Intolerable Galatians 5:1-12

Intolerable

Galatians 5:1–12 ESV

1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. 7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

Galatians 5:1–12 ESV

1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. 7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

Main Point: Those who trust in Christ must reject false messages and false messengers.

1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

What standing firm and not submitting looks like...

is unvarnished, direct, heartfelt appeal, warning, and testimony, because the audience’s actions carry the gravest of consequences. (Schreiner quoting SM Baugh, p. 311)

is …(a) direct, heartfelt appeal, warning... because the audience’s actions carry the gravest of consequences. (Schreiner quoting SM Baugh, p. 311)

Implications and consequences of altering the gospel

2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.

Either trust in Christ completely for salvation or keep the law completely. In short, a person’s faith rests on Christ either entirely or not at all. (Hendriksen, p. 195)

Either trust in Christ completely for salvation or keep the law completely. The substance of Paul’s words is this, that a man’s faith rest on Christ either entirely or not at all. God’s Anointed One must be recognized and worshiped as the one and only Savior. (Hendriksen, p. 195) “no advantage to you” singular

As the false teachers were pressing it, circumcision was neither a physical operation, nore a ceremonial rite, but a theological symbol. It stood for a particular type of religion, namely salvation by good works in obedience to the law…”Unless you are circumcised and keep the law, you cannot be saved” (,). They were thus declaring that faith in Christ was insufficient for salvation. (Stott, p. 133)

As the false teachers were (presenting) it, circumcision was neither a physical (act), nore a ceremonial rite, but a theological symbol. It stood for a particular type of religion, namely salvation by good works in obedience to the law…”Unless you are circumcised and keep the law, you cannot be saved” (,). They were thus declaring that faith in Christ was insufficient for salvation. (Stott, p. 133)

For the Galatians to accept this heretical theology and the practice derived from it would mean that they had rejected God’s all-sufficient provision for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and his finished work on the cross. (George, p. 357) When you add to Christ, you subtract Christ. (Keller 133)

For the Galatians to accept this heretical theology and the practice derived from it would mean that they had rejected God’s all-sufficient provision for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and his finished work on the cross. (George, p. 357)

When you add to Christ, you subtract Christ. (Keller 133)

“Christ will be of no advantage to you” day of Judgment.

4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.

“if you accept circumcision” plural “Christ will be of no no advantage to you” singular

Justification is the gracious act of God by which God declares a sinner righteous solely through faith in Jesus Christ. (Platt, Merida, p. 45)

“Christ will be of no advantage to you” when? Now and on the day of Judgment.

4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. Seeking to add to the work of Christ cuts you off.

It is impossible to receive Christ, thereby acknowledging that you cannot save yourself, and then receive circumcision, thereby claiming that you can. (Stott, p. 133) You will left to fend for yourself on that day.

Justification is the gracious act of God by which God declares a sinner righteous solely through faith in Jesus Christ. (Platt, Merida, p. 45) not declared righteous through keeping the law.

It is impossible to receive Christ, thereby acknowledging that you cannot save yourself, and then receive circumcision, thereby claiming that you can. (Stott, p. 133) You will be left to fend for yourself on that day.

5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

The hope of righteousness is not through doing and obeying but through believing. Those who trust in Christ rely on the Holy Spirit not the flesh and self-effort. The law creates fear and wretchedness, but the Spirit brings about hope and assurance. The law enslaves, but the Spirit brings freedom. (Summarized, Hendriksen, p. 197) The hope believers await is the final verdict of righteousness. Not to say that believers are not righteous now. On that day it will be undeniable. The certainty of our future with God is a fruit of the Gospel. (Keller, p. 136)

Hope of the gospel

V. 6 God is not more please with those who are not circumcised or those who are...not the core issue. The core issue is what is the source of righteousness and what doe that look like in the believer.

5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

The hope of righteousness is not through doing and obeying but through believing. Those who trust in Christ rely on the Holy Spirit not the flesh and self-effort. The law creates fear and wretchedness, but the Spirit brings about hope and assurance. The law enslaves, but the Spirit brings freedom. (Summarized, Hendriksen, p. 197) What is the hope that we eagerly wait for? The hope believers await is the final verdict of righteousness. Not to say that believers are not righteous now. On that day it will be undeniable. The certainty of our future with God is a fruit of the Gospel. (Keller, p. 136)

Does that mean that we live and act as we please?...NO! Faith working through love. The transforming work of the Holy Spirit by faith produces love. Produces fruit. Faith is root. Love is fruit.

V. 6 God is not more pleased with those who are not circumcised or those who are...not the core issue. The core issue is what is the source of righteousness and what doe that look like in the believer.

Does that mean that we live and act as we please?...NO! Faith working through love. The transforming work of the Holy Spirit by faith produces love. Produces fruit. Faith is root. Love is fruit.

Pervasive nature of tolerated false teaching

7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Pervasive nature of tolerated false teaching

Origin: false teachers...not from God tie v. 8 back to ...all of grace. (If saying yes to false teacher...no to God)

Sidebar: How do I know it is false? Adds to or contradicts Scripture.

7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Effect: 1. Hindered (running illus--cut in/off), 2. leavens the whole lump (repeated biblical principle

Penalty for proclaiming an altered gospel

Origin: false teachers...not from God tie v. 8 back to ...all of grace. (follow the argument of v. 8 If saying yes to false teacher...no to God)

Results: 1. Hindered (running illus--cut in/off), 2. leavens the whole lump (repeated biblical principle. False teaching permeates. However, false teaching will not hinder forever...

10b and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

The opponents, by contrast, will not escape judgment. They will experience God’s eschatological retribution for creating havoc in the Galatian churches: Jesus himself said something rather similar: “Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!” () (Schreiner, p. 325)

Penalty for proclaiming an altered gospel

10b and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! Start with v. 12

The opponents, by contrast, will not escape judgment. They will experience God’s eschatological (future) retribution for creating havoc in the Galatian churches: Jesus himself said something rather similar: “Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!” () (Schreiner, p. 325)

Proclaiming the unaltered gospel will lead to offense and persecution.

11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.

Proclaiming the unaltered gospel will lead to offense and persecution.

To preach circumcision is to tell sinners that they can save themselves by their own good works; to preach Christ crucified is to tell them that they cannot and that only Christ can save them through the cross. (Stott, p. 137) Circumcision nullifies the scandal of the cross because it establishes righteousness based on human ability. If righteousness comes by the law, then the goodness of human beings is celebrated and promoted. (Schreiner, p. 327)

11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.

Simple logic...If I am preaching circumcision why I am being persecuted...the answer Paul preaches the Cross and is persecuted.

To preach circumcision is to tell sinners that they can save themselves by their own good works; to preach Christ crucified is to tell them that they cannot(save themselves) and that only Christ can save them through the cross. (Stott, p. 137) Circumcision nullifies the scandal of the cross because it establishes righteousness based on human ability. If righteousness comes by the law, then the goodness of human beings is celebrated and promoted. (Schreiner, p. 327)

Simple logic...If I(Paul) am preaching circumcision why I am being persecuted...the answer Paul preaches the Cross and is persecuted.

Which do people want to hear? What they can do or what Christ has done?

How do you avoid offending and being persecuted? Alter the gospel.

Which do people want to hear? What they can do or what Christ has done?

Ours is an age of tolerance. Men love to have the best of both worlds and hate to be forced to choose. It is commonly said that it does not matter what people believe so long as they are sincere, and that it is unwise to clarify issues too plainly or to focus them too sharply...Christianity will not allow us to sit on the fence or live in a haze; it urges us to be definite and decisive, and in particular to choose between Christ and circumcision. ‘Circumcision’ stands for a religion of human achievement, of what man can do by his own good works; ‘Christ’ stands for a religion of divine achievement, of what God has done through the finished work of Christ. (Stott, p. 138)

The gospel will prevail in the Lord’s people and in the world.

How do you avoid offending and being persecuted? Alter the gospel.

Ours is an age of tolerance. Men love to have the best of both worlds and hate to be forced to choose. It is commonly said that it does not matter what people believe so long as they are sincere, and that it is unwise to clarify issues too plainly or to focus them too sharply...Christianity will not allow us to sit on the fence or live in a haze; it urges us to be definite and decisive, and in particular to choose between Christ and circumcision. ‘Circumcision’ stands for a religion of human achievement, of what man can do by his own good works; ‘Christ’ stands for a religion of divine achievement, of what God has done through the finished work of Christ. (Stott, p. 138)

10a I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view,

The gospel will prevail in the Lord’s people and in the world. (False gospels will not prevail)

10a I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view,

you will receive power, you will be my witnesses

End

GG lesson goal: stand firm in the gospel and faithfully reject false messages of hope.