The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians

A verse by verse Commentary

by

J.W.Weeda

 

Introduction:

The apostle Paul wrote this epistle to the believers in the churches of Galatia. Galatia. Where was Galatia? In the middle and east part to the north now in Turkey, situated between Cappadocia and Asia.  The epistle of the apostle Paul to the Galatians is a epistle to the believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. The epistle contains 6 chapters and was written in the Koine-Greek language. The epistle is about 50 years after Christ written. What very important is that the meeting in Jerusalem between Paul and the 12 apostles elaborately explained is in Chapter 2. This meeting was about to hold fast on the Jewish laws or not. Probably the epistle is written from Antioch Syria. 

Who were the believers in Galatia, the churches of Galatia? They were originally Gallo Greeks. The apostle Paul introduces the Gospel of the Grace of God and meet all those believers when he visits them. After the apostle's  departure there came Jewish of Judea, Jewish and Proselytes and told the believers that they had to circumcised themselves because they believed otherwise you couldn't to come to God without this very important ritual. This brought the believers in Galatia in confusion because they had learned from the apostle Paul that a person is saved by Grace alone, by Faith alone and in Christ alone without works. You have to do nothing only believing in the finished Work of God in Christ to be saved. So they believed as reaction the Jewish people more than they trusted in Gods Grace. Because of that they fell from Gods Grace and the Gospel of the Grace of God. In Galatians 3 verse 1 and 2 we read: O Foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn from you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 

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The Theme of the epistle

In a few words to say: Grace versus Law.

Galatians 1 verse 1

Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead;)

Verse 1: This epistle is written of the apostle Paul to the believers in Galatia. Paul was and is an apostle. What does that word apostle mean? Answer: the word apostle comes from the Greek word Apostolos what literally means:A person who is called by God and who is send with a message, the Gospel of God or the good news from God. The fact is that God through Christ chose His apostles. He chose the 12 apostle for Israel and He chose the one apostle Paul for the Gentiles. Paul was called not of men, neither by man but by Jesus Christ on the road near Damascus. Paul was called from our Lord Jesus Christ from heaven. We read in Acts 9 verse 3-15 the calling of the apostle Paul (read this carefully as reader!) The Lord Jesus Christ revealed to him the Gospel of the Grace of God and this Gospel is for this world. He, Paul had to bring this news to the Gentiles, Kings and the children of Israel Acts 9 verse 15.  In Acts 26 verse 16 we read: But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee" God called Paul through our Lord Jesus Christ on the way near Damascus and saved him through His Grace, by Faith and in Christ alone for a pattern  to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting. 

Let us read I Timothy 1:12-16: And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;  Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

The last half of this verse is that God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ raised His Son from the dead. In Acts 13 verse 37-39 we read: But He, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Dear reader: Here we read some remarkable thing: God had His Son Jesus Christ raised from the dead. He when He was dead 3 days and 3 nights saw no corruption. Why not? The answer we can read in 2 Corinthians 5 verse 21: For he hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. He was and is without sin. He only is the perfect One, our Savior! In Romans 6 verse 9 and 10 we read: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Christ hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. II Timotheus 1:10

Galatians 1 verse 2

And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

Verse 2: All the brethren who were with Paul greet the churches of Galatia. Who were these brethren? Probably Luke who was always with Paul and others and maybe Barnabas but we don't be sure of this. There were brothers with Paul and they with Paul greet the churches of Galatia is a fact. In English originally stands assemblies. Assembly comes from the word Ecclesia which means also congregation.  A meeting of people, believers in Christ who come together. This was in Antioch Syria and this was on more places and also on places in Galatia like Iconium, Derbe and Lystra, Antioch Pisidie. These believers the apostle Paul is addressing had heard and believed the Gospel of the Grace of God Romans 16:25-26. Through false Jewish teachers they were misled and they went back to the Law of Moses and the laws of men instead of holding on, stand fast for the Gospel of the Grace of God. 

Galatians 1 verse 3

Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

Verse 3: The apostle Paul begins all his epistles with these words above Grace and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ. Read Romans 1: 7, I Corinthians 1:3, II Corinthians 1:2, Ephesians 1:2, Philippians 1:2, Colossians 1:2, I Thessalonians 1:1, II Thessalonians 1:2, I Timothy 1:2, II Timothy 1:2, Titus 1:2. It is as a mark for all the epistles. Grace and peace comes from God and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Not of men because men cannot give Grace and peace because of sin. This world cannot give us Grace and peace because this world know not what it is. Through our Lord Jesus Christ we have peace with God Romans 5:1. He gives Grace and peace and that for nothing! It is only to accept this, to believe this, nothing more!!!

Galatians 1 verse 4

Who gave Himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this

present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father

Verse 4: Our Lord Jesus Christ gave Himself for our sins. He died on that cross on Calvary to pay the price for us, to pay for our sins, for our guilt. Read I Corinthians 15 verse 3 and 4!  We, men,  deserved the punishment. In II Corinthians 5 verse 21 we read For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.  In Romans 11 verse 32 we read: For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all" What a wonderful God we have that He paid the price for our sins in Christ with this purpose that He might deliver us from this present evil world. In Colossians 1 verse 13 we read: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son" According to the will of God and our Father. 

Galatians 1 verse 5

To Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Verse 5: In Ephesians 3 verse 21 we read: Unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.  God is this honor due. It is His Grace through the Lord Jesus Christ given to us.  Praise God for this every day my brothers and sisters. What a wonderful God Who loves us. He deserves all the glory for ever and ever. In the practice He must be on the first place in our lives my dear brothers and sisters. Let us read Galatians 2 verse 20: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me"  This has nothing to do with religion my dear brothers and sisters!! Because in religion you as person has to do something to be good and to reach something you never will reach!!  In Galatians 2 verse 20 we read about our position in Him and how the life now is in Him!!!

Galatians 1 verse 6

 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the Grace of Christ unto another Gospel:

Verse 6: The believers of the churches at Galatia heard the Gospel of the Grace of God Acts 20:24, 32 and believed this. What was the problem? As soon as Paul was away they let themselves to another Gospel. They removed from him that called them in the Grace of God. They left the Gospel of Grace and believed a different Gospel" They returned to the Gospel which was preached before the Gospel of Grace and turned to the Law of Moses and to the Law of men. Creepy false brothers probably from Judea, Jewish men told them that they had to be circumcised as the Law said. These people told them probably that the Gospel of the Grace of God was a lie and that they had to believe in the Law of Moses. So they listened to these false teachers and turned to the Law. They left the Gospel of the Grace of God Romans 16:25 and 26. That's why the apostle Paul send this epistle to all the believers in Galatia. In Galatians 3 verses 1 and 2 we read the following: O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? ² This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Paul marveled that they left the Gospel of the Grace of God and turned to another Gospel which is no Gospel. They became religious people and this you see still in this world and also in the so named Christian world. Not the circumcision is the bottleneck but water baptism (children's and grown up water baptism) and other works confession of faith in the Reformed churches. Most of the people in the so named Christian world don't know about the Gospel of the Grace of God and rightly dividing the Word of truth 2 Timothy 2:15. Most people believe the lie through false doctrines, doctrines of men. So I admonish you brother and sister if you don't know it: learn the truth, the Gospel of Gods Grace  Acts 20:24, Romans 16:25-26 which was committed first to the apostle Paul and this is the Gospel for today. Through this Gospel you were saved because you are saved by Grace alone, by faith alone and in Christ alone Read Ephesians 2:8-9!

Galatians 1 verse 7

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Verse 7: The apostle Paul convicted here in this verse that there is no other Gospel under this Dispensation of the Grace of God except the Gospel of the Grace of God which he proclaimed to this world. Still today there is no other Gospel my dear brothers and sisters! The Galatians were troubled by men who told them false things what was contrary the Gospel of the Grace of God Acts 20:24, Colossians 1:5-6. We are saved by this Gospel. Through this Gospel of Grace we know what exactly God in Christ had done for us and we know our position in Christ, we know the glory of the cross, we know about our heavenly hope and more. The believers at Galatia were misled by false teachers, they troubled them and would pervert the Gospel of Christ which is another word for the Gospel of the Grace of God! What does the word pervert here means? Pervert from the Greek word metastrepho which means to turn across, transmute is change corrupt. So they corrupted the Gospel of Christ. In Acts 15 verse 1 we read:  And 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. Nowadays satan is busy through modern Theology, a social Gospel and religion to hinder the Gospel of the Grace of God. Also through translations of the Bible here in the Netherlands the last 40 years. It is nowadays not the circumcision as it was in Paul's day but more water baptism as good witness, gifts of the spirit, healing and a lot of rules of men, secularization to stop people to know the truth. Here is the answer my dear brothers and sister: there is no other Gospel than the Gospel of the Grace of God! 

Galatians 1 verse 8

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto

you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Verse 8: These words are hard words of the apostle Paul to the believers in Galatia and also we inclusive. The professional church in this world know a lot of ceremonies, rituals according the law of Moses or other laws. In some churches the 10 commandments are named every Sunday and further on they proclaim a mixed Gospel of social Gospel, Law, Grace. Also the sermon on the Mount of our Lord when He was on earth is one of the favorites. In the so named Christian world is it more the question what can I do. It is more I directed instead what has God in Christ done for you, us! People have itching ears now and this phenomena grows in the world. Through all the translations for example here in the Netherlands the last 30 years the truth is a lot replaced by lies and it is now more difficult for people to come to believe than it was 40 years ago. People in general have lost their way to God. It boils down that the Gospel which the apostle Paul proclaimed or made known what you can read in all his Epistles is the Gospel through which you can be saved. There is no other Gospel he said and if any man or an angel preach a another Gospel than he is accursed. There is no blessing in another Gospel. Without the Gospel of Grace there is no spiritual grow and you will not be build up. This leads to chaos and this you see in the so named Christian world. 

Galatians 1 verse 9

As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Verse 9: This verse is a continuation of  verse 8. Again the apostle Paul repeats what he had said in verse 8 before. The believers in Galatia had to be well penetrated that if they continued in the false doctrine, another Gospel there was no blessing. No blessing in their lives. Dear brothers and sisters this is very serious. It makes us tremble at these words! Satan who is behind false doctrines, lies, comes with this and in II Corinthians 11:13-15 we read about this. With his lies it is not that Gods righteousness is right in Christ. He speaks about own justice. With his lies it is that men is central, the I is very important instead to give all the honor to God. Brothers and sisters on another Gospel rest no blessing! If you believe another Gospel it is no Gospel but a lie from satan who wants you to believe that. A call to you all is to leave the lied from satan and learn the Gospel of the Grace of God which is the truth Colossians 1: 5 and 6 and builds you up Acts 20:32. Otherwise you will not to be build up in your spiritual life and stays a baby in believing instead to grow in the spiritual life through the Gospel of Grace. If you begin to learn this Gospel the chaos in your life will disappear!!

Galatians 1 verse 10

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men?

for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Verse 10: The apostle Paul preached God and His love through our Lord Jesus Christ and he never persuade men but God. In I Thessalonians 2 verse 4 we read: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. He, Paul, preached the resurrected Christ and was not pleasing men but God. He said if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. He didn't seek compromises with people because the Gospel of the Grace of God he received directly from our Lord from heaven through revelations!!! If he made compromises with men or persuade, or pleased men he wasn't a servant of Christ. It was in the power of God not in the power of Paul himself. Read I Corinthians 1:17 and 2: 1-5. We as members of the Body of Christ, the Church have to follow Paul. We have to do the same as he did and not to please men and to preach or made known what they want to hear. We as brothers and sisters if we know the truth we have to stand for this and be a servant like Paul of Christ. 

Galatians 1 verse 11

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

Verse 11: The Gospel of Grace which Paul preached Acts 20 verse 24, this Good News from the cross, was not after men. He never received this Good News from men, not of the 12 apostles! No man told him this Gospel of Grace and the glory of the cross. The apostle Paul received this Gospel through revelations from our resurrected Jesus Christ from heaven. Ephesians 3 verse 3: How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words. Another verse to prove this we find in Acts 22 verse 17-21:  And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;  And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.  And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:  And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

And in Acts 26 verse 16 and 17 we read the following verses: But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee. 

This is very clear my dear brothers and sisters: in those things in the which I will appear unto thee! So directly the apostle Paul got the message through revelations from our risen Lord. 

Galatians 1 verse 12

For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Verse 12: Paul never received the Gospel of the Grace of God the Mystery from man, neither any man taught him this. Only he received it from Jesus Christ from heaven directly!! See the verses in  verse 11 above!! It was not made known unto men. God kept it secret and through revelations (He appeared many times to Paul) He made everything of the Mystery known and Paul wrote it down in all his epistles. 

Galatians 1 verse 13

For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion,

how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

Verse 13 Before his conversion Paul, at that moment Saul of Tarsus, walked a dead end. He knew nothing about the Lord Jesus Christ. Beyond measure he persecuted the Jerusalem Church of God. He was a murderer. He was the bitterest enemy of God.  In Acts 8 verse 3 we read : As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. And in Acts 9 verse 1 and 2 we read:  And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,  And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. Paul says in I Timothy 1 verse 13: Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. He wasted the Jerusalem church! What does that mean? He made that church weaker because a lot of members were in prison and murdered. 

Galatians 1 verse 14

And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation,

being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

Verse 14: Paul obtain an advantage or benefit in the Jewish religion (Pharisee) above many equals of his life in his own nation, the Jewish nation. In Acts 22 verse 3 and 4 we read: I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

Paul before his conversion was a zealot but not intelligently. In Philippians 3 verse 5 and 6 we read: Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. Paul, in that time Saul was a learned man. His teacher was Gamaliel in Jerusalem. Paul knew the laws very well, he was a Pharisee according the law of Moses. He thought in that day that he had to fight against the Lord Jesus Christ because they said, the leaders of the folk that the Lord Jesus was a Liar and that He wasn't resurrected so His followers must be killed. Paul the bitterest enemy of God on earth and the biggest murderer on earth went to the High Priest to get a authorization to bind all the believers in the foreign cities and bring them to Jerusalem and to kill them

Galatians 1 verse 15

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His Grace,

Verse 15: It pleased God to separate Paul from his mother's womb on through His Grace. On the way nearby Damascus Syria Saul of Tarsus or Paul was called by our risen Lord Jesus Christ from heaven and God chose His bitterest enemy on earth to through him His Gospel of Grace to make known to men! In Acts 9 verses 3-6 we read: And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.  The plan of God, His Dispensation of Grace was before the world began known by God alone and on His time with the conversion of the apostle Paul made known to His greatest enemy on earth and from origin a Jew and a Roman man. He was the first man in the Body of Christ who was Jew and Gentile from origin. Very unique and also our prototype!! In Acts 26 verse 16 we read:  But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

And in Galatians 2 verse 2 we read: And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

Galatians 1 verse 16

To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

 Verse 16: God has through the apostle Paul His Son Jesus Christ revealed or made known to this world and the Good News His Grace and the Gospel of the Grace Acts 20:24. This was allowed by the Apostle Paul to made known to the Gentiles (not Jews), Jews and the Kings. From a enemy Saul of Tarsus was made a servant and a apostle of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 3 verse 8: Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ  Paul is the apostle of the Gentiles Romans 11:13 (read this verse for yourself). He is not one of the 12 apostles because he didn't know the Lord on earth and he knew only the Lord from heaven Who spoke to him the first time near Damascus and called him by His Grace. Immediately he said I conferred not with flesh and blood. What does that mean? In Acts 9 verse 5 and 6 we read: And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.  Oh my dear brothers and sisters if we have more that attitude to ask God our Father: Lord what wilt thou have me to do? Not my will but what Thou whilst. This was Paul's attitude on that moment. He followed the instructions immediately and went to the city of Damascus. In the next verse 17 of this Chapter he said this: Neither went i up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me: but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 

Galatians 1 verse 17

Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me;

but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

Verse 17: The apostle Paul after his conversion nearby Damascus went not back to Jerusalem and to the 12 apostles who were still there in Jerusalem. Instead to go first to Jerusalem he went to Arabia and after that he returned back in Damascus. The Bible doesn't say us how long he had been in Arabia. Probably it was a time of reflection, revelations from God and to learn a lot of God's Gospel of Grace. Immediately the apostle Paul preached Christ in the synagogues of Damascus. The Jewish people in the city wanted to kill him but their laying await was known of Paul . In verse 25 of Acts 9 we read: Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. So Paul escaped out of their wicked hands! 

