(Gal. 6:16-18) Paul bestows his blessing on those who, he says, “follow this rule” (Gal. 6:16, NIV, NRSV) . Given the context, what “rule” do you think Paul is talking about? The word translated “rule” literally refers to a straight rod or bar used by masons or carpenters for measuring. The word eventually took on a figurative meaning … Continue reading –>
Having emphasized the centrality of the Cross of Christ to the Christian life, Paul now emphasizes the second fundamental tenet of his gospel message: justification by faith. As we have seen all quarter, Paul has basically pitted circumcision against the gospel. Yet, he’s not against the practice itself. Paul has made several strong statements against … Continue reading –>
“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” (Gal. 6:14) . Having exposed the motives that prompted some to insist on circumcision, Paul presents his gospel message to the Galatians one final time, though only … Continue reading –>
Read Galatians 6:12-13. What is Paul saying in these verses? Although Paul has hinted previously about the agenda and motivation of his opponents (see Gal. 1:7, Gal. 4:17), his remarks in Galatians 6:12-13 are the first explicit comments he makes about his opponents. He describes them as wanting “to make a good showing in the flesh” (ESV). The phrase “a good … Continue reading –>
Compare Paul’s closing remarks in Galatians 6:11-18 to the final remarks he makes in his other letters. In what way is the ending of Galatians similar to and different from them? (See the final remarks in Romans, 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians.) Paul’s closing remarks are not always uniform, … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Gal. 6:11-18, Rom. 6:1-6, Rom. 12:1-8, 2 Cor. 4:10, 2 Cor. 5:17, 2 Cor. 11:23-29, Memory Text: “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14, ESV). This study on Galatians has been intense. … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: “The Spirit of God keeps evil under the control of conscience. When man exalts himself above the influence of the Spirit, he reaps a harvest of iniquity. Over such a man the Spirit has less and less influence to restrain him from sowing seeds of disobedience. Warnings have less and less power over … Continue reading –>
(Gal. 6:6-10) In Galatians 6:7, the word translated “mocked” (mukterizo) occurs only here in the New Testament, though it often appears in the Greek translation of the Old Testament. It literally means “to turn up one’s nose in contempt.” In the Old Testament it typically refers to the despising of God’s prophets (2 Chron. 36:16, Jer. 20:7), and … Continue reading –>
(Gal. 6:2-5) Paul connects burden bearing with fulfilling the law of Christ. What does he mean by “the law of Christ”? Gal. 5:14, Gal. 6:2, John 13:34, Matt. 22:34-40. Paul’s use of the phrase “the law of Christ” (ton nomon tou Christou) occurs nowhere else in the Bible, though he uses a similar expression in 1 Corinthians 9:21 (ennomos Christou). The uniqueness of this … Continue reading –>
(Gal. 6:2-5) In addition to restoring the fallen, what other instructions does Paul give to the believers in Galatia? (Gal. 6:2-5; see also Rom. 15:1, Matt. 7:12). The Greek word translated “burden” in Galatians 6:2 is baros. It literally referred to a heavy weight or load that someone had to carry a long distance. Over time, however, it became a metaphor … Continue reading –>
