Bibelkommentare

Ga 5:1-26.

PERORATION. EXHORTATION TO STAND FAST IN THE GOSPEL LIBERTY, JUST SET FORTH, AND NOT TO BE LED BY JUDAIZERS INTO CIRCUMCISION, OR LAW JUSTIFICATION: YET THOUGH FREE, TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER BY LOVE: TO WALK IN THE SPIRIT, BEARING THE FRUIT THEREOF, NOT IN THE WORKS OF THE FLESH.

1. The oldest manuscripts read, "in liberty (so ALFORD, MOBERLEY, HUMPHRY, and ELLICOTT. But as there is no Greek for 'in,' as there is in translating in

1Co 16:13; Php 1:27; 4:1,

I prefer 'It is FOR freedom that') Christ hath made us free (not in, or for, a state of bondage). Stand fast, therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage" (namely, the law,

Ga 4:24; Ac 15:10).

On "again," see on

Ga 4:9.

2. Behold--that is, Mark what I say.

I Paul--Though you now think less of my authority, I nevertheless give my name and personal authority as enough by itself to refute all opposition of adversaries.

if ye be circumcised--not as ALFORD, "If you will go on being circumcised." Rather, "If ye suffer yourselves to be circumcised," namely, under the notion of its being necessary to justification

(Ga 5:4; Ac 15:1).

Circumcision here is not regarded simply by itself (for, viewed as a mere national rite, it was practiced for conciliation's sake by Paul himself,

Ac 16:3),

but as the symbol of Judaism and legalism in general. If this be necessary, then the Gospel of grace is at an end. If the latter be the way of justification, then Judaism is in no way so.

Christ . . . profit . . . nothing--

(Ga 2:21).

For righteousness of works and justification by faith cannot co-exist. "He who is circumcised [for justification] is so as fearing the law, and he who fears, disbelieves the power of grace, and he who disbelieves can profit nothing by that grace which he disbelieves [CHRYSOSTOM].

3. For--Greek, "Yea, more"; "Moreover."

I testify . . . to every man--as well as "unto you"

(Ga 5:2).

that is circumcised--that submits to be circumcised. Such a one became a "proselyte of righteousness."

the whole law--impossible for man to keep even in part, much less wholly

(Jas 2:10);

yet none can be justified by the law, unless he keep it wholly

(Ga 3:10).

4. Literally, "Ye have become void from Christ," that is, your connection with Christ has become void

(Ga 5:2).

Ro 7:2,

"Loosed from the law," where the same Greek occurs as here.

whosoever of you are justified--"are being justified," that is, are endeavoring to be justified.

by the law--Greek, "IN the law," as the element in which justification is to take place.

fallen from grace--Ye no longer "stand" in grace

(Ro 5:2).

Grace and legal righteousness cannot co-exist

(Ro 4:4, 5; 11:6).

Christ, by circumcision

(Lu 2:21),

undertook to obey all the law, and fulfil all righteousness for us: any, therefore, that now seeks to fulfil the law for himself in any degree for justifying righteousness, severs himself from the grace which flows from Christ's fulfilment of it, and becomes "a debtor to do the whole law"

(Ga 5:3).

The decree of the Jerusalem council had said nothing so strong as this; it had merely decided that Gentile Christians were not bound to legal observances. But the Galatians, while not pretending to be so bound, imagined there was an efficacy in them to merit a higher degree of perfection

(Ga 3:3).

This accounts for Paul not referring to the decree at all. He took much higher ground. See PALEY'S Horæ Paulinæ. The natural mind loves outward fetters, and is apt to forge them for itself, to stand in lieu of holiness of heart.

5. For--proof of the assertion, "fallen from grace," by contrasting with the case of legalists, the "hope" of Christians.

through the Spirit--Greek, rather, "by the Spirit": in opposition to by the flesh

(Ga 4:29),

or fleshly ways of justification, as circumcision and legal ordinances. "We" is emphatical, and contrasted with "whosoever of you would be justified by the law"

(Ga 5:4).

the hope of righteousness--"We wait for the (realization of the) hope (which is the fruit) of the righteousness (that is, justification which comes) by (literally, 'from--out of') faith,"

Ro 5:1, 4, 5; 8:24, 25,

"Hope . . . we with patience wait for it." This is a farther step than being "justified"; not only are we this, but "wait for the hope" which is connected with it, and is its full consummation. "Righteousness," in the sense of justification, is by the believer once for all already attained: but the consummation of it in future perfection above is the object of hope to be waited for: "the crown of righteousness laid up"

(2Ti 4:8):

"the hope laid up for you in heaven"

(Col 1:5; 1Pe 1:3).

6. For--confirming the truth that it is "by faith"

(Ga 5:5).

in Jesus Christ--Greek, "in Christ Jesus." In union with Christ (the ANOINTED Saviour), that is, Jesus of Nazareth.

nor uncircumcision--This is levelled against those who, being not legalists, or Judaizers, think themselves Christians on this ground alone.

faith which worketh by love--Greek, "working by love." This corresponds to "a new creature"

(Ga 6:15),

as its definition. Thus in

Ga 5:5, 6,

we have the three, "faith," "hope," and "love." The Greek expresses, "Which effectually worketh"; which exhibits its energy by love (so

1Th 2:13).

Love is not joined with faith in justifying, but is the principle of the works which follow after justification by faith. Let not legalists, upholding circumcision, think that the essence of the law is set at naught by the doctrine of justification by faith only. Nay, "all the law is fulfilled in one word--love," which is the principle on which "faith worketh"

(Ga 5:14).

Let them, therefore, seek this "faith," which will enable them truly to fulfil the law. Again, let not those who pride themselves on uncircumcision think that, because the law does not justify, they are free to walk after "the flesh"

(Ga 5:13).

Let them, then, seek that "love" which is inseparable from true faith

(Jas 2:8, 12-22).

Love is utterly opposed to the enmities which prevailed among the Galatians

(Ga 5:15, 20).

The Spirit

(Ga 5:5)

is a Spirit of "faith" and "love" (compare

Ro 14:17; 1Co 7:19).

7. Translate, "Ye were running well" in the Gospel race

(1Co 9:24-26; Php 3:13, 14).

who, &c.--none whom you ought to have listened to [BENGEL]: alluding to the Judaizers (compare

Ga 3:1).

hinder--The Greek means, literally, "hinder by breaking up a road."

not obey the truth--not submit yourselves to the true Gospel way of justification.

8. This persuasion--Greek, "The persuasion," namely, to which you are yielding. There is a play on words in the original, the Greek for persuasion being akin to "obey"

(Ga 5:7).

This persuasion which ye have obeyed.

cometh not of--that is "from." Does not emanate from Him, but from an enemy.

that calleth you--

(Ga 5:13; Ga 1:6; Php 3:14; 1Th 5:24).

The calling is the rule of the whole race [BENGEL].