Galatians 1 verse 18

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

Verse 18: After 3 years the apostle Paul was again in Jerusalem and visit only Peter and that for 15 days, a very short period. In Acts 9 verses 26-30 we read: And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.  But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.  And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.  And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.  Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. This was the first time Paul visit Jerusalem after his conversion and this we read here in Galatians 1:18. The disciples were afraid of Paul and they couldn't believe that he was now a believer in Christ and a apostle. He was the leader of the persecution there in Jerusalem so you can imagine their fear of him. It became dangerous of Paul because people wanted to kill or slay him. So they brethren of Paul brought him down to Caesarea and sent him forth to Tarsus. Paul stayed a long time in Tarsus and Acts 11 verse 25 we read that Barnabas was searching in Tarsus to find Paul and when he found him he brought him to Antioch Syria. 

Galatians 1 verse 19

But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

Verse 19: During the first visit after Paul's conversion the apostle Paul was 15 days with Peter. Peter was the leader of the 12 apostles. He was the representative man of the 12. Paul saw him and only James, the Lord's brother. This was not James, one of the twelve apostles because that James had died. This was the James who wrote the book of James which he wrote to the believing Jews. See James 1 verse 1. He was the half brother of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Matthew 12 verse 46-50 we read the following: While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.  Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.  But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?  And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!  For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. On that moment our Lord was speaking his brothers didn't believe in Him and did not the will of God the Father. Later James came to believe and he proclaimed God's Word to the Jews and was together with Peter and John in the meeting of Jerusalem where Paul and Barnabas were also. James was later named a apostle. A apostle in the second place. 

Galatians 1 verse 20

 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

Verse 20: What the apostle Paul wrote wasn't a lie. God was Paul's Witness. God knew that the apostle Paul say not a lie.  If everything the apostle Paul wrote was a lie than God was a Liar because all the words in his epistles are the Words of God and God inspired. Everything Paul wrote to the Galatians in Christ was true. God's Word is the Truth. More verses to let you see that Paul is not a liar because God is His Witness you can found in Romans 1 verse 9, 9 verse 1, II Corinthians 1: 23 and 11:31, I Thessalonians 2 verse 5, I Timotheus 5:21 and 2 Timotheus 4 verse 1.  Read all these verses my brothers and sisters! 

Galatians 1 verse 21

Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;

Verse 21: Paul had to flee from Jerusalem and people send him back to Tarsen in Cilicia. Paul stayed there a long time and In Acts 11 verse 22-26 we read: Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.  Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.  For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.  Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:  And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. 

Galatians 1 verse 22

And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

Verse 22: In the churches of Judea, the people which were in Christ there the apostle Paul was unknown. They didn't know him and didn't know about the Gospel of the Grace of God which he preached. This is remarkable and they didn't recognized him. They didn't know that he was before his conversion a blasphemer, the greatest persecutor of the church at Jerusalem. Maybe it was to long ago and these people hadn't seen him in the past. 

Galatians 1 verse 23

But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past

now preached the faith which once he destroyed

Verse 23: The believers in Judea didn't know Paul and on the moment he visited them they became to know that Paul in the past persecuted the churches in Judea and now preached the faith which he once destroyed. They never saw him before. Now they heard him speaking about the believe in Christ, God's Gospel of Grace, the Mystery which he preached to them: Christ and Him crucified for the world which was and still is lost. 

Galatians 1 verse 24
And they glorified God in me.

Verse 24: The believers there in Judea began to glorify God in Paul. They were very enthusiastic and happy with the Word of Grace which Paul brought to them. Yes the Gospel of the Grace of God my dear brothers and sisters if you and me understand it gives a lot of joy and you can thank our Father in heaven everyday for this. Through this Gospel of Grace everyone of us is saved by Grace alone, by Faith alone and in Christ alone. Thank you Lord for this and also for the apostle Paul You used to made known the whole Mystery , this Gospel of Grace through his epistles. 

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Galatians 2 verse 1

Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

Introduction: This chapter describes what happened in Acts 15. These chapters go together! It is the meeting in Jerusalem between Paul, Barnabas and Peter, James and John on the other side. We see Paul took also Titus with him and Barnabas to Jerusalem. Peter, John and James were there to represent the apostles of the Jerusalem church. James was the half brother of the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter and John were originally 2 of the 12 apostles who were chosen by our Lord when He was on earth. 

Verse 1: Paul went together with Barnabas to Jerusalem and took also Titus with them. In Acts 4 verses 36 and 37 we read for the first time about Barnabas: And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,  Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.  Barnabas was a Jew and a Levite and he came from Cyprus. He did precisely what God asked to do: having land, sold it and brought all the money and laid ti at the apostles feet. This was according the Gospel of the Kingdom. In Acts 9 verse 26 and  27 we read: And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And in Acts 11 verse 25 and 26 when Paul was a long time in birthplace Tarsus we read again about Barnabas: Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Barnabas became a fellow brother and a companion of Paul. In Acts 14 verse 4 we read: Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out. So Paul and Barnabas and Titus went to Jerusalem to talk with Peter, John and James about the question to be circumcised or not. Who was Titus? He was a Greek man, a Gentile and we read in verse 3 of this chapter what he did. Later Titus became the first bishop of Crete (see the epistle to Titus). Titus was the son in the faith of Paul. He was a fellow brother and also a companion. He became capable to be a overseer, a pastor, a teacher of God's Word. 

Galatians 2 verse 2

And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

Verse 2: Paul, Barnabas and Titus went to Jerusalem to talk about the circumcision and Paul went up by revelation. He had received from the risen Lord Jesus Christ a new revelation according the Mystery. In Acts 26 verse 16 we read: But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee. The apostle Paul got more revelations of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven. The Mystery was not in one time revealed or made known to Paul. It went progressively! So when he went to Jerusalem to talk to the apostles in the meeting there he had received yet a new revelation. He communicated to them about the Gospel which he preached among the Gentiles. Which Gospel Paul is talking here? The Gospel of Gods Grace Acts 20:24, Romans 16:25-26 which was committed to him. Paul, Barnabas and Titus met the ones who were of reputation. Who were these men? These were the apostles Peter, John and James, the half brother of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the second place a apostle. What does lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain? If he Paul could not tell the leaders of the church, the apostles before him, that God had stopped His plan with Israel and had begun a new plan and revealed the Mystery to him progressively and a New Dispensation he had run in vain. Everything was for nothing because this was the purpose. Read Ephesians 3 verse 1-3. In Romans 11 verse 13 the apostle Paul write it very clear what he is:   For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office. If Peter, John and James, the leaders, the ones of reputation should accept the fact that Paul was the apostle of the Gentiles and that God had a new plan, the Mystery,  with the world through the fall of Israel Romans 11: 11, 25 other Jews individually  in Jerusalem should also accept this and believe this. 

Galatians 2 verse 3

But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

Verse 3: The theme of the meeting at Jerusalem was circumcision and the question to be circumcised or not? In Acts 15 verses 3 -6 we read: And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.  And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.  But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

After this said there was a dispute under the people and Peter stood up and told all the people in the meeting that God first chose him to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom and that the Gentiles would hear. He, Peter,  acknowledged that there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile. Acts 15 verse 7-11. We see here in this verse that Titus who was a Greek, a Gentile did not let himself to be circumcised. It was not necessary anymore. Read for yourself Colossians 2 verse 11 my brothers and sisters because you find here the answer for this. 

Galatians 2 verse 4

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

Verse 4: Who were these false brethren? In Acts 15 verse 24 we read : Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment  This said James, the half brother of our Lord Jesus Christ at the meeting. This saying was later also in a letter written to the brothers and sisters in Antioch. These were false brethren from the Jews and told the people in Antioch to be circumcised and to keep the Law of Moses. The apostles never gave such commands to them. In verse 19 of Acts 15 we read: Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God. From this I conclude that the apostles with James recognized that there have been a change taken place and that the Gentiles never to have oneself circumcised even as someone told them to do that. They, those false brethren tried to bring Paul and the others who were with him like Barnabas and Titus under bondage (law of Moses or their own laws) 

Galatians 2 verse 5

To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour;

that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Verse 5: The apostle Paul and his fellow brothers who fought together for the Gospel of the Grace of God gave not place by subjection, not for an hour. They obeyed God and stood for the truth, this Gospel of the Grace of God Romans 16:25-26. In this they were a example of steadfastness. This was for other believers in Galatia in that time and also for us believers to do the same and follow their example in our lives. The truth have a lot of influence on other believers and also in us. The believers in Galatia left the truth and went back to the Law of Moses and Laws of men. This you see also back in the Professional church here on earth. She is so departed from the truth which first made known to Paul. What is preached is a mix of the four Gospels, Old Testament, Social Gospel and a little bit of Grace. It is a pity my dear brothers and sisters. People are blind and this is exactly what our adversary does under this Dispensation of Grace Ephesians 3:1-3, to keep people off from the truth Colossians 1:5-6! Reader, brother or sister: if you don't know the Gospel of the Grace of God learn this wonderful message for today now!!  Read Galatians 1 verse 6-9. Upon other messages rest no blessing, only a curse!!

Galatians 2 verse 6

But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepted no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:

Verse 6: These who seemed to be somewhat. Who are these? If you read in the context you see that were the apostles that were left in Jerusalem of the 12! Peter and John and James were their leaders but what they were it maketh no matter to the apostle Paul. They were neither more nor less. The apostle Paul was not one of them.  God accepted no man's person. In Romans 2 verse 11 we read: For there is no respect of persons with God. Everyone is right in God's eyes. These men had nothing added to Paul. What doest that mean? He didn't learn from them nothing regarding the Gospel of the Grace of God which the apostle Paul through revelations from the risen Lord Jesus Christ had learned and to proclaim. They brought no new things but the apostle Paul proclaimed to them new things namely the Gospel of the Grace of God which he preached under the Gentiles Acts 20:24. 

Galatians 2 verse 7

But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision

was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

Verse 7: The apostles Peter, John and James saw the Gospel which the apostle Paul was committed to proclaim namely the Gospel of the Uncircumcision. The Gospel of the circumcision was committed unto Peter. Paul had received this Gospel of the uncircumcision directly from the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven while Peter had received the Gospel of the circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ when He was on earth.  Peter was the leader of the twelve apostles but on the meeting not all of them were alive. The apostle James for example was killed under King Herod. The Gospel of the circumcision: Abraham was given the circumcision as a sign to be able to distinguish from others in the world. Israel was the seed of Abraham in this: the circumcised.  We read Acts 3 verse 25 and 26: Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. Israel would be the blessing channel for the world.  Acts 3 verses 19-21:Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. This is what Israel had to do but the leaders refused the King and the Kingdom Romans 11:11 and 25. 

Galatians 2 verse 8

For He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision,

the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

Verse 8: Remarkable here: God effectually wrought, worked, in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision. He was the leader of the 12 apostles. In Acts 2 verse 14-38 we read what Peter said to the Jews on the day of Pentecost. In Acts 15 verses 7-12 we read on the meeting of Jerusalem: And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.  And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;  And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.  Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?  But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

In Matthew 16 verses 17-19 we can read about Peter how he received his apostleship from the Lord Jesus Christ on earth. Let us read: And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

God worked, wrought through Peter with His Word mighty to the Jews, the circumcised people and He wrought also through Paul mighty toward the Gentiles, the uncircumcised people. Read for yourselves Acts 9 verse 15, Acts 13 verse 2 and Acts 22 verse 21!  In 2 Timothy 1 verse 11 we read: Where unto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

Galatians 2 verse 9

 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

Verse 9: James, Peter and John who were the pillars of the church of Jerusalem, the Jewish church of believers, circumcised people, recognized the Grace which was given to Paul they gave Paul and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship. Remarkable that Paul mentioned first James, the half brother from our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Acts 15 verse 13 we read:  And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me. James was not a apostle in the first place.  Despite this he took the authority to speak and that people had to listen to him. He took the place over of Peter who was first the leader of the 12 apostles. These men: James, Peter and John saw and recognized that God had a new Dispensation and that Paul was given the Gospel of the Grace of God. They agreed that Paul had a different Gospel and that he was the apostle to the Gentiles Romans 11:13. They acknowledged this and gave Paul and Barnabas the right hand. They made a appointment with each other: Paul and Barnabas should go to the Gentiles as the apostles for the Gentiles as God had ordained them for this and they James, Peter and John should only go to the Jews as the apostles of the Jews, the circumcised. They shouldn't go to the Gentiles. After this the Gospel of the Kingdom became less in the Acts period while the Gospel of the Grace of God became more and more. God's plan with Israel, the Prophecy for a time set aside and the Mystery became a fact and the Dispensation of Gods Grace. We still my dear brothers and sisters live under this Dispensation! Ephesians 3 verse 1-3. 

Galatians 2 verse 10

Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

Verse 10: With the agreement these men had was one thing very important: They agreed that the apostle Paul should remember the poor. Which poor people he had to remember? The poor in Jerusalem, the saints there. Because of changing from Prophecy to Mystery people there became poor. Paul never forgot this. He collected goods and admonished a lot of fellow saints to do the same like the Corinthian believers but they didn't do it. The only people who did this were the saints at Philippi. They gave goods to Paul to the church at Jerusalem. Different times Paul went to Jerusalem and brought things to the saints there. So it was not only remembering but also action. In this Paul is a example for us to follow. Read Acts 24 verse 17 and I Corinthians 16 verses 1-3.

Galatians 2 verse 11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

Verse 11: Peter arrived in Antioch Syria and this was after the meeting in Jerusalem and before the separation of Paul and Barnabas. Peter comes in the problems. Jerusalem was the headquarter of the church at Jerusalem, the Jewish church while Antioch Syria the headquarter had of the Gentiles who believed. The Gospel of the Grace of God was preached there in Antioch. Paul withstood him to the face because Peter was to be blamed. He he ate with the heathen and when James and his disciples arrived in Antioch Peter became afraid and departed from those Gentiles and pretended that he never had eaten with the Gentiles. In Acts 11 verse 3 we read: And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,  Saying, Thou wend in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. Peter later explained in verse 12 why he did this and in Acts 11:18 we read When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. Here in Antioch when Peter was there he was to be blame. Peter was afraid that again they should ask him why he had done this and that this was wrong for a Jew to ate with Gentiles. He had not to stop eating with the Gentiles. Peter became hypocrite in this.

Galatians 2 verse 12

For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

Verse 12: To withdrew and separate himself from the Gentiles and fearing those who were of the circumcision like Jews, disciples of James that was hypocrite. Peter was ashamed of himself that he did this and very strong he felt the fear in him.  Oh they would see him with the Gentiles that would be a shame! This was not upright walking according the Gospel of the Grace of God which Paul preached and this is what Paul said later to Peter. 

Galatians 2 verse 13

 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him;

insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

Verse 13: It was not only Peter who was hypocrite, also others with him did the same and that were Jews. Even Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation is what we see here in this verse. Dissimulation is hypocrisy, hypocrite. It look very holy but it is far from it. This attitude is not honest. They pretend better but the reality is not so. This is not good walking and Barnabas should have known it because he knew the Gospel of the Grace of God through Paul. Only in that time not everything was known about this wonderful Gospel. Maybe this was also a reason that Paul and Barnabas later separate from each other. In I Corinthians 4 verse 1 and 2 we read: Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. If we stand for the truth the Gospel of the Grace of God and we made it known we have to take this very serious. We as believers now in the Body of Christ are not better than Peter and sometimes we are also hypocrite like he did. We can also fall like Peter so this is also for our learning my dear brothers and sisters! 

Galatians 2 verse 14

But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compel-lest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

Verse 14: The apostle Paul saw that Peter and other Jews and even Barnabas walked not uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel he began to tell Peter honestly in front of all the others: If thou being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why are you asking Gentiles to live how the Jews live. This was a hypocrite attitude. This is a very beautiful example to follow. If you have something against your brother say it directly and with the Word of God. This is exactly what Paul did and Paul was not afraid to say it. 

Galatians 2 verse 15

We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles

Verse 15: The apostle Paul said here and that he told also to Peter that He and Peter were Jews originally and not sinner of the Gentiles. The Gentiles by nature as long as God was busy with the folk Israel had nothing with God Ephesians 2 verse 11-12: Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. Paul exactly said here that a man cannot be justified by the law, but that even his or her faith is but the response and complement to faith of Christ Who made the sinner's justification possible. We find that also in the next verse, verse 16. 

Galatians 2 verse 16

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 

Verse 16: A man is not justified by the works of the law. Romans 3 verse 19 and 20 tell us the following:

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.  

Dear brothers and sisters, readers, the law of Moses or given to Moses from God cannot save man. Through the law is the knowledge of sin. The law is good. We read in Romans 7 verse 14-16: For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.  The Law is good and righteous but we are from nature not good and unrighteous and sold under sin. That's why the law cannot save men. What did God? He send His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to this world to save men from sin. He died on the cross for our sins and paid with His own life for us and for the whole world. He absolute righteous, without guilt, without sin for unrighteous men, with guilt and with sin. This He did for us because He loved us Romans 5 verse 8. In Galatians 3 verse 19-26 we read: Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.  Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 

Also Romans 10 verse 4 tells us that Christ is the end of the law: For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Righteousness is to make right for God. We have no guilt anymore before our living God my dear brothers and sisters. All our sins and guilt is forgiven through the blood what has bled on Calvary on that cross! Believe this like in the 15 th Century Marten Luther discovered and believed it. Dear brothers ans sisters: trust not on your so named good works or rules or rules from people. Trust in the finished work on the cross through our Lord Jesus Christ!!!

Galatians 2 verse 17

But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also

are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

Verse 17: Now we as believers search in Christ to be justified and we are sinners the apostle Paul said. This is true. Now the question is Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. Be far of it!!! Absolutely not. Christ is not the minister of sin! Christ is God Himself and Man. He righteous, without sin and that's how He could die for our sins on Calvary. He righteous for us unrighteous men!! Men had to die on the cross but couldn't bear their own sins that is why God in Christ did it in our place there because He loves us. In Romans 5 verses 6-9 we read: For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Read this more time brothers and sisters and let it sink in!!!

Galatians 2 verse 18

 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

Verse 18: The apostle Paul is here in this verse speaking about the Law. If Paul himself went back to be under the Law then he build up again the things which he had just left. Law makes known sin. I would made himself again a transgressor or an offender of the law! In Romans 7 verse 7 we read about the Law the following:What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. We don't need us anymore under the law! Because Christ is the end of the Law!  Romans 10 verse 4 tells us this: For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Galatians 2 verse 19

 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

Verse 19: What does this mean my dear brothers and sisters? The apostle Paul said that through the law he is dead to the Law. In Romans 7 verse 4 we read: Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. That I might live unto God. We too my brothers and sisters are not under the Law anymore so we belong to Him and in Jesus Christ we have now the law of the Spirit of Life!! This makes us living in Him. This is what happened. This was the purpose of God that we should live for Him. That's why He died for our sins and rose again for our righteousness Romans 4 verse 25. We live now in Christ. What a wonderful God we have and what a joy we have if we realize this my brothers and sisters. 

Galatians 2 verse 20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which

I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

Verse 20: Verse 20 and 21 are the last verses of Chapter 2 of the epistle to the Galatians. Here it says: I am crucified with Christ! What does this exactly mean? For this we read Romans 6 verse 6: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Our old man! Yes my dear brothers and sisters your old man is crucified with Christ on the cross. This is a fact. On the moment we accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior we became new men in Him. Our old men had disappeared. You old I is passed, you are now new in Christ, the new man!! This is reality and and a fact and now the question: how we live everyday? Nevertheless I live but not I, not the old man but Christ lives in me the apostle says and this is also for us my dear brothers and sisters. Christ is living in us. How? Through His Spirit! His Spirit is living in us whereby we are sealed till the day of redemption! Ephesians 1:13-14, Ephesians 4:30, I Thessalonians 4:13-18, I Corinthians 15:51-54. This is our position in Christ my dear brother/sister!! The life the apostle continues here which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God. We still have this flesh as long we are on earth. And we can choose: we can serve the Lord everyday and we can also serve our flesh, our own nature, nature of sin. A unbeliever serves alone his own flesh, he serve alone sin. We can serve our Lord  and set our affection on things above and not on the earth! We have the faith of Christ and our trust in that faith. His faith that saved us Philippians 2: 5-11. So He lives in us! Jesus Christ Who loved us and gave Himself for us on that cross on Calvary!! Romans 5 verse 6-8 tells us:  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Dear brothers and sisters: realize yourselves this is Good News. Really Good News and also to think about it now........and stand still with this fact! Everyday we can rejoice in this and be thankful for this finished Work of God!!!

Galatians 2 verse 21

 I do not frustrate the Grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Verse 21: I do not frustrate. What does that mean here? Answer: I do not nullification the [gracious gift of the] Grace of God [His amazing, unmerited favor] Righteousness is not from the law, it will never comes from the law. When it was this fact Christ had died for nothing. In Galatians 3 verse 13 we read:Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" The Law of God could never made any person with God right. Through the Law of God men knew what is sin. In Romans 7 verse 7 we read: What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.  And in Romans 3 verse 19 and 20 we read: Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

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Galatians  Chapter 3 

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth,

before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Introduction of this chapter:

The apostle Paul admonish the believers from Galatia, inspired through the Holy Spirit of God. The believers in Galatia had left the truth of God, the Gospel of the Grace of God to another Gospel which is no Gospel. They believed now the lie instead of the truth and went back to the Law of God and rules of men. These men were false teachers of the Jews and the believers in Galatia had been talked into lies from these false teachers. Everywhere and this is my experience in my life with the Gospel of the Grace of God: when the truth is told there is also the devil who will also come with the lie! It is very easy to be misled by the devil who comes in false teachers or with false ideas of men which is against the truth, the Gospel of the Grace of God Acts 20:24, 32, Romans 16:25, 26, I Timothy 2:3-4. 

Galatians Chapter 3 verse 1

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth,

before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Verse 1: What does this mean foolish? This means absurd, stupid! Hard words the apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Galatia! Well it was needy that he did this. In English it was senseless or unwise what they did. Who had bewitched them? That they should not obey the truth! Read for yourselves Romans 16 verse 25 and 26! The truth was and is that they were saved by Jesus Christ through faith and Gods Grace. Now they heard something else, the lie and went back to the law and rules of men. These men, false teachers told them that they had to be circumcised and to hold the law. In Galatians 5 verse 7 we read: Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? They knew and believe very well that Christ died for them on the cross and that they were saved by Grace alone, by Faith alone and in Christ alone yet the went back to the Law and rules of men to do these works and try with these things to reach God. They let themselves be talked about through these false teachers and we see this a lot in this world nowadays too. Nowadays we have a lot of false teachings in the so named Christian world. Man from nature is weak and lazy and to hold the truth and stand for it this is very difficult. This is the experience what I have with people in my life. The believers in Galatia were bewitched. That's just a semblance what they heard and this is every person who fall from Gods Grace. It looks and hears in the ears very good but it isn't. The believers of Galatia were disobeying. Later we read at the end of Paul's life,  that almost every men had left the Gospel of the Grace of God. A few people stood for the truth as Paul did. On the end of the 19 th Century and begin 20 th Century this Gospel of Gods Grace was rediscovered in Gods Word!  Praise God that He opened the eyes of men like pastor O Hair and pastor Stam who He gave so much light in His Word that through these men a lot of people began to understand the Gospel of the Grace of God Acts 20:24, Romans 16:25-26. The professing church in the world doesn't know the truth, the Gospel of Gods Grace Colossians 1:5-6 and preach a mixture of Gospels like a little bit the Four Gospels, a Social Gospel, about Israel or about the book of Revelation and thinks that we are in the time of Revelation now. All of this is misleading people to let them dumb, foolish in their thinkings. 

Galatians chapter 3 verse 2

This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit

by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Verse 2: The apostle goes on here in this verse: This only would I learn of you. The apostle Paul knew already the answer about this but he would hear this from them, that they should answer him. On the moment the believers from Galatia had heard the Gospel of the Grace of God and received the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior on that moment they were sealed with the Spirit of God. In Ephesians 1 verse 13 we learn:  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. Dear brothers and sisters/readers: we are just like the believers in Galatia sealed with the Holy Spirit the moment we trust Christ as Savior in our lives. Through the works of the law no one could receive the Spirit of God. We just read before that. Romans 3 verse 20 tells us:Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. You read it very clear: by the law is the knowledge of sin! Through the Law which was given to Moses received the believers in Galatia nothing, only that they knew what is sin. It was by the hearing of faith! Romans 10 verses 9-10 tells us:That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Galatians chapter 3 verse 3

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Verse 3: You see my dear brothers and sisters the apostle Paul is amazed, very amazed about the believers in Galatia. He asked them are ye so foolish? Are you so dumb. This is what he said to them: Where is your spiritual insight? The believers in Galatia were really acting unwisely and nowadays that's just the way it is with people. In all the years I know the truth I have the same experience with people how they act like the believers in Galatia: they begun with the Spirit. They knew what is freedom and yet they go back to rules and laws for the perfecting of their flesh. The believers of Galatia were misled and today there are a lot of people too misled. For a while the believers at Galatia began to understood and to believe Gods Word of Grace Acts 20:24, Romans 16:25-26! Obviously they were not stable enough to withstand false teachings and let themselves be talked through false teachers of the circumcision. Nowadays people let themselves be talked through all kinds of mixtures of gospels and not rightly dividing the Word of truth 2 Timothy 2:15. In Galatians 5 verse 7 and 8 we read: Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. The flesh and fleshly things brings us not good things. We know what the works of the flesh are. We read in Galatians 5 verse 19-21:

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

So brothers and sisters stand for the truth and don't be fooled to another so named Gospel which is not a Gospel! We live now in the time of the itching ears! 2 Timothy 4 verse 3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. This is what we see in the so named Christian world, this is what is preached in churches my dear brothers and sisters. it gets worse the longer. Again don't be a fool but learn Gods Gospel of Grace and stand for it!!

Galatians 3 verse 4

Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

Verse 4: Now the question of the apostle Paul: have they suffered so many things in vain? They had suffered for the Gospel of the Grace of God because they stood for the truth Colossians 1:5,6. They had directly heard it from the apostle Paul and understood the Grace of God and now they were fooled by false Jewish teachers who told them to go back to the law and to be circumcised. It was a so named Gospel but it wasn't. Now was all in vain, if it be yet in vain! The apostle Paul doubts about them and that all the time he spend to them was in vain! In my life I have also experience like this. 

Galatians 3 verse 5

He therefore that minister to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles

among you, doeth He it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Verse 5: God gives His Spirit to someone on the moment he or she believes in the Lord Jesus Christ! Ephesians 1:13 and 14. God ministered to the believers at Galatia his Spirit and God did miracles among them. This let you see that miracles and wonders were not yet away the moment the apostle Paul wrote them this epistle. Now the question is God working miracles among them through the works of the law or by the hearing of faith? That He works powerfully among them is that through works of the law or through the faith of Him who can work through people? 

Galatians 3 verse 6

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Verse 6: Abraham believed God. He trusted God. In Genesis 15 verse 5 ad and 6 we read the following verses:  And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.  And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. Abraham my dear brothers and sisters believed God. He did not doubt as so many people today doubt in the existence of God. God was the One Abraham could trust. To Abraham God let him see all the stars of heaven. In the time of Abraham there were no streetlights or lights in houses. People had candlesticks in their houses or tents. The seed of Abraham shall be so much as the stars. In Romans 4 verse 3-5 we read: For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Romans 1 verse 16 and 17 tells us that the righteous shall live by faith. Which faith? The Faith of Jesus Christ and that he or she had trusted in the faith of Him: the finished Work!  As Abraham believed God so we can also brother and sister trust in God and in His Word of Grace which builds us up and make us strong. Galatians 3 verse 11: But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 3 verse 7

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Verse 7: The ones who are of faith!  Who are the ones? Answer: you and me my brothers and sisters who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior!  Which faith? The faith of Jesus Christ!!! We are saved by Grace alone, by Faith alone and in Christ alone Ephesians 2:8-9 (read this again!) And in Romans 4 verse 8-10 we read: Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. We my dear brothers and sisters are from origin Gentiles and not Jews in the circumcision. Just as Abraham God reckoned His righteousness to us in the uncircumcision through faith and that is the faith of Jesus Christ. We trusted Him for salvation of our lives and on that moment God gave it to us just like He gave it to Abraham. In Romans 4 verse 22-25 we read: And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.  Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;  But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;  Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.  What a blessings we have in our Lord Jesus Christ my dear brothers and sisters and we can praise God for this everyday!! My brothers and sisters if you believe the same as I do why not tell others about this great News so that more people in this world know God's wonderful Gospel of Grace!!!

