| Teacher: Rusty Kennedy Series: Galatians (Acts) |
Rusty's Notes | |
Paul uses six different arguments to prove that God saves sinners through faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law.
- Paul quoted from the Law to prove the insignificance of the Law.
- If the Law is now set aside, then his very arguments are worthless, because they are taken from the Law.[2]
Galatians 3
15 Brothers and sisters, I’m using a human illustration. No one sets aside or makes additions to a validated human will.
- Paul was quoting from the Law, now he has to show in his argument that the Law did not change the covenant.
- Once two parties conclude an agreement, a third party cannot come along years later and change that agreement.
- The only persons who can change an original agreement are the persons who made it.
- To add anything to it or take anything from it would be illegal.[3]
- The promise made to Abraham in Genesis 15 was around 2000 BC.
- The Law was given to Moses around 1450 BC, after 430 years of slavery.
16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed.
Genesis 12:1-3 - The Lord said to Abram: Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.[4]
He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed, who is Christ.
- Interesting interpretation of the word “seed here.
- Refers to the “singular seed” vs “plural seed”
- Romans 4:13-18 – Paul refers to “plural seed”
- Paul is showing greater fulfillment of this promise is through Christ rather than biological.
17 My point is this: The law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously established by God and thus cancel the promise.
- The presentation of the Law did not change the promise made between God & Abraham.
- Ratified by God alone because Abraham was asleep when it was presented to him. (Gen 15 – “Came in a vison”)
- This covenant can only be changed by God… It is not based upon us perfecting the Law.
18 For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise; but God has graciously given it to Abraham through the promise.
- Abraham could not revise the covenant.
- Neither could Moses, who was given the Law.
- The law is not, and never was intended to be, the means by which believers experience their inheritance as God’s children.[5]
1 Corinthians 15:56 - The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.[6]
- The law demands, “Do this!” The promise grants, “Accept this!”[7]
THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW
19 Why then was the law given? It was added for the sake of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels by means of a mediator.
- The Law came to:
1) Define sin (Romans 4:15 - because the law produces wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression. [8])
2) Increase sin (Romans 5:20 - The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more[9]
- The Law was temporary – It was after the covenant and ended before the covenant was fulfilled.
- There were no “ifs” in the covenant with Abraham like there was in the Law given to Moses.
- “It was added” – Came in by a side road.
20 Now a mediator is not just for one person alone, but God is one.
- Moses was this mediator.
- The Law needed a “go between person”
- The Law was given to Moses - by God - through angels.
- The Covenant between God & Abraham did not need a mediator.
21 Is the law therefore contrary to God’s promises? Absolutely not! For if the law had been granted with the ability to give life, then righteousness would certainly be on the basis of the law.
- While Law and grace seem to be contrary to one another, if you go deep enough, you will discover that they actually complement one another.
- Think about it… Are Law and Grace opposites?
- The opposite of Law is lawlessness.
- The opposite of Grace is disgrace.
- Why, then, was the Law given?[10]
- If we could attain righteousness but fulfilling the Law, then Christ’s sacrifice on the cross would be pointless.
- It was “worship of the Law” that led Israel into a self-righteous religion of works, the result of which was the rejection of Christ [11]
22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin’s power, so that the promise might be given on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ to those who believe.
- Romans 7:12 - So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good.[12]
- It is here that we see the way that Law and grace cooperate in bringing the lost sinner to Jesus Christ.
- Law shows the sinner his guilt, and grace shows him the forgiveness he can have in Christ.
- The Law is “holy, and just, and good” (Rom. 7:12), but we are unholy, unjust, and bad.
- The Law does not make us sinners; it reveals to us that we already are sinners (see Rom. 3:20).
23 Before this faith came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed. 24 The law, then, was our guardian until Christ, so that we could be justified by faith.
- Eat a powdered donut in one bite.
- Look in the mirror
- Someone else clean their face
- The Law is a mirror that helps us see our “dirty faces” (James 1:22–25)—but you do not wash your face with the mirror!
- It is grace that provides the cleansing through the blood of Jesus Christ (see 1 John 1:7b).[13]
25 But since that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian (tutor), 26 for through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus.
- Highly educated slaves escorted children to and from school. They watched over them through the day.
- Paul was saying they were not born though the Law but were raised up by the Law.
- The Law did not give life to Israel… it regulated life.
- The Judaizers taught that the Law was necessary for life and righteousness.
-Once the child came of age, they no longer needed the guardian.
- The Law has performed its purpose: the Savior has come and the “guardian” is no longer needed.
