Galatians 6:14-18
/The Apostle brings this epistle to a close with a personal and passionate summary that reveals his mind and heart for the gospel. What a blessing it is for us to have this letter today!
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These are sermons preached during our Sunday worship services. (Recordings were not always successful, so there are gaps in the postings.)
The Apostle brings this epistle to a close with a personal and passionate summary that reveals his mind and heart for the gospel. What a blessing it is for us to have this letter today!
The closing section of the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Galatian churches is passionate and personal in its tone. We get a glimpse into the heart of the man behind the message of this book–may God grant that someone who glimpsed our hearts would see a similar faith!
This text concludes the Apostle’s encouragement and commands related to the living out of our faith. The gospel is not an abstract concept, but truth that shapes the way that we live.
Gospel truth is always practical. What the Scripture teaches us about God, ourselves, and the world in which we live is meant to be lived out, and when we live it out daily, it becomes the source of meaning and joy in our lives. May God grant that we take to mind and heart the teaching of these verses for his glory and our good!
God’s Word has always been central to his relationship with his chosen people, and therefore the teaching and preaching of the Word has always been of vital importance to them. The Word of God is determinative of our faith and living, so we ought to consider its teaching and preaching a high priority. One way in which that priority is expressed is in providing support for those who are enabled to devote time to study and prayer for preaching and teaching.
In what is often referred to as the application section of the Apostle’s epistles, we are provided with a view of the Church that is both encouraging and challenging.
This passage is a fine example of the Apostle Paul’s gift of relating the truth of the gospel to our lives as those who have been united with Christ by faith. Specifically, he gives us helpful direction in living out a proper understanding of what it means for believers to be in relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Luther is known for using the expression “at the same time, righteous and sinner” to describe the person who has been born again. This passage sets out that theme. Luther summarized the message of verse seventeen: "Martin, you will never be without sin, for you have flesh. Despair not, but resist the flesh."
These few verses carry much significance for believers today as in Paul’s day. If we rightly understand the truths here, they will greatly affect our lives.
As is typical of Paul’s epistles to churches, the first part of Galatians has been focused on doctrine, or teaching, as the Apostle has addressed the false teaching that is threatening the Galatian churches. Now he shifts his emphasis to the application of that teaching.
In this passage, the Apostle wraps up the main part of his teaching and builds to what may be seen as the climactic statement of the epistle. He once again makes use of Scripture to explain and illustrate his point, leads us to recognize the glorious freedom that is found in Christ.
This is a transitional passage in Paul’s letter to the Galatian churches, with the first command that Paul gives to the Galatian believers, although he gives it in the manner of an entreaty. Before coming to the command, Paul reminds us of important truths and provides us with an excellent example for sharing the gospel.
This text is a good example of Paul’s effective use of an illustration to teach theological truth that has significant application to our thinking and living as Christians. Truly understanding what the Apostle is teaching here will have a profound effect upon our relationship with God.
Paul brings his argument in chapter three to a climax with this passage. Sound theology always has an application to life, and that is the case with Paul’s teaching here.
Paul uses a question and answer format to explain important truths relating to God’s law and the gospel promises that are ours in Jesus Christ.
Two key terms appear in today’s passage: covenant and promise. The two are closely related and are important for our understanding of the gospel.
Paul continues his teaching in affirmation of the gospel, providing support for his teaching with quotations from Deuteronomy 27:26, Habakkuk 2:4, Leviticus 18:5, and Deuteronomy 21:23.
The biblical narratives of Abraham in Genesis serve as the backdrop for Paul’s teaching in Galatians chapter three. In appealing to Abraham’s example, Paul is decisively undercutting the false teaching that the Galatians have heard from those who say they must become Jews in order to be Christians.
An abrupt change in tone reflects the Apostle’s astonishment at the Galatian churches’ turning away from the gospel. Through a series of questions, Paul seeks to awaken the Galatians to a realization of what they have done.
In this text, Paul calls the Galatian churches–and us as Christians today–back to the gospel, and in doing so provides us with a clear and decisive description of the gospel. Luther called the teaching of justification by faith that is set out by Paul here the doctrine on which the Church stands or falls.