s servants. GET THIS: until the designated day arrives that father who loves his son gives his trusted servants power over his son! He does this for his son’s welfare.
3) Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
**NOTE: He telling us that just as the child who will one day inherit the wealth of his father must be subject to the law of the father’s servants, the law that those servants received from the father, all of us were subject to the “first principles” of the moral law of God; the Jews being subject to Moses’ Law and the Gentiles to the law of conscience, the law Moses received from God on the mountain and the law that our conscience received from God at our conception.
4) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
QUESTION: What comparison is the apostle drawing here?
ANSWER: He telling us that just as the child will one day receive his inheritance and be free of the rule of his father’s servants, one day we received our inheritance and were freed from the rule of our Father’s servants, which were the Law of Moses and the law of conscience.
*QUESTION: What day was that?
ANSWER: Positionally, Resurrection Sunday! Practically, the day we were saved!
QUESTION: What happened that day?
ANSWER: We received our inheritance; we became God’s adult children.
QUESTION: What is different about the child in this comparison and you and me?
ANSWER: The child in this comparison was born into his father’s family as a child and had to grow into adulthood, the time appointed by his father, in order to receive his inheritance. We, on the other hand, were under the control of our Father’s servants, the Law (rather the Law of Moses or the law of conscience) before we were born into His family. When we were born into God’s family we were born into His family as adults, in respect to the inheritance.
NOTE: There are areas of Scripture where Paul, and the author of Hebrews, compare some of God’s children to spiritual babies (1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Hebrews 5:12-14). But, in respect to Paul’s subject matter in Galatians, chapter 4, that subject matter being that we are no longer under the control of our Father’s servants, which are Moses’ Law and the law of conscience, we are born again into the family of God as adult children.
6) And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
QUESTION: What is Paul telling us here?
**ANSWER: As a result of our being born again into the family of God we have received, from God, the Spirit of His Son; i.e., the Holy Spirit sent to live in our hearts. As a result of this we now address God as “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:14-16) [KJV] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
QUESTION: What is Paul telling us in this “sister” passage?
ANSWER: Now that we are God’s children we have received a new “spirit.” We are no longer living under the “spirit of bondage” that causes us to live in the fear of failure because we can’t keep the Law consistently enough to gain God’s approval; but we are now living under the “Spirit of adoption” that causes us to live in the liberty of knowing that we already have God’s approval.
7) Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
QUESTION: What is Paul telling us here?
ANSWER: We are, right now, heirs of God, and have been since that day we were born into His family.
Romans 8:17) [KJV] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
QUESTION: What is Paul telling us in this “sister” passage?
ANSWER: We are currently walking in the inheritance that frees us from the bondage of living under the control of our Father’s servants. However, verse 17 above shows us that there is much, much more of the inheritance that is yet to come.
Galatians Chapter 4, Verses 8-9
“Don’t Turn Christianity Into Just Another Religion!”
[1-24-21]
Review: “Born A Full Grown Adult!”
Galatians 4:1-7) [KJV] Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2) (GNB) While he is young, there are men who take care of him and manage his affairs until the time set by his father.
GET THIS: until the designated day arrives that father who loves his son gives his trusted servants power over his son! He does this for his son’s welfare.
3) Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
**NOTE: He is telling us that just as the child who will one day inherit the wealth of his father must be subject to the law of the father’s servants, the law that those servants received from the father, all of us were subject to the “first principles” of the moral law of God; the Jews being subject to Moses’ Law and the Gentiles to the law of conscience, the law Moses received from God on the mountain and the law that our conscience received from God at our conception.
4) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
*NOTE: What day was that? Positionally, Resurrection Sunday! Practically, the day we were saved!
NOTE: When we were born into God’s family we were born into His family as adults, in respect to the inheritance.
6) And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
NOTE: Now that we are God’s children we have received a new “spirit.” We are no longer living under the “spirit of bondage” that causes us to live in the fear of failure because we can’t keep the Law consistently enough to gain God’s approval; but we are now living under the “Spirit of adoption” that causes us to live in the liberty of knowing that we already have God’s approval.
7) Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
NOTE: We are, right now, heirs of God, and have been since that day we were born into His family.
This Week’s Lesson: “Don’t Turn Christianity Into Just Another Religion!”
Galatians 4:8-9) [KJV] Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
*NOTE: He’s talking to the Gentile believers who were formerly idol worshippers.
9) But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
NOTE: Paul’s comparing their desire to turn to the Law of Moses to a turning back “to the weak and beggarly elements.” So, he’s comparing the attempt to keep the Law of Moses to idol worship.