- It is tragic that the nation of Israel did not recognize their Messiah when He appeared.
- God finally had to destroy the temple and scatter the nation, so that today it is impossible for a devoted Jew to practice the faith of his fathers.
- He has no altar, no priesthood, no sacrifice, no temple, no king (Hosea 3:4).
- All of these have been fulfilled in Christ, so that any man—Jew or Gentile—who trusts Christ becomes a child of God.[14]
SONS AND HEIRS
27 For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.
- Faith in Jesus baptizes us “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27).
- This baptism of the Spirit identifies the believer with Christ and makes him part of His body (1 Cor. 12:12–14).
- Water baptism is an outward picture of this inner work of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 10:44–48).[15]
- To believe in Jesus Christ and water, Jesus Christ and bread and wine, Jesus Christ and church membership, Jesus Christ and anything else is to profane the grace of God and render useless the death of Christ (2:21).[16]
28 There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus.
- The Pharisee would pray each morning, “I thank Thee, God, that I am a Jew, not a Gentile; a man, not a woman; and a freeman, and not a slave.” Yet all these distinctions are removed “in Christ.”[17]
29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.
- Genesis 12:1-3 - The Lord said to Abram:
Go out from your land,
your relatives,
and your father’s house
to the land that I will show you.
2 I will make you into a great nation,
I will bless you,
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt,
and all the peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.[18]
- Your Christian life ought to take on new wonder and meaning as you realize all that you have in Christ.
- And all of this is by grace—not by Law!
- You are an adult son in God’s family, an heir of God.
- Are you drawing on your inheritance?[19]
[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 697). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 701). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 701). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ge 12:1–3). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 3:18). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Co 15:56). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, pp. 249–250). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 4:15). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 5:20). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 702). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[11] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 702). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[12] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 7:12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[13] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 703). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[14] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 703). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[15] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 704). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[16] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 277). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[17] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 704). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[18] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ge 12:1–3). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[19] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 704). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
- He begins with the personal argument (Gal. 3:1–5) in which he asks the Galatians to recall their personal experience with Christ when they were saved.
- Then he moves into the scriptural argument (Gal. 3:6–14), in which he quotes six Old Testament passages to prove his point.
- In the logical argument (Gal. 3:15–29) he reasons with his readers on the basis of what a covenant is and how a covenant works.
- He then presents the historical argument (Gal. 4:1–11), explaining the place of Law in the history of Israel.
- At this point, Paul’s love for his converts comes to the surface. The result is a sentimental argument (Gal. 4:12–18) as the apostle appeals to them to remember his love and their happy relationship in days past.
- But then Paul goes right back to his close reasoning, and concludes with the allegorical argument (Gal. 4:19–31), based on the life of Abraham and his relationships with Sarah and Hagar.
- Practical application of his doctrinal argument follows in the last two chapters.[1]
- Paul quoted from the Law to prove the insignificance of the Law.
- If the Law is now set aside, then his very arguments are worthless, because they are taken from the Law.[2]
Galatians 3
15 Brothers and sisters, I’m using a human illustration. No one sets aside or makes additions to a validated human will.
- Paul was quoting from the Law, now he has to show in his argument that the Law did not change the covenant.
- Once two parties conclude an agreement, a third party cannot come along years later and change that agreement.
- The only persons who can change an original agreement are the persons who made it.
- To add anything to it or take anything from it would be illegal.[3]
- The promise made to Abraham in Genesis 15 was around 2000 BC.
- The Law was given to Moses around 1450 BC, after 430 years of slavery.
16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed.
Genesis 12:1-3 - The Lord said to Abram: Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.[4]
He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed, who is Christ.
- Interesting interpretation of the word “seed here.
- Refers to the “singular seed” vs “plural seed”
- Romans 4:13-18 – Paul refers to “plural seed”
- Paul is showing greater fulfillment of this promise is through Christ rather than biological.
17 My point is this: The law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously established by God and thus cancel the promise.
- The presentation of the Law did not change the promise made between God & Abraham.
- Ratified by God alone because Abraham was asleep when it was presented to him. (Gen 15 – “Came in a vison”)
- This covenant can only be changed by God… It is not based upon us perfecting the Law.
18 For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise; but God has graciously given it to Abraham through the promise.
- Abraham could not revise the covenant.
- Neither could Moses, who was given the Law.
- The law is not, and never was intended to be, the means by which believers experience their inheritance as God’s children.[5]
1 Corinthians 15:56 - The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.[6]
- The law demands, “Do this!” The promise grants, “Accept this!”[7]
THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW
19 Why then was the law given? It was added for the sake of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels by means of a mediator.
