Galatians 5:25 is our Text today, the Focus of our Lesson. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” And it is an amazingly interesting piece of Information!

The opening “if” (in Greek just “ei”) serves as a conjunction, linking our Verse with the previous Material, especially verse 24, but maybe even with verses 22-24. “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” (Yesterday’s Lesson, which is handily archived for you.)

The first Line here in our verse (“If we live in the Spirit …”) is framed as a “first-class condition,” in Greek grammar. That means “If … and the supposition is true!” This is NOT and “if” of doubt! It is an “if” that carries the weight of  “since!” As in … “SINCE we live in the Spirit …” 

If a man or woman is truly saved, he or she IS living “in the Spirit.” Or at least … the Holy Spirit is living IN him or her! (Romans 8:9 is my “proof” Text … “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.”)

The verb “live” in the clause “If we live in the Spirit” is “zao,” an indicative verb (stating a REAL condition of life) written in the present tense, an ongoing situation, “durative” the scholars call it. This “living in the Spirit” is a habitual way of life for the Believer in Jesus. Day in and day out! The Holy Spirit is our Companion, never leaving us!

The apparent (in English) preposition “in” is expressed by the “case” of the noun “Spirit.” And that would be the “dative” case. It means not only “in” the Spirit,” but also “to” the Spirit and “for” the Spirit!

One quaint way of saying it, “all wrapped up” in the Spirit!

Now, to consider the rest of our (short) verse … “let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Here our verb (“let walk”) is written in the “subjunctive” case! This expresses a “goal” or a “desire” or an “optimum situation!” It is Paul’s “wish” for the Galatian Christians!

SINCE (declarative mood) we are already “LIVING” in the Spirit … WE OUGHT therefore (subjunctive mood) to be also “WALKING” in the Spirit!

But here the verb “walk” is a surprise! It is not “peripateo” as used by Paul back in Galatians 5:16 (“This I say then, WALK in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”) It is instead “stoicheo,” literally meaning “to proceed in a row, to go in order,” even “to march as a soldier!” (As in “ABC” order. Or as in “1,2,3” order! Systematically, almost as if “following a list!”)

Wow!

Precisely (explicitly, minutely) following the Holy Spirit, walking in Him! 

This Verse is really loaded!

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Then too, it is beautiful in structure, perfectly balanced! In Greek it looks like this:

Verb … Noun … Noun … Verb!

Or as they say … an “A B B A”  pattern!

Here’s the “key” to the victorious Christian life … in a very poetical Line of Scripture!

Ponder this today.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

In Galatians 5:24 Paul writes an amazing statement. From a number of angles, amazing!

Here’s the Verse … “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” This is indeed a statement of truth, one without doubt … the Greek verb translated “have crucified” being in the indicative mood, not the subjunctive. (The subjunctive expresses a wish or desire, whereas the indicative a plan FACT!)

The two terms “affections” and “lusts” are synonyms. “Pathema” (much like our word “passion”) and “epithumia” (burning hot desires) are strong descriptors! 

And the “flesh?” Paul here does not merely mean the human body in the  sense of hands and feet and ears. He does mean the “flesh” as a human tendency opposed to the “spirit,” really lethargic toward the “Holy Spirit” of God. Our “old sin nature,” one Preacher expresses it.

And since “crucified” is an aorist verb (one form of “stauroo”), Paul views this crucifixion as a past event, something finished, perhaps even at the moment of salvation! Or at least here he does so.

Though it is also true in Galatians 2:20 (but this time a perfect tense verb) … “I am crucified with Christ.” Something that happened in the past, but with continuing daily results in one’s life! Praise the Lord for this!

I am just seeing, noticing … Paul never uses the “crucify” verb in the present tense! Though he uses the “mortify” verb that way twice, in Romans 8:13 and Colossians 3:5. (One example of the two … “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”) Mortify means “put to death!”

Maybe I am splitting hairs this morning, but I’m learning things too!

The Bible, what a Book! “Exceeding broad” says Psalm 119:96 of Scripture!

Now to the main “point” of the Lesson. Just his line …

“They that are Christ’s!”

He (Paul) means those of us who are saved!

The noun “Christos” (“Christ” in English, in our Text) means “anointed one,” or “Messiah!” That is Jesus our Lord, folks.

But here the Title is framed as a genitive (masculine) … indicating possession! 

We belong to Him, to Jesus! He has “bought” us! “Redeemed” us! “Made us His!”

No wonder we live as He directs!

As His Spirit leads!

Here’s Paul full rationale on this theme: “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and YE ARE NOT YOUR OWN? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your BODY, and in your SPIRIT, which are GOD’S.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, life changing!

If you once realize you belong to Jesus … that fact alone will affect how you live!

His Mark, His Seal is on you, Christian friend!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Thrilled today!

 

After Paul’s enumeration of these multifaceted traits called the “Fruit of the Spirit,” he adds a singly (nearly cryptic) line: “Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:23b

What does this mean?

The pronoun “such” is neuter in gender, clearly signifying that Paul is now speaking of these “things,” his now famous nine-fold “list” (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance).

In fact, “toioutos” (in our King James Bible “such”) is a demonstrative pronoun, THESE things! No doubt now, there is no law against love or joy or peace! 

Whoever herd of legislating longsuffering or gentleness?

“Against” is the preposition “kata,” here meaning “in reference to,” or “for the purpose of.” Moses and the Law cannot “touch” the quality and abundance and magnanimity of the Holy Spirit’s “Fruit” in human lives, in saved people.

There “is” no law, a verb in the indicative mood and in the present tense! No law will exist against it … perpetually! However long you live, you can proclaim that right “now” there is no law against the Work of the Holy Spirit!” (No legitimate law, anyway.)

But there may be more here.

“Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:23b

The Law will never “hound/oppose” any genuine manifestation the Fruit of the Spirit … because in reality the “Fruit of the Spirit” completes, fulfills, satisfies, demonstrates the goal(s) of the Law! Following God’s Plan precisely in life on earth! 

The Law cannot bring us complete spiritual victory!

The Holy Spirit can.

The Law cannot reproduce godliness in us!

Not to the extent the Holy Spirit can … and does.

Then one more thought.

The Law is given to “restrain.” That is why there are so many negatives housed therein. Remember this, just a sample: “Thou shalt NOT kill. Thou shalt NOT commit adultery. Thou shalt NOT steal. Thou shalt NOT bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt NOT covet.” Exodus 20:13-17 … things NOT allowed, prohibitions!

But the “Fruit of the Spirit?” No restraint here! To any overflowing capacity, you may build these traits into your lives! More and more and more … to your heart’s desire … have all you want! Love and joy and peace, and longsuffering and gentleness and goodness and faith and meekness and temperance!!!

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Romans 8:4 is Paul’s divinely inspired (and succinct) encapsulation of today’s Text: “That the righteousness of the LAW might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the (Holy) SPIRIT.

Amen!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, TEMPERANCE: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

Finally (some of you are no doubt thinking) we have come to the last of the nine-fold “Fruit of the Spirit” list. Yes, “temperance,” an old fashioned word for sure!

It is a unique blend of one little preposition (“en” in Greek) and one basic noun (“kratos”). One of the Greek words for “power, might, strength,” that’s “kratos.”

The whole word, “egkrateia.” Pronounced eng-krat’-i-a. Literally meaning “inner strength!”

I can save us a lot of time this morning. This word presents us with the basic concept of “self-control!” 

Isn’t this amazing?

God gives us self-control!

We can’t even (properly and spiritually) develop that by ourselves!

Wow!

This “temperance” word is only used (as a noun) 4 times in the New Testament. By Luke (Acts 24:25) then by Paul (here in Galatians 5:23) and later by Peter (2 Peter 1:6). In each case it houses the idea of, as I just said, “self-control!”

Somehow Paul even preached it to a sinner, to Felix, in that Acts reference, 24:25. And Peter is sure it is one of the major building blocks toward Christian maturity! But our little Apostle here just teaches it as a result of God the Holy Spirit living within us and doing His Work!

Now “egkrateuomai” (the first cousin of “egkrateia”) is a verb! And I can only find it twice in the Bible!

Once deals with man’s ability to control himself sensually. (1 Corinthians 7:9 … “But if they CAN not CONTAIN, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.” Where a man’s Wife, or the institution of marriage, is the answer to all his physical longings.)

The other occasion is Paul’s testimony about being “temperate” in all things! His “preamble” to living a disciplined Christian life! (1 Corinthians 9:25 … “And every man that striveth for the mastery IS TEMPERATE in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” Paul, the spiritual athlete!)

Wow!

Self discipline to follow God as He leads us day by day!

God given strength within each us of, but only as we are as we are filled with the Holy Spirit! As we constantly yield to Him!

Enough said, maybe.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

In Latin, “temperare” means “to restrain! That’s the background for our English word “temperance.” Can you see the self-control in that light? Telling myself NO to certain things, in certain areas of life! Literally being a Christian SOLDIER! Maybe even in boot camp!

 

“Meekness” is NOT weakness!

Although it is sometimes (mis) understood that way.

I’m speaking of “meekness” as a “fruit of the (Holy) Spirit,” of course. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, MEEKNESS, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

The Greek noun is “praotes.” meaning “mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit.” 

Sometimes a word can be studied by contrasting it with its polar opposite. Paul did this in 1st Corinthians 4:21. “What will ye? shall I come unto you with a ROD, or in love, and in the spirit of MEEKNESS?” See the two antithetical choices?

Paul also (later) mentions Jesus as the Paragon of Meekness. Here in 2nd Corinthians 10:1 … “Now I Paul myself beseech you by the MEEKNESS (“praotes”) and gentleness of Christ,” where “meekness” and “gentleness” are clearly parallels.

Again, Galatians 6:1 helps us better understand the word. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of MEEKNESS; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Help the fallen one, but not as a know-it-all, rather as a lowly fellow-traveler! As a “meek” person, Christian.

Apparently, Preachers especially need meekness! “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, MEEKNESS.” 1st Timothy 6:11 (a “Pastoral” Epistle), where the verb “follow” means “to pursue, to chase, to run after!”

Here’s a wonderful goal for the godly leader: “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all MEEKNESS unto all men.” Titus 3:2, toward everybody!

According to James, the only way to really learn God’s Word is to approach it meekly, as hungry people! “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with MEEKNESS the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:21, the exact reference. Here it looks like some sins (“filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness”) will negate one’s desire for meekness.

This too, godly Wisdom does NOT make one proud and vain … “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with MEEKNESS of wisdom.” James 3:13, but instead comes with “meekness, lowliness, humility!”

All this being said, I am not yet satisfied with my “stab” at defining “meekness.”

Let me add one more thought. “Meekness” IS NOT weakness, as I said earlier … but “meekness” IS … “strength under control!” 

As when a big strong man … fully able to defend himself, “yields” sweetly and quietly to the instructions (maybe even the discipline) of an elderly (but wise) old Pastor, who is issuing a word of correction!

Not fighting, though well capable of doing so, but sweetly obeying, giving in, forbearing!

That’s Bible “meekness!”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

In the Greek/Romans world “meekness” was NOT a desirable trait! They actually despised such a person! But once Jesus came … to those who love Him anyway … “meekness” became a virtue!

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I AM MEEK and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Our Lord in Matthew 11:28-29, amazing!