Galatians 3 verse 8

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Verse 8: God knew before the world was made that He would justify the Gentiles through faith. God is almighty, He knows everything!  He told, preached to Abraham the Good News saying that in thee shall all the nations be blessed. God justified Abraham because Abraham trusted God, believed God and God justified him. In Genesis 12 verse 3 we read: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. This was just before Abraham, in that time Abram, left Haran to go to the promised Land that God should gave him. In thee. In Christ shall all the nations be blessed!! In verse 14 of this chapter 3 we read: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Conclusion: alone through believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and trust in Him we are justified and blessed!

Galatians 3 verse 9

So then they  which be of faith are blessed with 

faithful Abraham

Verse 9: So then they which be of faith! This are we my dear brother and sister and we are the members of the Body of Christ I Corinthians 12 verse 13. We are blessed with faithful Abraham. In Ephesians 1 verse 3 we read: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ . My dear brothers and sisters what a wonderful God we have Who had blessed  us! This is our position! It is all Gods Work, not our works. By faith of our Lord Jesus Christ are we blessed. His finished Work had saved us  

Galatians 3 verse 10

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Verse 10: For as many, these are people who do the works of the law are under the curse because no one continues in all the things that are written in the book of the law to do. So anyone who go back to the law of God (Moses) or laws of men are under the curse. In Romans 3 verse 20 we read: Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Dear reader, brother or sister the law cannot justify you, it condemns you. Through the law is the knowledge of sin. Maybe you have heard in your church the 10 commandments of Exodus 20. these are a part of the 613 laws which God gave to Israel. Again my dear brother and sister the law cannot save you! You have to accept the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ! He can save you! Romans 3 verse 22 It is believing in the finished work of Christ, accomplished for us. 

Galatians 3 verse 11

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Verse 11: We my brothers and sisters cannot be justified by the law in the sight of God.  The just shall live by faith. We are justified by faith of Jesus Christ. Romans 1 verse 17: For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. What a wonderful God we have! Praise Him that through Him we are justified , through Jesus Christ. 

Galatians 3 verse 12

And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

 

Verse 12: The law is not of faith. This is clear. Through the law is the knowledge of sin! How more rules how much more transgression. When a man obey the law and doeth all the works the law says he shall live but when he disobey the law, the rules he is a transgressor of the law and he is confronted with sin and through sin death. We read in Romans 10 verses 5: For Moses describe the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. Read Leviticus 18 verse 5! The law is good and righteous but man is not good, he is from nature a sinner and sold under sin. That's why men couldn't hold the law and that the law cannot save men. Men under the law were under the curse of the law. For you as believers my dear brother and sister we may know that we are no longer under the law but under Gods Grace through the Lord Jesus Christ! Romans 6 verse 14

 

Galatians 3 verse 13
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Verse 13: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law.  He Himself became a curse for us. Why was this? He died on the cross, on the tree and that was a curse when somebody hung on a cross. Christ did this to redeem us! He died voluntary for us on that cross on Calvary! He gave Himself, He gave His life for you and me and paid with His own life for us and the blood which flowed was enough to redeem us. What a wonderful love of God this is. In Romans 8 verse 3 we read: For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit .

Christ was and is without sin. He came to this earth in the likeness of sinful flesh and lived under us 33 years and that 2000 years ago. The purpose was to save the world from sin, to save sinners. He righteous for unrighteous people like you and me. We deserved eternal death. He had redeemed us on the cross and through His resurrection from the eternal death. Now we are in Him alive because He lives. In I Corinthians 15 verse 3 and 4 we read: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according the scriptures. And in Romans 4 verse 25 we read: Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification. Another verse we read in Acts 13 verse 39: And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Dear brothers and sisters: what a wonderful God we have.

Dear reader: if you don't believe in Christ as Savior for your life right now do it now! Believe you are a sinner and realize that you cannot save yourself but believe that Christ died also for you on that cross and is resurrected for your righteousness and to give you eternal life in Him! Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved eternally! Acts 16 verse 31

Galatians 3 verse 14

That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through

Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith

Verse 14: God blessed Abraham. Abraham lived before the law of Moses. He was not only the physical father of the nation Israel but also the spiritual father of all believers of all times. What does it mean the blessing of Abraham? When Abraham believed in God, trusted in God, God reckoned him the righteousness. Can you imagine a bigger blessing which God gives to us that we are righteous like Abraham in Christ? That is that blessing my dear brothers and sister so that and that is with a reason so we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit of God to the day of redemption Ephesians 1:13,14, 4:30. The Spirit of God lives in us my dear brothers and sisters so that we can know His Word and His Word of Grace! What a blessing and what a wonderful God we have my dear brothers ans sisters!

Galatians 3 verse 15

Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

Verse 15: A contract between men nobody could nullify. This is a fact. The covenant God made with Abraham nobody could nullify this. In verse 17 we read: And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot dis annul, that it should make the promise of none effect. We know now that the law who was first made for the folk Israel and influenced the whole world couldn't save. What God had promissed to Abraham this stood fast. The law was given to learn what is sin. The law let us see that we need a Savior. That Savior is Jesus Christ!

Galatians 3 verse 16

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Verse 16: This verse corresponds with verse 8 of this same chapter: And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. The promises which God gave to Abraham and his seed was the seed Jesus Christ. Abraham didn't know about Christ but he knew that God had promised a Seed and that God justified him. Abraham believed God. Now we have the whole Bible and we still live under Gods Dispensation of Grace see Ephesians 3 verses 1-3. As long as this Dispensation exists does this apply. Everyone can be saved through Jesus Christ and be justified by Him. It is upon man what he wants. Now the question to you my dear reader: Are you saved?

 

Galatians 3 verse 17

And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot dis annul, that it should make the promise of none effect

Verse 17: The Law of God or the Law of Moses cam 430 years after God made a covenant with Abraham because of Christ Who should come and would save the world. The covenant which God made with Abraham is not rendered powerless. This stands fast Romans 4 verse 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Dear reader, brother or sister: Abraham became righteous through faith and also we on the moment we trusted Christ as personal Savior. Romans 4 verses 14-16 tells us: For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all. Through the Law nobody is justified. Through the law is the knowledge of sin. The law cannot save anyone. Salvation is alone in Jesus Christ.

Galatians 3 verse 18

For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

 

Verse 18:The inheritance God gave to Abraham was a promise and Abraham lived before the Law of Moses. The law was given to know sin. There is no inheritance of the law. The law couldn't give live, eternal live. Through His Grace God gave the inheritance to Abraham through the promise and this we read in verse 16 of this same chapter: Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Galatians 3 verse 19

 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

 

Verse 19: The question is here: wherefore then serveth the law? What purpose had the Law which God gave to Moses and He gave it to Israel. The answer is immediately here in this verse: It was added because of transgressions. In Romans 7 verse 7-8 we read the following: What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. Dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ: the law learned us what sin was. The more commandments the more sin became visible. What is the problem? Romans 7 verse 14 we read: For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. From nature we are sinners. In Romans 5 verse 13 we read: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. The Law of Moses was given till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made. This is Christ. He is the Seed! He was promised to Abraham and also under the Law! The Law we read here is ordained by angels in the hand of the Mediator! Who is the Mediator here? Christ my dear brothers and sisters! Mediator comes from the Greek word Mesites and that means literal a go between! A mediator is one and mediate between two parties. So Christ is the Mediator between God and men! I Timothy 2 verse 5 and 6:  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

God took all our guilt upon Himself through Christ on the cross on Calvary. We couldn't bear it. He did this for us and died on that cross for us, for you and me my dear brother and sister! He paid the price, the death for us and we have forgiveness though His blood Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14. Christ is the end of the Law. He nailed the law on that cross on Calvary so that we don't live under that law anymore but under Gods Grace. Read Romans 6 verse 14, Colossians 2:14, Ephesians 2:8-9 and Ephesians3:1-3!

Oh what a wonderful and loving God we have my dear brothers and sisters and that we can enjoy this everyday!

Galatians 3 verse 20

Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 

Verse 20: God is one!!! Long before the law was given to Moses made God promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. These promises came from God and not of men. For this there was no need for a mediator! God is one! He is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The law was different! God said to the folk Israel the following in Exodus 19 verse 5:  Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:  And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Through the law we see that there are 2 parties in this: God and Israel (and the whole world). Moses was the mediator between God and His folk Israel. He went up the mountain Sinai to talk with God and came downwards after a while to talk with the folk Israel. 

Galatians 3 verse 21

Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

Verse 21: In this verse the apostle Paul brings up the next question: is the law then against the promises of God? The answer is God forbid. Be far of this! In verse 16 we read already that God promised Abraham about the Seed. This was far before the law was introduced. In verse 19 we read already that the law was given so that people would know what is sin. The law couldn't save people and make them alive! Through the law there is no righteousness. Because men is sold under sin because of the sin nature Romans 5 verse 12. The law was till the Seed came. Law let us see how helpless we are from nature and that we deserved eternal death. The law is good and spiritual! Man is not good, he is a sinner, carnal and unrighteous! Romans 3 verse 19 and 20 tell us the following my dear brothers and sisters:

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. So the conclusion from this all my dear brothers and sisters is this that man should be made justified and alive for all eternity a different kind of. And this my dear brothers and sisters is in Christ if man believes in the finished work of Christ, that he or she believes that He is the Savior and died for their sins and our sins , was buried and rose up from the grave after 3 days. to give us life, eternal life in Him! Dear reader do you believe that! If not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved Acts 16:31. 

Galatians 3 verse 22

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Verse 22: God in His Word hath concludes all under sin. Who are they all? In Romans 3 verse 9 and 10 we read: What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:  Because of the sin nature we get when we are born every person God concluded them all under sin. This was with a reason my dear brothers and sisters. Let us read Romans 11: 32 and 33:For God hath concluded them all (all people) in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! The promise of faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe, that believe this!!! Only through believe my dear brothers and sisters we are made righteous in Jesus Christ. Not our belief but the belief of Jesus Christ and what He had done for us, that He died in our place on that cross for our sins and that He was resurrected for our righteousness Romans 4:25. Praise God my dear brothers and sisters!!!

Galatians 3 verse 23

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed

Verse 23: Before the faith came. Which faith and from whom? The answer is the faith of Jesus Christ. His faithfulness which we can read in Philippians 2:5-9. Read those Scriptures!!! Till that time that Christ gave Himself on that cross people were under the law, kept under the law. The law of Moses had this function: kept people under the law. The law was a schoolmaster until Christ and His finished Work on the cross of Calvary. People till that time were shut up unto the faith. There was no freedom for people because through the law people knew what was sin and people felt guilty before God. This faith should afterwards be revealed and it is revealed my dear brothers and sisters!! Israel lived under the Law. The folk Israel was immature, was bound to the shadow service, surrounded by ceremonies and regulations. We the apostle Paul says. He means the fathers of the folk. Paul is one of them because he is also a Jew from birth. Until the faith of Christ came and this is revealed at first on the apostle Paul. Thank God for this!! Romans 1:17 tells us: For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. After a long dark period of the Middle Ages this verse was rediscovered by Marten Luther in 1517! The just shall live by faith. The faith of Jesus Christ. His finished Work on the cross! 

Galatians 3 verse 24

 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Verse 24: The apostle Paul tells us here in this verse that the law was our schoolmaster till Christ came Who is the end of the law for everyone who believes. Under the law it was discipline and training. The law was a supervisor over man and man had to keep 613 commandments. This was impossible because man is from nature sold under sin because of the fall of man. In Acts 13 verse 38 and 39 we read:  Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:  And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.  In Colossians 2 verse 14 we read about Christ Who nailed the law on the cross. Now we are no longer under the law but under Gods Grace my dear brothers and sisters. Read Romans 6 verse 14 carefully!!!

Galatians 3 verse 25

But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Verse 25: But after that faith is come. This is the faith that Christ gave Himself on the cross for us, to die our death, to bear our sins on the cross and He nailed the law on the cross Colossians 2:14. Now we are no longer under a schoolmaster, the law. Oh brothers and sisters we are free and don't let us back to the law. Romans 10 verse 4: For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Brothers and sisters let us believe this and trust that we are now under Gods Grace and live in freedom.  Galatians 5 verse 1 tells us so clear: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. The Law of Moses or human rules cannot give really freedom. Don't be misled through men to go back to laws of men or the law of Moses. Live from now on from God's Grace!!!

Galatians 3 verse 26

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus

Verse 26: Brothers and sisters we all are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus!!! This is a fact. Children here comes from the Greek word huios that means sons and daughters. We are in Christ more than a child because we are heirs. We are adults in Him in position! A son or daughter is a adult. A child is not a adult. We are new men in Christ my dear brothers and sisters! Ephesians 1 verse 5 tells us: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. And Romans 8 verse 15 and 16 tells us the following: For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Galatians 3 verse 27

 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Verse 27: Dear readers, brothers and sisters: this verse is about our oneness with Christ, our identification with Him. We are baptized into Christ, in His death! We died with Him on the cross, we are buried with Him in the grave and we are resurrected with Him and have now new life in Him. This is what happened on the cross, this is the deeper meaning of the cross, the glory of the cross on Calvary!  This is not a baptism with water. This is our spiritual baptism in Christ. We are baptized into Christ and on that moment we have put on Christ. We are of Him. Our old man was crucified with Him, buried with Him in the grave and our new man was resurrected with Him from the death. Christ lives now in us through His Spirit. This is the one baptism that now only exists under this Dispensation of Grace. Through the Spirit of God are we baptized in the Body of Christ and are we of Him and a member of the Body of Christ the heavenly Church I Corinthians 12:13. We are complete in Him, in Christ Colossians 2:10!  Read Colossians 2 verse 10-16 carefully my dear brother and sister and see all the richdom of the cross, the glory of the cross!!! This is the deeper truth of God!! This the only baptism which saves you and me! Water baptism cannot save you and it is not a example my dear brother and sister! In Christ you are baptized into His death and have put on Christ!! Dear reader, trust not in water baptism, member of a local church or good works to bring you to heaven. Believe the finished work of Christ , what He has done for you and me: that He died our death on that cross on Calvary and rose from the grave for our righteousness! Romans 4:25.  And now my dear reader: are you baptized into Christ and have you through this put on Christ? If not. Do it now immediately yes now: believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved! Acts 16:31

Galatians 3 verse 28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free,

there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus

Verse 28: What we learned in the last verse that we are baptized into Christ, in His death, burial and we are resurrected with

Him and now we are in Him and we are new man in Him. We all are one in Christ Jesus this verse said this to you and me my dear brother and sisters. We are all equal in Christ. It doesn't matter where we come from: the Netherlands, America, German, Africa or Israel, male or female. If we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ we are all one in Him. For God we are all the same in His Son Jesus Christ. We all are members of the Body of Christ. There is no difference in Him. We have the same position in Him. And we are complete in Him Colossians 2:10 my dear brothers and sisters. Praise the Lord of this!!! What a blessing this is!!! We have a great and loving God!!!

