For Paul, “Christ had become the Sole Meaning of life!” That’s an indirect quote from a Bible Teacher of years ago. Something I read earlier this morning.
Proof?
“I live by the faith of the Son of God …” Galatians 2:20, Paul’s testimony! The impetus to Paul’s amazing biography!
The verb “live” (in Greek “zao,” life at its most meaningful, at its best, abundant life) Paul uses here means “living day by day.” An ongoing life, year after year! Until Jesus calls him home! (Indicative mood, present tense, active voice!)
Paul was faithful in pursuing this specific kind of life!
And the “Son of God?”
That’s Paul’s name for Jesus!
The Pristine, Dignified, Genuine, Only-Begotten Son of God!
One could as correctly say “God The Son!”
Paul lives “for Jesus’ Sake!”
But now look, a prepositional phrase … “by the faith” of the Son of God. Actually this is the first of two key prepositional phrases in this clause!
“By” here translates “en,” which (when used with a dative case object, as here) … means as well as “by” … “in, on, at, among, near,” and such. This is again the idea of our being placed “in” Jesus once we trust Him as our Saviour! Baptized as it were … into Christ our Lord!
Living daily, momentarily … “in” the faith of Jesus!
Wow!
Phrase number two employs no preposition at all (not in Greek). “The faith OF THE SON OF GOD!” (The “of” being supplied by the case of the following noun.)
This specific turn of words is called a “string” and (again) means (it is used more than once by Paul, this grouping of words, at least 4 times I can find) … one of two things.
Possibly … simply believing in Jesus! Placing (my sincere) faith in Him as God’s Sin Bearer on my behalf! This is true, no doubt. And is parallel with Paul’s other “How-to-be-Saved” Texts!
Alternatively (maybe even additionally) … and equally possible grammatically … by utilizing the perfect “Faith” that belongs to the “Son of God!”
Yes, “huios ho Theos” (Greek for “Son of The God”) is written in the Genitive Case! That suggests that Jesus OWNS the faith that has saved my soul!
More … that Jesus’ Very Own FAITH (here His Faithfulness too, His heroic endurance on Calvary, His absolutely sinless Life, etc.) is the basis for Paul’s beautifully consistent Christian life!
Wow!
What “secrets” of godly behavior are wrapped up in today’s Text!
“I live by the faith of the Son of God …”
Ponder these thoughts today.
Re-read the Lesson, if need be.
Belief in Jesus!
In His Shed Blood!
In His Spotless Life!
In His Integrity!
In His Utter FAITHFULNESS to His Father’s Plan, Will!
Jesus … in Galatians … even more FAIUTHFUL than Moses!
Hebrews 3:1-3 … “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, CHRIST JESUS; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted WORTHY OF MORE GLORY THAN MOSES, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.”
Amen!