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To: Ken Regis
Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
Gal 3:3b

"Flesh" is a reference to unregenerate, weak, human nature. Trying to achieve righteousness by works (such as circumcision - and a WHOLE HOST of such works that people on this thread believe will make the difference for them) or, life in the “flesh.”


"Flesh" in this instance is a reference to Gentiles being physically circumcised (the flesh of the foreskin being cut off) and keeping the law of Moses with their bodies. In other instances it is as you noted. The book of Galatians was written to correct the false teaching that the Gentiles needed to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses to be saved.

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 of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

...

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. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?


Galatians, Catholic chapter three, Protestant verses one to five,
Galatians, Catholic chapter five, Protestant verses one to seven,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James

274 posted on 01/13/2018 5:17:04 PM PST by af_vet_1981 (The bus came by and I got on, That's when it all began.)
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To: af_vet_1981; aMorePerfectUnion; ealgeone; metmom; Luircin; boatbums
“Flesh" in this instance is a reference to Gentiles being physically circumcised (the flesh of the foreskin being cut off)

I disagree with your interpretation bro. Flesh is unregenerate, weak human nature. I thought you needed a priest to interpret for you? Did you do that? I don’t need a priest to help me interpret scripture.
It seems like it all comes down to interpretation, yours or mine. It amazes me, how you and I can read a ton of New Testament verses, and come away with views 180 degrees opposite each other. Utterly amazing. Either you are right, or I am right, but certainly not both of us.
You should read those verses you posted from Galatians, without the Catholic blinders on, and take it to heart.
I think works based religionists are the foolish ones, and are fallen from grace. My interpretation is, they are fallen from grace, simply because they NEVER had it in the first place.
I am not confident you will take this to heart. That’s on you bro. I guess it all comes down to who goes to Heaven, and who doesn’t. I have no intention of being in the “who doesn’t” category. I don’t have any idea which category you are in. Have a nice eternity bro. I plan to. 😇
AF_ Vet_ 1967-1987

287 posted on 01/13/2018 6:39:04 PM PST by Mark17 (Genesis chapter 1 verse 1. In the beginning GOD....And the rest, as they say, is HIS-story)
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To: af_vet_1981
Scripture: Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?


Catholic interpretation: Received ye the Spirit by the Sacraments of the Church or by the hearing of faith?

302 posted on 01/14/2018 3:03:03 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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