Finally, we’re beginning chapter 5 of the Epistle to the Galatians!

Paul the Apostle to his converts in Galatia: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

The first word of this verse, insofar as the Greek Text is concerned (the Textus Receptus, the Source the King James Translators employed), is “liberty,” actually “the liberty!” 

And that word is the Theme of the whole Epistle of Galatians, our “liberty” in Christ Jesus! Apparently this “liberty” is a gift from Christ Jesus our Lord, part of our very soul salvation!

In fact, “liberty” (in Greek “eleutheria,” certainly implying “not a slave” … but built on the root verb “erchomai, meaning “to come” with impunity, without restraint) occurs twice in our verse, our Text today. Both as a noun, then almost immediately as a verb!

The command (an imperative, both in English and in Greek) “stand fast” is “steko,” a derivative of “histemi,” invariably meaning “to persist, to persevere.”

Galatians, practice your liberty in Jesus!

Galatians, enjoy your liberty in Jesus!

But Galatians, do not abuse your liberty in Jesus!

Then our verse contains an explicit warning as well: “… and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

This verb “be (not) entangled” is the simple “enecho,” do not get “tied up” or “held down” by this “yoke,” whatever it is!

“Again” (an adverb) … shows clearly they once were  in such bondage, when sinners! Prior to the Apostle Paul’s arrival in their area.

Except long ago the Galatians were in bondage to Satan, idol worship and such.

And now (as Paul writes) they are in danger of being in bondage to Moses, as some sort of quasi-saviour or mediator!

The noun used here for “bondage” is “douleia,” the state of abject slavery!

Free, in Jesus!

Hallelujah!

But, as we shall see soon (in chapter 5 of Galatians), one’s liberty in Christ is a fragile gift. It must not be misused!

It must be lived in the light of the Good Holy Spirit of God!

But, as they say, more about that tomorrow, the Lord willing.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

The Doctor’s visit so early yesterday morning involved having my eyes dilated. I actually had not anticipated that. (In addition, this week’s Revival is an hour away, although a lovely drive. Plus … study time is always involved in these Meetings! Time I enjoy, by the way!)  So the scheduled Lesson from Galatians 4:31 was not written as promised.  Until now …

It is the last verse in Galatians chapter 4. It is also the last verse in Paul’s “parable” (“allegory” many texts call it) taken from the Old Testament lives of Hagar and Sarah.

“So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.” Again, for the sake of clarity, Galatians 4:31.

The opening words of the verse, “so then,” prove that Paul is drawing a conclusion, based on his 11 verse “illustration.” Spelled “ara” in Greek, this little particle in the first word in the Greek Text as well. Thus it is quite significant in Paul’s argument.

This too … Paul is still recognizing the Galatians as fellow believers in Jesus. “Brethren” he here calls them. A time or two in Galatians he has already doubted the authenticity of their faith! As in Galatians 4:20, if you recall. “I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in DOUBT of you.”

Wow!

Then look at the little pronoun “we.” Paul here uses the first person plural of “eimi,” the Greek verb “to be.” Indicative mood, active voice too. He is including himself (and his traveling companions) in this “group” of “brethren.” A pretty good crowd (not numerically, but spiritually) … and certainly sincere followers of Jesus!

The adverb “not” is important too. It is sometimes called the “absolute” negative, no exceptions! “Ou” or “ouk” in Greek.

Then the  noun “children.” Not “huios” as Paul might have used, but “teknon.” A child who needs some “fine-tuning!” Some “discipline” along the way! And the whole Epistle of Galatians is such a “whipping” in many ways!

“So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.”

“Bondwoman,” indicating Hagar the slave wife (“handmaid”) of Abraham is “paidiske” in Greek, actually indicating a “young girl.” But in this context, one who has been bought and utilized as a servant, a slave. One whom Paul has here typified (symbolized) as being under the law!

As opposed to the “free” woman, that being Sarah. The lady who bore Isaac to Abraham! The promised child, the miraculous child. The child who was not under the law, not a slave, who was “born free!” In Greek “eleutheros” (translated “free”) means “unrestrained.” Once in the New Testament, “at liberty!”

Real Christians are not under the Law (of Moses) … not in the sense of it being a means to salvation! Nor in the sense of it being a catalyst in “staying” saved, either!

We are indeed, instead, born of the Holy Spirit!

And … “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

This week we are in Revival (through Wednesday night) at Berryton Baptist Church in Summerville, Georgia. About an hour south of where we live.

“So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.” So wrote Paul, illustrated Paul, in Galatians 4:31.

Commentary on this verse (the Lord willing) will be written later today, when I return from an early appointment with an eye doctor.

Then tomorrow we shall begin discussing Galatians chapter 5, verse by verse.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Paul’s Churches (simply so called because he was the one who first told them of Jesus, led them to salvation) in Galatia are being “threatened!” By some (intruders) who deny the Grace of God and would turn these immature Believers in Jesus into disciples of Moses instead!

