No wonder they, the Bible scholars, call the little Epistle of Galatians a “polemic.” The Greek noun “polemos” means “war,” in fact!
And in those six chapters, Galatians, Paul is indeed “at war,” spiritually. Theologically too, defending the faith which was delivered to him years earlier. Back when Paul was “saved” by the … yes … the marvelous GRACE of GOD!
Paul is opposing certain men (likely from Jerusalem) who have infiltrated his Galatian Churches, wrongly teaching that the Law of Moses saves lost souls! Or that the Law of Moses helps save souls! Or that obeying the Law keeps one saved, maintains “in God’s good graces!”
“No, no, no,” says Paul!
“But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” Galatians 3:11, today’s Lesson, this Thursday morning’s Bible Text.
It was “evident” to Paul!
But apparently not so much to many (perhaps even young Believers in Jesus) … souls who lived in Antioch and Lystra and Iconium and Derbe! (The cities of Galatia Paul visited, at least we know of these.)
The adjective “evident” is “delos” in Greek. It means “clear,” as in not cloudy! Apparent! Obvious!
The qualifier “no man” is spelled “oudeis” in Greek, meaning “not a one!” It is translated “none” 27 times in the New Testament, King James Version. No exceptions!
“Justified” essentially means “made right with God, in His Eyes!” We would say “born-again, washed in the Blood!”
“By” the law, by the commandments of Moses, found in the Books of Genesis through Deuteronomy, 613 laws the old Rabbis say … translates “en” in Greek, a preposition usually meaning “in, on, at, near, by, before, among!” Immersed in the law! Obsessed with the law! (As were these dangerous “visitors” from Jerusalem!)
What I DO can not save my soul from Hell!
Only What JESUS DID can save me from Hell!
In the “sight” in God utilizes another preposition, “para,” meaning right “beside” God! Virtually “in His Presence!” Before His very Eyes!
Then Paul quotes that glorious maxim: “The just shall live by faith.” (So very fundamental and essential a Truth that it must occupy all our time tomorrow, in the Lesson, Lord willing!)
Still for today though … that is HOW a man or woman is saved … “by faith!”
And the little preposition used here, “with,” is a translation of “ek” in Greek! (This is certainly a “preposition empowered” verse, Galatians 3:11!) And “ek” means? “Out of “ Grace (an inexhaustible Supply!)! “From” as in “from the source of” Grace! And a total of 55 times in the New Testament, “by” Grace! That is “by means of” Grace!
Not law!
GRACE!
No wonder we sing about It so much!
Ever heard of a John Newton song named “Amazing Grace?”
Zechariah 4:7 comes to mind: “He shall bring forth the Headstone (a Type of Jesus, I believe) thereof with shoutings, crying, GRACE, GRACE unto it.”
Shouting “GRACE!”
Crying “GRACE!”
Maybe even singing “GRACE!”
I suspect, for all eternity!
Praise the Lord!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell