Down an Unfamiliar Road

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

By Dr. Robert R Seyda

PAUL’S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS

 CHAPTER THREE (Lesson XI)

The Apostle Paul was not the only one with this stern warning. The Apostle Peter wrote his followers to remind them that anyone pulled out of the polluted cesspool of worldly desires through the knowledge of our Lord and Deliverer, Yeshua the Messiah, and yet through carelessness become reentangled in the trap of sinful desires, are worse off than they were before. They would be better off never knowing the Way of Righteous Living than to know it and then wittingly or unwittingly abandon the truth of the Gospel given to them. Peter then borrows from the Book of Proverbs and compares them to a dog who threw-up and then goes back to eat its own vomit.[1] Peter no doubt learned this proverb while ministering among the Gentiles who said, “The pig who was washed, went back and wallowed again in the mud.”[2] Peter couldn’t have said it much better.

Thomas Aquinas makes a good point here in verse four, that Paul was trying to get the Galatians to see that while they did not get right with God through the Law and good works, it was their good works after they were converted to give thanks, glory, and honor to God and the Anointed One, with none thrown away as though they were meaningless, that pleased God. This same thought would haunt the Apostle Paul and lead him to say in the fourth chapter that he bemoans the possibility that all the work he did among them may all be in vain. It also appears that what Paul taught them about how hardships develop patience and patience withstands trials, giving rise to a hope which will never make us feel ashamed we chose faith over works.[3] [4]

Baptist theologian and teacher Alvah Hovey (1820-1903 AD), Professor and President of Newton Theological Institution (later the Andover Newton Theological School) for fifty-four years, asked: Just what sufferings for the Anointed One’s sake did these Galatians endure? Perhaps we may never know. But the relevance and force of the Apostle Paul’s question depend upon the severity of those sufferings. If they were light afflictions, it would not require such an appeal.[5] So it seems that their liberty in the Anointed One was endured at no small cost of hardships.

Since the Judaizing contingent came specifically to persuade the Jewish converts to revert back to ensuring their salvation the legal way by rites, rituals, and regulations under the Law, it was well-known in those days that anyone forsaking the Law of Moses and Jewish Temple worship was an infidel and were to be shunned by all other Jews. No doubt that’s why the Apostle Paul calls on them to consider the question of whether they are ready to look back and remember how they underwent all the wrongs done to them in the past to see if it still counted for something? Hovey asks, could it also be that they were following a “will-o’ the-wisp”[6] in wading through the marsh mud of persecution and maltreatment by former friends and family all for the sake of the Anointed One and the Gospel was now considered done for no reason?

Hovey tells us that many scholars find the Greek verb paschō translated as “have suffered” (KJV), to mean “have experienced,” and the Greek adjective tosoutos translated as “many things” to signify blessings. This interpretation seems to suit the context perfectly, and paschō certainly contains this meaning even in classical Greek literature. But it is also important to note that except for this passage, it does not display that meaning anywhere in the Final Covenant, and that’s enough reason not to accept that interpretation here. If, says Paul to the Galatians, you now consider all of this suffering and hardship in following the Anointed One to have been in vain – which their return to Judaism now seems affirmed, still there is also suggested by this clause a half-hidden hope that the fruit of their sufferings will not be lost by their actual adoption of the Judaic error. Paul leaves the path open to a return to the way of life which they formerly entered with joy in the Lord.[7]

I like the way George B. Stevens (1854-1906) paraphrases these first four verses into a compact message that Paul wanted to get across to the Galatians. I want to use it here as a summation of these opening verses of chapter three.

Cyril W. Emmet tells us that German Protestant theologian Hans Lietzmann (1875-1942) also translates the Greek verb paschō (“suffer” – KJV) as “experience,” referring to the spiritual experiences listed in verse two. But, as we have seen pointed out by other scholars, the word has never been used that way in the Final Covenant to imply “good experiences.” As others have explained, when used alone it always means “suffer.” No doubt Paul was referring to their persecutions both by the extreme Jewish faction of the Jews who became converts, and the pagan Gentiles who were jealous of their many gods and could not understand why their fellow Gentiles switched to one God.[8]

There are many believers who are being treated today with such disdain and harshness in many Muslim countries around the world when they switch from Islam to Christianity, and in other places when they leave the church they were raised in and become part of another church that may have some opposing views on doctrine or practices. But what would you think of a person sitting on a sinking boat who refuses a lifejacket because they prefer remaining on the sinking vessel, just because that’s the one they trusted to take them to their destination? Perhaps some who are on the sinking ship might think they had lost their faith in the boat to still make it all the way. But since it is “your” life that’s at stake, you must decide between those who don’t approve and the One who is offering you the life vest.

3:5 Let me ask another question, does God work miracles in your midst through the power of the Holy Spirit or does He do it through religious rituals, rites, and regulations, or, does He do it because you trust in what you heard from me and are faithful to what you heard?

Kenneth Wuest gives us an idea for another translation: “Therefore, the One who is constantly supplying the Spirit to you in bountiful measure, and constantly working miracles among you, is He doing these things by means of Law’s work, or by means of the message which proclaims faith [in the Anointed One’s work]?”

Paul sheds some light on another side of the Galatians’ experience. Apparently, when he arrived there as a teacher of the Gospel bringing many Jews and Gentiles into the fold, those who responded were harassed both by their own cultures and opposing cultures. If you read the fourteenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles you get a glimpse of what occurred. Not only did Paul and his fellow ministers face persecution, but also those who joined them. Now Paul wants to know if they realize what they are doing. They were not mistreated before while following the Jewish Law; they were not made fun of because of the way they washed their hands. Instead, they suffered because of their faith in Jesus the Anointed One as the Messiah, their Lord, and Savior.

So, are they now giving up all they gained through their suffering because they’ve been convinced it offers no such benefit? How ridiculous is that! Were all the gifts given to them by the Spirit and all their victories over sin and evil of no value? So rather than letting these things promote their growth in the Spirit and solidify their faith in the Anointed One, are they now opting to replace these things God did for them, for something they themselves will try to do? Paul says that’s hard for him to believe!

Didn’t they know along with being given new hope for eternal salvation they were also made competent to be His workers under a Final Covenant? What changed? The essence of the old way of service was based on physically following a written text, but the new way of service is based on spiritually following the leading of the Holy Spirit. The old way of service got you nowhere, the new way of service gets you to heaven; the old way was repetitious with little emotion, the new way is lively and full of joy.

So, in Paul’s mind, it made no sense to go back to the old way of serving God. Now if the old way of living came from observing a written text engraved on stone tablets, and it was delivered with such glory that the people of Israel could not stand to look at Moses’ face because of its brightness, even though that brightness was already beginning to fade away, would not this new way of life through the Holy Spirit come with much more shining-greatness?[9] The shine on Moses’ face not only faded but turned into a frown and disbelief and anger. However, the glow on the face of the Messiah on the mountain[10] is now brighter than ever.[11]

[1] Proverbs 26:11

[2] 2 Peter 2:20-22

[3] Romans 5:3-5

[4] Thomas Aquinas: Commentary on Galatians, op. cit., loc. cit.

[5] 2 Corinthians 4:17

[6] The will-o’-the-wisp is a flame-like phosphorescence caused by gases from decaying plants in marshy areas.  The light was first known, and still also is, as ignis fatuus, which in Latin means “foolish fire.” Eventually, the name will-o’-the-wisp was extended to any impractical or unattainable goal.

