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Commentary on "The Road to Faith"

PATRIA RECTOR

 

Day 3: Monday, November 7, 2011 - "Kept Under Law"

 

Through Galatians, Paul teaches that living by the Spirit is a gift of God to those who have received Jesus as their Savior. The law is described as weak and worthless (Gal. 4:9-11) and that living by the works of the law puts us under a curse (Gal. 3:10)

In Galatians 3:15-29, Paul teaches several things about the Law. The law cannot change the promise (15-18), the law is not greater than the promise (19, 20), the law is not contrary to the promise (21-26), and the law cannot do what the promise can do. (27-29).

15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.

16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ.

17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.

18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. Galatians 3:15-19 (NASB)

Galatians 3:15-19 teaches us that the Law came AFTER the promise. In fact, it was added 430 years later. It teaches us that the Law had a specific duration: until the seed should come. The Law then (verse 19) was added because of transgressions until Christ came. In other words, the Law pointed out sin until Messiah came.

Jesus is the Promise, and through the Holy Spirit, provides everything we need for holy living.

So, why does Paul say the following in 1 Corinthians 9?

21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 1 Corinthians 9:21 (NASB)

The answer is given in the next verse.

22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NASB)

Paul sets aside his rights in Christ to reach those under the law. He chooses to exercise his liberty and live to complete the mission; to win souls for the Gospel's sake. This passage does not teach that Christians should keep the Law. Notice in verse 20, Paul makes it clear that he himself free from the Law.

It might help to see 1 Cor. 9:21 in its context.

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.

20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;

21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.

22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.

23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NASB) 
 

In summary for today:

  1. Galatians teaches that as children of God, we have liberty in the Spirit.
  2. The Law came 430 years after the promise.
  3. In 1 Cor. 9, Paul teaches us that he chose to exercise his liberty, lay aside his rights and minister to those who were "under the Law", though he himself was not under the Law, to win souls for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
     

GO TO DAY 4

 

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