Galatians, Chapter 5, Verses 1-3
“Religious? Yes! But Saved Or Lost?”
[3-14-21]
Review: “Freedom Versus Bondage!”
Galatians 4:21-31) [KJV] Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
See our Galatians Chapter 4 Study Guide
22) For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
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.
This Week’s Lesson: “Religious? Yes! But Saved Or Lost?”
Galatians 5:1-3) [KJV] Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
(NLT) So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.
QUESTION: What are 4:31 and 5:1 telling us?
ANSWER: We are the children of the free woman, born into freedom. Now we are to make certain that we stay free and never again enter into bondage.
QUESTION: Why does Paul tell us to “be not entangled again” if we are the children of the free woman? If we were born free than why does Paul talk as though we were once in bondage?
ANSWER: The Jews were under the bondage of obeying slaves until the appointed time arrived and the Gentiles were in bondage to idol worship. They were all born into bondage of one kind or the other.
QUESTION: Then why does Paul tell us that we are the children of the free woman?
ANSWER: We were not born into freedom in our first birth, that is, when we were born in the flesh; but rather, we were born into freedom in our second birth, that is, when we were born again of the Spirit.
“In this passage Paul again disparages the pernicious notion that the Law is able to make men righteous before God, a notion deeply rooted in man’s reason. All mankind is so wrapped up in this idea that it is hard to drag it out of people. Paul compares those who seek to be justified by the Law to oxen that are hitched to the yoke. Like oxen that toil in the yoke all day, and in the evening are turned out to graze along the dusty road, and at last are marked for slaughter when they no longer can draw the burden, so those who seek to be justified by the Law are ‘entangled with the yoke of bondage,’ and when they have grown old and broken-down in the service of the Law they have earned for their perpetual reward God’s wrath and everlasting torment” [Luther].
NOTE: Is Luther suggesting that if we try to keep the Law of Moses then we will end up in Hell? Absolutely not! But he is bluntly stating that if you try to earn salvation by keeping the Law then you will end up in Hell because you will be guilty of looking for salvation where it isn’t to be found; which is anywhere outside of Christ! The Law has never, nor will ever, save anyone!! Salvation is found only in the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ.
2) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
Galatians 2:21) [KJV] I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
QUESTION: What did circumcision represent to the Jews?
ANSWER: It was an initiation into the Law of Moses.
QUESTION: What does Paul mean when he says, “Christ shall profit you nothing”?
ANSWER: We will answer this question in our discussion on verse 4, next week.
3) For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
QUESTION: What is Paul’s point here?
ANSWER: If you become circumcised because you believe it to be necessary for your salvation, you will then have to keep every commandment of the Law of Moses in order to be saved. Why? Because the false teachers are insisting that you be circumcised because now that you Gentiles are believers in the Messiah you must now keep the Law of Moses to demonstrate your allegiance to the Law of Moses.
Romans 11:17-18) [KJV] And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18) Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
QUESTION: What do some modern day false teachers teach us this passage is saying?
**ANSWER: They teach us that we Gentile believers have been grafted into the “olive tree,” which they make out to be Israel, and therefore we must keep the Law of Moses now that we have been grafted in.
QUESTION: What is ridiculous about that teaching?
**ANSWER: The entire Book of Romans, where the above passage is found, was written to tell believers they are not under the Law of Moses.
Galatians, Chapter 5, Verses 4-6
“Falling From Grace? What Does Paul Mean?”
[3-21-21]
Review: “Religious? Yes! But Saved Or Lost?”
4:31) So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Galatians 5:1-3) [KJV] (NLT) So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.
QUESTION: What are 4:31 and 5:1 telling us?
ANSWER: We are the children of the free woman, born into freedom. Now we are to make certain that we stay free and never again enter into bondage.
NOTE: The Jews were under the bondage of obeying the Law until the appointed time arrived and the Gentiles were in bondage to idol worship. They were all born into bondage of one kind or the other.
NOTE: We were not born into freedom in our first birth, when we were born in the flesh; but rather, we were born into freedom in our second birth, that is, when we were born again of the Spirit.
“In this passage Paul again disparages the pernicious notion that the Law is able to make men righteous before God, a notion deeply rooted in man’s reason. All mankind is so wrapped up in this idea that it is hard to drag it out of people.” [Luther].
2) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
Galatians 2:21) [KJV] I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
NOTE: To the Jew circumcision was an initiation into the Law of Moses.
QUESTION: What does Paul mean when he says, “Christ shall profit you nothing”?
ANSWER: We will answer this question in our discussion on verse 4, next week.
3) For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
QUESTION: What is Paul’s point here?
ANSWER: If you become circumcised because you believe it to be necessary for your salvation, you will then have to keep every commandment of the Law of Moses in order to be saved.
This Week’s Lesson: “Falling From Grace? What Does Paul Mean?”
Galatians 5:4-6) [KJV] Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
2) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
QUESTION: Again, what does Paul mean when he says, “Christ shall profit you nothing,” in vs. 2, and now in our current verse says, “ye are fallen from grace”?
NOTE: Paul’s telling his readers that if they become circumcised in order to be initiated into the Law of Moses, and then trust that keeping that Law will justify them, i.e., make them right with God, then Christ, that is the death of Christ on the cross, is of no benefit to them and they are fallen from grace.
QUESTION: Is he telling these Gentile believers that if they follow the teachings of the false teachers, the Judaizers, that they will cease to be Christians?
ANSWER: A Christian teacher’s overview of Scripture will determine how he/she answers this question. Many would say, “Yes!” because they believe you can be genuinely saved and then lose your salvation. Many would say “No!” because they believe in the “once saved, always saved” doctrine of eternal security, or perhaps in the doctrine of Divine Election.
QUESTION: The first group needs no discussion because they simply believe that these Galatian Christians were genuinely saved and were in danger of losing their salvation. What are 2 possibilities that the second group would have to consider?
ANSWER: If you can’t lose salvation once you have it then these Galatians were either:
- Never saved in the first place;
- Or, verses 2 and 4 are not talking about salvation, but something else you can fall away from.
QUESTION: What is the truth about eternal security?
ANSWER: God is never surprised. He knows who will end up in Heaven, and has since before He created this planet. Please note:
John 10:27-30) [KJV] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29) My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
30) I and my Father are one.
QUESTION: Are we ever surprised?
ANSWER: Yes we are. We don’t know who will end up in Heaven so the Scriptures tell us:
2 Peter 1:10-11) [KJV] Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11) For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 3:13-14) [KJV] But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14) For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
NOTE: From God’s perspective eternal security is absolutely the truth; those of us He knows, He already sees in Heaven, therefore we are eternally secure in Him. From man’s perspective, we need to “hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end,” all the while we are trusting God to finish what He began:
Philippians 1:6) [KJV] Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
QUESTION: Getting back to Galatians 5:2 and 4, what “something else” might the Galatian believers be in danger of falling away from?
Galatians 2:8) [KJV] (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles🙂
1 Corinthians 15:10) [KJV] But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
NOTE: Grace is not only God’s Divine, undeserved favor towards us, which He exhibits when He saves us, but it’s also God’s Divine enablement which He exhibited when He enabled Paul to do great things. That’s the grace that the Galatian believers were in danger of falling from.
NOTE: When we trust that our good works will make God love us, and accept us, then we have fallen from His enabling grace and must produce the results with our own efforts.
5) For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
2 Corinthians 5:21) [KJV] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
QUESTION: Why are we waiting for righteousness if we are already righteous by virtue of Christ’s death?
ANSWER: We are not waiting for a future time when we will be in a right relationship with God. We are already right with God.
Romans 8:24-25) [KJV] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25) But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
NOTE: We are already right with God, but we are waiting for a day when our bodies will be saved.