Galatians 3 verse 29

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs

according to the promise

Verse 29: We are of Christ and through Him we are of Abraham's Seed. The promise God did to Abraham in his Seed and that was Christ. See verse 22. Through God's Grace we have received this my dear brothers and sisters. Through this we are heirs according this promise. In Christ we are heirs. So ended this chapter! 

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Galatians 4 verse 1

Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all

Verse 1: The apostle Paul begins here in this verse about the heir. A heir is a full grown sun or daughter. As long as the son or the daughter is a child he or she is the same like a servant. The apostle here deals with those who hearkened to the judaizing teachers, the false teachers. He made known to us that under the state of the former Dispensation, under the Law the way of life was like a child under age. We my dear brothers and sisters are adopted as sons and daughters of Him. We read in Ephesians 1 verse 5: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. Children here is from the Greek word huiothesia: sons and daughter, then he or she can inherit. However it affects those children already. 

Galatians 4 verse 2

 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

Verse 2: In the life of a Hebrew boy there came a time appointed of the father when adoption proceedings took place and the body was declared to be the son and heir of the father. Before that time he was the son but he was under tutors and governors. It was him or her told what he or she must do and must not do.  He or she differeth nothing from a servant. As long as people of Israel were under the law of Moses they were children and were like servants. There will be a time and that is ordained to God that also Israel will be adopted as a son and reach that position of a son. Now under this Dispensation Israel don't have this position because God is not busy with them. Romans 11:25. 

Galatians 4 verse 3

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

Verse 3: Once my dear brothers and sisters says this verse us: we were children in bondage under the elements of the world. What does that mean? The apostle Paul is speaking of time past before Christ came the Jews inclusive himself. In that time they were children and under the law of God and under the principle of the world. Under the law there was no freedom, only servitude. Children here comes from the Greek word nepios and that mens no adult. The servitude you can think about slavery, held in bondage. Galatians 3 verse 24 tells us:  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. The elements here are the ceremonies that exist in outer and earthly things. 

In that time when God was dealing with Israel the Gentiles lived without the law and without God in this world Read for yourselves Ephesians 2:11-12! 

Galatians 4 verse 4 and 5

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Verse 4: But says there is a changing. But when the fulness of the time was come: when the time was fulfilled. God send His Son Jesus Christ to this earth, made of a woman. Jesus Christ was born from a virgin. He came into this world under the law and that was with a reason. This was Gods purpose before the world exists that one time He should send His Son Jesus Christ to this world. In John 3 verse 16 we see one of the most famous verses of the Bible: For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. This is 100% true my dear brothers and sisters but this verse doesn't say us the deeper purpose why God gave His Son Jesus Christ to this world. In Hebrews 2 verse 9 we read: But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. That's why He came to this earth: to redeem them that were under the law. And another reason we read here is that we might receive the adoption of sons. To give us a full grown position in Him and not like a child who was under a schoolmaster and had no freedom. That we should live in freedom and alive in Him. He lived under the law here on earth and died for every man on this world on the cross on Calvary. He righteous for unrighteous men like you and me from origine. Now He sees us in Christ as sons and daughters without guilt. This gives us joy in our lives my dear brothers and sisters! Let us rejoice in Him!!! 

Galatians 4 verse 6

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Verse 6: Good news my dear brothers and sisters: we are the sons and daughter of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We are from Him! We have the Spirit of God's Son Jesus Christ in our hearts!  What a blessing! We are sealed with that Holy Spirit! In Ephesians 1 verse 13 and 14 we read: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1 verse 5 tells us: God had us predestinated unto the adoption of sons by Christ Jesus to Himself, according to the riches of His Grace. In Christ we have the fullgrown position and with God's Spirit which is working in us we can cry Abba Father. In the book of Romans in chapter 8 verse 10 we read: And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin: but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. And in verse 15 we read in the same chapter this: For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father. What a wonderful position we have in Christ my dear brothers and sisters and if we made this our own we will we will live an easier life! 

Galatians 4 verse 7

Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Verse 7 Brothers and sisters: we are no servants anymore!!! Slaves or servants inherit nothing. We are not under the schoolmaster anymore! The schoolmaster was the law. We were slaves, slaves of sin. The law could not save us. Romans 7 verse 14: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under Grace. A child cannot inherit but we are not children, we are sons and daughters and we are heirs of God through His Son Jesus Christ. What a blessing. God sees us in His Son Jesus Christ as sons and daughters in Him!!! Romans 8 verse 17 we see a very beautiful verse: And if children (sons and daughters),  then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. If we are litteraly in heaven my dear brothers and sisters on the day of the rapture we will be glorified together in Christ!! Let us rejoice in this my dear brothers and sisters!!!

Galatians 4 verse 8

Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

Verse 8: The apostle Paul speaks here to the believers in Galatia and indirect to us my dear brothers and sisters. He is speaking about the time when they knew not God and that they didn't serve Him. We too my dear brothers and sisters!  In Ephesians 2 verse 12 we read: That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commenwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." This was the past: they and we inclusive served gods who are by nature are no gods. An idol can also be now music and we have also a lot of images and that people bow for this.  Israel served as folk also those gods, idols, images as the heathen! Under the law God punished them for these acts!  In I Corinthians 8 verse 4 we read: As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. God is the only God and beside Him there are no gods, there exists no gods. In I Corinthians 8 verse 5 and 6 we read: For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom are all things, and we by Him. 

Galatians 4 verse 9

But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Verse 9: But now that means there has been a change. The believers at Galatia had known God or rather are know of God through the Gospel of the Grace of God Acts 20:24, 32, Romans 16:25-26. And yet through false brethren Jews they went back to another Gospel and turned again to the weak and beggarly elements. Why was this? Why they turned back to this? They turned back because they listened to people who told them this and they didn't listen anymore to God's Word and this is very easy my dear brothers and sisters to fall away from God's Word of Grace. The believers in Galatia went back to the bondage. In Galatians 5 verse 1-4 we read: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. Brothers and sisters if we go to another Gospel which is no Gospel or we turn to the so named law of God or laws of men we set us back under bondage. We are rich in Christ. We have everything in Him. In Him we have freedom. Let us trust in this instead to doubt and listening to people who in all kinds of ways try to take us away from Gods Grace what we already have in Christ. Now the question do you want the richdom and liberty in Christ or do you want the yoke of bondage my dear brother and sister? It is up to you. It is Gods desire that you hold fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free! And is also my desire and praying for you! 

Galatians 4 verse 10

Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

Verse 10: The problem with the believers in Galatia was this they turned again to the weak and beggarly elements. They began again to observe days, months, times and years. They left the Gospel of the Grace of God and turned to a message to observe days, years, times, months. They turned back to this world to hold feastdays, Sabbaths, rules and traditions of men. They, the believers at Galatia were observing for acceptance with God under the Mosaic law. It was legalism and bondage. They wanted to go back under a lega system that had never been given to Gentiles.  We as members of the Body of Christ, the heavenly Church let us be awake and hold fast the Word of Gods Grace which gives us the strength. See Colossians 3:1-3 and Colossians 2:16. Let us not do like the believers in Galatia and fall away from the Gospel of God's Grace! 

Galatians 4 verse 11

 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Verse 11: The apostle Paul was afraid of them. That the time he proclaimed the Gospel of the Grace of God to them and they received it for a time was in vain. He was afraid that this was for nothing, that all the labour under them was for nothing. It was his doubt. They went back to the Law of Moses which was never given to the Gentiles. The Word of Grace builds us up. Why is it so difficult to stay for the truth, the Gospel of the Grace of God? The reason for the believers of Galatia was that they allowed themselves to be talked into the law by false teachers. Today there are a lot of reasons. Some indeed hold fast or turned back  to a mixture of Law and Grace. Or the world is to attractive with human thoughts and philosophy. Here in the Netherlands a 1/3 of the people don't believe in the existence of God. The Psalm 14 verse 1 tells us; The fool hath said in his heart: There is no God. The question is why it is so easy to fall away from God's Gospel of the Grace of God? Because it is the truth my dear brothers and sisters and through the truth the devil who is the adversary is defeated by the truth, through this Gospel. He don't like it , he hates it and he does everything to hold people from the truth and let them believe the lies he has for them. He works in false teachers, ministers who work for him. Most of them don't know this and that my dear brothers and sisters is the danger. My dear brothers and sisters: let us not do like the believers in Galatia and the majority in Christianity who dont believe the truth or the truth anymore. Let us stand for the truth, the Gospel of the Grace of God Read II Timothy 2:1-3! 

Galatians 4 verse 12

 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.

Verse 12: This was a call of the apostle Paul to the brothers (and also sisters) in Galatia!! It is begging what the apostle Paul did here and he begged them in the Lord Jesus Christ to be like him, to believe the Gospel of the Grace of God and stand for it. To follow him as he followed our Lord Jesus Christ. This is what he said here and not only the believers in Galatia, we too are begged to have the apostle Paul as a example and follow in his steps!! He said I am as ye are, weak as they were weak in the flesh. Only the difference between him and them was that he trusted 100% in the Lord not only the Word of God but also the practical life and they departed from the Grace of God. In Philippians 4 verse 13 the apostle Paul says there: I can do all things through Christ Which strengeneth me" In all the weakness and the thorn in the flesh God told Paul: My Grace is sufficient for thee 2 Corinthians 12: 9. And in verse 10 of the same chapter we read: Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

De apostel Paulus gebruikte de kracht van Zijn opstanding in zijn leven en in 2 Korinthe 12:9-10 in verband met de doorn in zijn vlees: “En Hij heeft tot mij gezegd: Mijn genade is u genoeg; want Mijn kracht wordt in zwakheid volbracht. Zo zal ik dan veel liever roemen in mijn zwakheden, opdat de kracht van Christus in mij wone. Daarom heb ik een welbehagen in zwakheden, in smaadheden, in noden, in vervolgingen, in benauwdheden, om Christus wil; want als ik zwak ben, dan ben ik machtig” Let this sink in my brothers and sisters. Though we are weak we are strong in Him, Christ!!! The believers of Galatia had not injured im at all. They didn't treat Paul badly because the took him as a angel, yes as Christ Himself.

Galatians 4 verse 13

Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the Gospel unto you at the first.

Verse 13: This verse shows that the apostle paul that despite the infirmities of the flesh he preached the Gospel of the Grace of God to them the first time. So they heard this for the first time and God's Word is so powerful like dynamite! This let you see that the Word of God and especially the Word of His Grace is very powerful because it it the truth for today my dear brothers and sisters!! Probably Paul came with fear and trembling to them and told them the Good News of the Grace of God. Paul had also bad eyes and this was because of the revelations he got from the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven. In I Corinthians 2 verse 3-5 we read: And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. We are the same like Paul. We have also our infirmities in the flesh. Despite this if you know the truth and stand for it you can preach the Gospel of the Grace to others. We have the apostle Paul as example in this!

Galatians 4 verse 14

And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected;

but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

Verse 14: Paul had a temptation in his flesh what was bothering him. Probably the eyes of him were a temption in his flesh, a thorn in the flesh! They didn't despise it and they didn't reject him. The handicap he had hindered them not to believe the Gospel of the Grace of God. On the contrary when they met him and heard the Gospel of the Grace of God through Paul they received him as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. The Word of God made a deep impression on them and the handicap of the apostle Paul was not a problem for them. It reminds me my dear brothers and sisters when I was the first time in the United States and heard pastors preaching the Gospel of the Grace of God and rightly dividing the Word of truth. This made a deep impression on me. We all have our weakness but God works through us and helps us. We have to trust God everyday through all our weakness and can say with the apostle Paul in Philippians 4 verse 13 the following words:  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Galatians 4 verse 15

Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

Verse 15: Where was the blessedness of the believers of Galatia? In position they were blessed but they didn't speak anymore about this blessedness. The believers of Galatia were so happy in Christ and what they learned from the apostle Paul. He preached them Christ and all about the cross. They experienced the blessings in Christ they had but after the apostle's departure false teachers came in those churches and say the people that they had to return to the law and all the ceremonies and now they listened to these false doctrines which contained the law and rules of men. It is strange but people in general love rules and laws. They turned to a Gospel which was no Gospel the apostle had told in chapter 1. The profession church today you can compare with those believers in Galatia and Corinth. People like traditions, rules, laws, ceremonies like waterbaptism, things you can see with your own eyes like healings etc. They the believers in Galatia loved so much the apostle Paul  that some of them would have plucked out their own eyes and had given them to him. And now they didn't want to know anything about him and about the Gospel of Gods Grace and he became a stranger and that is exactly what I also experienced in my life a lot as long as I believe the Gospel of the Grace of God. It is not to late my dear brothers and sisters. If you don't know the Gospel of Gods Grace, learn it. Pick up your own Bible and begin to read the epistles of the apostle Paul and let God's Word get through to you with a lot of praying to God to enlighten you. Open your heart for this wonderful Gospel of the Grace of God Romans 16:25-26! Stop listening to false doctrines which never build you up. Life is very short here on earth. So make a decision and learn the truth and afterwards stand for it!

Galatians 4 verse 16

Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

Verse 16: They loved the apostle Paul, they would have plucked their own eyes and hath given it to him but now the situation had changed for them. They, the believers in Galatia went away from the truth and became maybe irritated when Paul told them the truth. They now considered him a enemy! This I experienced also a lot of times in my life brothers and sisters that people consider you a enemy when they met you and you know the truth and tell them the truth. People in general don't like the truth, they like to hear the lie and go after lies instead after the truth and stand for the Gospel of the Grace of God.  Till the end of his life the apostle Paul in II Timothy 4 verse 7 said: I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith

Galatians 4 verse 17

They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.

Verse 17: They zealously affect you. Who are they? These were the false brethren from origine Jewish. They told the believers in Galatia to turn to the Law of God. To another Gospel which is no Gospel. With this they tried to exclude the believers from the Grace of God. They rejected the truth, the Gospel of Gods Grace. It came down to this that the believer in Galatia went to do things which were told through this false teachers so that the law and rules might came back in their lives and they might live a uncertain spiritual life. So a call to you my brothers and sisters who know God's Gospel of Grace:  let not misled yourselves to false doctrines which is not according to the Gospel of the Grace of God. Don't listen to men but listen to Gods Word!!

Galatians 4 verse 18

 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

Verse 18: The apostle Paul told the believers in Galatia to be zealously affected always in a good thing. In II Timothy 4 verse 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.  Till the end of his life the apostle Paul proclaimed the Gospel of the Grace of God. He stood for it until his death. He also rightly divided the Word of truth and he admonished not only Timothy to do this but we also inclusive. In I Corinthians 15 verse 1 and 2  we read: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. And now the question to you my brother and sister do you believe the Gospel of the Grace of God? Do you stand for it. Do you defend this Gospel which the apostle Paul proclaimed and what you can find in all his 13 epistles? Through this Gospel of Grace you are saved don't forget this so if you don't know it learn this wonderful message of Grace of God!!!