QUESTION: GOD WROTE THE LAW! So it can’t be compared to idol worship? Can it?
ANSWER: The ONLY WAY the two are comparable is that they are both “weak and beggarly elements” when it comes to making someone righteous.
**IMPORTANT NOTE: Keeping the Law of Moses has never, isn’t currently, nor will ever make a single person righteous. It didn’t make Christ Jesus righteous; it simply declared the Righteous One to be righteous.
Galatians Chapter 4, Verses 10-11
“Don’t Turn Christianity Into Just Another Religion!” Part 2
[1-31-21]
Review: “Don’t Turn Christianity Into Just Another Religion!” Part 1
Galatians 4:8-9) [KJV] Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
*NOTE: He’s talking to the Gentile believers who were formerly idol worshippers.
9) But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
NOTE: Paul’s comparing their desire to turn to the Law of Moses to a turning back “to the weak and beggarly elements.” So, he’s comparing the attempt to keep the Law of Moses to idol worship.
QUESTION: GOD WROTE THE LAW! So it can’t be compared to idol worship? Can it?
ANSWER: The ONLY WAY the two are comparable is that they are both “weak and beggarly elements” when it comes to making someone righteous.
**IMPORTANT NOTE: Keeping the Law of Moses has never, isn’t currently, nor will ever make a single person righteous. It didn’t make Christ Jesus righteous; it simply declared the Righteous One to be righteous.
This Week’s Lesson: “Don’t Turn Christianity Into Just Another Religion!” Part 2
Galatians 4:10-11) [KJV] Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
11) I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
NOTE: The many holy days observed in the Law of Moses actually provided some spiritual benefit for the children of Israel; the “holy days” that are observed in the various forms of false religions provide no truly spiritual benefit for their followers.
QUESTION: Should we still observe the holy days prescribed by the Law of Moses?
ANSWER: No! They were all a shadow of things to come; Jesus is the substance of those shadows.
QUESTION: Is there any exception to the point I just made?
ANSWER: An argument is made by some that we should keep the Sabbath.
Romans 14:1-5) [KJV] Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
It’s speaking of “those speculations or reasonings in one’s mind which take the form of scruples” [Vincent].
(NIV) Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.
(GNB) Welcome those who are weak in faith, but do not argue with them about their personal opinions.
(TLB) Give a warm welcome to any brother who wants to join you, even though his faith is weak. Don’t criticize him for having different ideas from yours about what is right and wrong.
2) For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3) Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4) Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5) One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
QUESTION: What does this passage in Romans teach us about observing the Sabbath?
ANSWER: It teaches us to do what we believe the Scripture is teaching us to do regarding the observance of a special day. I personally esteem “every day alike,” but encourage you to make up your own mind based on your understanding of the Word.
Hebrews 10:1) [KJV] For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
Colossians 2:16-17) [KJV] Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17) Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
QUESTION: What is Paul telling us in the above 2 passages?
ANSWER: When we try to get to know God through the Law, whether that law is the Law of Moses or the law of our conscience, it’s like trying to get to know someone by talking to their shadow.
QUESTION: What does that have to do with our Galatian study?
ANSWER: He’s telling his readers that when they try to know God better by observing “days, and months, and times, and years,” they are really try to understand God by studying His shadow.
QUESTION: What’s a better way to get to know God?
ANSWER: Please note:
Hebrews 1:2-3) [KJV] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3) Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
John 14:9) [KJV] Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
QUESTION: Again, what’s a better way to get to know God?
ANSWER: We get to know God by studying Jesus, not the Law.
2 Corinthians 3:18) [KJV] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
1 John 3:2) [KJV] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
QUESTION: How do we grow in Christ and get to know Him better?
ANSWER: We get to know Him better by “beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord.” When we “behold”/study Him in the mirror of the Gospel we come to understand His victorious glory and are “changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
NOTE: We grow in exact proportion to our understanding of “the glory of the Lord.” So, when we “see him as he is” we will “be like him.”
NOTE: The only means God has given us to becoming like Christ, that is, growing spiritually, is to behold Christ and see His glory. The mirror we look into to behold His glory is the mirror of the Gospel, i.e., His Word. When we look at Christ through the Law we are trying to get to know Him by looking at His shadow; when we look at Christ through the Gospel we are beholding His glory and transformation will occur.
EXPLANATION TO THE ABOVE NOTE: When we see the “glory of the Lord” we understand that He can’t lie; and, consequently, we believe His promises to us. We were born again when we believed His promises and we will grow spiritually when we believe His promises. Please note:
Galatians 3:2-3) [KJV] This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3) Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
NOTE: We were saved when we heard by faith the Gospel message; we will grow spiritually when we hear by faith the Gospel message regarding what we have become as a result of our being born again.