[7] Hovey, Alvah: On Galatians, op. cit., loc. cit., p. 38

[8] Cyril W. Emmet: On Galatians, op. cit., p. 29

[9] 2 Corinthians 3:6-8

[10] Matthew 17:7

[11] Revelation 1:13-15

 CHRISTIANITY GROWING IN CHINA

 Although China is under the rule of the atheistic Chinese Communist Party, and there is increasing persecution of Christians, there has been a rapid growth (10% annually) of its Christian population. If that rate continues, China will have more Christians than the United States by 2030. Government raids on churches and imprisonment of some of their members have not caused the churches to disappear. One arrested pastor made this comment: “Rulers have chosen an enemy that can never be imprisoned – the soul of man. Therefore, they are doomed to lose this war.”

THE VATICAN AND GENDER THEORY IDEOLOGY

The Vatican released a publication entitled “Male and Female He Created Them: Towards a Path of Dialogue on the Question of Gender Theory in Education.” The document rejects gender ideology that denies biological differences between men and women or treats gender as something people choose for themselves. This may have surprised those who thought the Catholic Church would begin to liberalize policy on sexuality. According to Pose Francis, Gender Theory “denies the differences and reciprocity in nature of a man and a woman and envisions a society without sexual differences, thereby eliminating the anthropological basis for the family.”

SING HALLELUJAH

A Christian worship song has become the unofficial anthem of the “Hong Kong” protestors who have been demonstrating their opposition to a Beijing-backed extradition bill. It is thought to have begun on June 11 when a prayer meeting outside the government complex ended with the singing of “Sing Hallelujah to the Lord” (© 1974. Linda Stassen-Benjamin). Since that time, it has been sung by millions who continue the protest, and leaders in this democracy movement, including Christian pastors, trying to buffer protestors and the police and use the song to keep both sides calm.

INCREASED ROLE FOR RELIGION IN SOCIETY

 According to Pew Research, around half of Americans favor religion playing a greater role in U. S. society while 18% oppose that idea. The study involved 27 countries with representative samples of at least 1,000 people per country. Among those countries, France (20%), and Japan (20%) had the lowest percentage of those favoring strengthening religion’s role in society while Indonesia (85%), Kenya (74%), and Tunisia (69%) had the highest percentage. The study did not make a distinction between different religions, but Indonesia is 87% Muslim and Tunisia is 99% Muslim. However, both Indonesia and Tunisia are not considered radical Islamist States.

You won’t find this in the New York Times or USA Today, but it is headline news in heaven. Remember, we only see the visible world around us while the Holy Spirit is working in the invisible world. I never thought I’d see the fall of the Communist Soviet Union in my lifetime but I did. It may take longer for China, but after all, Jesus is Lord over heaven and earth. – Dr. Robert R Seyda

ACTIVATE! DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!

In his controversy with Aristotle over the principles involved in the creation, Moses Maimonides made an insightful statement.  He said Aristotle assumed that “…a transition from potentiality to actuality would take place in Deity itself if He produced anything at a certain fixed time” (Part II, Prop. xxvi, Chap. xviii).  It is a very complicated argument and involves the basic concept of creation out of nothing.  But it also sparks a very interesting idea.  How long does “potential” exist, and will it stop being a potential if not put into actuality at the appropriate time?  We know that Scripture teaches us that “When the fullness of time came, God sent His Son” (Gal. 4:4). In other words, the potential was always there, but only for the moment when His Son was sent to earth, to be born of a woman, according to the plan already laid out.  So had the Son of God not acted at the appropriate time, then Christmas would have never happened.

We see this repeated several times throughout Scripture. Noah building the Ark just at the right time. Abraham responding to the call of God at the right time. Moses agrees to go back to Egypt at the right opportunity.  The disciples fishing on the right day. The Samaritan woman going to the well on the right day at the right time. Jesus arriving in Jerusalem at the right Festival as the Lamb of God.  And now we await the exact time for the potential of Christ’s return, that the Father already scheduled.

So often we think that these potentials within us have no expiration date; that we can carry them around as long as we want, and they will always be there when we finally decide to activate them. But that goes against the argument, that for each potential there is a moment of actuality, and unless the two are combined at the right time then that potentiality is lost. If it was possible to interview Bible characters of the past, I’m sure that Esau, Jonah, Saul, Esther, the rich young ruler, the rich man and Lazarus, Joshua giving the children of Israel the right moment to choose whom they would serve, among others, could tell you how it feels to trigger or lose one’s spot in God’s timeline because they failed to activate their potentiality at the appropriate time.

I knew for a long time that I would be called to preach. But the door never opened, and so I chose my own career path. That was, until one night in 1962, while kneeling in prayer in a former Nazi SS barracks in Dachau, Germany, the door opened. Had I not, with the Holy Spirit’s urging, activated my potentiality, I would not be sharing this Serendipity with you. So, the next time the Spirit tells you to do something, do it! So, the question, when your inactivated potentialities die, do your opportunities die with it? – Dr. Robert R Seyda

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

By Dr. Robert R Seyda

PAUL’S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS

 CHAPTER THREE (Lesson X)

Dutch Bible scholar Alfred E. Bouter (born 1943) raises an interesting question about when do we receive the Holy Spirit. How do we rectify what Jesus said and did to His disciples when He “breathed on them and said, ‘receive the Holy Spirit‘,”[1] and what did He mean when He said to them, “I am going to send you what my Father has promised, but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high?”[2] So the question is, “Did the disciples receive the Holy Spirit twice?”

In John’s Gospel, the Lord spoke about the coming of the Spirit.[3] To the Romans, Paul said that the love of God is spread abroad in our hearts through the Spirit whom He gave to us.[4] The point is the reception of the Spirit. Now here in verse two, Paul asked the Galatians were they given the Holy Spirit because of the good works the Law demanded? Obviously not. It was because of the hearing the Gospel by faith as Paul explained in Romans. For example, faith comes by hearing of the Word of God, a result of preaching.[5]

And so, we see here that what Paul preached made a real impact, it was not just superficial, but those believers received the Holy Spirit. When you are born again you receive the Spirit at the same time, says Bouter, but Scripture makes a distinction because the First Covenant believers who were born again did not receive the Holy Spirit to dwell in them, although they were born again. So, the moment one is born again they also received the Holy Spirit to regenerate and sanctify them and produce the Fruit of the Spirit. But when the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost it was another distinct experience. It was then that they received the Holy Spirit empowering them to preach the Gospel to the whole world along with the Gifts of the Spirit. And besides that, the Holy Spirit the seal on our hearts which shows us to be God’s property. [6] [7] So, to put make it easier to understand, we can look at it this way: When a person is born again, God’s indwelling Spirit is given to them for Salvation; when they are baptized with the Spirit, the Spirit comes upon them as an anointing oil for Service.

Philip Ryken makes a good point when the Galatians were forced to admit that they received the Holy Spirit by faith alone. This truth, that the Holy Spirit comes by faith alone has a profound implication for the Christian life. It means that the Christian life begins with the Spirit and continues on in the Spirit. No wonder Paul thought they were being fools. How could they believe the Judaizes who were telling them that faith was fine as far as it went, but justification might be started by faith but it is completed through works of the Law. It’s almost as though the Anointed One did not finish the work for justification on the cross, so it is up to the new believer to finish the work for Him through works of the Law.[8]

3:3 How irrational you’ve become; after being saved through the Spirit’s help you are now trying to stay saved by way of your own efforts?

Kenneth Wuest translates this verse as: “Are you so unreflecting? Having begun by means of the Spirit, now are you being brought to maturity by the flesh?” He points out that the words “made perfect” is from the Greek verb epiteleō which means “to bring something to the place where it is complete.”[9]

We all should ask ourselves, which was it for me? Did I receive salvation after hearing a message on the Anointed One’s love, suffering, crucifixion, death, resurrection and salvation; then confessing my sins and receiving Him as my Lord and Savior; or did I get saved through christening in infant baptism, going through catechism, confirmation, and following all the practical teachings of my church? Whichever way you answer will indicate which one you are depending on to assure your eternal salvation?

The writer of Hebrews, who many Bible scholars believe to be the Apostle Paul, makes it clear, that the Messiah did not come as a Rabbi from the family of Levi as the Law said it must be. He became a Rabbi by virtue of having the power of an indestructible life. This is what the Psalmist David exclaimed about the Messiah centuries ago, “You are a Priest forever like Melchizedek.”[10] God set aside the Law of Moses. It was weak and ineffective when it came to salvation. The Law of Moses could not make people right with God. Now there is a better hope through which we come near to God.[11] So Paul preached Jesus Messiah as God’s powerful answer to a feeble and impotent Law. How could they even imagine to turn back to such a pitiful thing as the Law to save them?

In presenting the life of Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa (modern-day Turkey), Philip Schaff tells us that the ministry of Gregory extended far beyond what his brother Basil enjoyed. He stepped into the place vacated by the death of Basil in 372 AD and takes the foremost rank among the defenders of the Faith of Nicaea. He was not, however, without trouble from the heretical groups that plagued the Galatian churches since the days of the Apostle Paul. Certain Galatians were busy in sowing the seeds of their own heresy among their own people. So, it appears, that despite Paul’s efforts with this letter to curb and even eradicate the false doctrine of the Judaizers, it was still going on after 300 years.[12]

Jonathan Edwards says that pride, above all things, promotes this degeneracy because it grieves and quenches the Spirit of the Lamb of God; and so, it kills the spiritual part, cherishes the sinful part, inflames the carnal affections, and fires up the imagination. The unhappy subject of such degeneracy, for the most part, is not aware of their pending calamity, but because they find themselves still strongly moved, showing greater flames of zeal, and more passionate motions of their animal spirits, think of themselves as being fuller of the Spirit of God than ever. But indeed, as the Apostle says here in verse three, they started out in the Spirit to serve God but now have replaced the Spirit with good works.

Here Paul is speaking of a spiritually mature Christian, one who is living a well-rounded, well-balanced, mature life. By the word “flesh,” he refers to all that a person is as the product of natural generation apart from the morally transforming power of the Holy Spirit in regeneration. The word speaks of the unsaved person’s body, soul, mind, and spirit, controlled by his or her totally depraved nature, along with all their human accomplishments, positions, capabilities, and philosophies.[13] [14]

3:4:  And let me ask you something else, has everything you’ve suffered because of the Gospel up until now been meaningless? Did you go through all of this for nothing? Are you now going to throw it away as worthless?

We must remember, Paul did not carry a copy of the Final Covenant around with him to preach from. The only thing in his hand was the Torah scrolls, scrolls of the Prophets, and scrolls of Wisdom literature such as the Psalms which he studied from his youth on up to become a Pharisee. So, I’m sure he was acquainted with what the prophet Ezekiel said about a person trying to save themselves. When a right living and good person turns away from doing what is right and good and starts sinning by doing all the bad things that a sinful person does, will they live to enjoy eternal life? No! None of the right and good things they did before will be remembered because they were not faithful to what they know and heard from God’s Word and went back into sin. No, they will not live spiritually, they will die.[15]

No doubt this is what inspired the writer of Hebrews to point out that there are those who knew the truth; they received the gift of a new life from heaven. So, the Holy Spirit now dwells within them. They know how good the Word of God is. They know of the promises of the world to come but nevertheless feel rejected. Just being sorry for their sins and deciding to quit is not enough to restore them to right standing with God. Don’t they know that by living in sin they were nailing the Son of God to a cross again? Don’t they realize they are shaming Him in front of everyone?[16] That’s why, when a well-known Christian leader falls into sin, it is not so much that they are embarrassing themselves, but even more pitiful, they are humiliating the Anointed One before the world.

No doubt Paul was hoping they would think back to the days after they first became aware of who Jesus of Nazareth really is. Would they recall how they were publicly disgraced and persecuted, while at other times they stood loyally in support of fellow believers who were treated the same way?  Perhaps they could recollect how they felt such compassion for those in prison. Not only that but when the officials came and seized all their possessions, they accepted it gladly for Jesus’ sake. That’s because they knew far greater and more enduring possessions waiting for them in heaven.

What was the Apostle Paul trying to get them to do? He was pleading with them not to abandon their confidence in the Anointed One to save them which will lead to inheriting rich rewards. He calls on them to endure to the end, for when they do all that God expects of them, they will receive the promise of eternal life. Paul implores them to listen to what the prophet Habakkuk says: “In a little while, only a little longer, the One coming will come without delay. But the person living right must live right by faith. For if they give up, the One who is coming will not be pleased with them.”[17] So, says Paul, don’t be the kind that gives up hope. There’s no future in giving up. We are the kind of believers who live by faith in the One who redeemed us to save us.[18] Giving up is for spiritual weaklings; for those who failed in trying to live their lives for God’s approval instead of letting the Anointed One within them live His life through them; for those who were more interested in the world below than the world above. They gave up living their spiritual life by faith and started living it by works. This principle was not only prevalent in Paul’s day among the congregation of believers, but it is alive today in many churches.

[1] John 20:22

[2] Luke 24:49

[3] John 16:7-11

[4] Romans 5:5

[5] Ibid. 9:30-32

[6] 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13

[7] Alfred E. Bouter: Outline to Galatians, op. cit., loc. cit.

[8] Ryken, Philip Graham: On Galatians, op. cit., (Kindle Location 1599)

[9] Kenneth Wuest: On Galatians, op. cit., loc. cit.

[10] Psalm 110:4

[11] Hebrews 7:16-19

[12] The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers Second Series, Vol. 5 By Philip Schaff, Editor, Ch. 1, p. 25

[13] See these scriptures that illustrate this use: John 3:6; Philippians 3:3, 4; Romans 6:19, 7:5, 18, 25, 8:3; 2 Corinthians 1:17

[14] Jonathan Edwards: Treatise Concerning Religious Affections, op. cit., Letter II, Part IV, Sect III, (Kindle Location 22393)

[15] Ezekiel 18:24

[16] Hebrews 6:4-6

[17] Habakkuk 2:3-4

[18] Hebrews 10:32-39

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

By Dr. Robert R Seyda

PAUL’S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS

 CHAPTER THREE (Lesson IX)

C. I. Scofield (1843-1921), American theologian, minister, writer, and author of the Scofield Reference Bible, tells us that the Spirit is shown in Galatians in a marvelous way. Paul says here in verse two He is received by the hearing of faith. When the Galatians believed they received the Spirit. To what end? The legalists give it little importance. Though they talk much of “power” in connection with the Spirit, it really is the power for service which chiefly needs their attention. Of God’s sovereign rights, of His blessed empowering the spiritual life, there is little worry. But it is precisely there that the Biblical emphasis falls. In Romans, for example, the Spirit is not even mentioned until we have a justified sinner trying to keep the law, utterly defeated in that attempt by the flesh, the “law in his members,” and crying out, not for help, but for deliverance.[1] Then the Spirit is brought within, Oh, what marvelous results![2]

George B. Stevens (1854-1906) agrees with Professor Lightfoot that “active hearing” is necessary for faith to be activated in receiving the Spirit for salvation. This is then contrasted with doing the works of the Law and hearing by faith what good works believers should do as God’s children.  It is a difference between the principles of hearing and the methods of doing. In the end, we could say that “hearing” is no more effective than “doing.” Stevens says that God is not asking for “favors” but for “faith.” But faith is just as much a thing of action as is doing. Faith leads to works done out of gratitude, not an obligation. Remember, the Messiah did not die on the cross out of obligation, but out of love.[3]

