Posted on 01/09/2015 5:43:56 AM PST by Gamecock
Sometimes, what is not said speaks more loudly than actual words. The silence, as we say, is deafening. In the opening verses of his letter to the churches of Galatia, the apostle Paul employs this communication technique to underscore the seriousness of the subject at hand. As he does in all of his letters, Paul begins by identifying himself as the author, naming the intended recipients, and pronouncing a blessing on them (1:1–5).
It is what comes next that is so uncharacteristic for him. Immediately after his introductory comments, and before launching into the body of the letter, Paul writes…nothing. He offers no expression of gratitude to God for them or words of encouragement about their spiritual vitality.
When compared to his other warm greetings (for example, Rom. 1:8; 1 Cor. 1:1–5; Eph. 1:15–23; Phil. 1:3–11), what Paul does not say to the Galatians speaks volumes.
He leaves no doubt about the seriousness and urgency of the topic of his letter. His burden is to explain and defend the true gospel of God’s grace. He launches into the subject early and writes with a fiery tone, employing sarcasm, threats, warnings, and rebukes to get his points across.
Like a soldier rushing into battle with guns blazing, Paul immediately begins contending for the truth of the gospel. His purpose is not simply to win a theological argument. Rather, he is determined to fight for the spiritual lives of the Galatian believers.
Getting the gospel right is crucial. It is a matter of spiritual life and death. If you miss this, it does not matter what you get because you will miss God.
Paul understands this and therefore strongly refutes the false teaching of those who have begun to undermine the Galatians’ confidence in the simple gospel that he had preached to them.
That message is all about the finished work of Jesus Christ “who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father” (Gal. 1:4). The gospel that Paul preached to them proclaimed salvation by grace alone received through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.
This message is great news for sinners because it reveals that salvation, from first to last, is God’s work and not dependent on anything in us. It eliminates any basis for pride as well as any cause to despair. Those whom God saves are made right with Him not because of anything they have done or not done, but because they have been “called…in the grace of Christ” (v. 6).
On the one hand, the worst of people are genuine candidates for salvation because the only way that God saves is by grace. On the other hand, if the most respectable people are to be saved, it will not be because of any goodness in them but, again, only by the grace of God.
No wonder Paul was “astonished” to learn that the Galatians were so quickly and easily being led away from the gospel of God’s grace (v. 6). The false teachers insisted that trusting Christ was not enough — to be right with God, a person must also keep certain Old Testament ceremonies. But adding to the gospel is just as disastrous as subtracting from it. Both “distort the gospel of Christ” (v. 7).
Any change in the message of Jesus Christ turns it into “a different gospel” (v. 6) that keeps people from knowing God. This is why Paul writes with such passion, warning the Galatians never to tolerate anyone — not even an apostle or an angel — who would dare to preach as the gospel any other message than salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, plus nothing.
Twice Paul says that any creature who distorts the gospel should be “accursed.” He literally pronounces “anathema” on such a person (v. 9). Those who spread false gospels are worthy of God’s damnation.
Paul intends that his use of such strong language should have a sobering affect on us. Misrepresenting the gospel is serious business. Those who believe false gospels will wind up in hell. Those who teach false gospels deserve nothing less.
The churches of Galatia were very young when Paul sent them this letter. Yet, he expected that they — all of the members and not just the leaders — would be doctrinally alert enough to discern the true gospel from counterfeits.
This is the responsibility of every Christian. Like sheep who will follow only the voice of their shepherd, we must learn to recognize the simplicity and fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and refuse to tolerate any teaching that deviates from it.
Our very lives depend on it.
Galatians 3 could have been written top a certain denomination we are all familiar with.
Matter of fact, it looks like it addressed its teachings long before it came into existence.
However, it is so universally applicable that it can cut across all denominational lines. Any religious system basically falls into that admonition.
Say, it’s 2 PM here. What are you still doing up?
as if Matthew, Mark, Luke and John have priority.
When compared to his other warm greetings (for example, Rom. 1:8; 1 Cor. 1:1–5; Eph. 1:15–23; Phil. 1:3–11), what Paul does not say to the Galatians speaks volumes.
An excellent introduction to a sermon. We may read Galatians over many times and miss this most important point in literary method used by Paul.
Terse.
:)
“Red letter Christianity” is a liberal notion. That one part of Scripture deserves greater emphasis or takes precedence over another is a lie from Satan.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:17)
All Scripture, not just those red letters, is the very Word of God. Christians don’t get to pick and choose which ones we like or decide which parts have priority.
All Scripture, not just those red letters, is the very Word of God. Christians don’t get to pick and choose which ones we like or decide which parts have priority.
2 Timothy 3:16? :)
Indeed. That is 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Sorry about that.
How 'old' were those CATHOLIC churches in Asia when the angel WARNED them thru John's writings?
As I explained, I take exception to the notion that certain portions of Scripture are more important than others. You said Jesus words have priority. My point is that all of it is God breathed. All of it came from Him, not just those red letters in the New Testament.
Amen2
It could have been interpreted to mean the Gospels 'only'.
My point is that all of it is God breathed. All of it came from Him, not just those red letters in the New Testament.
Did Paul consider his epistles as scripture?
I’m walking out the door so I don’t have time to really get into this. I have no idea what denomination you are part of or what you really believe, but whether you recognize it or not, you have a decidedly liberal view of Scripture. Satan attacked God’s Word in the Garden and it remains one of his favorite lines of attack.
but whether you recognize it or not, you have a decidedly liberal view of Scripture
Yes, Paul could have said it to other denominations, by saying "You foolish (insert name here) who has bewitched you?" It is so simple that many can't see it. They think it can't possibly be that simple. They think they have to help God along, that He is not capable of accomplishing the plan of salvation on His own. What non sense. I used to buy that theory when I was in another denomination, but I certainly don't buy it now. Have any of our Judaizing friends showed up yet? 😄
Why am I still up you ask? I had to wake up to answer your post. 😃 If it is 2 PM there, it is 3 AM here. Me and Mitch have to adjust our schedules to meet all of yours. My wife thinks I am out of my tree, but it's all in good fun.
It’s just a faulty way of looking at the Bible. There’s no reason to pit any Scripture over any other Scripture. When you do that you destroy the unity of the Word. Every word Paul wrote was inspired by the Lord. And every word in the Old Testament was inspired by Him, too. When you read the Bible you are reading the words of God on the printed page. He used human authors, but He inspired every bit of it. If that’s not true, there’s no reason to believe any of it. If that’s not true, the Bible is just another book by men.
Initially I was thinking you might be a mainline Protestant, but now I’m guessing you’re Catholic.
No, but PETER did.
ALL Scripture is breathed out by God, Holy Spirit inspired.
How could the words of Jesus 1) contradict any other portion of Scripture and 2) take precedent over what the Holy Spirit breathed out?
Or don't you consider the Holy Spirit part of the Godhead?
Yep
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