The Day of New Beginnings
Revelation vs. Religion
An Overview of Galatians
The central theme of Galatians is the distinguishing of the true Gospel from the false. It’s a revelation of Jesus Christ, revealed by the Spirit, versus religion, which has its origin in man.
Gal.1:
1 ¶ Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
Paul’s calling was by a revelation of the Lord, not originating from man.
6 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.
10 ¶ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
24 And they glorified God in me.
Paul marvels that they have been led astray after “another” Gospel, a different Gospel. Paul calls it a perversion of the true Gospel (vs. 7).
The Greek word Paul uses for “another” is heteron, which means different, or of a different nature. This word is contrasted with allo, which means another of the same kind, but only being declared by someone else.
Paul says that if anyone preaches “another” (heteron) Gospel other than the one he presented to them, let them accursed. How can Paul be so adamant about the Gospel he delivered to them? The answer is found in vs. 11-12:
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel Paul preached came as a result of a revelation of Jesus Christ. Christ was revealed to him. In verse 16 Paul says it pleased God to reveal His son IN Paul. In verse 24 it says when those who heard that Paul, the former persecutor of the church, had become one of them, they glorified God IN Paul. It was because he had received the Gospel which he preached by a revelation of the Lord that he could boldly say, “My Gospel” (Rom. 2:16, Rom. 16:25, Tit. 2:8).
Gal. 2:
Chapter 2 continues the theme of the true versus the false. Revelation versus religion.
1 ¶ Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also.
2 It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.
3 But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.
4 But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.
5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.
Verses 4-5 reinforce the revelation of how the false always springs up and is mingled with the true.
2Pe 2:1 ¶ But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
Jude 1:4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Sneaked in -- Pareisaktous, from para, “on the side” and eisago, to bring in.
Crept in unnoticed – Similar word – Paresduno -- to enter secretly, slip in stealthily; to steal in (Jude 1:4) Used no where else in New Testament.
False brethren – Pseudadelphos – also used in 2nd Cor. 11:26: “dangers among false brethren.”
Vs. 5 – Refusal to submit to false spirit ensures purity of the true Gospel.
Vs. 11-21 – The false spirit was so strong that even Peter, the apostle entrusted with the Gospel to the circumcised, was influenced by it. Paul confronts Peter and that spirit. “For through the Law I died to the Law that I might live to God.” Paul speaks of another realm entirely from the realm of religious law.
Gal. 3:
1 ¶ O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?
2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have you suffered so many things in vain––if indeed it was in vain?
Paul emphasizes that Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. He then asks the Galatians, “Have you suffered so many things in vain?” Paul is saying it’s the cross crucifying one realm so that we can live in another that’s the issue. Had the Galatians suffered the cross experience in vain only to go back to a lesser level? Paul references this again later when he tells the Galatians, “My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—“
5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? ––
6 ¶ just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.
8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed."
9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
The hearing of faith is the key to the higher Spirit realm where grace enables us; the works of the law emphasize the lower religious soul realm. Only those of faith are the sons of Abraham, and thus blessed by the covenant blessing God bestowed upon Abraham.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them."
11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."
12 Yet the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them."
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"),
14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.
16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.
18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
19 ¶ What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.
20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.
22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.
24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Gal. 4:
1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all,
2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.
4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"
7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
We are under “stewards and guardians” until we break through to the higher realm of grace revealed in Jesus Christ. The stewards and guardians are the elemental spirits that enforce the restraints of the law upon the soul realm. We cannot come into maturity while under stewards and guardians. Sonship is only realized in Jesus Christ, the realm of faith.
Key verse here that stands out: But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor (vs. 25).
8 ¶ But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods.
9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?
10 You observe days and months and seasons and years.
11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
12 ¶ Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all.
13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.
14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.
16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
17 ¶ They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.
18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.
19 ¶ My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.
21 ¶ Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,
24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar––
25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children––
26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27 For it is written: "Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children Than she who has a husband."
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.
30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman."
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.
Emphasis comes again of two distinct realms of living. Paul makes it clear (vs. 8-11) that it’s the elemental spirits that keep people locked into a state of legalistic living. In these verses Paul uses as symbols of the two realms Hagar and Sara. Ishmael was born according to the flesh, Isaac according to the promise. Hagar is Mt. Sinai and brings forth children to bondage, Sara is the Jerusalem above, and brings forth free sons in Christ. The free seed or realm is Christ!
Gal. 5:
1 ¶ Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.
3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.
4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
If we submit to the realm of legalism and bondage, Christ profits us nothing. We fall from grace, or out of the higher realm of Spirit, when we seek to be justified by law. True righteousness comes only in the Spirit realm through faith.
Key verse -- For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love (vs. 6).
7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.
9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.
Paul says they ran well and asked who hindered them from the truth. This indicates we can walk free in the realm of Spirit but still fall into the lower realm of the law. The restraints we find upon us DO NOT come from Him who calls us (vs. 8). A little input of deception from the false, law realm can influence many (vs. 9). Paul tells the Galatians he has confidence they will see through the deception.
11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.
12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!
13 ¶ For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
Paul emphasizes in these verses the higher realm of Spirit does not serve self, but rather our brothers and sisters.
Key verse here: For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Biting and devouring one another comes from the lower religious realm. The more religious we are, the more we tend to judge and devour our brother or sister.
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self–control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
In no uncertain terms Paul makes it clear in verses 16-18 there are two different realms at work in us. Verses 19-21 outline the works of the flesh/law realm and verses 22-23 outline the fruit of walking in the higher realm of the Spirit.
The key verse here is 25: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” The initiative is ours. We choose which realm we are going to live in. We bear the fruit of the realm we live in.
Gal. 6:
1 ¶ Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For each one shall bear his own load.
6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Key verse -- Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Love, or unselfishness, is the “law” of the Spirit realm. Verse 3 points to living in the lower realm of self and religion. Verses 4-5 have been largely misunderstood by skeptics and unbelievers. They point to these verses as a contradiction to verse 2. But there is no contradiction. Verses 4-5 refer to determining which realm we are living in. Let us examine our own work, or in other words, let us determine which realm we are moving in. Is it bearing our brother’s burden, or serving self? “For each one shall bear his own load”, or again, in other words, each one of us becomes responsible for the realm we live in. Verse 7 confirms this: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
Verse 1-10 all speak to HOW the realm of Spirit is manifested. All these verses refer to how we relate to one another. They are not abstract principles unrelated to each other.
11 ¶ See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!
12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Paul indicates in vs. 11-13 that the false, religious realm seeks to glory in bringing others into bondage. This would correspond with Rev. 18:
11 "And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargoes any more—
12 cargoes of gold and silver and precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet, and every kind of citron wood and every article of ivory and every article made from very costly wood and bronze and iron and marble,
13 and cinnamon and spice and incense and perfume and frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle and sheep, and cargoes of horses and chariots and slaves and human lives.
The religious realm always seeks to possess and control God’s people. Paul was living in another realm. “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
Key Verse -- For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.