Says Benjamin W. Bacon (1860-1932), Paul knows that he can “rest his case” on this single issue. He did so with complete success at Jerusalem.[4] There was no escape from it; for the mother church itself dated its own foundation on the Day of Pentecost. The fundamental confession which made Christianity a true religion was: “Jesus is Lord.” It rested upon Moses’ experience on Mount Horeb, and among the Ephesians.[5] as its proof. Jewish messianism anticipated the “outpouring of the Spirit” in the last days as the token of the Redeemer’s return. For “legalists,” this was the spirit of obedience to the law; for the “wisdom writers,” it is the spirit of wisdom; for “prophecy advocates,” the spirit of prophecy.[6] The appearance of these “gifts of the Spirit” upon “faith in the Anointed One Jesus,” including the “signs and wonders”[7] was the proof on which the Church itself rested its assurance that “God made this Jesus … both Lord and Messiah.” If the Gentiles also had “the gifts of the Spirit” there was no more to be said. The only point to be made clear was when the gifts came, that is, not upon this attempt to supplement their justification in Grace with works of the Law, but before it, at the time of their hearing of faith.[8]

Arno C. Gaebelein (1861-1945), a Methodist minister in the United States, and a prominent teacher and conference speaker noted that as Christians, the Galatians possessed the Holy Spirit, as all true Christians receive Him and are sealed by the Spirit. They also enjoyed the ministry of the Spirit through the different gifts. And now he asks the question “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by your faith upon hearing the Gospel?” There is no promise in the Law that if it is kept in obedience, that God would send His Spirit to the heart of a person to be the indwelling guest and make them obedient keepers of the Law as the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Law does not have the authority to promise the Holy Spirit. In Ezekiel we read that the promise is made, “I will put My Spirit within you,”[9] but, as the context shows, this promise refers to the future when the remnant of Israel will turn to the Lord and the promised spiritual and national blessings are given to them through grace.

The Gentile Galatians knew nothing of the Law and were not under the Law, for they were, by nature, idolaters. They received the Spirit by hearing of faith. But, before this great gift could ever be bestowed the Son of God must die on the cross and be glorified.[10] And all who receive the Lord Jesus the Anointed One by faith, also receive the great gift of grace, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Sonship. The Galatians Gentiles received the Holy Spirit simply by believing. They were sealed by that Spirit and knew thereby that they were redeemed and the sons of God. If they possessed this seal of divine righteousness why should they add to it the works of the Law? In doing so, they would be acting very foolishly.[11] Today we might liken it to someone who changes the electricity going to their house from the power grid and replace it with batteries instead. (By the way, how will they charge their batteries?)

However, Gaebelein adds a somewhat disconcerting footnote that reads: “Strange, unscriptural doctrines concerning the Holy Spirit are taught in different sects and parties. Some teach that the Christian should earnestly seek this gift and the baptism with the Spirit. They claim that each individual must make a definite experience of receiving the baptism with the Spirit. This seeking includes, what they term, a full surrender, etc., and after enough seeking, surrender, giving up and praying, they claim to have received the power of the Holy Spirit. The argument here refutes this teaching. The Holy Spirit is given to every believer in Christ.”[12]

It seems obvious that Gaebelein was influenced by the struggle that existed among Methodists who taught that sanctification was a second work of grace. The Methodists were also first to coin the phrase baptism of the Holy Spirit as applied to a second and sanctifying grace of God.[13] The Methodists meant by their “baptism” something different from the Pentecostals, but the view that this is an experience of grace separate from and after salvation was the same. Also, that Pentecostalism had roots in the holiness movement of the late nineteenth century. The holiness movement embraced the Wesleyan doctrine of “sanctification” or the second work of grace, subsequent to conversion. Pentecostalism added a third work of grace, called the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which is accompanied by glossolalia.[14]

With all due respect to brother Gaebelein, such a view would put the Apostles, Cornelius’ household,[15] and the disciples of John the Baptizer that Paul met in the city of Ephesus[16] in a difficult position. Did the Apostles already receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit when they believed in Jesus as the Messiah as His disciples or not? If so, why did Jesus then tell them to go back to Jerusalem and wait for the Father to send the Holy Spirit? There is no record of the disciples speaking in tongues before the Day of Pentecost, only after they were all filled with the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room. And a study of Paul’s writings in Corinthians it is clear that Paul made a distinction between having the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and His accompanying gifts.[17] I’m sure that such differing interpretations will not keep either one of us out of heaven, but I believe in giving the Holy Spirit all the credit He deserves as our Comforter with His works and gifts.

Cyril W. Emmet (1874-1924) gives his explanation of what Paul means by the phrase: “by the hearing of faith.” Says Emmet, it does not imply “listening to the faith,” but “the hearing which comes from faith.[18] The Spirit came, not because they were especially obedient to the Law, but because they opened their hearts to a new influence.[19] Kenneth Wuest (1893-1963) adds his interpretation by saying that The Greek noun akoes translated “hearing” refers either to the act of hearing a message or to the message that is heard. The second meaning agrees more with the context since Paul is contrasting his message of grace with the teachings of the Judaizers. The phrase “of faith” defines or describes the message. It is a message that announces faith as the means whereby one receives salvation. The only answer the Galatians could give to this question was that they received the Spirit, not by obedience to the law, but through their faith in Paul’s message of grace.[20]

Another Jewish writer, Ariel HaNaviy, feels that no other chapter of the Bible caused more theological misunderstandings between Jewish and Christian believers than Chapter Three of Galatians! We would do well to tread cautiously when seeking to unlock its meanings, he says. As he sees it, Paul returns to his ironic way of speaking with a rhetorical question about the origins of the giving of the Holy Spirit among the Galatian believers. Surely Paul knows firsthand that the Spirit flows from God to an individual believer. However, in this portion of his letter, he is attempting to shock the readers back into some semblance of spiritual reality. Having begun with the truth of Yeshua’s atoning death, how could they possibly be considering going back on such a revelation? To the Apostle, such a notion was preposterous!

We must remember that among the Judaism Party of Paul’s day, the Greek word for law, nomos, could include references to the verbal teachings of the Rabbis, and more specifically to the rule that governed a Gentile’s conversion to Judaism. It appears that Paul is challenging the validity of these ethnically restricted views of the Torah still be held and observed among genuine First Covenant members to Christianity. Surely, maintaining their covenant relationship with God was not acquired by human effort, that is, works of the Law, but rather by placing one’s trust in the Ultimate Son of the Covenant, Yeshua Himself.

So, we understand why the Apostle Paul begins by demanding from these mixed-up Galatians, please explain something to me, did you receive the Spirit by simply becoming members of a new Jewish sect called “The Way,” but still under the Torah, or by believing what you heard me preach when I shared the Gospel with you? Paul did not wait for the answer, he immediately provides his answer, a resounding, “You were acting like fools, weren’t you? That’s the only way you could come to the conclusion that moral human achievements could in some way exceed the grace of God as afforded by His Only Son. What an exercise in futility!”[21] It’s obvious that it takes a Jewish believer like Paul to tell us what these Jews in Galatia were really thinking. That should help us understand the situation even better.

[1] Romans 7:15-24

[2] C. I. Scofield: The Fundamentals – A Testimony to the Truth, Vol. 3, op. cit., Ch. 7, p. 91

[3] George B. Stevens: Shorter Exposition of Galatians, op. cit.,

[4] See Acts 15:8, 12; cf. 10:44–47; 11:15–18).

[5] Acts of the Apostles 2:33; Ephesians 4:7–10

[6] Joel 2:28–32; cf. Num. 11:29

[7] Joel 2:30

[8] Benjamin W. Bacon, On Galatians, op. cit., p. 74

[9] Ezekiel 36:27

[10] John 7:39

[11] Arno Gaebelein: Annotated Bible, op. cit., p. 214

[12] Ibid. p. 215

[13] Cf. John Fletcher of Madeley, Methodism’s earliest formal theologian.

[14] The West Tennessee Historical Society Papers – Issue 56. West Tennessee Historical Society. 2002. p. 41.