Therefore, to illustrate the “folly” of such an abdication, Paul tells a story, a Bible Story! About Abraham and his two wives, Hagar and Sarah. About their boys, Ishmael and Isaac. A Story about slavery (Hagar and Ishmael) and freedom (Isaac and Sarah).

The two sons could NOT get along, could not live in harmony, could not peacefully coexist!

Paul’s solution, yet he is really quoting Scripture. Today’s Text as well: “Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” Galatians 4:30, an echo of Genesis 21:10.

Genesis 21:10, where Sarah told Abraham: “Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.”

Wow!

The Greek for “cast out,” spelled “ekballo,” means “to throw out, to drive out, to kick out!” As a single (historical) act here, do it once for all!

The Hebrew verb “cast out” translates “garash,” and is demonstrably stronger in intensity! (Sarah is serious here!) In the King James Version it is even translated “divorce” a couple of times!

Why so dramatic?

Because it deals with the “inheritance!”

Look again! “Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be HEIR with the son of the freewoman.”

God’s Bounty (soul Salvation included) does not go to the person who adheres to human works (slavery)! Think Hagar and Ishmael here.

Rather, it is “given” (not “earned”) to the person who trusts Jesus by faith, hence called a Matter of “promise!” Think Isaac and Sarah here!

“Heirs of salvation!” (See Hebrews 4:14 for this exact string of words, clearly meaning “born again people.”)

Wow!

Paul is quite near (if not already past) the point of saying to these staggering Galatians congregations (yes, plural, several local Churches) …

GET RID OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE PREACHING WORKS FOR SALVATION!

KICK THEM OUT!

BREAK FELLOWSHIP WITH THEM!

SENT THEM PACKING, BACK TO JERSUALEM, OR WHEREVER THEY LIVE!

Restore peace to you hearts!

Oh, how this reminds me of Proverbs 22:10. “Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.”

Wow!

Doctrinal differences on major issues (and nothing is more critical than one’s soul, his or her very eternal salvation) needs to be addressed!

And the heretics dismissed!

“A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition REJECT; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” Titus 3:10-11, literally something like: “Ask him to quit walking by your side!”

Paul the “purist,” the New Testament preacher of the Grace of God!

How grateful we should be for this man and his ministry!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Paul could even go THIS FAR, when separation from harm (sin) was involved: “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; WITH SUCH AN ONE NO, NOT TO EAT.” 1 Corinthians 5:11. do not even have a meal with them!

Think about it.

 

Today, as we are now well into the illustration/story/allegory of Ishmael and Isaac … Paul writes: “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.” Galatians 4:29

Ishmael literally “mocked” Isaac, often it appears, when the latter was just a boy! “And the child (Isaac) grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned. And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, MOCKING (meaning “laughing at, making fun of,” in the PIEL, “very energetic, aggressive” Hebrew stem of verbs).” Genesis 21:8-9

So Paul lets this Hebrew verb “mocking” be changed/translated into “persecuting” in the New Testament. And he does so guided by the omniscient, inspiring Holy Spirit, mind you. (The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible, in many ways!)

By the way, Paul has this very Old Testament Text (Genesis 21:8-9) in mind as he writes Galatians 4:29. How do I know? Come back and read tomorrow’s Lesson, the Lord willing. In Verse 30 of Galatians 4, Paul quotes parts of Genesis 21, nearly word for word!

“But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.” Back to Galatians 4:29. 

In olden days, Ishmael persecuted Isaac, the child of slavery persecuted the free-born child! The “Spirit” born child! As opposed to the fleshly born child!

This verb “persecuted” is “dioko,” meaning “to chase after” a person, in order “to do him or her harm!” (The grammatical idea is “to put to” flight” an enemy.) One would have expected “dioko” here to be an aorist verb, but not so, “completed action! Rather, it’s an “imperfect verb,” a technical Greek way of saying this persecution … once started, continued on and on! 

Then Paul (quite appropriately) adds … “even so it is now.”

Paul the Apostle was then, the very second he was writing these lines, being persecuted by Ishmael’s crowd! By the Jews who loved slavery to the Law!

Heretics!

Like these: “Certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, EXCEPT YE BE CIRCUMCISED after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.” Acts 15:1, adding to God’s Plan of Salvation by Grace, Salvation as a Gift! As a Blessing that cannot be earned by human works!

Much of Paul’s life he was “dogged” by these (true) legalists! 

In fact, they inadvertently contributed to Paul’s (first) Romans imprisonment anyway!

They hated the Apostle with a passion!

The “salvation by works” people (even in our “modern” 21st century) still can’t stand us “salvation by Grace” folks, either!

But (thank God) Paul was willing to suffer for, to fight, and to defend the marvelous saving Power of God’s amazing Grace!

And all of us should be thankful!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell