Introduction
Ø The theme of Galatians 5 is that Christianity is freedom, not bondage. It’s not freedom to do evil; it’s freedom to do good by internal divine power, not external restraints. Paul makes his appeal in verse 1, and supports it in verses 2 to 12 by attacking the false doctrine of the Judaizers (vv. 2-6), and then the Judaizers themselves (vv. 7-12).
Ø First (vv. 2-6) he discusses the nature of the false doctrine.
§ They believed the Gentiles had to follow a minor ritual (circumcision) to obtain grace (salvation)
· “Messing” with the doctrine of salvation affects many other areas of Christian living
· It is foundational
· Even though writing to Christians, must start where the error starts, and make application to the Christian life.
§ This teaching represented a system of works – human achievement
· Christ’s work is insufficient
· Moses started, Christ continued, up to you to finish
§ There are four results to this:
Interpretation & Explanation
Ø Verse 2 – Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
§ “Paul” – reminds of apostolic authority
o You Are Not Profited by Christ (v. 2)
§ The dilemma
· vv. 2-4 are hypothetical, “If”
o They were following days, etc., had not yet gotten circumcised
· Circumcision or Christ, not both
· Christ entirely or not at all
§ The danger
· That they would yield and follow circumcision
· Adding works to grace – Romans 11:6
· As far as justification, faith and works do not go together
· Christ’s provision of salvation can’t be worth anything if you don’t fully trust Him
· Jewish people had a problem with legalism (Romans 9:30-32) – no true righteousness because they were seeking self-righteousness
§ You ignore Christ’s gracious work, if you trust in any self-work
Ø Verse 3 – For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
§ “who is circumcised” – let himself be…, gives in to this teaching
§ “testify” – strong protest
§ “again” – restatement, either vs. 2 or previous
o You Are Required to Keep the Whole Law (v. 3)
§ Stated
· Refusing to accept God’s grace requires keeping the entire law
· That’s impossible
§ Supported
· James 2:10
· Galatians 3:10
Ø Verse 4 – Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
o You Are Fallen from Grace (v. 4)
§ The principle analyzed
· Does this complicate the doctrine of eternal security
o Not related to security
o It is contrasting law and grace
§ If you are going to put yourself under the law, Christ can be of no help to you
§ You are fallen from living by faith/grace
§ The principle applied – here Paul is not making particular application, but…
· To apostates – someone understands what Christ has done, yet depends on works is lost
· To Christians – can a Christian fall from grace?
o Yes, in a sense…
§ Saved by grace, are to live by grace
§ God’s free favor on our behalf
§ God’s blessing comes when we yield to the Spirit
§ When we operate in the flesh, we’ve fallen from grace
o A person can be saved and not grow in grace (2 Peter 3:18)
§ If we are told to do something that implies that not all Christians will
§ Refusing the grace of sanctification does not forfeit the grace of justification
§ Process of sanctification can be retarded by living in the flesh (and striving in the flesh)
Ø For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
o You Are Excluded from Righteousness
(vv. 5-6, Romans 9:30-32)
§ The expectation of the future (v. 5) “For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.”
· The promise of glorification
o Contrast with those that work for their own righteousness now
o Although we are counted righteous, there’s an aspect that we wait for
o 1 John 3:2; Romans 8:19, 21
· The Proof of Grace
o “Spirit” – righteousness by law is fleshly, not from the Spirit
o “Wait” – not work, but wait
o “Faith” – faith, not works
§ The effectiveness of faith (v. 6)
· The external shortcoming (v. 6a)
o The ritual means nothing, done it or not, it “availeth nothing”
o Only grace and faith matter
o Corinthians – 1 Corinthians 8:8
· The internal solution (v. 6b)
o Explained
§ A faith that works
§ Not a work that gains
§ We work because of love, not because of “necessity”
o Exemplified – love motivates internally rather than just prohibiting the external – Jesus’ Sermon on Mount
§ Kill
§ Steal
§ Lie
o Expressed
§ Galatians 5:14 – a person who loves his neighbor will not covet his things, etc.
§ Romans 13:8-9 – love is the fulfilling of the law
§ Romans 8:4 – fulfill law by walking after Spirit, not following rules, laws, externals
Conclusion
o Living by legalism (externals) results in
§ Christ profiting nothing
§ Obligation to the WHOLE law
§ Falling from grace
§ Exclusion from righteousness
o All the work that a man can do will stay here on this earth. None of it carries any weight in heaven. Only grace and faith are effective there.
§ Entrance to heaven must be by grace through faith
§ Rewards in heaven must be by grace through faith
You Think Too Much! 