[15] Acts of the Apostles 10:44-48

[16] Ibid. 19:1-7

[17] 1 Corinthian 12; note 12:7-13

[18] “Obedience of faith,” Romans 1:5; 14:26

[19] Cyril W. Emmet: On Galatians, op. cit., p. 28

[20] Kenneth Wuest: On Galatians, op. cit., loc. cit.

[21] Ariel HaNaviy: On Galatians, op. cit., loc. cit., p.104

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

By Dr. Robert R Seyda

PAUL’S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS

 CHAPTER THREE (Lesson VIII)

Revival preacher Charles Finney (1792-1875) in one of his lectures, spoke on justification by faith. In his lecture, he makes the point that when it comes to the doctrine of justification, we cannot overlook the distinction between sin and sinning. When our bodily appetites and built-in tendencies of body and mind are strongly tempted they often become an uninvited occasion of sin. So, it was with Adam. We cannot say that Adam was created with a sinful nature. But he possessed, by his natural instincts, an appetite for food and a desire for knowledge. These in themselves are not sinful, but were part of their human nature which made them suitable to live in this world as a subject of God’s moral government. But the temptation by the serpent was enough to persuade Adam and Eve to disobey and thereby sin against God. They were innocent in themselves but yielded to unlawful action, and that was their sin.

Now, while each of these sins may be forgiven when confessed and compassion from God is sought, those sinful tendencies, however,  are never washed away. They are within all of us constantly. Nevertheless, they are severely restricted by sanctification and with the help of the indwelling Spirit of God. When a sinner tries to use their sinful nature as a justification for sin, they get their natural appetites and sinful tendencies mixed up. By so doing, they, in fact, accuse God foolishly and incriminate Him for giving them a sinful nature, when in fact their nature, in all its elements, is essential to moral conduct, and God made it as well as it could be made, and perfectly adapted to the circumstances in which they lived in this world. The truth is, mankind’s nature is all right and is as well-fitted to love and obey God as it is to hate and disobey Him. So, says Finney, the day is not far away when it will be known whether your excuse is valid or not! Then you will find out when you stand face to face with your Maker, and He charges you with sin, will you be able to throw the blame back in His face.[1]

Philip Schaff (1819-1893) comments on verse two where Paul appeals to their own experience at the time of their conversion, which alone should be sufficient to convince them of the error of their present position on crediting the Law with bringing the Holy Spirit into their lives. By Paul saying, to know the truth a person must hear what God gave Him to say, and that would be the only source they needed. Was it by works of the Law that they received the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the greatest of gifts? The Spirit is communicated to believers through the Gospel in order for them to be regenerated, sanctified, and made children of God and heirs of eternal life.

Schaff believes that during the time of the Apostles, the Spirit manifested Himself in extraordinary gifts such as speaking in tongues, prophesying, working of miracles.[2] That means that from hearing the preaching (not just listening), faith comes from preaching,[3] and preaching the Word of God. The Greek noun akoē (“hearing” KJV) is used in two ways: “active hearing” that involves intense listening that leads to the reception of the Gospel message by faith.[4] Then it can also imply “passive hearing,” that provides the faith needed for the reception of the Gospel message. Schaff says that Professor Lightfoot adopts the first, but the second is preferable on account of the usual meaning of the word in the Final Covenant because the contrast is between the two principles, “law and faith,” not between two actions, “doing and hearing.”

The emphasis must be placed on “law” and “faith,” says Schaff. In the Final Covenant, “faith” is used mostly in the subjective sense of the act and exercise of faith,[5] not in the objective sense of the doctrine or creed.[6] Faith is the organ by which we receive the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the Gospel.[7] So for the Jews, their subjective faith was that by obeying the Law they were saving themselves. while Christians put their objective faith in the Messiah to save them because neither the Law nor they can save themselves. That’s why any sinner seeking forgiveness and cleansing should be encouraged to pray and ask the Messiah to save them because He is the only Way, Truth, and Life.

W. A. O’Conor (1820-1887) points out that here in verse two Paul passes from using logical to experimental evidence, which by itself should be conclusive. Was it from Law or Faith they derived their present spiritual attainments? After all, the Jewish Law was meant to mature a principle for all mankind, but not all mankind for the principle. Once the Anointed One appeared, and divine truth was unfolded as a living, breathing document, and made transmittable by verbal exposition, the Law was no longer needed but rather became a hindrance. If the Galatians received the Spirit from hearing by faith, of course, it was evident that the works of the Law for that purpose were not required. Then O’Conor goes on to say that the works of the law are uncommunicative, unconscious, unmoral, and unauthorized results of a principle that resides in the Law rather than in the minds of those who perform them. They do not warm the heart or enlighten the understanding. All the grand moral and spiritual truths which are the subject-matter of faith, enlarge man’s soul and render it a fit receptacle for heavenly impulses and illuminations.^[8] No wonder the Judaizers were so out of touch with reality.

Edward Huxtable (1833-1893) hears a frustrated Apostle Paul telling the Galatians, in disbelief, that they so quickly became traitors to him and the Gospel he brought them. He told them, when I came to where you are as an Apostle sent by God to preach the Gospel, once you were baptized in water I laid my hands on you; and the Holy Spirit came down upon you, proving the reality of His presence, not only by signs and miracles and powers, but also by the love, joy, peace, and all the Fruit of the Spirit, which fills your hearts; instantaneously sealing the truth of his doctrine and their own individual position as recognized heirs of the kingdom of God.

Surely, says Paul, you must still remember those great times. Do you recall back then whether I spent any time speaking about the proper kosher diet of food or drink, or washing your hands and bodies as part of some purification process, or the requirement of circumcision, or being careful to obey the dictates of Ceremonial Law? Did you attend one session where I taught on all the points contained in the ordinances found in Leviticus? Were any of you even thinking about such things? The “works of the Law” were never mentioned and the merit of performing the ceremonies rites and rituals to obtain repentance did not come up. No! I preached about dying to sin, surrendering you souls to God and to the Messiah in faithful, loyal obedience, developing the characteristics of being God’s servants, and the plan and purpose of good works as a reasonable service to the One who called you, redeemed you, and chose you to be one of His own children, all of which were in compliance with moral Law. That’s why the gift of the indwelling Spirit and the gifts and endowment of power by the same Spirit became quickly evident by the wonders and miracles you were given the power to perform for God’s glory.

It is clear that Huxtable defined the indwelling of the Spirit as the source for regeneration and sanctification and Fruit of the Spirit, and the baptism of the Spirit as the source for the Gifts of the Spirit. So where in the world did the Galatians get the idea all of this was subordinate to following the Law in order to stand right before God, ready to do all the works required to maintain that status? So Huxtable was just as confused as the Apostle Paul was over such a contradictory stance on their part to the Gospel Paul preached to them upon his arrival.

Professor Thomas Croskery (1830-1886) gives a homiletical treatment of this exposition by Huxtable in which he offers five Principles to argue against the controversial teachings of the Judaizers. First: The “Principle of Experience.” They did not receive the Spirit by faith in works but by faith in Jesus the Messiah. Second: the “Principle of Grace in receiving the Spirit.” Since the Holy Spirit is not under the power of the Law it cannot be given by the Law. Grace is the only source for Pentecostal power and abundance. Third: the “Principle of Grace in the workings of the Spirit.” When the Spirit empowered them to do miracles among the people, the Spirit does not operate through the Law but through faith. Fourth: the “Principle of Grace in finishing what the Spirit started.” Since they began their believing and receiving of the Spirit by faith, it cannot now be transferred to the Law for completion.[9] And fifth: the “Principle of Grace in persevering to the end in order to be saved.” To show sincerity by enduring any suffering or attempts to shame; to establish that their obedience to the Gospel is the reason for what they suffer for the sake of Messiah; to never allow yourself to be persuaded that all you’ve gone through for the Messiah was a useless effort.[10]

For Joseph Beet (1840-1924), any suggestion that Christ died in vain, as would be the case if the teaching of the Judaizers were correct, reveals to Paul the spiritual blindness of the Galatian Christians as he turns to discuss the teaching these false apostles contradict. A single argument seems to him sufficient to settle the matter at hand. His Galatian readers’ journey by faith began with the reception of the Holy Spirit indwelling them as the stirring principle of a new life in union with the Anointed One. Paul asks whether they obtained the Spirit by means of obedience to legal prescriptions or by hearing with faith the preached Word of God. In thinking back, the only possibility open is that obedience to the Law may have led them to a richer and higher Christian life. But the legal prescriptions of which the Judaizers prescribed reach only to the material part of human life.