Galatians 4 verse 19

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

Verse 19: My little children. Why called the apostle the believers in Galatia his little children. They were not grown up in the spiritual life. They were little children in the spiritual life. They went back to the law after Paul's departure through false brethren who told them this to do. They had forgotten that they lived under the Dispensation of Grace. Ephesians 3:1-3 as nowadays most of the people in this world. In I Corinthians 4 verse 15 he told the believers in Corinth the following and also we inclusive: For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel. Still the apostle Paul is our apostle! The apostle Paul wanted to explain again what their position is in Christ, that they were saved by Grace alone, by Faith alone and in Christ alone and this is the same message for today my dear brothers and sisters!  And how they according Gods Grace could walk so that Christ be formed in them. They had to turn back to God's Grace and the Gospel of God's Grace so that they could grow in the spiritual life and not remain little children or babies in the spiritual life. The Galatian believers went back to the law and to rules of men and lost the way to God. Nowadays most people don't know the way, the truth. A call to everyone who read this: learn the Gospel of the Grace of God and you obey God today! Romans 16:25-26. Leave the false teachings my brothers and sisters, friends! 

Galatians 4 verse 20

 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

Verse 20: Paul desired to be present with the believers in Galatia. He wished to be with them and that he could change his voice. That he could again proclaim them the Gospel of the Grace of God so that they would again obey God Romans 16:25-26. Paul doubted about them. The Galatian believers had left the Gospel of the Grace of God to another Gospel which is no Gospel. They went back to the law and nowadays you see a lot of believers do the same or do not wish to believe in the Gospel of the Grace of God. They knew because Paul had told them that they were no longer under the law but under Gods Grace. Easy they left the Grace of God and gave themselves over to rules of men and the Law of Moses. They again became beggars and the adversary the devil was very content with it because through the Gospel of Gods Grace he is definitely defeated. That's why he hates so much this Gospel and hinder this Gospel and hold people away from the truth so that they believe his lies. Brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ. If you believe the Gospel of the Grace of God and stand for it I say to you stand still for this gospel! Do not be moved to something else!

Galatians 4 verse 21

Tell me, ye desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

Verse 21: They, the believers from Galatia had the desire to be under the law. Why they returned to the law? They knew that they were under God's Grace. Romans 6 verse 14. Christ is the end of the Law. They trusted those false teachers. To do the law, to obey the law they didn't because nobody could obey the law of Moses because men is a sinner from nature. Through the Law people knew what is sin. Sin became more and more. The Law couldn't save a person and nowadays the so named Law or rules of men cannot save man. Salvation is in Jesus Christ. He is the end of the Law. He nailed the Law on the cross when He died on the cross on Calvary. The apostle Paul knew that the believers in Galatia couldn't obey the Law of Moses. Brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ: trust the Scriptures like Romans 6 verse 14 and not people like the Galatian believers did. You are saved by Grace alone, by Faith alone and in Christ alone and not by the Law. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done for you and me on Calvary!! Galatians 3 verse 25. Galatians 5 verse 1 tells us: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 4 verse 22

For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

Verse 22: Abraham had 2 sons from different women. Abraham's woman her name was Sara and she was the only woman from him. Sara had a slave named Hagar. God promised Abraham and Sara a son. In Genesis 16 verse 1-4 we read the following words: Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

The patience of Sarah Abrams wife was gone and she didn't trust anymore in God that God would give them a son on such a high age. Instead to trust God she took her Egyptian slave Hagar that she would bear a son. Abraham listened to the voice of his wife instead to trust God and. From this came the misery. Hagar gave birth to a son named Ismael. He was the son of the bondwoman and Isaac later was the son of the free woman Sara. Isaac inherited everything and Ismael not. He remained in slavery. We as believers are free from the slavery of sin my dear brothers and sisters. Thank God for this. Jesus Christ paid the price for us to die on the cross for us so that we can be free now.

Galatians 4 verse 23

But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

Verse 23: Abraham had two sons: the one Ismael was born after the flesh . He was the son of the slave Hagar. He was not the son which God promised to Abraham and Sara. In Genesis 17 verses 18-21 we read: And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!  And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.  And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.  But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year. This was not until Abraham was 100 years and Sara 90 years and Sara gave birth to a son named Isaac. Isaac is the son of the free woman which is Sara. In this Chapter 4 the apostle Paul uses this example and declared us that Hagar, the slave girl, speaks to us of the Law and its bondage and represents Jerusalem of that day in bondage with her children. We can read this in verse 25. Sara gave birth to the son Isaac, the son of promise and she is the free woman and respresents Jerusalem which is above which is free and the mother of us all verse 26. 

Galatians 4 verse 24 and 25

Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants;

the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar

For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is

and is in bondage with her children. 

Verse 24 and 25: The apostle Paul says these things are an allegory. The people under the law are like the son of the bondwoman in bondage. They are under the first covenant.  These two Agar and Sarah are the two covenants. Agar represents that which was given from mount Sinai which gendereth to bondage. It is mount Sinai in Arabia and it answereth to Jerusalem which is in bondage with her children. It represents the state of the Jews which are in bondage under the Law. 

Galatians 4 verse 26

But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

Verse 26: Sarah on the other hand speaks over God's Grace and represent Jerusalem which is above and free. And she is the mother of us all. The freedom we have in Christ because we trust Him as personal Savior my dear brothers and sisters. A lot of religious people in this world think that the law produces more results than the Grace of God. This isn't true. Again my dear brothers and sisters: do not like the believers in Galatia did: they went back to the law and rules of men like so many religious people on this earth. We are saved by God's Grace through Christ. Let us stand for the truth always: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5 verse 1

Galatians 4 verse 27

For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

Verse 27: The apostle Paul get here the prophet Isaiah from the Old Testament. In Isaiah 54 verse 1 we read: Sing O barren, thou that didst not bear; break foth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife saith the Lord. The barren that not bearest is representive for Sarah and stands for Grace. The one who has the man or husband is Hagar and isn't free but bound and under the law and gave Abraham his son Ismael. She was the slave of Sarah. Sarah the wife of Abraham gave birth to Isaac and he was the promised son. 

Galatians 4 verse 28

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise

Verse 28: This is to rejoice in: we are like Isaac the children of promise! What a blessing my dear brothers and sisters! This means the change was come. We as members of the Body of Christ are sons and daughters of promise. Through what? Through our Lord jesus Christ! Through His Grace are we saved!  Read Ephesians 2 verse 8 and 9 my dear brothers and sisters! In Romans 9 verses 7 and 8 we read the following: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed

Galatians 4 verse 29

But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit,

even so it is now.

Verse 29:  For this verse we go to Genesis 21 verse 9 and 10 and there we find written: And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. Ismael the son of the Egyptian Hagar, the slave of Sarah mocked. This son was not the son of promise and was therefore not a heir like Isaac. Despite he was mocking, teasing Isaac. It is the same as a man who is a unbeliever, he inherit nothing later if he comes not to the saving believe.Romans 8 verse 8 tells us: So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Instead of believing in God the unbeliever cursed God. He mocked God and all the ones who believe in Him as Saviour. This is what I see everyday on my work in the hospital. Ismael persecuted Isaac that was born after the Spirit and nowadays it is the same in this world. We as believers live in a awful world. We live under dead men in this world and let God do the work in us and shine through us in this world! 

Galatians 4 verse 30

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.

Verse 30: What saith the Scripture? That the bondwoman and her son had to leave. They  were no longer allowed to live under the tents where Abraham lived. In Genesis 21 verses 12 and 13 we read: And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed. The son of the free woman, from Sarah, which stands for Grace can't go together with the son who is born after the flesh. This son stands for slave and is bound. They face each other but have nothing with each other. There is a big gap between them and that is exactly what it is between the believer in Christ who is saved by Grace alone, by Faith alone and in Christ alone and the unbeliever who is a slave, bound to sin. 

Galatians 4 verse 31

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

Verse 31: Now we read here in this verse the conclusion. So then brethren we as believers are no more the children of the bondwoman, the children of slave but we are the sons and daughter of the free. No more bound to the law of sin and death. We read Romans 8 verse 2:For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. No more like Ishmael who was born according the flesh. We have been redeemed by the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ my dear brothers and sisters and therefore we are the sons and daughter of the free woman. We are saved through the faith of Jesus Christ Ephesians 2 verse 8 and 9. Let us rejoice in the Lord and boast in Him alone and not in ourselves!!

 

Galatians 5
Introduction: 

This chapter is  about our stand in Christ and how we have to walk in Him 

Galatians 5 verse 1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,

and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Verse 1: Brothers and sisters: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free!  Christ had made us free my brothers and sisters. We can stand in this freedom. 

First Christ had made us free from sin. We are no more slaves of sin but servants of righteousness. Romans 6 verse 18 tells us : Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 

Second Chist had made us free from the Law, redeemed from the curse of the law. In Galatians 3 verse 13 we read: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree Deuteronomy 21 verse 22 and 23. Because Christ hath made us free and paid for us with His Own blood on Calvary for us that is why we can live everyday in freedom! We have not to turn back to our former life, to our sins to serve sin. We have not to turn back to the law which the Galatian believers did. Under the law it was a yoke of bondage. The apostle Paul explained very well to the Galatian believers the Gospel of the Grace of God and what their liberty was and is in Christ. Through false brethren from Judea they went back to the law and try to live under that. Most of the believers of the Body of Christ, the heavenly Church are following the example of the believers in Galatia. They are ignorant about God's Grace and the Gospel of the Grace of God, the Mystery sadly. Dear reader if you too are ignorant about God's Grace why not to learn His Grace and the Gospel of Grace through the epistles of the apostle Paul? Brothers and sisters: let us not follow the example of the believers in Galatia but let us stand in the freedom of God in Christ everyday. We are no longer under the Law that was our schoolmaster but we are under God's Grace in Christ. 

Galatians 5 verse 2

Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

Verse 2: The circumcision became a ritual for the Galatian believers. False brethren from Judea and other parts in the Roman Empire came in Galatia and told the believers that the circumcision was a must to be accepted by God. The apostle Paul is very clear in this: if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. In Acts 15 verse 1 we read the following verse: And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. They were convinced that circumcision was for salvation!  About the circumcision we read in Genesis 17 verses 9-14: And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.  And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.  And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.  He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant. And in Acts 7 verse 8 we read the following verse: And He gave him the covenant of circumcisin: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eight day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs. In Romans 4 verse 11 and 12 we read: And he (Abraham) received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

The circumcision was a ritual and had a moral meaning. Read Exodus 13 verse 28 and Leviticus 12 verse 2 and 3. Now the question why is circumcision no use? The answer to this question is this: Christ is the end of the Law! see Romans 10 verse 4. In Colossians 2 verse 14 we read: Blotting out the handwriting or ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross. And in Colossians 2 verse 11 we read: In Whom (in Christ) also ye are cicumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ. 

When Catholicism came into this world became the teaching of the childrens baptism implemented. Instead of circumcision which was Biblical children were baptized with water which is unBiblical. Children baptism is nowhere find in the Bible and in Catholic and most Protestant churches became this a ritual. Probably men took it from Acts 16 verse 31 to use this as righteous use. Let us read very carefully Acts 16 verse 31: And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy house. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ: what He has done for you. That He died for you and me for our sins to save us from all our sins by His blood on the cross. This is what this verse says. It does not say believe and you have to baptize yourself or your whole family! Nowhere in the Bible we can read that the children baptism is in the place of circumcision! Under the former Dispensation under the preaching of the Kingdom the Jews (only men) were circumcised and as full grown baptized. Christ Himself was circumcised and baptized Matthew 3 verses 13-17. This was with the reason because He was under the Law of Moses and this was to fully identify Himself with the nation Israel and later to redeem them which were under the Law. That was His purpose. Only male gender were circumcised, not female under the former Dispensation. 

Galatians 5 verse 3

For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

Verse 3: The apostle Paul testifies here again to every man in the first place in Galatia but also any man in this world  which is circumcised according the Law of Moses that he is a debtor to do the whole law. The whole law were 613 rules and these laws men had to maintain. The believers in Galatia went back to the law through false brethren who told them this. In Galatians 3 verse 10 we read: For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. To maintain the whole law with 613 rules is impossible and surely under this Dispensation of Grace whereunder we live. If you want to obey the law, the whole law you have to be very consequent and you cannot choose what you like to do to obey that and what you dislike you obey not. In James 2 verse 10 we read: For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. In Romans 2 verse 25 we read: For circumcision verily profitteth, if thou keep the law; but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.  This let you see my brothers and sisters that this not possible to do!  We are under God's Grace and not under the Law anymore. Believe this!!! Read Romans 6 verse 14!

Galatians 5 verse 4

Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Verse 4: If someone thinks that he or she is justified by the law then Christ become of no effect on that person. Then Christ died in vain when this is so. Under this Dispensation of Grace is it: saved by Grace alone, by Faith alone and in Christ alone. Not through works of the law. Law and Grace go not together. It is Law or it is Grace. The profession church in this world tells us a mix of Law and Grace but this doesn't work. If you are under the law you are fallen from Gods Grace. In Romans 3 verses 21 and 22 we read: But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Galatians 5 verse 5

For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Verse 5:The apostle Paul is speaking here of our desire for perfect personal righteousness. We all wish to be more righteous. We can thank our God that we are righteous in Christ and God wants to live for Him because of this fact!  We are complete in Christ so we have to stand fast in this liberty what we have in Christ my dear brothers and sisters. Read Colossians 2 verse 10! 

Galatians 5 verse 6

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing,

nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Verse 6: We are in Christ my dear brothers and sisters! We are baptized into His death. Our old man was crucified with Him, buried with Him and we are new man in Him, we are resurrected with Him. Romans 6 verse 3-5. We are one with Him. That's why it doesn't matter if you are circumcised or not but the faith is now more important through love of God. That has power my dear brothers and sisters!  In Colossians 2 verse 11 we read: In Whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ. Dear brothers and sisters: we are circumcised in Him. The ritual of physical circumcision is no longer necessary because through the whole truth of the preaching of the cross, the real meaning of the cross. In Him we are blessed with all the blessings says Ephesians 1 verse 3. Why you should go back to rituals and ordinances of the law which are not necessary anymore because we are not under the law but under Grace! Read again Romans 6 verse 14! 

Galatians 5 verse 7

Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Verse 7: The Galatian believers did run well, they obeyed the truth, the Gospel of the Grace of God. The Gospel which the apostle Paul preached to them of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures fo the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God made known to all nations for the obedience of faith Romans 16 verse 25 and 26!  But someone had hindered them that they shouldn't obey this anymore! When the apostle Paul told them the Gospel of Gods Grace which is the truth Colossians 1:5-6 they took it as Gods Word. They even had given their own eyes to the apostle Paul who had bad eyes because of the revelations of God to him. They stood for the truth and now because of false teachers they didn't obey the truth anymore but believe the lie. Read again Acts 15 verse 1! They now listened more to men than to Gods Word which the apostle Paul made known to them. Nowadays we have in a lot of local churches here on earth a mix of gospels together. What you see is that God's Word is not anymore the central point but man. A lot of them had a lot of activities and it looks sometimes like a club. The truth is not made known that's why there is so much confusion in Christianity. People have lost their way to God's truth. This is very sad. But it is not to late my dear brothers and sisters you can learn the truth! Read the epistles of the apostle Paul Romans Philemon, learn to rightly divide God's Word 2 Timothy 2:15 which is the key verse of the Bible! 

