The Marks of Jesus

Introduction

Galatians probably follows on from 2 Corinthians in Paul’s order of writing his epistles, and before Romans.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul defends his apostleship.

In Galatians 1-2, Paul again defends his apostleship.

Along with Romans and Hebrews, Galatians is one of the most important NT works for our understanding of faith and the Torah.

Paul’s marks, Galatians 6:17

In 2 Cor. 11:24-25, Paul references that he:

received 195 lashes from the Jews;

was beaten with rods 3 times;

stoned once.

Each of these would have certainly left marks on his body and may well have been visible in some instances.

Paul’s marks are set in contrast to the mark of circumcision that Judaizers were imposing on the Galatians.

For Paul, what mattered was not what the flesh said of us, but what faith says of us.

John Stott writes, “Perhaps Paul was claiming that persecution, not circumcision, was the authentic Christian ‘tattoo’”.

As a Jew and a Pharisee, Paul would have eschewed marks on the flesh like the pagans of Galatia would know of all too well. Slaves were sometimes branded like cattle, a humiliating experience.

For Paul, such marks were there because he preached the gospel. Like Jesus, he had on his flesh the rejection of God’s gift of grace, and the humiliation of others’ sins. Why should Paul be any different from Jesus?

Thus, Paul uses these marks as a sign for the Galatians to reject the Judaizers and stay in faith in Jesus. If we had a choice between circumcision and 195 lashes, which would you choose? Like Jesus’ sacrifice, Paul’s suffering was instead of the Galatians receiving it (i.e. hell).

Paul’s Authority

Paul was appointed an apostle by Jesus Himself! Acts 26:16-18.

Paul was trained by Jesus Himself! Galatians 1:12; 2:2.

Paul preached only what Jesus wanted preached, Galatians 1:8-9.

Authority comes from Jesus (Matthew 28:18), and He passed it to the 12 and then to Paul. Therefore, to reject Paul as the Galatians were doing, was to reject Jesus Himself! cf. Galatians 3:1

Accepting Paul brings Galatians 6:16.

Paul’s Salvation

Jesus gave Himself for our sins, Galatians 1:4.

Jesus loved me and gave Himself for me, Galatians 2:20.

Jesus redeemed us, Galatians 3:13.

Jesus became the curse of the law, Galatians 3:10.

Jesus became the curse of the law so that we would have the blessing of Abraham and the promise of the Spirit, Galatians 3:14.

The only reasonable response to this is faith, Galatians 2:16.

If circumcision, which is really a placeholder for the law, were able to achieve our salvation, then Christ died in vain, Galatians 2:21.

Indeed, if circumcision were sufficient, why does Paul even have those marks in his flesh?! Galatians 5:11. Why would he add all these other marks if circumcision is enough?

Paul’s Faith

Stott points out that “faith unites us with God’s people in the past”, Galatians 3:7, 29.

Stott continues, “faith unites us with God’s people in the present”, Galatians 3:26, 28.

Faith makes us sons of God, and one in Jesus.

The need for salvation is common to us all.

The plan of salvation is the same for us all.

The consequence of salvation is the same blessing for all of us.

Faith makes us heirs to the promise, Galatians 3:29.

Paul’s Holiness

Freedom from the law of sin and death is only attainable through faith in Jesus, Galatians 5:1.

Freedom does not mean we can do as we please without consequence, Galatians 5:13.

Freedom means we must fulfil the law, Galatians 5:14.

Freedom means we can pursue holiness before God.

By submission to God’s will, Galatians 5:24.

By being led by the Spirit, Galatians 5:18, 25; 6:8.

Paul’s Plea

Submit to Jesus’ authority, and by extension, the apostles’ authority, John 13:20; Luke 10:16. (Father -> Jesus -> Holy Spirit -> Apostles -> church)

Submit to the cross for salvation, Galatians 3:13.

Submit to the leadership of the Spirit to be transformed into the image of God, Galatians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Submit to the grace of Jesus, Galatians 6:18.

Conclusion

God worked through Jesus to pay the debt of the curse of sin.

Jesus worked through the apostles to inform us of this amazing grace from God.

The Spirit works through our repentance, to transform us into the image of God.

So, live by faith. Live in grace. Love one another.

Galatians 6:14.