For Beet, that leads to more questions. For instance, can mere bodily obedience to laws and ceremonies develop a life begun by receiving a life-giving Spirit? Of course, the thought is absurd! Again, for the teaching of Justification by Faith apart from works of the Law, the Galatian Christians have already suffered persecution. Are they now prepared to admit that these sufferings were needless and profitless? These questions enabled Paul to ask again in stronger form his first question. Can the Spirit whom day by day dwells in the Galatian believers, and who reveals His presence by working miracles among them, be received by works of Law or by faith? Thus, not only their past but their present experience confirms the Apostle’s teaching. Grace wins! The Law loses![11]

[1] Charles Finney: Lectures to Professing Christians, Lecture 16, pp. 233-252

[2] Cf. Acts of the Apostles 8:17; 10:44-46; 19:6; 1 Corinthians 12-14

[3] 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 4:2; and Romans 10:17

[4] Cf. (“obedience of faith);” Romans 1:5; 16:26

[5] The subjective sense means that one’s faith is in themselves rather than in the object before them.

[6] The objective sense means that one’s faith is in the object before them rather than in they themselves.

[7] Philip Schaff: On Galatians, op. cit., loc. cit., p. 317

[8] W. A. O’Conor: On Galatians, op. cit., p. 44

[9] Philippians 1:6

[10] The Pulpit Commentary: On Galatians, op. cit., Homiletics by Thomas Croskery, p. 148-

[11] Joseph Beet: On Galatians, op. cit., p. 77

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

By Dr. Robert R Seyda

PAUL’S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS

 CHAPTER THREE (Lesson VII)

3:2 So let me ask you this one question: Was it by obeying the religious rituals and regulations given by Moses that brought God’s Spirit into your life, or by hearing the Gospel preached?

Richard Weymouth in his translation has a question in verse one and then demands an answer in verse two: “You foolish Galatians! Whose sophistry has bewitched you – you to whom Jesus Christ has been vividly portrayed as on the Cross?” Answer me this one question, “Is it on the ground of your obedience to the Law that you received the Spirit, or is it because, when you heard, you believed?”[1] Paul asked a rhetorical question in verse one, but now he asks a real question. He wanted them to explain what happened and how it happened.

He then offers two reasons why they changed their perspective on salvation so quickly. One, either they were saved through the power of the Anointed One and then were persuaded to pursue religious rituals, rites, and regulations to perfect what He did in their spiritual life; or two, religious rituals, rites, and regulations saved them and then they were told to add the work of the Anointed One to their spiritual life just to make sure. So, what’s Paul’s purpose behind this inquiry? He knew that through the preaching of the Gospel they were delivered from the slavery of sin, and the bondage of those religious rituals, rites, and regulations. So, it’s important for them to confess what really brought the Spirit of freedom into their lives. Was it their continued obedience to religious rituals, rites, and regulations, or was it their faith in the cross of Jesus the Anointed One that Paul taught them?

Perhaps Paul considered comparing them to the Corinthians. He told them, you seem so gullible: you believe whatever anyone tells you even if they are preaching about another Jesus than the one, we preach, or a different spirit than the Holy Spirit you received, or shows you a different way to be saved. You swallow it all![2] Or it could be that he was prepared to repeat what he told the Ephesian believers, that when they heard the truth about the Anointed One did for them, as well as others, they put their trust in the Anointed One. Then God gave them a gift that identified them as belonging to Him. He gave His Holy Spirit to dwell in them, something He promised all believers long ago. His presence within them is God’s guarantee that He will finish the work He started in them so that they will become better and better. It was all intended to show what a wonderful, loving, caring God He is.[3] So how could they so easily throw that away for something that only promised that if you aren’t perfect, you’re going to hell?

The truth that he wanted to restate to them was what he would tell the Romans in his letter to them, that it is the Gospel that tells us if we are made right with God by faith in Him. Then, by faith, we continue to live that new life with His help.[4] Then Paul calls on the prophet Habakkuk to verify what he was saying, “The person who is right with God will live their lives by trusting in God.[5] Not only that, but the problem is that they didn’t pay attention to what Paul was telling them through the Gospel. This is something he shares with the prophet Isaiah.[6] So it seems perfectly clear that trust comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes from preaching the Gospel about the Messiah.[7]

In response to Paul’s question whether or not the Galatians received the indwelling Holy Spirit as a result of faithful law-keeping, or did it come after they put their faith in the Anointed One, early church writer Ambrosiaster (circa 335-397) sees Paul laying down a doctrine that could not be denied at that time. That is, the Holy Spirit dwells in believers. This gift was manifested by God to recall the basic elements of the faith, as it was at the beginning when it was practiced among the Apostles and the other disciples. The Holy Spirit descended on them and gave them the capacity to speak in many tongues,[8] with the gift of interpretation, so that no one dared deny the presence of the Spirit of God in them.[9]

Haimo of Auxerre (820-885 AD) gives an explanation of what he saw happening in Galatia that prompted Paul’s letter of reprimand. He questioned them by asking: Are you that foolish, after being made new in the Spirit to try now and perfect what the Spirit did, by adding your own good works? Haimo goes on to say what he really believes Paul is saying: You were converted through the power of the Holy Spirit, you began to speak through the Holy Spirit with other tongues, but you discarded all things spiritual in favor of rites, rituals, and regulations. Haimo is perplexed that they started their Christian journey by being born again, they then received the Holy Spirit, just as people did in 800-900 AD which caused them to speak in other tongues as a way of demonstrating that they possessed the Holy Spirit.[10] So he asks, did the Law do the same thing for you? Did it make you a child of God and receive the Holy Spirit that gave them the gift of speaking in tongues?[11] Sounds like Haimo was a good Pentecostal who wondered why the Galatians gave up being Pentecostal so that they might attain a higher status with God through rites, rituals, and regulations.

Thomas Aquinas adds what he finds in verse one by pointing out that by Paul’s rebuke of the Galatians he was showing the insufficiency of the Law and the influence of Faith. He is able to do that by appealing to something they experienced through the Spirit coupled to something he experienced under the Law. This then opened the door for him to magnify the fact that what they received through the Spirit was a gift, but what they expected to receive through the Law would be earned by hard work observing all the rites, rituals, and regulations of the Law.[12] Aquinas is right! You cannot earn or merit heaven.

Martin Luther adds a touch of humorous irony to Paul’s question here: It’s like Paul is saying, “Come on now, you smart Galatians, you who all of a sudden became professors, while I seem to be your pupil. I don’t think you are foolish enough to believe that you received the Holy Spirit from the Law because of your good works, or even by the preaching of the Gospel? This question gave them something to think about because their own experience contradicted such an idea.[13] After all, did not Jesus say seek and you will find?[14] And seek the kingdom of God?[15] Also, seek to enter into the narrow gate?[16] So when it comes to the Holy Spirit, all believers should seek to be filled with God’s Spirit, not just wait for it to miraculously happen without showing any desire to be filled.

John Calvin makes an observation here on Paul’s question about whether the Galatians received the infilling of the Holy Spirit by keeping the Law or from hearing about the Anointed One? Someone might object, says Calvin, that the Spirit was not, in this respect, given to all. But it was enough for Paul’s purpose, that the Galatians knew that the power of the Holy Spirit accompanied Paul’s doctrine and that believers were variously endowed with the gifts of the Spirit for general edification. Calvin goes on to say, it may likewise be objected to that since this indwelling of the Spirit could not be seen, they would not qualify without an infallible sign of adoption, and so Paul’s question does not apply to them. Calvin replies that it was enough that the Lord confirmed the doctrine of Paul by the visible gifts of His Spirit.

A still simpler view of the case, says Calvin, is that they became distinguished by the ordinary privilege of adoption before those impostors from Jerusalem brought their modifications to the Gospel. What Paul asks here complies with what he told the Ephesians, “The truth is the Good News. When you heard the truth, you put your trust in the Anointed One. Then God marked you by giving you His Holy Spirit as a promise.”[17] [18] It appears that Calvin, in his own way, understood the difference between the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The first comes at conversion and involves the gift of salvation that then blossoms into the Fruit of the Spirit. The second comes with the commission to go into all the world and preach the Gospel exercising the Gifts of the Spirit.

John Bunyan (1628-1688 AD), gives his Puritan view of what Paul says here about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit’s influence on our lives. Just like a person drinks water, if they drink good doctrine into their soul it will show great reverence for God. Therefore, the more they drink the more they will revere Him. So, if they drink a lot of good doctrines, they’ll develop even greater reverence for Him; if they just sip a little, they’ll experience little reverence for Him. And, of course, those who do not drink from the fountain of good doctrine will stimulate no respect for God. Let this be a lesson on how to discern those who revere the Lord. Those who learn and stand in awe of the Word will be those whose reverence for God will glow with its radiance in their countenance and souls.

Bunyan goes on to say that on the contrary, those with no reverence for God, that do not love good doctrine, that make no room in their hearts for the wholesome truths of the God of heaven revealed in His Covenant, to take place in their souls, are those who despise good doctrine and are only professors of its truth and not possessors of it. Earlier Bunyan pointed out that this reverence for God flows from a genuine impression so that the Word of God becomes etched in the soul. Therefore, this godly reverence flows from faith, for where the Word makes a comprehensive impression on the soul, by that impression, the fountain of faith comes alive, and from there this reverence for God flows. That’s why a proper hearing of the Word results in what the Apostle Paul asked the Galatians in this second verse: He wanted to know, did they receive the Holy Spirit by hearing what the Law said, or did they receive the Holy Spirit by listening to the Anointed One?  In fact, the writer of Hebrews tells us that a similar thing happened to Noah[19] As one Bible School teacher said, “You can’t get too much of the Word of God.”[20]

[1] Richard F. Weymouth: New Testament Translation, op. cit., loc. cit.

[2] 2 Corinthians 11:4 – Living Bible

[3] Ephesians 1:11-13

[4] Romans 1:17

[5] Habakkuk 2:4

[6] Isaiah 53:1

[7] Romans 10:16-17

[8] In a footnote there is a comment that this facility to speak in many tongues could refer to many known languages (as In Acts of the Apostles 8-10), or ecstatic utterance (as in the Corinthian controversy. cf. 1 Corinthians 12:10). If they were given the ability to speak in many languages that were understood by those listening, why would they need an interpreter? At least Ambrosiaster confirms that this was the practice among the early Apostles.

[9] Ambrosiaster: On Galatians, Edwards, M. J. (Ed.), op. cit., p. 36

[10] See Acts of the Apostles 19:1-7

[11] Haimo of Auxerre: Commentary on Galatians, Location 1292-1306, Kindle Edition

[12] Thomas Aquinas: Commentary on Galatians, loc. cit.

[13] Martin Luther: On Galatians, op. cit., pp.56-57

[14] Luke 11:5

[15] Ibid. 12:21

[16] Ibid. 13:24

[17] Ephesians 113

[18] John Calvin: The Biblical Cabinet, op. cit, pp. 61-62

[19] Hebrews 11:7

[20] John Bunyan: Vol. 4, The Fear of God, Ch. 3, p. 209

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

By Dr. Robert R Seyda

PAUL’S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS

 CHAPTER THREE (Lesson VI)

Philip Ryken mentioned that when people visit the Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia where he serves as senior pastor, they often wonder why there is no cross displayed in the sanctuary. In fact, Ryken feels that part of the church’s beauty is that there are no icons to distract the congregation from the worship of God. But in reality, says Ryken, every-time the Scriptures are opened and the Anointed One is preached, the message of the cross is lifted high for all to see. After all, this was John Calvin’s message to all those who desire to preach the Gospel: They must learn not only to give a sermon but carry a message that penetrates into the conscience of each listener. To do this, they must help the people to see the Anointed One crucified and that His blood still flows for the forgiveness of sin.[1] How unfortunate that in many churches there is a lighted cross behind the pulpit on the wall, but that’s the only time the people see the cross because it is seldom if ever, displayed out of the Scriptures.

A painting by the Flemish painter Jan August Hendrik Leys (1815–1869) illustrates what happens when Christians lose sight of the crucified Anointed One. The painting is called “Women Praying at a Crucifix near St. James in Antwerp.” The women themselves are portrayed with painstaking detail. Careful attention is paid to every fold in the fabric of their gowns. There is one thing missing from the painting, however, and that is the cross itself. Leys shows the women at worship, but not the Anointed One they came to adore. “So, what do we see?” asks the Dutch art critic Hans Rookmaaker (1922–1977). “People from a past period, full of faith, reverent, praying – but we do not see the object of faith, the crucified Anointed One.”[2]

I’m sure many evangelical believers would be opposed to having the crucifix on their church walls. They say that the cross is empty because the Anointed One died, was buried, and rose again. But what good does it do to preach a risen Savior if the people listening do not know under what circumstances He died? Paul told the Corinthians that he resolved to preach nothing else while he was with them except Jesus the Anointed One and Him crucified.[3]

Robert Gundry also expressed his opinion on what, “displaying the Anointed One crucified before the Galatians’ eyes” meant. The Galatians themselves did not see Jesus’ crucifixion. They didn’t take photographs in those days, and as far as we know, no artist was there to paint a picture. So, it’s not the actual crucifixion itself which they were able to witness. So, what was it?[4] It was the exhibition in words in Paul’s preaching that helped them see that crucifixion. Perhaps that’s why Paul speaks of their “hearing” of the Gospel instead of “seeing.”[5] This is another way of saying that Paul painted a word-picture of the Anointed One’s crucifixion that was so real that the Galatians were able to imagine it as being real in their minds.

Don Garlington tells us in his commentary on Galatians that Dr. Ben Witherington of England notes that in first-century Mediterranean culture a “fool” was not simply a person of moral failures but one who disrespected social boundaries, with the effect that they brought shame upon themselves (the same is true today). By way of application, writes Witherington, “The issue here in part is a violation of community boundaries, and in Paul’s view, by entering the community bounded by the Mosaic Law was to exit the community bounded by allegiance to the Anointed One. In short, Paul sees apostasy looming on the horizon and he will marshal his arsenal of arguments to prevent it.”[6] So we see that Paul did not use this term without it having its full impact on those who existed in the south Galatians culture.

In the 11th century, a Benedictine monk named Benedict of Nursia who was born around 480 AD, was immortalized with a medal showing him holding up to cross to ward off evil spirits. In fact, Pope Leo IX (1102-1045) used such a medal. Since then, when someone does not carry a Benedict Medal around their neck, they just hold up their fingers to make a cross and hold it out in front of them. You’ve no doubt seen this done in movies or on television. In a way, that’s what Paul is asking the Galatians, why didn’t you hold up the cross in front of these false teachers in order to protect yourself against their evil motives and plans to strip away your faith and make you scared that without them you would die in your sins?