Galatians 5 verse 8

This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.

Verse 8: This persuasion. What does this mean? Someone had hindered the believers in Galatia that they didn't obey the truth. This conviction came not from the apostle Paul but from someone else who hindered the truth. The devil is always busy to resist the truth because he is defeated through the truth of the cross. Therefore he tries everything he can to withold people from the truth to tell them lies! He is a master in it and use false teachers for this purpose even today because we live still under the Dispensation of God's Grace. Ephesians 3:1-3 and read also Romans 16 verses 25-26. God called the believers in Galatia to His Grace through the apostle Paul and  today it is the same my brothers and sisters! So take this very serious and learn and study this Gospel of Grace Acts 20:24, 32 which will build you up and is the truth Colossians 1:5-6. Through this Gospel you as believer will also grow in the spiritual life. A mix of Gospels what you see in this world will not build up and you can't grow in the spiritual life through this!! Let not yourself be misled by our adversary who tell you lies. Believe the truth and stand for it!!!

Galatians 5 verse 9

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

Verse 9:  The believers from Galatia were fallen from God's Grace. Instead to believe God's Grace they believed the Law and all the rules and wanted to live like this but a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump says this verse.  In I Corinthians 5 verse 6 we read: Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? The apostle Paul wrote this to the saints at Corinth and with them the problem was not the law but their own flesh and the lusts of the flesh. In this world we see a lot of heresy in the so named Christian world. This is a sad situation. That's why I say to you my brothers and sisters: leave the heresy, leave the lies, the false doctrines and learn and study the truth, the Gospel of the Grace of God which is the Gospel for today!! The truth Colossians 1:5-6 builds you up, strengthen you as believer, root and stablish you in the faith, in the spiritual life my dear brother and sister! Then it is not a little leaven which leaveneth the whole lump but it is sound in your life with Christ! You will be happier when you do this! Now the question do you want this? 

Galatians 5 verse 10

I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

Verse 10: Paul had confidence in them through the Lord. The believers in Galatia had been talked into lies of the devil through false teachers who told them to go back to the Law. He Paul had the confidence in the Lord that they will be none otherwise minded than he. In I Corinthians 4 verse 15 and 16 we read: For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. He that troubleth them, the men from Judea, false teachers, shall bear judgment and it doesn't matte who he is. For God there is no respect for persons. 

Galatians 5 verse 11

And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

Verse 11: And I brethren. It let you see my brother and sister that the apostle Paul is very very serious here. He uses I and now it comes: if I yet preach circumcision why do I yet suffer persecution? That is his question for them! If he preached the same as the false brethren to tell them that they had to be circumcised why did he suffer persecution? But the apostle Paul didn't preach the circumcision. He preached the Gospel of the Grace of God. He preached the glory of the cross my dear brothers and sisters! In I Corinthians 1 verse 23 and 24 we read: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. You read it! Paul preached Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God! If he preached the circumcision then the offence of the cross is ceased. No one would anymore offend the cross. Then the cross has no meaning anymore and God is a liar. Do you understand this my brothers and sisters? The apostle Paul preached the glory of the cross, the spiritual circumcision Colossians 2 verse 11. The identification of the believer with Christ and that's why he was persecuted and that is wherefore he later was executed to death! His epistles tell us the truth, the good news of the cross and our position in Christ my dear brothers and sisters! And now the question do you believe the truth, the Gospel of the Grace of God as the Gospel you have to believe under this Dispensation of Grace or do you believe a mix of Law and Grace and social gospel or philiosophy of men?

Galatians 5 verse 12

I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

Verse 12: The wish of the apostle Paul was to break down. The people, false teachers who troubled the believers in Galatia should go away. The apostle's Paul wish was justly! They, these false brethren would the brethren in Galatia no more bothering! The adversary of God, the devil, is always busy to let people believe a false message. He perverts God's Word. He is a men killer from the beginning see Genesis 3. Oh brothers and sisters let us read very carefully this epistle to the Galatian believers and let us not do like the Galatian believers did to go back to the Law and fall from God's Grace! 

Galatians 5 verse 13

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Verse 13: Brethren the apostle Paul said here in the first place to the Galatian believers that they have been called unto liberty. They had the liberty in Christ. Christ had made us free, free from the power of sin! Free from the Law  Romans 6 verse 14. This is not a liberty for the occasion to the flesh. It is not to say I can sin more because God says God forbid Romans 6: 1-4! Romans 8 verse 6 tells us: For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. The problem of the believers of Galatia: they went back to the law and let them be influenced by false teachers who told them this to do and to be circumcised.  That's why they left the liberty and and were busy with their flesh. But the apostle Paul says here: by love serve one another. This is the love of God my dear brothers and sisters and we can do it too, we can also by love of God serve one another. In Romans 13 verse 10 we read: Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. This the the Galatian believers had to do and we too my dear brothers and sisters. Are you willing to do that? 

Galatians 5 verse 14

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Verse 14: The whole law is fulfilled in one word: thou shalt love thy neighbour as yourself. In Romans 13 verse 8 we read: Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. We as believers in Christ have to love other people, not haters of men but lovers of men. This is not the love of ourselves to love strangers, our neighbours because from our nature we hate people. A example: a mother loves her children or child because it is her child. It should be like this my brothers and sisters and we know why because the love of Christ urges us. We can tell people about God's love in Christ, the finished work on the cross. A attitude is very important in here. This attitude we should have daily so that unbelievers become curious. It is God that calls us my dear brothers and sisters. I Timothy 1 verse 5 tells us:  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned" We have to lead ourselve through God's Holy Spirit Who lives in us through His Word. Read Ephesians 1:13,14, Romans 10:17, Romans 16: 25, 26! 

Galatians 5 verse 15

 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

Verse 15:  Just as the believers at Corinth there were quarrels and conflichts under the believers in Galatia. They bite and devour one another. This was far from God's command in the law: to love your neighbour as yourself. This let you see that the believers here couldn't hold the law and that is why the apostle Paul admonishes them: take heed that ye be not consumed one of another! The example of the believers in Galatia and also the believers in Corinth has in all those ages till now in the so named Christian world especially in the professional churches continued. Nowadays you read about a lot of conflicts in Christian churches here on earth, each other's opinions who aren't respected. The big problem is that people don't know the unity of the Spirit Ephesians 4 verse 3-7 and to hold this unity! Brothers and sisters don't follow the example of the Galatian believers or the believers at Corinth. Trust God's Word of Grace and be busy with this to read and to study this and let God's Word rule bit by bit your heart and let God do the work in you so that people can recognize the love of Christ in you! 

Galatians 5 verse 16

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Verse 16: From this verse on till the end of this Chapter it is about the walk through God's Spirit and about the walk according the flesh and the working of our flesh, nature! The apostle Paul admonishes the believers in Galatia and inclusive us too that we have to walk in the Spirit and not to fulfil the lusts of the flesh. As believers in Christ we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of God. What does that mean? God's Spirit lives in us Ephesians 1:13 and 14. Dear brothers and sisters: we are in Christ and God's Spirit, the Spirit and mind of Christ are living in us. By the presence of sin we can sin, even as believers we sin everyday. But there is good news my dear brothers and sisters: we can choose. We can walk in the Spirit and not fulful the lust of the flesh or we can live according our flesh and to fulfil the lusts thereof. A unbeliever cannot choose. He or she lives in sin. Therefore we are urged not to sin! In Romans 13 verse 14 we read: But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. So brothers and sisters: let us walk in the Spirit of God by which we are sealed. Let us in general read and reread and study God's Word of Grace, that means the epistles of the apostle Paul: Romans-Philemon which is our private spiritual mail for today! Read Colossians 3 verse 1-3. Those verses are beautiful to read and study!! If we are lead by the Spirit of God we have no attendance to our flesh. Romans 8 verses 12 and 13 tells us: For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. If ye live after the flesh ye shall die. You feel then the sin and the restlessness in your life. If you walk in the Spirit of God, if you are led by God's Spirit you feel the rest and the fruit of the Spirit will work in your life. 

Galatians 5 verse 17

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Verse 17: Brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ: we have the Spirit of God, we are sealed with this Spirit till the Rapture I Thessalonians 4 verse 13-18! Still we have also our flesh. This flesh lusteth against the Spirit and vice versa! The flesh and the Spirit are contrary the one to the other! With our own flesh, our own old nature we want to live our own lives. These are desires from our flesh, our own mind. Our own mind is never satisfied. We want more and more. But we have also the Spirit of God living in us and that's why the apostle Paul says here so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. If we live according our flesh, we serve sin then we grieve the Holy Spirit Which is living in us. If we serve our flesh my dear brothers and sisters God cannot on that moment work in us through His Word!  

Galatians 5 verse 18
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Verse 18: The apostle Paul said to the Galatian believers inclusive us as believers in the Body of Christ that if ye be led of the Spirit. How can you be led by God's Spirit? Well God's Spirit is together with God's Word. If we be led by His Spirit through His Word then we are not under the law? Which law is spoken here? This is the law of sin. So if we be led by God's Spirit we are not under sin. On that moment we are not under the lusts of our flesh. Romans 7 verse 25 tells us a conclusion:  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Dear brothers and sisters: this is a daily fight flesh against spirit. This we have to experience every day and this is good to feel it because otherwise there is somethng wrong in our lives. With the apostle Paul I can say: let us be led of the Spirit of God through His Word and let us not serve sin/ our flesh! 

 Galatians 5 verse 19

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Verse 19: Now the works of the flesh are manifest. It is accessible. Everyone can do the works of the flesh. The unbeliever serve only sin. For us we can choose my dear brothers and sisters. We can serve God and we can serve our flesh. The works of the flesh are described here and the first we see here is adultary which is voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not their spouse. This was common in the time of the apostle Paul and nowadays it is also common and much more than in that time. Here in the Netherlands in 2020 last year we read 28 965 mariages ended in divorce. And this only in the Netherlands! It must be a lot in the whole world! The second word is fornication which means: sexual intercourse between people not married to each other. The third here is uncleanness: not clean; dirty. morally impure; evil; vile: unclean thoughts. The fourth here is lasciviousness: filled with or showing sexual desire . All those works of the flesh here in this verse has to do with sexual feelings for someone else and not for the partner in a marriage. We here a lot via media about fornication and uncleanness. Not only under priests, bishops in the Catholic church, also filmstars and other famous people but everyone of us is also able to do this. But we my dear brother and sister we can choose! We have not to do this. We can be led by God's And this only in the Netherlands! It must be a lot in the whole world! The second word is fornication which means: sexual intercourse between people not married to each other. The third here is uncleanness: not clean; dirty. morally impure; evil; vile: unclean thoughts. The fourth here is lasciviousness: filled with or showing sexual desire . All those works of the flesh here in this verse has to do with sexual feelings for someone else and not for the partner in a marriage. We here a lot via media about fornication and uncleanness. Not only under priests, bishops in the Catholic church, also filmstars and other famous people but everyone of us is also able to do this. But we my dear brother and sister we can choose! We have not to do this. We can be led by God's Spirit through His Word instead to be led by our flesh! 

Galatians 5 verse 20

 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Verse 20: We see in this verse a continuation of the works of the flesh. First idolatry: the worship of someone or something other than God as though it were God. In the law of God it was forbidden! For example in North Korea the big leaders must be worshipped. Witchcraft: from wicca (masculine) or wicce (feminine), pronounced “witchah” and “witchuh,” respectively, denoting someone who practices sorcery; hatred: fierce malice, variance:  the fact or state of being in disagreement, emulations: Emulation is defined as the act of trying to match or equal someone, a form of jealousy. Wrath: extreme anger, strife: angry or bitter disagreement, conflict. Seditions:  incitement of resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority. Heresies: false doctrines. 

Galatians 5 verse 21

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Verse 21: This is also a continuation of the last verses my dear brothers and sisters and we begin with envyings: A feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by and in conjunction with desire for the possessions or qualities of another. Murders: this has not to be explained, we know this very well as the same as the next word drunkenness. Revellings what are these? Drinking parties that extended late into the night usually ending in sexual debauchery. And such like these: all sin and all works of the flesh. The apostle Paul explained here that the onese who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Does this mean that someone who does one of these sins be lost? To the believers in Corinth the apostle Paul wrote these words: Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. I Corinthians 6 verse 9 and 10.  Yes my dear brothers and sisters a believer like you and me in Christ can also do such things. But we cannot loose our salvation because in verse 10 we read of the same chapter: And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. If we do such things: the works of the flesh we suffer damage and it become restless in our lives, in our walk. God cannot work on that moment in us through His Word.  In Ephesians 5 verses 3-7 we read: But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.  For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  Through not good walking (works of the flesh) we can become ill and in the worst we can physically die from it. So let us not walk according our flesh and worldly lusts but serve our Lord Jesus Christ and the Word of His Grace. Acts 20:32 my dear brothers and sisters!!!

Galatians 5 verse 22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,

goodness, faith

Verse 22: My dear brothers and sisters: the fruit of the Spirit is: love=agape, the love of God, not love of men or from ourselves! The word but means that which is before written is past and now it is something new what is written here in this verse! Love: God's love through His Spirit which is working in us through His Word. From ourselves in our nature we have not this love. Human love is always selfcentered. Joy: a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. Peace: we have peace with God. If we be led by the Spirit we have the peace in our walk.  Longsuffering: can tolerate a lot, gentleness: kindness, goodness- Grace. Faith: the faith of Christ in us! All this has to do with the one word love! 

Galatians 5 verse 23

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law

Verse 23: This verse is a continuation of verse 22 and a conclusio! We see here the word meekness: a lot of patience. Temperance: Temperance as Emotional Restraint or Self-Control. Against such there is no law. What does that mean? If we walk in the Spirit this will happen: if we spend more time in God's Word and in prayer to God then sin cannot on the same time work in us. We will not fulfil at that moment the lusts of our flesh. The law here is the the law of sin. 

Galatians 5 verse 24

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Verse 24: Those who belong to Christ! Brothers and sisters: we are in Him Christ, we belong to Him!! We died with Him on the cross, our old man died with Him on the cross on Calvary and was buried with Him and with the crucifixion we have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. This all happened on the cross through the operation of God my dear brothers and sisters! Galatians 2 verse 20 tells us: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.Again we as believers in Christ have not to serve sin anymore. We can choose! Let us walk through God's Spirit through His Word brothers and sisters!!! Let us not walk again according our former walk before! Ephesians 2: 2-3! 

Galatians 5 verse 25

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

Verse 25: This was not only a call for the believers in Galatia in the first place. Also for us it is a call and a admonishing from the apostle Paul who is also our apostle! We live in the Spirit. We are sealed with that Holy Spirit of God Ephesians 1:13-14. Now the daily life: if we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  Then the question how can we walk if we don't know can someone say? The answer to this is to learn God's Gospel of Grace Romans 16:25-26. Learn the epistles of the apostle Paul my dear brother or sister. First learn what God has done for us in Christ, that He died on the cross on Calvary, that He died our death what we deserved, that He was buried and that He rose on the third day I Corinthians 15:3-4. When you know very well your position in Christ, you let yourself be led by God's Spirit which goes together with His Word of Grace! Read also Romans 8 vese 14-16

Galatians 5 verse 26

Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Verse 26: Let us not be desirous of vain glory! What does that mean? Vain glory is excessive or ostentatious pride especially in one's achievements. It is pride my dear brothers and sisters. If we desire this the honour and glory goes not to our God but to ourselves. If we are to busy with this God cannot work in us my dear saints! Let us walk in the Spirit and give only God the honor and glory.

Second we read that the believers in Galatia provoke each other! This can lead to anger, quarrels my brothers and sisters! Let us not do this says the apostle Paul. 

The third thing we read is envying one another. This is a form of jealousy. Not being able to have what someone else has. Ths can lead to war

Galatians 6 

Introduction:

This last chapter of the epistle to the Galatian believers is about how we walk and what our attitude must be to one another or to a other person.

Galatians 6 verse 1

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.

Verse 1: If a man be overtaken in a fault. What fault a man must done we ask ourselves? What here is described is a crime. We know now that we live under God's Grace and not under the law anymore. So the crime can be that a man stole something from another person, or that someone cursed. If you as believer are spiritual you can help a person like this. And how we do this if we are spiritual? Well the answer here in this verse is written: restore such an one in the spirit of meekness. The meaning of this is not that we reprimand someone as under the Law but we let someone see what are the consequences of his actions so that he or she can think about it and maybe comes to repentance. That is in the spirit of meekness! That means with a lot of patience in the love of God and let him or her read the Scripture you read with him or her. If you are spiritual you have to consider yourself because we make as spiritual people also faults. It is admonishing the person which leads to better. We my brothers and sisters can also be tempted to crime but let's not lead us to such things. Read Ephesians 4 verse 32. This is also what we have to do in such situations. This must be our attitude to others. 

Galatians 6 verse 2

 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Verse 2: Bear ye one another's burdens! Yes this is it my dear brothers and sisters in Christ! This is what it should be! Let us read in this connection Philippians 2 verses 2 and 3: Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. This means that you as believer not just busy with yourself but be directed to the other, the other brother and sister in the Body of Christ with whom you are in contact. If your brother or sister you know need your help, help him or her. This is attitude we have to learn as members of the Body of Christ. You cannot learn this in one moment. You have to learn this through the years as believer! The most important thing is that we have to lead ourselves through His Spirit and through His Word. And so we can fulfil the law of Christ, love one another and that is the love of Christ in us. 

Galatians 6 verse 3

For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Verse 3: For if a man thinks himself to be something! It's not our credit my brothers and sisters or it is our works or own pride. If you think my brother or sister that you are something you deceive yourself because we have nothing from ourselves. It is the Work of God through Jesus Christ His Son for us personally. In Romans 7 verse 24 we read the following verse: O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. If you boast in yourself my brother or sister then deceive ye yourself because without the Lord Jesus Christ you can do nothing. In Ephesians 2 verse 10 we read: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. The spiritual man realize that it cost God dearly much what He has done in Christ for him or her: to die on the cross for his or her sins  and for the sins of this world, was buried and was resurrected I Corinthians 15 verse 3 and 4, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14. So the spiritual man don't put him (her) self on a pedestal. He is meek, merciful and forgiving another because God in Christ had forgiven him or her Ephesians 4:32. This must be our attitude in Christ my dear brothers and sisters! 

Galatians 6 verse 4

But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

Verse 4: What does this verse mean? Let every man prove his own work. Don't judge your brother or sister in the Body of Christ what he or she does. We stand alone for God my brother and sister. Let us prove first our own work in the Lord. We cannot believe or think for another. The Body of Christ is a living organism. It is not a organization! All the members are have their own part in that Body, the Church! The work here is not the work to be saved or a religious work. No it is how did you walk, your daily work with the Lord. Do you live a life with God according His Grace and the Gospel of the Grace of God. Ephesians 2:10. 

Galatians 6 verse 5

For every man shall bear his own burden.

Verse 5: At the Bema at the Rapture everyone of the Body of Christ, everyone of us who believe shall bear his own burden. Everyone stands alone for God. Everyone of us at the Bema shall give a account for the Lord Jesus Christ. We  all are responsible for ourselves. In I Corinthians 3 verse 8 we read: Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. At the Bema this shall happen there what we read in I Corinthians 3 verses 12 -15: Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.  It boils down my dear brothers and sisters at the Bema: did we live according God's Grace and the Gospel of Gods Grace Acts 20:24, Romans 16:25-26 or did we live a life according a mixed Gospel? 

Galatians 6 verse 6

 Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Verse 6: Let him that is taught in the Word. In the first place directed to the Galatian believers here in this verse. For them but also for us my dear brothers and sisters. Every one of us who wants to be taught in the Word of God. Which Word? The Word of His Grace. Let us read Acts 20:32: And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of His Grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. This is the sound Doctrine for today my dear brothers and sisters! Here in this verse we read that the ones who are taught in the Word of His Grace communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. What does this mean communicate? Let us read first I Corinthians 9 verses 11-15: If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the Gospel. But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. It comes down to this that as person the Word of God's Grace teach to people and the rightly dividing (2 Timothy 2:15) learns to people the people have to communicate with you first things asking about it which is not clear and second to talk about it and third what does this verse says financial support. This last as Bible teacher I will give Biblestudies like the apostle Paul for free which is better in this. The Gospel which the apostle Paul is speaking here is the Gospel of the Grace of God. Another Gospel brings unrest and uncertainty. There is no other Gospel than the Gospel of the Grace of God. In Galatians 1 verse 9 we read: As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other Gospel unto you thant that ye have received, let him be accursed. Strong words you will say but this is reality my dear brothers and sisters! What does this mean? It means that another Gospel, mostly a mixed Gospel brings no blessings in lives of people but chaos and people cannot grow spiritualy. The apostle Paul never used to take money from other people who were taught in the Word of His Grace which the apostle Paul communicated to them. In Acts 18 verse 3 we read:And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. The apostle Paul like Aquila and Priscilla were tentmakers and earned with this money. Like the apostle Paul personally I have work and work in the hospital on the Department of Radiology and to this with a lot of pleasure for more than 20 years. In this I will follow the apostle Paul! You can live off the Gospel of the Grace of God. Read I Timothy 5 verse 18. 

Galatians 6 verse 7

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Verse 7: Be not deceived! God is not mocked. Man seeks excuses. But God knows everything my dear brothers and sisters. He is allknowing our God. This is a penetrating warning, message to us also believers. There were believers in Galatia who mocked to God but God is not mocked. You can't fool him. And then you cannot do everything what you want says the apostle Paul because what you soweth ye shall also reap. Worldly pleasures do God no favors. To serve your flesh and worldly things is not serving God my dear brothers and sisters. You may feel the consequences my brothers or sisters when you serve your own flesh with all his lusts. You can be ill if you live a life which is excessive like a drunkard for example. This will lead even to death! That's why we read in I Corinthians 6 verse 12 and 13 the following verses: All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. In Ephesians 5 verse 15-18 we read: See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

My brothers and sisters: this is daily, every moment of the day. We can choose, we can serve God and we can serve our flesh. Let us be lead through God's Spirit Who lives in us through His Word. 

Galatians 6 verse 8

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Verse 8: He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption. The works of the flesh are corrupt. In Romans 8 verse 13 we read: For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. But the man who that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. These are the these are the consequences. Through the Spirit of God it is life and peace and you can experience this my dear brothers and sisters if you want to be lead by God's Spirit which will work with His Word. 

Galatians 6 verse 9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

 

Verse 9 Let us do the good. We know from ourselves that we are weak as other people because of the sin nature. Through this we are sometimes not busy with God's Word and the Word of His Grace. That's why the apostle Paul admonishes the Galatian believers and us that we have to lead ourselves by God's Word Romans 10:17 Than we shall reap if we faint not. It is this that God want that we continue in the Word of His Grace and the rightly dividing. 2 Timothy 2:15. In Romans 6 verses 11 and 12 we read:  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

 

Galatians 6 verse 10

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Verse 10: If we have time enough let us do good to all men but especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Especially our brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ. We are members of each other. First we have to be lovers of men but more lovers of our brothers and sisters. If we lead ourselves through God's Spirit then it will succeed. In Romans 12 verses 17-18 we read the following verses: Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

And in I Thessalonians 5 verse 15 we read a similar verse: See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Extra care and attendence we have to give to our brothers and sisters in het Lord Jesus Christ. This is to help them to understand the Bible, the Word of His Grace Acts 20:32. Oh as brothers and sisters learn this: the epistles of the apostle Paul, Romans – Philemon and the rightly dividing! So a call to you my brother or sister: read and learn the epistles of the apostle Paul so that you also know what is your position in Christ, what Christ has done for you, what God's plan is with the Body of Christ, how to walk in Him, our future in Him.

Galatians 6 verse 11

Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

Verse 11: From this verse we can understand that the apostle Paul wrote this epistle all by himself to the Galatian believers. He was very glad that he had written this epistle which was very large and it is, to the believers at Galatia and also for the Body of Christ whereuto we also belong. Through the revelations of God in Jesus Christ to Paul , the apostle Paul his eyes were very bad. In Galatians 4 verse 15 we saw already the following verse: Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. And in 2 Corinthians 12 verses 7-9 we read: And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. His eyes were very bad from the apostle and it was difficult for him to write the churches with his own hand but this epistle he did all by himself!  In most of the cases did he have someone write it down.

Galatians 6 verse 12

As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

Verse 12: Fals brothers, preachers of the Jews had preached to the Galatian believers that they had to be circumcised. They had pressed the believers in Galatia to do this so that hey could boast and that was essential. They brought the believers there again under the Law which was ended by Christ. They wanted to boast in their own flesh and with the purpose that believers had not to be persecuted anymore. They were haters of the cross of Christ, the deep meaning of the cross, the glory of the cross.  Back then in Paul's days it was the circumcision. Now my dear brothers and sisters it is the baptism in the Christian world! The waterbaptism is for a example people say that you are a part of Jesus Christ or that you are a follower of Him or that  it's laying off the old life. Some believers make a whole show of it: it is to see on youtube or it is written in the newspapers with pictures. For most people this is the ritual that every believer in Christ must undergo. Waterbaptism negates the glory of the cross on Calvary my dear brothers and sisters. It brings people to false doctrines and satan is a master to twist God's Word. He did this in the beginning Genesis 3 and nowadays he does the same things. Dear brothers and sisters: we are circumcised in Christ, we are baptized in Him, which is without hands.  We read Colossians 2 verse 11 and 12: In Whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, Who hath raised Him from the dead. So we are circumcised in Him because of the circumcision of Christ on the cross and we are buried with Him in baptism, into His death my dear brothers and sisters. So why to go back to a former Dispensation wherein Gods Work on the cross was not happened? We are living after the cross! It is done and it is the operation of God! We are new men in Him, in Christ. There is no need for rituals under this Dispensation of Grace anymore. God is not working with this. He let us see in His Word that all is finished and that we are complete in Christ and that there is no work to do for salvation! We have only to accept it!!! So let us not deceive with nice talk about waterbaptism or other so named religious works. Waterbaptism will not change you as person, it is also not for witness or a example. We have not to be baptized in water, we have to be baptized in Jesus Christ! Read Romans 6 verse 3-5. Waterbaptism tells the world nothing, alone that we as believers are confused!!!

Galatians 6 verse 13

 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law;

but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

 

Verse 13: The false teachers who told the believers in Galatia to be circumcised didn't keep the law. They were circumcised but were no doer's of the law! They were hypocrytes. On the outside they look as pious men but in between they were not consequent. They had to keep the law because they were circumcised but it didn't work in them. Appearance was more important like the circumcision because they could glory in their flesh, they could boast in it. So look how good we are or how good we are busy!  They had the desire that the believers in Galatia have been circumcised so that they could glory in their flesh. In Colossians 2 verses 21-23 we read in this case the following:  (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.  All this leads till our own fame and pride and this has nothing to do with God and His Grace. Again my brothers and sisters let this be clear: the law is ended. Christ is the end of the Law. He nailed the law on the cross on Calvary! Colossians 2:14. Do not like the Galatian believers but be busy with God's Word of Grace Acts 20:32. Be like the believers at Berea Acts 17:11 and search the Scriptures like they did. 

Galatians 6 verse 14

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.

Verse 14: God forbid that I should glory said the apostle Paul here in this verse. To boast in yourself this is not what God want from us that's why He said that He forbid it. To boast in circumcision or in waterbaptism so named works so that you can glory in your flesh is what God not want my dear brothers and sisters. The apostle Paul gloried in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ has accomplished everything my dear brothers and sisters. We are with Him crucified, buried with Him and resurrected with Him Romans 6 verses 3-5!  Galatians 2 verse 20 :  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. It is now Christ living in you and me my brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ! We are in Him and it is on us not to trust our flesh which is subject to sin. Romans 6 verse 13:  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Let us give God the honor and what He had done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross! 

Galatians 6 verse 15

 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Verse 15: For God in Christ it doesn't matter if you are circumcised or not. He sees you and me in Christ and we are new men in Him, we are a new creature! Without guilt and all our sins paid for through Jesus Christ's blood  on the cross! In Christ circumcision or uncircumcision has no power. If you originally were Jew or Gentile. For God what availeth is a new creature in Christ. Ephesians 2 verse 14 and 15 tells us:  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace" Brothers and sisters: For God there is no difference anymore. Everyone of us in the Body of Christ is the same in Christ. We are new men in Him. We don't live anymore under the law Romans 6 verse 14. In Colossians 3 verses 10 and 11 we read: And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Think about this my brothers and sisters and let this get through to you! 

Galatians 6 verse 16

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

verse 16 This verse until verse 18 are the last verses of this epistle to the Galatian believers. As many as walk according to this rule. That we know that we are under God's Grace and not under the law. That we make no difference between circumcision, uncircumcision, blank, brown, black, yellow or other skins of men. That we know that we all who believe in Christ are one in Him: there is peace on them, on you and me who walk according this rule. Walk as new men in Christ.  The second here is mercy upon the Israel of God. What does that mean? None other than “the circumcision” to whom Peter, James, and John agreed to confine their ministries (Galatians 2:9).

Galatians 6 verse 17

From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Verse 17 : let no man trouble me the apostle Paul said. The apostle Paul had to suffer a lot. That was his life here on earth after he was saved because he was the first in the Body of Christ. Paul suffered more than anyone of us! He is our prototype! In his body he beared all the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ for His Body.  In II Corinthians 11 verses 22-29 we read: Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.  Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.  Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? The Lord had said to Ananias in Damascus from Paul in Acts 9 verse 15 and 16:  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Galatians 6 verse 18

 Brethren, the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Verse 18: The apostle Paul ended here with a beautiful verse: brethren, the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. He ended here very positive with God's Grace. Yet the fact that they turned from Gods Grace to a religious life under the so named law and laws of men they have to know that they are under Gods Grace Romans 6 verse 14. And this is also for us. That same Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is also with our spirit. Amen. Here end the epistle to the saints at Galatia