NOTE: Paul was fearful he bestowed his labor upon them in vain (vs. 11).
Galatians Chapter 4, Verses 12-16
“Considering The Truth Of The Gospel!”
[2-14-21]
Review: “Don’t Turn Christianity Into Just Another Religion!” Part 2
Galatians 4:10-11) [KJV] Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
11) I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
Romans 14:5) [KJV] One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
NOTE: The above passage from Romans teaches us to do what we believe the Scripture is teaching us to do regarding the observance of a special day. I personally esteem “every day alike,” but encourage you to make up your own mind based on your understanding of the Word.
Colossians 2:16-17) [KJV] Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17) Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
NOTE: When we try to get to know God through the Law, whether that law is the Law of Moses or the law of our conscience, it’s like trying to get to know someone by talking to their shadow.
Hebrews 1:2-3) [KJV] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3) Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
John 14:9) [KJV] Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
NOTE: We get to know God by studying Jesus, not the Law.
2 Corinthians 3:18) [KJV] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
1 John 3:2) [KJV] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
NOTE: The only means God has given us to becoming like Christ, that is, growing spiritually, is to behold Christ and see His glory. The mirror we look into to behold His glory is the mirror of the Gospel, i.e., His Word. When we look at Christ through the Law we are trying to get to know Him by looking at His shadow; when we look at Christ through the Gospel we are beholding His glory and transformation will occur.
This Week’s Lesson: “Considering The Truth Of The Gospel!”
Galatians 4:12-16) [KJV] Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.
13) Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
14) And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15) Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
QUESTION: What was the “infirmity of the flesh” that Paul speaks about in verse 13?
ANSWER: Many commentators believe it to refer to some disease [Vincent, Robertson, Wuest, ect.], while others are convinced it refers to the accumulative affects of the bodily persecution he endured [Luther].
NOTE: Some commentators teach that the physical disease they claim Paul is referring to is an eye disease they believe caused him to have to write with big letters [ch. 6, vs. 11] as he wrote the ending of the epistle with his own hand. ************************************************
QUESTION: If Paul isn’t referring to an eye disease then why would he say “ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me”?
ANSWER: Many believe that the above phrase was “a proverbial expression denoting very strong devotion” [PNT]. Barnes, Clarke, Gill, JFB, and Luther all seem to agree with PNT notes.
“When Paul speaks of the infirmity of his flesh he does not mean some physical defect or carnal lust, but the sufferings and afflictions which he endured in his body. What these infirmities were he himself explains in 2 Cor 12:9,10: ‘Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.’ And in the eleventh chapter of the same Epistle the Apostle writes: ‘In labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck,’ etc. (2 Cor 11:23-25.) By the infirmity of his flesh Paul meant these afflictions and not some chronic disease” [Luther].
“I lean towards the opinion that the “infirmity” that caused Paul to stop in the province of Galatia was the physical toll that his persecutions [II Cor 11:23-27] had on his body. He probably had to stop to rest and heal from the many abuses afflicted on him, which made him weak, or infirm. The Greek word for “infirmity” in this passage is the same one that he used when writing to the believers in Corinth to describe the weakness in his body that he felt as a result of those physical persecutions he endured [I Cor 11:30; 12:5, 9, 10]” [Hannah].
16) Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
QUESTION: Do people sometimes get angry if you attempt to correct bad doctrine?
ANSWER: Absolutely! People often find their self worth attacked if you disagree with what they say the Bible is teaching.
2 Timothy 2:7) [KJV] Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Acts 17:10-11) [KJV] And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
QUESTION: What should we do if someone of substance challenges a doctrine of ours?
- We should consider what was said;
- We should be ready to receive what was taught if it is found to be true;
- We should search the Scriptures to determine the accuracy of what was taught;
- We should trust the Lord to give us understanding.
CONSIDER THIS:
2 Timothy 2:8-10) [TLB] Don’t ever forget the wonderful fact that Jesus Christ was a man, born into King David’s family; and that he was God, as shown by the fact that he rose again from the dead.
**9) It is because I have preached these great truths that I am in trouble here and have been put in jail like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained, even though I am.
10) I am more than willing to suffer if that will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.
QUESTION: What do we learn from vs. 8-10 above?
ANSWER: When we consider rather or not a doctrine is true as we search the Scriptures, that doctrine better line up with what Paul is saying in the above verses! These things are non-negotiable truths!
Galatians Chapter 4, Verses 12-16
“Considering The Truth Of The Gospel!” Part 2
[2-28-21]
This Week’s Lesson: “Considering The Truth Of The Gospel!” Part 1
Galatians 4:12-16) [KJV] Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.
13) Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
14) And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15) Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
QUESTION: What was the “infirmity of the flesh” that Paul speaks about in verse 13?
ANSWER: Many commentators believe it to refer to some disease [Vincent, Robertson, Wuest, ect.], while others are convinced it refers to the accumulative affects of the bodily persecution he endured [Luther].
NOTE: Some commentators teach that the physical disease they claim Paul is referring to is an eye disease they believe caused him to have to write with big letters [ch. 6, vs. 11] as he wrote the ending of the epistle with his own hand.
QUESTION: If Paul isn’t referring to an eye disease then why would he say “ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me”?
ANSWER: Many believe that the above phrase was “a proverbial expression denoting very strong devotion” [PNT]. Barnes, Clarke, Gill, JFB, and Luther all seem to agree with PNT notes.
“When Paul speaks of the infirmity of his flesh he does not mean some physical defect or carnal lust, but the sufferings and afflictions which he endured in his body. What these infirmities were he himself explains in 2 Cor 12:9,10: ‘Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.’ And in the eleventh chapter of the same Epistle the Apostle writes: ‘In labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck,’ etc. (2 Cor 11:23-25.) By the infirmity of his flesh Paul meant these afflictions and not some chronic disease” [Luther].
“I lean towards the opinion that the “infirmity” that caused Paul to stop in the province of Galatia was the physical toll that his persecutions [II Cor 11:23-27] had on his body. He probably had to stop to rest and heal from the many abuses afflicted on him, which made him weak, or infirm. The Greek word for “infirmity” in this passage is the same one that he used when writing to the believers in Corinth to describe the weakness in his body that he felt as a result of those physical persecutions he endured [I Cor 11:30; 12:5, 9, 10]” [Hannah].
This Week’s Lesson: “Considering The Truth Of The Gospel!” Part 2
Galatians 4:16) [KJV] Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
QUESTION: Do people sometimes get angry if you attempt to correct bad doctrine?
ANSWER: Absolutely! People often find their self worth attacked if you disagree with what they say the Bible is teaching.
2 Timothy 2:7) [KJV] Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Acts 17:10-11) [KJV] And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
QUESTION: What should we do if someone of substance challenges a doctrine of ours?
- We should consider what was said;
- We should be ready to receive what was taught if it is found to be true;
- We should search the Scriptures to determine the accuracy of what was taught;
- We should trust the Lord to give us understanding.
CONSIDER THIS:
2 Timothy 2:8-10) [TLB] Don’t ever forget the wonderful fact that Jesus Christ was a man, born into King David’s family; and that he was God, as shown by the fact that he rose again from the dead.
**9) It is because I have preached these great truths that I am in trouble here and have been put in jail like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained, even though I am.
10) I am more than willing to suffer if that will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.
QUESTION: What do we learn from vs. 8-10 above?
ANSWER: When we consider rather or not a doctrine is true as we search the Scriptures, that doctrine better line up with what Paul is saying in the above verses! These things are non-negotiable truths!
QUESTION: What things is Paul saying to Timothy that are non-negotiable truths?
- Jesus Christ was, in every way, a man; He was human!
- He was a direct descendent of King David!
- Just as He was, in every way, a man; He was also, in every way, God!
- His resurrection from the dead was evidence of that!
Rom. 1:1-4) [KJV] Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2) (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; [This agrees with points 1 and 2 above].
4) And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: [This agrees with points 3 and 4 above].
NOTE: You have the four non-negotiable truths in the passage above from Second Timothy; you have those same truths confirmed in the above passage from Romans.
A CLOSING NOTE: There are a lot of non-negotiable truths about Jesus, and His Gospel, taught throughout the New Testament. These are just four of them that we tied into this morning’s lesson!!
Galatians Chapter 4, Verses 12-16
“Freedom Versus Bondage!”
[3-7-21]
Review: “Considering The Truth Of The Gospel!” Part 2
Galatians 4:16) [KJV] Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
QUESTION: Do people sometimes get angry if you attempt to correct bad doctrine?
ANSWER: Absolutely! People often find their self worth attacked if you disagree with what they say the Bible is teaching.
2 Timothy 2:7) [KJV] Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Acts 17:10-11) [KJV] And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
QUESTION: What should we do if someone of substance challenges a doctrine of ours?
