It’s Paul’s main (life) message, specifically to the Gentiles! (Though Gentiles are Jews are saved the same way!) And today’s Bible Text expresses that message perfectly, Galatians 3:26. (Galatians chapter 3 only has 29 verses. So early next week we will segue into chapter 4, with its 31 verses. Chapter 4 is also one of the main reasons I wanted to share this Galatians Series with you dear students, readers. Its classical “word pictures!”)
Anyway, that main message now: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26
Wow!
“Children of God!”
The noun used here is “huios,” which I think is the highest (in dignity and honor) word for “son” or “child” in the koine (belonging to the common man) Greek language. The other option, teknon,” does not have the “gravitas” of sonship that “huios” carries, again in my opinion. Oh, what “sonship” Paul has in mind here. It’s nearly ineffable: “Because ye are sons (huios, plural), God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son (Huios, singular) into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
Thrilling!
What an honor …”children” of God! (By the miracle of the new birth! By Holy Spirit adoption as well!)
And Paul makes this astounding statement to … half the Galatians?
Less than half?
To a mere remnant, say 10% of the little Church there?
No!
“For ye are ALL the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
Elsewhere in the Epistle, Paul “doubts” the salvation of these (or at least some of these) people! For example: “I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.” Or even stronger: “I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.” I’ve here used both Galatians 4:11 and 4:20.
Confused?
Maybe Paul is boldly saying that ALL people (anywhere) who have placed faith in Jesus as Saviour are born-again! Not simply that ALL the Galatians in his Churches there are saved. Still, it looks to me like Paul wants to believe their salvation stories! Pauline optimism, one might call it! (Though their unnecessary wavering on the Law of Moses worries him deeply!)
But the most important issue in today’s Text is this … HOW one becomes a child of God! “For ye are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
“By faith!”
In Greek, “dia pistis.” With “dia” being a preposition suggesting “agency.” It means “through” faith! Or “by means of” faith! Faith is the gracious “vehicle” through which man comes to God! Having been drawn of the Holy Spirit.
One by faith “believes unto salvation!” Romans 10:10 … “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Yes!
And “pistis,” here translated “faith?” It means “belief.” Or even “confidence.” Accepting someone’s word as truth! Relying on that “trust” as a standard of behavior, believing that deeply!
And that, friends, is how a man or woman is saved!
If … that faith is placed in Jesus Christ, God’s Son! As in … “Believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31
Hallelujah!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell