5:2-12
Repeated phrases:
(1) If people tried to be circumcised then Christ will be of no benefit to them v.2, they are obligated to obey the whole law v.3, they have been alienated from Christ v.4a, and have fallen away from grace v.4b.
To declare righteous by Law (circumcision) and to declare righteous by faith in Christ Jesus are mutually exclusive to each other.
(2) Prevent you from obeying the truth v,7, persuasion v.8, making the whole batch of dough rise v.9, confusing you v.10, agitators v.12.
(NET) [Confusing] Or “is stirring you up”; Grk “is troubling you.” In context Paul is referring to the confusion and turmoil caused by those who insist that Gentile converts to Christianity must observe the Mosaic law.
(NET) [agitators] refer to a person who incited a revolt. Paul could be alluding indirectly to the fact that his opponents are inciting the Galatians to rebel against his teaching with regard to circumcision and the law.
5:7 You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth? 5:8 This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you!
Paul's opponents have disturbed the Galatians in various ways. Most important of all, the Galatians were running well!
It is sober minding to learn that even those who run well will be distracted to such a degree! They will stop obeying, start to listen to another false teaching, being persuaded, not just individual persons being affected, but more and more people in the church were affected, then the whole church were thrown into turmoil. Finally, they even doubt if their own pastor/teacher was teaching them the right truth.
5:12 I wish those agitators would go so far as to castrate themselves!
(NET) Or “make eunuchs of themselves”; Grk “cut themselves off.” This statement is rhetorical hyperbole on Paul’s part.
Reflection: Grace is not something that we can mix with anything. If we added our own work then it is not grace. Grace is 100% God's gift to us and we cannot add anything to it.
The false doctrine of the Gospel was powerful. It upset the believers in a great way, even to those who were in good standing. We need to guard ourselves for any false doctrine that comes into our church, our small group, or even to our children ministry.
Audrey
Repeated phrases:
(1) If people tried to be circumcised then Christ will be of no benefit to them v.2, they are obligated to obey the whole law v.3, they have been alienated from Christ v.4a, and have fallen away from grace v.4b.
To declare righteous by Law (circumcision) and to declare righteous by faith in Christ Jesus are mutually exclusive to each other.
(2) Prevent you from obeying the truth v,7, persuasion v.8, making the whole batch of dough rise v.9, confusing you v.10, agitators v.12.
(NET) [Confusing] Or “is stirring you up”; Grk “is troubling you.” In context Paul is referring to the confusion and turmoil caused by those who insist that Gentile converts to Christianity must observe the Mosaic law.
(NET) [agitators] refer to a person who incited a revolt. Paul could be alluding indirectly to the fact that his opponents are inciting the Galatians to rebel against his teaching with regard to circumcision and the law.
5:7 You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth? 5:8 This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you!
Paul's opponents have disturbed the Galatians in various ways. Most important of all, the Galatians were running well!
It is sober minding to learn that even those who run well will be distracted to such a degree! They will stop obeying, start to listen to another false teaching, being persuaded, not just individual persons being affected, but more and more people in the church were affected, then the whole church were thrown into turmoil. Finally, they even doubt if their own pastor/teacher was teaching them the right truth.
5:12 I wish those agitators would go so far as to castrate themselves!
(NET) Or “make eunuchs of themselves”; Grk “cut themselves off.” This statement is rhetorical hyperbole on Paul’s part.
Reflection: Grace is not something that we can mix with anything. If we added our own work then it is not grace. Grace is 100% God's gift to us and we cannot add anything to it.
The false doctrine of the Gospel was powerful. It upset the believers in a great way, even to those who were in good standing. We need to guard ourselves for any false doctrine that comes into our church, our small group, or even to our children ministry.
Audrey
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