Dr. David A. Brondos, professor at the Augsburg Lutheran Seminary in Mexico City finds it easy to see why Paul was such an expert on the crucifixion of the Anointed One. He states that the Jews killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets,[7] although for different reasons. It is also clear that Paul was acquainted with the narratives of Jesus’ passion because he recites the tradition about Jesus’ words and actions over the bread and cup at the Last Supper,[8] and mentions Judas Iscariot’s betrayal. Then, when writing to the Romans he quotes from Psalm 69:9 and refers to the abuse the Anointed One endured during His trial and crucifixion.[9] He also mentions Jesus’ burial and the testimonies of the many of Jesus’ first disciples concerning Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances.[10] Not only that, but Paul affirms that Jesus “gave Himself up,”[11] and was “crucified in weakness” to prove that He was aware that Jesus went to His death passively and not trying to defend Himself or flee.[12] These and other passages show beyond doubt that Paul was very acquainted with the same traditions of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection that we find in the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles.[13]

Duncan Heaster makes an interesting comment on what Paul was really trying to say to the Galatians about his making the Anointed One crucified very real to them, almost as though he painted a picture or carved a statue. He says: When Paul preached the Gospel to the Galatians, he was the embodiment of the crucified Anointed One. People should see in us, in our sufferings and “weakness,” something of the crucified Anointed One at the time of His death.[14] I’m not sure how the Apostle Paul would square this with what he said earlier in the letter: “I was put up on the cross to die with the Anointed One. Therefore, I no longer live. the Anointed One lives in me.”[15]

Messianic writer Thomas Lancaster doesn’t think that the sudden shift in the way the Galatians looked at their faith in light of the Law was overnight. When the Judaizer’s came in from Jerusalem, they somehow persuaded the Christians that Jews and Gentiles were all like, there was no difference between them. They all believed in God and accepted Yeshua as the Messiah. And since Yeshua said He did not come to abolish the Law but to make it complete, then it must contain some value and purpose for the Christian life. Lancaster says that this is how the Judaizers duped the gullible Galatians into adding some of the Law’s requirements to their faith. Perhaps it started with honoring the Sabbath and then abstaining from certain foods because they were not kosher. But apparently, it reached the place where many of the Gentile men were not submitting to being circumcised in order to make them true children of the covenant.[16] This is often the same way many Christians are duped into taking up certain ancient rites and rituals in order to be a really happy and secure Christian.

Jewish Christian writer David Stern does not hold back in giving his understanding of what Paul says here in verse one. He calls them “stupid Galatians!” We will find that down in verse six Paul will display his amazement at their going astray, and in 4:19-20 express his pain and confusion over what to do with them. But here he seems exasperated. He tries to arouse the Galatians’ interest in learning what they need to do right with ridicule and shame. Yet, it was all done in the context of his loving them dearly. One piece of evidence for this is that he calls them “brothers,” a favorite term of endearment among the early believers. In fact, he calls them “brothers” no less than nine times in this letter.[17]

Andrew G. Roth in his Aramaic translation points out that there is a clear wordplay between galatya, “those who live in Galatia,” and galoot, “those who are exiles, the dispersed or captives.” Roth does not translate the phrase “You foolish Exiles,” but it is very obvious that Rabbi Paul is writing to both groups. Another key point lexically is that galatya is derived from the root gelah, which means “to reveal or uncover,”[18] and this includes direct manifestations of Elohiym. It is also the root from which we get the name of the place Galilee. Finally, even though the spelling between galatya and galoot is not exactly the same in Aramaic, the wordplay exists on an audible level. Such same sounding layers of cleverness are extremely common throughout the Aramaic New Testament and are one of the strongest pieces of evidence we have for declaring its originality and primacy.[19]

[1] Ryken, Philip Graham. On Galatians, op. cit., loc. cit., Kindle location 1514

[2] Ibid. Kindle Location 1665

[3] 1 Corinthians 2:2

[4] Cf. 1 Corinthians 1:17-25; 2:2

[5] Robert H. Gundry: On Galatians, op. cit., loc. cit., Kindle Location 540

[6] Don Garlington: On Galatians, op. cit., loc. cit., 92

[7] 1 Thessalonians 2:14-15

[8] 1 Corinthians 11:23-24

[9] Romans 15:3

[10] 1 Corinthians 15:3-7

[11] Galatians 1:4

[12] 2 Corinthians 13:4

[13] David A. Brondos. Paul on the Cross: Reconstructing the Apostle’s Story of Redemption, Fortress Press, Minneapolis, 2006, (Kindle Location 1014-1022). Kindle Edition.

[14] Duncan Heaster: On Galatians, op. cit., p. 1922

[15] Galatians 2:20

[16] D. Thomas Lancaster: On Galatians, op. cit., p. 110

[17] David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary, op. cit., (Kindle Location 15474)

[18] Genesis 9:21; 35:7

[19] Andrew G. Roth: Aramaic New Testament, op. cit., loc. cit.

Did you know, if there really was no God, it would be impossible to be an atheist? So, if an atheist tells you they don’t believe there is a God, then ask them if they believe there is no God at all.  If they say “yes”, tell them it is impossible to believe in nothing, because belief requires faith, and faith is the evidence of things unseen.

Therefore, they really are saying they refuse to believe in something they cannot see.  But just because you can’t examine its elemental essence, that does not mean it doesn’t exist.  For instance, what about love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness.  So, if they ask you to prove there is a God, tell them you’ll do so as soon as they prove there is no God. – Dr. Robert R Seyda

ARE YOU READY FOR WHAT’S COMING?

In 2009, Dr. John N. Oswalt (Ph.D., Brandeis University), Visiting Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, wrote a book titled, “The Bible among the Myths: Unique Revelation or Just Ancient Literature?” published by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan.  At the end of this thoroughly researched and enlightening work, Dr. Oswalt made 10 predictions of things to come in our society.  Now ten years later, many of them are beginning to come into being.  I find them extremely insightful, thought I’d share them with you, compliments of Dr. Oswalt.

■ First and foremost, ethics as an internal compass will disappear from among us. Ethics will certainly remain as civic requirements, and there will be various public attempts to enforce them, but in the society at large, they will be meaningless.

■ “Truth” will progressively be replaced by power, since there is no standard of reliability outside of each person’s own needs and wishes.

■ “Right” and “wrong” will become increasingly useless terms as they lose any agreed-upon basis outside of those same wants and needs. The terms will continue to be used, but only as code words for those who can shout the loudest.

■ There will be a dramatic upsurge in interest in “black magic” as a means of getting one’s way.

■ Any attempt to control absolute sexual freedom in any area and at any level will be labeled as “hate-mongering.”

■ Individuals will be increasingly devalued at the same time that “individual freedom” is more and more loudly trumpeted.

■ Altruism and other forms of self-denial for the good of others will steadily disappear.

■ Acceptance of responsibility for one’s own behavior, accompanied by appropriate changes of behavior, will be a rarity.

■ The study of history, except as an ancient antiquarian interest, will disappear.

■ The possibility of a genuine transformation of one’s character from the worse to the better will be dismissed out of hand.

If you have seen any of these trends in society in recent days and months, are you preparing yourself as a person would do if a Hurricane, or Tsunami, or Volcanic eruption had been announced? What set of survival rules would you follow? Jesus foretold such events as coming in the last days (Mt. 24:1-51). The Scriptures make it very clear: don’t give up hope; keep your faith strong; let God’s Word be a lamp for your feet (2 Tim. 3:-17), for those who endure until the end will be saved (Mt. 24:13). – Dr. Robert R Seyda