Pastoral Pleading
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
False teachers exemplify selfishness and self-glory.
One of the ways that they do this is by making disciples so that their religion might appear justfied.
However, truth is not true because many are following it.
Truth is true because it is true.
13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
v.11
v.11
11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
11 Ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί.
Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians Chapter 6
At this point the Apostle takes the pen from his amanuensis, and the concluding paragraph is written with his own hand. From the time when letters began to be forged in his name (2 Thess. 2:2, 3:17), it seems to have been his practice to close with a few words in his own handwriting as a precaution against such forgeries
1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
Galatians (1) Paul’s Autograph (6:11)
We gather from other comments in Paul’s letters that it was customary for him to dictate his letters orally to an amanuensis and then add a personal postscript and signature in his own hand at the end of the epistle (cf. 1 Cor 16:21; 2 Cor 10:1; 2 Thess 3:17; Col 4:18).
Galatians (1) Paul’s Autograph (6:11)
Paul wanted to underscore and reemphasize both the central message of the letter and his own personal investment in it.
Paul writes with large letters in order to emphasize his pleading with the believers.
They must abandon the following of these false teachers and return to his teaching.
Paul is drawing attention to himself and attempting to get their attention in writing.
The normal process of canonical writing:
The normal process of canonical writing:
20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
“a matter of one’s own interpretation”
Word Pictures in the New Testament 2 Peter 1:20
“No prophecy of Scripture comes out of private disclosure,” not “of private interpretation.” The usual meaning of ἐπιλυσις [epilusis] is explanation, but the word does not occur elsewhere in the N. T. It occurs in the papyri in the sense of solution and even of discharge of a debt. Spitta urges “dissolved” as the idea here. The verb ἐπιλυω [epiluō], to unloose, to untie, to release, occurs twice in the N. T., once (Mark 4:34) where it can mean “disclose” about parables, the other (Acts 19:39) where it means to decide. It is the prophet’s grasp of the prophecy, not that of the readers that is here presented, as the next verse shows.
No prophecy is initiated by a human will
This indicates that the Bible was initiated by God.
Therefore, being compelled to write is from God placing that initiation in the heart of man.
Men were moved by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit spoke from God.
6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; 9 but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; 16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? 17 For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.
OT: (see Systematic Theology; eds. Mayhue and MacArthur, pp. 78-80)
OT: (see Systematic Theology; eds. Mayhue and MacArthur, pp. 78-80)
8 Then the word of the Lord came to Zechariah saying, 9 “Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; 10 and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’ 11 “But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. 12 “They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the Lord of hosts. 13 “And just as He called and they would not listen, so they called and I would not listen,” says the Lord of hosts;
God gave words directly:
God gave words directly:
18 ‘I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.
God allowed for mingled wording from Moses:
God allowed for mingled wording from Moses:
23 “I also pleaded with the Lord at that time, saying, 24 ‘O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours? 25 ‘Let me, I pray, cross over and see the fair land that is beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.’ 26 “But the Lord was angry with me on your account, and would not listen to me; and the Lord said to me, ‘Enough! Speak to Me no more of this matter.
God even allowed the opinions of the Apostle Paul:
God even allowed the opinions of the Apostle Paul:
25 Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy.
40 But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.
God even used dictation:
God even used dictation:
Every time there is a “Thus says the LORD of hosts” = see Zechariah 8
v.12
v.12
12 Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
12 ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ μὴ διώκωνται.
“…those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh...”
“…those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh...”
15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
12 Then the disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?” 13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. 14 “Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 “So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Galatians (2) Boasting in the Cross (6:12–16)
Why had they sought so vigorously to “compel” (not by physical force, to be sure, but by such underhanded maneuvers as the denigration of Paul’s ministry and illicit appeals to apostolic authorities in Jerusalem) Paul’s Gentile converts to undergo circumcision? Paul answered this question by claiming that their basic motive was spiritual self-aggrandizement: they wanted “to make a good impression outwardly”; “they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh.”
“…they try to compel you to be circumcised...”
“…they try to compel you to be circumcised...”
1 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
Paul had told them that to be circumcised was a waste of time.
2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.
“...that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ...”
“...that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ...”
11 But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.
They would turn on their own.