Paul is frustrated!
He is such a staunch defender of the Gospel of the Grace of God!
And his congregations (plural, in several cities) in the area of Galatia have been duped into accepting (or are on the verge of doing so) the Law of Moses as an adjunct (integral companion, vital aid) to salvation!
“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” … the great Apostle writes to his converts, asks of them. In Galatians 3:3.
The adjective “foolish” (in Greek “anoetos”) means “not thinking.” It is not an accusation of immorality or filthiness as it often is in the Old Testament. Once in the King James New Testament it is even translated “unwise.”
But Paul here intensifies the “foolishness” question by adding the adverb “so.” Furthermore, “houtos” is here placed at the head of the sentence, its very first word! This gives it even more gravitas in Greek! More weight!
Then Paul admits something. In his heart he must have believed that the Galatians were genuinely saved! He gives them this much: “… having begun in the Spirit ….” employing the root verb “archo” … from the very first of their Christian lives. In other words, the HOLY SPIRIT birthed them into the family of God!
(Elsewhere in the Epistle to the Galatians Paul seems to have begun wondering if many of the believers there in Galatia were really born-again! “I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; FOR I STAND IN DOUBT OF YOU.” Galatians 4:20)
Wow!
Sounds like Paul is sure of this fact! THE HOLY SPIRIT (THE GODHEAD) WHO SAVED US … YES, HE IS GOD … IS NOT GOING TO LATER TURN US OVER TO MOSES, TO THE LAW, TO HELP US GROW IN CHRIST JESUS!
We Christians (of course) do not mock the Law, but it is not our rule of thumb either. The Holy Spirit is our Law … since we have come to Christ! (In Romans 8:2 Paul actually mentions “the LAW of the SPIRIT OF LIFE” … that’s Him!)
Back to our Text, its last clause: “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, ARE YE NOW MADE PERFECT BY THE FLESH?”
Astounding logic!
Paul now equates the Law, Moses’ alone, with the “flesh!”
Because the Law puts emphasis on the externals … shows on the outside, human behavior. That’s how Pharisee-ism became so dangerous! In the area of the flesh!
But the Holy Spirit puts emphasis on the inside! The human heart! And NOT primarily the flesh!
“Are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”
The verb “made perfect” is “epiteleo.” Meaning “having come to maturity!” Having “accomplished one’s goal!” Or just “finished, accomplished, performed!”
The question, as asked, obviously begs for a negative answer!
No … only the Same Holy Spirit Who put us into the family of God, by Grace through faith … can make us perfect, “mature” us, in the things of God!
Is the Law bad?
Paul is not saying such.
But the Law cannot saved a lost soul.
And the Law cannot bring to maturity a fledgling Christian either!
I guess this Saturday morning in May we had best be praising God for His “Amazing Grace!”
This Saturday morning, May 26, 2018 … my 72nd Birthday in fact!
The Holy Spirit, God in us!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell