Today our Bible focus (part of our “journey” through Paul’s Epistle to the Churches of Galatia) centers on an amazing little verse about “faith.”
“But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. “ Galatians 3:22
I this morning see several “golden nuggets” in this amazing Sentence. Let’s enjoy them together. (The Writer of Psalm 119:72 agrees, praying: “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.)
Paul here calls the Bible (including the New Testament, perhaps including his own previous Letters) “Scripture.” Does this maybe suggest Paul KNEW, at the very moment he was penning Galatians chapters 1 and 2 and 3 … that his Notes were Holy Spirit Inspired? I personally believe so.
The Greek noun “scripture” is “graphe,” and is used 51 times in the New Testament. It simply means “writing.” Thus it must have been a special WRITING, unique and (again, I believe) inerrant! In fact, the Greek Text also places a limiting “the” (spelled “ho”) in front of this noun, “ho graphe,” setting it aside from anything else ever having been written! A One-Of-A-Kind “Scripture!” (Jesus earlier used the term “scripture” for the Word of God as well. Paul has good precedent here!)
Then Paul next “personalizes” the Bible, “But the scripture hath concluded ….”
This verb is “sugkleio,” used only four times in the Bible! And its root, “kleio” means “to shut up, to imprison, to obstruct liberty!” Another source says “to shut up on all sides,” as fishes in a net.
Scripture has “caught” us!
Has found us all to be sinners!
Paul again: “The Scripture hath concluded all under sin.” Where “under” is the preposition “hupo,” we are “of” sin, that very “tainted!” We are all “under” its heavy load, its burden! (A total of 48 times “hupo” means, is translated “under” in the King James New Testament.)
“Sin” is here (as usual) “hamartia,” used this way 172 times in Scripture. “Missing out” on God’s Grace, Glory, Salvation!” Actually “falling short!”
And just WHY does the Bible insist we are all sinners?
“That” … is a pronoun here meaning … Paul is making a conclusion! It is introducing “a statement of purpose” clause. Here is why we must KNOW we are sinners. “… that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” The rest of our Text, Galatians 3:22.
Yes, God “promises” eternal life/salvation to everyone who “believes!”
And Paul calls this precious Truth, Availability, Gift … “the promise by faith of Jesus Christ!” The noun “promise” is associated with the idea of an “announcement!” I’d call it “good news,” the very “Gospel!” The little preposition “by” is “ek,” meaning “out of,” Jesus being the Source/Object of our faith. And here is the Bible idea of believing “on” Jesus, “ek” being translated “on” 34 times in the New Testament.
And this Promise (this Gospel) is “given” to anyone who believes! (” … that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. “) The verb “didomai” (might be given) is here framed as a subjunctive, meaning God wills it so, wants it to be so, desires men to so believe in Jesus! (“The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9)
Wow!
Yes, because of Jesus’ vicarious Death on the Cross of Calvary … God can “give” eternal life to those who believe, John 3:16 being a prime “proof” Text now.
“Believe,” what a Bible word!
“Pisteuo,” meaning “to think something to be true!” To trust and accept as fact! To rely on the words of a person!
We are all sinners … who need Jesus!
Who need Jesus’ Righteousness … Which can be appropriated, imputed to the lost (the whole world) … by simple faith in Christ the Son of God!
Wow!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell