“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14
Paul the Apostle is NOT a man much given to “glorying,” a Greek verb (“kauchaomai”) meaning “to boast, to brag” and 5 times in the New Testament “to rejoice” in something.
Now this does NOT mean Paul was a *dour, sad man either! His Letter to the Philippians uses the words “joy” or “rejoice” nearly 20 times. I just counted! It is called by some Preachers “the Joy Book” of the Bible! (* In Latin “durus” means “hard!”)
Still, Paul was not a braggart.
A few times in his life he was (he felt) forced into defending the very authenticity of his ministry. This apologetic move he called “boasting” or “glorying” a time or two. Still, this great man was not a self-centered Christian, an oxymoron really.
So he writes in today’s Text, today’s Verse: “But God forbid that I should glory …” (Again, Galatians 6:14, but only its first clause, using the aforementioned “kauchaomai.”)
In the previous verse (our last lesson) Paul had described some false teachers who constantly bragged on themselves, their “good works” in following the Law of Moses, especially in being their being “circumcised.” And in how many others (Gentiles, Galatians) they had persuaded to be circumcised as well.
Not Paul! “I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius. Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.” 1 Corinthians 1:14-16, no heedless “numbering/bragging” here! Nothing mattered to him as much as salvation by Grace!
But our Text today adds another line … “But God forbid that I should glory, save (except) in the CROSS of our Lord Jesus Christ …” What a statement!
Paul will not brag about circumcisions, or baptisms or converts or successes (of any kind) … not normally. But HE WILL UNASHAMEDLY BOAST in the things of the Cross of Calvary! Where Jesus died to save us old, lost sinners!
And Oh, did Paul consistently follow that conviction in his writing!
Dozens of times!
In Romans 5:10 … “We were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.” Soul Salvation through the old rugged Cross!
In 1 Corinthians 1:17 he mentions the “power” (literally the “fulness”) of the Cross of Christ! “Lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” (Be made “empty!”)
Here’s one of Paul’s homiletics lessons: “But we preach Christ crucified ….” 1 Corinthians 1:23, always his main Theme!
Elsewhere in the Pauline Corpus: “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”
Paul will rather be a “friend” of the Cross, not an enemy! “Of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.” Philippians 3:18
Paul bragged about the miraculous Peace we enjoy, because of the Cross! “Having made peace through the blood of his cross.” Colossians 1:20
Look at what Paul says Jesus did to our sins, the whole lot of them! “Blotting out (erasing) the handwriting of ordinances (debts, sins) that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” Colossians again, 2:14 this time.
How’s this for glorying in the Cross? “Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
Over and over again … Paul is a preacher of the Cross!
And all I can write is HALLELUJAH!
Glory to God!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
No wonder we sing and rejoice about Calvary like we do! Think of you favorite Cross Song today … and hum it throughout the morning!