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: Our bodies will be saved wihen we see Jesus in His glory! Then our bodies will be saved, therefore, sin will no longer dwell in the members, so we will be like Jesus in the arena of practical righteousness. That’s what we’re waiting for (verse 5 above); that’s what we’re groaning for [Romans 8:23].
6) For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
ANSWER: Neither our current status of being right with God, or our future status of being completely righteous in our conduct have anything whatsoever to do with rather or not we’re circumcised.
Galatians, Chapter 5, Verses 7-12
“We Must Cling To The True Gospel!”
[3-28-21]
Review: “Falling From Grace? What Does Paul Mean?”
Galatians 5:4-6) [KJV] Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
NOTE: Paul’s telling his readers that if they become circumcised in order to be initiated into the Law of Moses, and then trust that keeping that Law will justify them, i.e., make them right with God, then Christ, that is the death of Christ on the cross, is of no benefit to them and they are fallen from grace.
NOTE: If you can’t lose salvation once you have it then these Galatians were either:
- Never saved in the first place;
- Or, verses 2 and 4 are not talking about salvation, but something else you can fall away from.
NOTE: God is never surprised. He knows who will end up in Heaven, and has since before He created this planet. Please note:
Hebrews 3:14) [KJV] For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
NOTE: From God’s perspective eternal security is absolutely the truth; those of us He knows, He already sees in Heaven, therefore we are eternally secure in Him. From man’s perspective, we need to “hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end,” all the while we are trusting God to finish what He began:
Philippians 1:6) [KJV] Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
1 Corinthians 15:10) [KJV] But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
NOTE: Grace is not only God’s Divine, undeserved favor towards us, which He exhibits when He saves us, but it’s also God’s Divine enablement which He exhibited when He enabled Paul to do great things. That’s the grace that the Galatian believers were in danger of falling from.
NOTE: When we trust that our good works will make God love us, and accept us, then we have fallen from His enabling grace and must produce the results with our own efforts.
5) For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
2 Corinthians 5:21) [KJV] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
6) For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
ANSWER: Neither our current status of being right with God, or our future status of being completely righteous in our conduct have anything whatsoever to do with rather or not we’re circumcised.
This Week’s Lesson: “We Must Cling To The True Gospel!”
Galatians 5:7-12) [KJV] Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
8) This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
9) A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
QUESTION: Who hindered the Galatian believers?
ANSWER: This was a rhetorical question with an understood answer. The Judaizers were to blame.
QUESTION: What does verse 8 tell us?
ANSWER: God called them, and God disagrees with the doctrine of the Judaizers.
QUESTION: What does Paul intend in verse 9?
ANSWER: Believing a little bit of a bad doctrine can eventually mess up your entire understanding of New Testament doctrine.
NOTE: This is especially true when the doctrine concerns one of the main tenets of the Christian faith. We are saved by faith, through God’s grace, period. We add nothing to that truth!!
10) I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
QUESTION: What is Paul pointing out in verse 10?
ANSWER: God had given him confidence that the Galatian believers would resist this false doctrine and hold to the truths that Paul had taught them when he was there.
Galatians 1:6-9) [KJV] I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
QUESTION: What does the above passage from the first chapter of this epistle tell us about those who were troubling the Galatian believers?
ANSWER: The false doctrine they were teaching the Galatian believers was a direct attach against one of the pillars of the Christian doctrine; that being that We are saved by faith, through God’s grace, period. We add nothing to that truth!!
QUESTION: What does Paul say in that same passage concerning the false teachers’ “gospel”?
ANSWER: What the false teachers taught concerning the Gospel was not, in any way, related to the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Gospel = Good News! There was no good news in what the false teachers taught concerning the Gospel!
QUESTION: What does Paul tell us about the fate of these false teachers in verse 10?
ANSWER: The false teachers will be judged by God!
1 Cor. 3:16-17) [KJV] Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17) If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
QUESTION: What does Paul tell us in the above passage regarding God’s judgment on those who “defile” the temple of God?
ANSWER: God will ultimately destroy all of those who defile His Holy Temple; which Temple is built up of God’s people.
Galatians 3:1) [NLT] Oh, foolish Galatians! What magician has cast an evil spell on you? For you used to see the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death as clearly as though I had shown you a signboard with a picture of Christ dying on the cross.
NOTE: The above passage shows us why Paul was so frustrated by the believers in Galatia even entertaining the false teaching of the Judaizers.
11) And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
QUESTION: What is Paul pointing out in this verse?
ANSWER: He wouldn’t be subjected to so much persecution if he was preaching this watered down version of the gospel that the false teachers were teaching.
NOTE: Most of Paul’s persecution came from the Jews who were offended at his preaching that the death of Christ on our behalf ended our obligation to the Law of Moses.
12) I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
QUESTION: What does Paul wish would happen?
ANSWER: He wishes these false teachers would be cut away from the church.
QUESTION: Why is Paul so harsh towards false teachers in the church?
ANSWER: Church doctrine that would govern the Church until Jesus returns was being set in place at that time. It was important that the correct doctrine was the doctrine that would be in place for future generations.
Galatians, Chapter 5, Verses 13-15
“The New Restraint!”
[4-4-21]
{Easter Sunday}
Review: “Falling From Grace? What Does Paul Mean?”
Galatians 5:7-12) [KJV] Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
8) This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
9) A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
NOTE: God called them, and He disagrees with the doctrine of the Judaizers. Paul wants them to understand that believing a little bit of a bad doctrine can eventually mess up your entire understanding of New Testament doctrine.
NOTE: This is especially true when the doctrine concerns one of the main tenets of the Christian faith. We are saved by faith, through God’s grace, period. We add nothing to that truth!!
10) I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
Galatians 1:6-9) [KJV] I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
NOTE: The false doctrine they were teaching the Galatian believers was a direct attach against one of the pillars of the Christian doctrine; that being that We are saved by faith, through God’s grace, period. We add nothing to that truth!!
NOTE: Gospel = Good News! There was no good news in what the false teachers taught concerning the Gospel!
11) And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
NOTE: Most of Paul’s persecution came from the Jews who were offended at his preaching that the death of Christ on our behalf ended our obligation to the Law of Moses.
12) I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
ANSWER: Church doctrine that would govern the Church until Jesus returns was being set in place at that time. It was important that the correct doctrine was the doctrine that would be in place for future generations.
This Week’s Lesson: “The New Restraint!”
Galatians 5:13-15) [KJV] For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Galatians 5:1) [CEV] Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don’t ever become slaves of the Law again.
14) For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
QUESTION: What does Paul reaffirm at this point of his letter?
ANSWER: These Galatian believers had been “called unto liberty,” not to live under the Law.
QUESTION: What doesn’t Paul want to happen?
**ANSWER: He wants them to reject the Law of Moses, but he doesn’t want them to embrace license. He doesn’t want them to live ungodly lives and think it is O.K. because they are under grace.
Titus 2:11-12) [KJV] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
QUESTION: What does the doctrine of grace actually teach us?
ANSWER: It teaches us to:
- Deny ungodliness and worldly lusts;
- Live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.
QUESTION: What does Paul teach us is the new restraint that keeps us from living badly, or to put it another way, keeps us from using our Christian liberty “for an occasion to the flesh”?
ANSWER: He teaches us that when we love our Christian family, and we have a heart to serve them, that love will restrain us from sin.
QUESTION: Does loving our neighbor as we love ourselves really fulfill the entire Law of Moses?
ANSWER: No! When we walk in the principle of loving our neighbors as we love ourselves we fulfill commandments 5-10. When we love God with all our hearts we fulfill commandments 1-4.
NOTE: Paul was writing to Christians so he assumed their love for God, consequently, he emphasized their love for one another.
Romans 13:8-10) [KJV] Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9) For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10) Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
QUESTION: Why does Paul tell us that love fulfills the Law?
ANSWER: If I love you then I won’t cheat with their wife, I won’t kill you, I won’t take what is yours, I won’t lie about you, and I won’t covet what you have. In other words, I will treat you right.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a) [CEV] Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or
5) rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do.
6) Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil.
7) Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting.
8a) Love never fails!
QUESTION: What is Paul doing in the above passage?
ANSWER: He’s explaining what he means when he’s talking about love.
1 John 3:16) [CEV] We know what love is because Jesus gave his life for us. That’s why we must give our lives for each other.
QUESTION: How can we get an better understanding of what this love really is?
ANSWER: We need to understand what God means when He talks about this love by viewing it through the prism of His love for us, which led Him to sending His Son to die for us.
1 John 2:6) [GNB] if we say that we remain in union with God, we should live just as Jesus Christ did.
QUESTION: What is John telling us in the above passage?
ANSWER: True Christians want to walk the walk that Jesus walked.
15) But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
QUESTION: What is the alternative to walking in love?
ANSWER: We can go on destroying one another.
A CLOSING NOTE: I criticize you and cause others in the church to doubt you. You criticize me and cause others in the church to doubt me. After awhile nobody trusts anybody. The church has been effectively consumed.
CLOSING THOUGHT: This Easter Sunday remember this: Jesus died for our sins, that is, for all of the times we transgressed against the moral Law of God. That closed the chapter on our trying to keep the moral Law of God; we now walk under the Royal Law of God [James 2:8-12]; we now conduct our lives by walking out the commandment of Jesus Christ to love one another the very same way He loves us [Jn. 13:34-35]. After 3 days Jesus arose from the dead so that we could live a new, different kind of life by the strength of the Spirit [Rom. 6:4, CEV translation].
Galatians, Chapter 5, Verses 16-18
“Want To Overcome? Then Walk In The Spirit!”
[4-11-21]
Review: “The New Restraint!”
Galatians 5:13-15) [KJV] (CEV) Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don’t ever become slaves of the Law again.
14) For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
**NOTE: Paul wants them to reject the Law of Moses, but he doesn’t want them to embrace license. He doesn’t want them to live ungodly lives and think it is O.K. because they are under grace.
Titus 2:11-12) [KJV] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
NOTE: Paul teaches us that when we love our Christian family, and we have a heart to serve them, that love will restrain us from sin.
QUESTION: Does loving our neighbor as we love ourselves really fulfill the entire Law of Moses?
ANSWER: No! When we walk in the principle of loving our neighbors as we love ourselves we fulfill commandments 5-10. When we love God with all our hearts we fulfill commandments 1-4.
NOTE: Paul was writing to Christians so he assumed their love for God, consequently, he emphasized their love for one another.
Romans 13:10) [KJV] Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
NOTE: If I love you then I won’t cheat with your wife, I won’t kill you, I won’t take what is yours, I won’t lie about you, and I won’t covet what you have. In other words, I will treat you right.
1 John 3:16) [CEV] We know what love is because Jesus gave his life for us. That’s why we must give our lives for each other.
NOTE: True Christians want to walk the walk that Jesus walked.
15) But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
This Week’s Lesson: “Want To Overcome? Then Walk In The Spirit!”
Galatians 5:16-18) [KJV] This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
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 became Christians “by the hearing of faith,” meaning we heard the Gospel message that Christ died for us and wanted to save us. We believed that message; we were born again.
QUESTION: When we believe the promises of God what are we doing according to verse 3 above?
ANSWER: We are walking in the Spirit.
QUESTION: With that in mind, what is Paul telling us in verse 16 above?
ANSWER: He’s telling us that when we believe God’s promises to us we won’t “fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
QUESTION: If that is the case, and it is, then what does that mean when I am sinning; that is, fulfilling the lust of my flesh?
ANSWER: If I’m struggling with sin then there is a promise of God that I do not believe!
QUESTION: Why don’t I believe a certain promise of God?
ANSWER: Possibilities:
- That promise might sound too good to be true;
- I might be listening more to my flesh that yells at me you’re still the same man you always were;
- Sin dwells in our flesh; consequently, we might want to pacify our lust more than we want to please God;
- I might not have discovered that promise yet.
John 8:31-32) [KJV] And Jesus said to those Jews who believed on him: If ye continue in my word, ye will be truly my disciples.
32) And ye will know the truth; and the truth will make you free.
QUESTION: How do we discover the promises of God that make us free?
**ANSWER: We have to relentlessly continue in His word.
17) (GNB) For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do.
QUESTION: What can keep us, as Christians, from doing those things that are right in God’s eyes?
Romans 7:14-17) [KJV] For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15) For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16) If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17) Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
QUESTION: What is Paul teaching in verses 14-17 above?
- There is nothing wrong with the Law (vs. 14).
- The problem is I don’t keep it (vs. 15).
- I fail to do the things I want to do and instead, I do the very things I hate to do (vs. 15).
- I do those things I hate to do because sin has made its home in me (vs. 17).
Romans 7:18-20) [KJV] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20) Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
QUESTION: What is Paul teaching in verses 18-20 above?
- Nothing good can be found in my fallen nature (vs. 18).
- Because of that, I can want to do the right thing but fail to find the ability to do the right thing (vs. 18).
- Once again, I do those things I hate to do because sin has made its home in me (vs. 20).
Romans 7: 21) [KJV] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
NOTE: “When I would do good,” I struggle because I’m trusting my strength to do what’s right rather than trusting God’s strength that’s at work in my life.
NOTE: Keeping the Law requires great will power. Consequently, no one, outside of Christ Jesus, has ever kept the Law. There’s a better way! Every one of us walks out what we truly believe. If I truly believe I am a new creation in Christ Jesus my conduct will reflect that. THE PROBLEM IS I DON’T TRULY BELIEVE THAT I AM A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST JESUS! Lord, I do believe! Help me let go of unbelief!
Mark 9:23-24) [KJV] Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24) And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
18) But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
QUESTION: What does being “led of the Spirit” mean?
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?
ANSWER: When Paul tells us to walk in, be led by, or to be in the Spirit he is talking about our believing what God has told us.
Galatians 5:16) [KJV] This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
1 John 5:4) [KJV] For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Galatians 5:13-14) [KJV] For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14) For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
A CLOSING NOTE: The only 2 ways we can live right/overcome the world are:
- We must believe what God has told us; i.e., walk by faith.
- We must love one another.
Galatians, Chapter 5, Verses 19-26
“Let’s Believe What God Said To Us, About Us!”
[4-18-21]
Review: “Want To Overcome? Then Walk In The Spirit!”
Galatians 5:16-18) [KJV] This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
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 became Christians “by the hearing of faith,” meaning we heard the Gospel message that Christ died for us and wanted to save us. We believed that message; we were born again. Now, we are walking in the Spirit.
NOTE: When we believe God’s promises to us, about us, we won’t “fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
NOTE: If I’m struggling with sin then there is a promise of God that I do not believe!
John 8:31-32) [KJV] And Jesus said to those Jews who believed on him: If ye continue in my word, ye will be truly my disciples.
32) And ye will know the truth; and the truth will make you free.
**NOTE: To know the truth We have to relentlessly continue in His word.
17) (GNB) For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do.
QUESTION: What can keep us, as Christians, from doing those things that are right in God’s eyes?
Romans 7:15) [KJV] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Romans 7:19) [KJV] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
NOTE: “When I would do good,” I struggle because I’m trusting my strength to do what’s right rather than trusting God’s strength that’s at work in my life.
NOTE: Keeping the Law requires great will power. Consequently, no one, outside of Christ Jesus, has ever kept the Law. There’s a better way! Every one of us walks out what we truly believe. If I truly believe I am a new creation in Christ Jesus my conduct will reflect that. THE PROBLEM IS I DON’T TRULY BELIEVE THAT I AM A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST JESUS! Lord, I do believe! Help me let go of unbelief!
18) But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Galatians 3:3) [KJV] Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
NOTE: When Paul tells us to walk in, be led by, or to be in the Spirit he is talking about our believing what God has said to us about us!
This Week’s Lesson: “Let’s Believe What God Said To Us, About Us!”
Galatians 5:19-26) [KJV] (GW) Now, the effects of the corrupt nature are obvious: illicit sex, perversion, promiscuity,
QUESTION: What does the flesh produce in this verse?
ANSWER: Sexual sins! All sex that isn’t between a man and his wife, such as all other heterosexual sex, homosexual sex, pedophilia, bestiality, etc. are acts of fornication. Therefore, adultery is fornication.
20) (GW) idolatry, drug use, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, conflict, factions,
QUESTION: What does the flesh produce in verse 20?
ANSWER: It produces idolatry and witchcraft, which includes the improper use of drugs! It also produces what I call church sins.
21) (GW) envy, drunkenness, wild partying, and similar things. I’ve told you in the past and I’m telling you again that people who do these kinds of things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
QUESTION: What does the flesh produce in this verse 21?
ANSWER: It produces another church sin and it produces drunkenness and wild parties.
NOTE: Every one of these things found in verses 19-21 are “repugnant” to the Holy Spirit Who lives in us.
22) (CEV) God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful,
23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
QUESTION: What is the produce of the Holy Spirit?
ANSWER: When we walk in the Spirit then the fruit of that Spirit is hanging on the branches of our lives. That fruit consists of: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
NOTE: Every one of these things found in verses 22-23 is “repugnant” to our unredeemed flesh. Our bodies, which are not yet saved, and therefore have sin dwelling in their members, crave to do those things mentioned in verses 19-21.
QUESTION: Why is Paul talking drawing a comparison between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit in the above verses?
ANSWER: His entire purpose for writing this epistle is to teach the Galatian believers that now that they are Christians they must choose how they will walk out their Christian experience. Will they attempt to please God by keeping the commandments of Moses, or will they continue their Christian experience by doing the very thing they did to become Christians?
QUESTION: What did they do to become Christians?
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?
ANSWER: They became Christians by believing what God said to them about them!
QUESTION: Then, how should they walk out their Christian experience?
ANSWER: They should continue to believe what God said to them about them; or, to put it another way, they should believe the things that the Gospel tells them.
QUESTION: What were they doing when they believed God’s promises?
ANSWER: They were walking in faith, meaning they were walking in the Spirit.
QUESTION: What were they doing when they were trying really hard to keep the law of Moses?
ANSWER: They were walking in their own strength, or, they were walking in the flesh.
NOTE: I walk in the flesh by trying really hard to keep the rules so God will love me more.
QUESTION: Then, how do I walk in the Spirit?
ANSWER: I walk in the Spirit by believing everything God says to me about me, in the Gospel message of the New Testament.
24) And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
(BBE) And those who are Christ’s have put to death on the cross the flesh with its passions and its evil desires.
QUESTION: What promises should we believe?
ANSWER: We should believe the Word of God when it tells us that we “have put to death on the cross the flesh with its passions and its evil desires.”
2 Corinthians 5:17) [KJV] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
QUESTION: What promises should we believe?
ANSWER: We should believe the Word of God when it tells us that, since we are “in Christ,” we are, right now, “new creatures,” and that everything old creature about us has “passed away,” and that everything about us is already, in the here and now, brand new “in Christ.”
25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
(GNB) The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives.
QUESTION: What is the apostle saying in this verse?
ANSWER: We were saved by the Holy Spirit when we believe the Gospel story. Since the Spirit has given us life we should walk out that life by believing what the Spirit says to us, about us, through the Gospel story.
26) Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
QUESTION: What is this verse doing here?
ANSWER: Walking in the flesh is all about our trying to outshine our fellow believers, our trying to keep the rules better than they do so we can feel superior to them. Let’s not do that! Let’s walk in the Spirit instead!
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