- The Law came to:
1) Define sin (Romans 4:15 - because the law produces wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression. [8])
2) Increase sin (Romans 5:20 - The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more[9]
- The Law was temporary – It was after the covenant and ended before the covenant was fulfilled.
- There were no “ifs” in the covenant with Abraham like there was in the Law given to Moses.
- “It was added” – Came in by a side road.
20 Now a mediator is not just for one person alone, but God is one.
- Moses was this mediator.
- The Law needed a “go between person”
- The Law was given to Moses - by God - through angels.
- The Covenant between God & Abraham did not need a mediator.
21 Is the law therefore contrary to God’s promises? Absolutely not! For if the law had been granted with the ability to give life, then righteousness would certainly be on the basis of the law.
- While Law and grace seem to be contrary to one another, if you go deep enough, you will discover that they actually complement one another.
- Think about it… Are Law and Grace opposites?
- The opposite of Law is lawlessness.
- The opposite of Grace is disgrace.
- Why, then, was the Law given?[10]
- If we could attain righteousness but fulfilling the Law, then Christ’s sacrifice on the cross would be pointless.
- It was “worship of the Law” that led Israel into a self-righteous religion of works, the result of which was the rejection of Christ [11]
22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin’s power, so that the promise might be given on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ to those who believe.
- Romans 7:12 - So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good.[12]
- It is here that we see the way that Law and grace cooperate in bringing the lost sinner to Jesus Christ.
- Law shows the sinner his guilt, and grace shows him the forgiveness he can have in Christ.
- The Law is “holy, and just, and good” (Rom. 7:12), but we are unholy, unjust, and bad.
- The Law does not make us sinners; it reveals to us that we already are sinners (see Rom. 3:20).
23 Before this faith came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed. 24 The law, then, was our guardian until Christ, so that we could be justified by faith.
- Eat a powdered donut in one bite.
- Look in the mirror
- Someone else clean their face
- The Law is a mirror that helps us see our “dirty faces” (James 1:22–25)—but you do not wash your face with the mirror!
- It is grace that provides the cleansing through the blood of Jesus Christ (see 1 John 1:7b).[13]
25 But since that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian (tutor), 26 for through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus.
- Highly educated slaves escorted children to and from school. They watched over them through the day.
- Paul was saying they were not born though the Law but were raised up by the Law.
- The Law did not give life to Israel… it regulated life.
- The Judaizers taught that the Law was necessary for life and righteousness.
-Once the child came of age, they no longer needed the guardian.
- The Law has performed its purpose: the Savior has come and the “guardian” is no longer needed.
- It is tragic that the nation of Israel did not recognize their Messiah when He appeared.
- God finally had to destroy the temple and scatter the nation, so that today it is impossible for a devoted Jew to practice the faith of his fathers.
- He has no altar, no priesthood, no sacrifice, no temple, no king (Hosea 3:4).
- All of these have been fulfilled in Christ, so that any man—Jew or Gentile—who trusts Christ becomes a child of God.[14]
SONS AND HEIRS
27 For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.
- Faith in Jesus baptizes us “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27).
- This baptism of the Spirit identifies the believer with Christ and makes him part of His body (1 Cor. 12:12–14).
- Water baptism is an outward picture of this inner work of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 10:44–48).[15]
- To believe in Jesus Christ and water, Jesus Christ and bread and wine, Jesus Christ and church membership, Jesus Christ and anything else is to profane the grace of God and render useless the death of Christ (2:21).[16]
28 There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus.
- The Pharisee would pray each morning, “I thank Thee, God, that I am a Jew, not a Gentile; a man, not a woman; and a freeman, and not a slave.” Yet all these distinctions are removed “in Christ.”[17]
29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.
- Genesis 12:1-3 - The Lord said to Abram:
Go out from your land,
your relatives,
and your father’s house
to the land that I will show you.
2 I will make you into a great nation,
I will bless you,
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt,
and all the peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.[18]
- Your Christian life ought to take on new wonder and meaning as you realize all that you have in Christ.
- And all of this is by grace—not by Law!
- You are an adult son in God’s family, an heir of God.
- Are you drawing on your inheritance?[19]
[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 697). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 701). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 701). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ge 12:1–3). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 3:18). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Co 15:56). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, pp. 249–250). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 4:15). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 5:20). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 702). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[11] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 702). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[12] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 7:12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[13] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 703). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[14] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 703). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[15] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 704). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[16] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 277). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[17] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 704). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[18] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ge 12:1–3). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[19] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 704). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
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