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Post by Natalie on Oct 24, 2022 18:10:52 GMT -6
I have been studying Galatians and sometimes I like to pick words or phrases and then look them up using Blue Letter Bible. For example, I noticed that "vain" is used three times in chapters two and three (at least in the NKJV I am using). Each of these is a different Greek word. They all mean similar things but are words used in different context.
The one this evening that has left me a lot to meditate on is in 3:27 "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (NKJV and ESV)
Strongs G1746 from two root words G1722 (a preposition) in, by, with, etc and G1416 in the sense of sinking into a garment.
And I thought, what a lovely picture. When we put our faith in Christ, we can sink into Him like sinking into a garment. Like wrapping myself in a large hoodie or big bathrobe. Wrapped in Him, His righteousness, His love, and trusting Him completely.
The outline of biblical use is: to sink into (clothing), put on, clothe one's self.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon has the primary root as G1744 which means to put on, to envelop in, to hide in
So, taking the thought a little further...not just putting clothing on but being entirely enveloped in it, hidden where we are no longer able to be seen, only Christ.
From Thayer's "to become so possessed of the mind of Christ in thought, feeling, and action to resemble Him and, as it were, reproduce to the life He lived."
And for comparison, the NLT says, "...have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes." The NIV , NET, and NASB "...have clothed yourselves with Christ." The CSB "...have been clothed with Christ."
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Post by Natalie on Oct 26, 2022 8:36:17 GMT -6
At the end of Chapter 3, right before the verse I posted above, Paul is speaking of the purpose of the Law. He says that "we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ." (3:23-24 NKJV)
I have a certain image when I think of tutor. Two images, actually. The first -- my son is taking college classes and if he gets stuck on something he can go to a tutor for help. Similarly, my previous neighbor would tutor kids who were falling behind, usually in math. The second -- people such as Kings and Queens might hire tutors to teach their children all manner of things - latin, mathematics, etiquette, foreign language.
However, the Law is not that kind of tutor as we will see by digging a little deeper. "Under guard" gives us a little bit of a hint.
Strongs G3807 outline of Biblical usage (I think from Thayers): a tutor i.e. a guardian and guide of boys. Among the Greeks and the Romans the name was applied to trustworthy slaves who were charged with the duty or supervising the life and morals of boys belonging to the better class. The boys were not allowed so much as to step out of the house without them before arriving at the age of manhood.
So, it was having someone follow you around all the time making sure you were learning what you needed to for life including correct morals. Someone watching your every move and weighing every word.
Further reading on BLB - the name carries with it an idea of severity (as of a stern censor and enforcer of morals). But it also says - those who have learned by experience with the law that they are not and cannot be commended to God by their works, welcome the more eagerly the hope of salvation offered them through the death and resurrection of Christ, the Son of God.
So, Paul seems to be making the point that they do not want to go back under that strict tutor because following the tutor will not gain them salvation. It's job was to get us to Christ. Once we belong to Him then we do not need that tutor. Instead, he calls them to live out their liberty in Christ - the freedom to love God and to love others as adopted sons of God and not children under a severe tutor. It's also his same message over again - faith alone, not works, saves you.
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Post by Natalie on Oct 28, 2022 8:45:00 GMT -6
I don't know how many of these I will do, but here's one more at least. This one had me thinking a lot. I am one who thinks that once you truly believe then you are always saved. However, I also think that you must grow and maintain your relationship with Christ or you miss out on blessings from Him. So, there are different thoughts on Galatians 5:1-6. I have tried to keep in mind the context of Galatians and what the Bible teaches as I went through this one. For context I will post 1-6 (this in NKJV) Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by the law: you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working though love.
First, this is those for which circumcision is a symbol of Judiasm and a means to be justified (what I highlighted in blue). The end of the passage states that neither state matters because you have to be justified through faith.
The phrase "You have become estranged from" is Strongs G2673 to cause to cease, put an end to, do away with, abolish; to be severed from; separated from; to terminate all intercourse from one (or all contact with)
So, if they choose the law over Christ they will be separating themselves from Him - shutting off all communication. To me that's a scary thought. You may still be saved, but you will hear nothing from Him, no answered prayers (except the one of repentance), no blessings as His child, maybe no guidance from the Spirit, I don't know what all it would mean. You are away from His grace (that second bold phrase) What a terrible state!
Different versions: KJV Christ is become no effect unto you ESV You are severed from Christ DBY Ye are deprived of all profit from the Christ as separated from Him HNV You are alienated from Messiah
And I am going to put verses 2-4 from the NLT - Listen! I, Paul, tell you this; if you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. I'll say again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace.
Similar thoughts in Romans 9:31-10:4
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Post by Natalie on Oct 31, 2022 14:30:27 GMT -6
Probably my last thoughts on Galatians.
In 6:7 Paul says, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."
mocked: to laugh at, ridicule; to treat with scorn or contempt
People mock God with disrespect, dishonor, or just ignore Him. The world is full of it. But in the direct context, the people can be deceived because they think they are doing the right thing by following the law. But in reality they are following their flesh. They have an outward show of obedience but with a heart far from Him. They think they are justified when they are in fact deceived. And so, it's a mockery to follow the law when salvation is by faith through the cross. They are scorning the way to true justification (Paul says in chapter five that they are offended by the cross. And so, through their fleshly desires they will reap what they sow which is destruction and not eternal life. Paul is warning his audience that they must sow and reap from the Spirit. That is true life.
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