- We should consider what was said;
- We should be ready to receive what was taught if it is found to be true;
- We should search the Scriptures to determine the accuracy of what was taught;
- We should trust the Lord to give us understanding.
CONSIDER THIS:
2 Timothy 2:8-10) [TLB] Don’t ever forget the wonderful fact that Jesus Christ was a man, born into King David’s family; and that he was God, as shown by the fact that he rose again from the dead.
**9) It is because I have preached these great truths that I am in trouble here and have been put in jail like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained, even though I am.
10) I am more than willing to suffer if that will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.
QUESTION: What things is Paul saying to Timothy that are non-negotiable truths?
- Jesus Christ was, in every way, a man; He was human!
- He was a direct descendent of King David!
- Just as He was, in every way, a man; He was also, in every way, God!
- His resurrection from the dead was evidence of that!
NOTE: You have the four non-negotiable truths in the passage above from Second Timothy; you have confirmation from the passage from Romans 1,1-4.
A CLOSING NOTE: There are a lot of non-negotiable truths about Jesus, and His Gospel, taught throughout the New Testament. These are just four of them that we tied into this morning’s lesson!!
This Week’s Lesson: “Freedom Versus Bondage!”
Galatians 4:17-31) [KJV] They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.
18) But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
17) [GW] These people who distort the Good News are devoted to you, but not in a good way. They don’t want you to associate with me so that you will be devoted only to them.
18) (Devotion to a good cause is always good, even when I’m not with you.)
“affect you — that is, court you” [JFB].
QUESTION: What were these false teachers doing?
ANSWER: They were courting the favor of the Galatian Christians, hoping to win them over to their way of thinking and away from Paul’s way of thinking.
“They would exclude you. From Christ as he will show (Gal_5:4)” [Robertson].
**NOTE: They wanted to convince the Galatian believers that they were excluded from the covenant and needed to be circumcised/initiated into Moses’ Law in order to be included. Their argument seems to be that though the Galatian believers had come to Christ by faith they now needed to become proselytes to the Jewish religion in order to become true children of the covenant.
19) My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
“This figure is the embryo developing into the child” [Robertson].
“Paul means that he is for the second time laboring and distressed for the Galatian converts, with the same anguish which attended his first efforts for their conversion” [Vincent].
QUESTION: What is the contrast Paul is presenting to his readers?
ANSWER: The false teachers wanted to convince them that they weren’t truly “in Christ” until they embraced the Law; Paul wanted to convince them that they were already God’s children, albeit in embryo form, who still needed to fully develop into a child at delivery.
NOTE: Paul is showing them that he is so affectionate towards them that he’s enduring labor pains for their delivering a second time.
20) I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
21) Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
QUESTION: What is Paul telling them in verse 20?
ANSWER: He is very worried about them. He wishes he were right there with them so he could personally convince them of the error they were flirting with.
QUESTION: What is he doing in verse 21?
ANSWER: He’s setting up an illustration from the Old Testament, often referred to as the “law.” He hopes this illustration will convince them that his Gospel is the truth and the false teachers’ doctrine is heresy.
22) For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
Regarding “handmaid,”
“bondmaid” – “1) maid, maid-servant, slavegirl; 1a) maid, maid-servant (as belonging to a mistress)” [BDB].
NOTE: Hagar, the “bondmaid,” was an Egyptian girl who was a slave to Sarah.
23) But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
NOTE: Ishmael was born the same way every one of us was born. There was nothing miraculous about his birth; it was completely natural.
NOTE: Isaac was born to a woman who was barren and had then gone through “the change” where having a child was then doubly impossible. Isaac was born simply because God promised he would be.
24) Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
25) For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
**26) But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
NOTE: He is contrasting the old and new covenants, and he is contrasting bondage and freedom.
**NOTE: Hagar represents the Law of Moses that ruled the people of Israel; Sarah represents the freedom which is found in Heaven, and which is intended for God’s people.
27) For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
NOTE: Sarah had been barren, but now she is the mother of all who are born by promise.
28) Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
***NOTE: Our new birth took place the same way Isaac’s birth took place; it happened simply because God promised it would. We are saved because we believed a promise!
29) But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
30) Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
“Abraham, when it was impossible that the two families should get along in peace, cast out the bondwoman and her son. See Gen_21:10. So, too, the Jews, the children of the old covenant, had lost the divine favor, and the children of the promise, whether Jews or Gentiles, made heirs” [PNT].
31) So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
ANSWER: We are those who have been born again into freedom. The next chapter will begin with an exhortation to make our stand right in the center of that freedom.
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