Answer Just One Question

" Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?" (Galatians 3:2-4 - New Living Translation)

Paul considers the question of verse two enough to settle the whole matter. “Let me ask you this one question” carries the idea of when we say, “just answer one question.”

The question Paul wants the Galatians to answer is how did they get the Holy Spirit? It seems like they had forgotten. Did the works of the law earn them the indwelling of the Spirit? Or, did the Spirit indwell them when they heard and believed the Gospel?

The Galatians knew the answer. The Holy Spirit had entered them when they had by faith accepted Paul’s Gospel message. They had known nothing of the works of the Law of Moses at that time.  They had heard. They had believed. The Spirit of God changed their lives. The law had no part in the beginning of their Christian experience.

Paul was amazed that the Galatians would even consider the possibility that what had begun in them through faith and the Spirit, could be completed through works of the flesh. The word perfect in verse three has the idea of coming to the end, completion. How could a spiritual journey begun through grace be finished in the strength of the flesh? It would be like a race car drive beginning a race using gasoline to power his car and then trying to finish the race by pushing the car. It makes no sense.

Experienced, in verse four, can refer to either good or bad experiences. From the context, especially verse five, I think it refers to the positive experiences that were the result of the Spirit’s work in their lives. However, many think that it refers to the persecution that they suffered after becoming Christians.

Paul is either asking if the work of the Spirit in their lives was for no purpose or if they needlessly suffered persecution, or possibly both. Had they experienced so many things for no purpose, for no reason? Was their entire Christian experience based upon an imperfect message from an inferior Apostle? The work of the Spirit in their lives should have convinced them that this was not the case.

Spiritual Amnesia

"You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified." (Galatians 3:1 - New International Version)

In the first two chapters, Paul argues with his opponents based upon his personal experience, and his main purpose is defending his Apostleship. In the next two chapters, Paul argues from a theological perspective. These chapters reveal some of the rabbinical training of Paul. His arguments are tightly woven and powerful.

Paul begins this new phase of the debate by focusing upon the personal experience of the Galatians. Some might be surprised that Paul calls the Galatians foolish, since Jesus said, "But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire." (Matthew 5:22 - New King James Version)

Jesus used a Greek word, translated fool that means godless. The Greek word translated fool in this verse is different. It means spiritual dull or void of understanding. Paul is surprised that the Galatians had forgotten what God had done for them. They had developed a bad case of spiritual amnesia.

Paul is so surprised by their present situation that he suggests they might be under a spell. Their soon and sudden departure from the truth and into error was so strange that it was as if they were under the influence of a wizard. Of course, Paul knew that this was not the case. He words his question in this way to add emphasis to his astonishment at their behavior.

They were not being influenced by a wizard but by smooth talking, highly educated clever teachers who were step by step leading them away from truth. The only spell they were under was the attraction of self-righteousness and the pride of the flesh. A spell that has brought many under its influence. A spell that can easily bewitch us.

The Galatians had forgotten Jesus Christ crucified. The phrase clearly portrayed could be translated, publicly portrayed, evidently set forth, posted on a public bulletin board, or painted. The Galatians had not physically seen the crucifixion of Christ, but Paul through his preaching had painted them a vivid picture of the cross. It seems to Paul that they had forgotten this mental image.

Crucified is in the perfect passive tense. This tense describes a past event with continuing results. The Galatians had forgotten not just the details of the event of the crucifixion but also its impact upon their own lives. It was the cross not the law that had changed their lives. It was the cross not the law that had attracted their attention. It was the cross not the law that they had believed. They had forgotten what Jesus had done for them on the cross.

God's Grace Not Set Aside

" I do not set aside God’s grace, because if righteousness could come through the law, then Christ died for nothing!" (Galatians 2:21 - New English Translation)

Paul ends this passage (verses 11-21) of rebuke with a clear statement. Grace and the law cannot be mixed. Either God makes us righteous through Jesus as an act of mercy even though we do not deserve it, or we earn righteousness by what we do. It is either Grace or works.

If we can please God through keeping the law, then Jesus died for no reason. There would be no need for His sacrifice. However, if we are saved by grace when we trust in Jesus, then there is no more need for the law.

Peter, by his actions, denied even the grace of God and made the death of Christ of no effect. Peter did not believe this. However, his behavior was sending the wrong message.

I am certain that when Peter heard Paul’s rebuke, he quickly accepted it. He made it clear to all assembled what he really believed. A good man is willing to be reproved when he is in error.

The main teaching of this passage is that we are free from the law because of Grace. We do not have to live according to a list of do’s and don’ts. However, we are to allow Jesus to live His life through our bodies! He lives in us.

The law makes us slaves. Jesus set us free. The law reveals our sinfulness. Jesus gives us righteousness. The law separates us from God. Jesus made us acceptable to God. The law shows that we are God’s enemies. Jesus brought us peace with God. In our strength, we cannot keep the law. In the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live as Christ would live.

A secondary lesson in this passage involves rebuking a fellow Christian in sin. Paul’s example shows that when an offense is public then a public rebuke is right. This is required in order to offset the negative influence upon others. When a Christian sins publicly, this will effect others. Such a person should be openly reprimanded for his behavior. This does not apply to private matters.

Christians are accountable to one another. We should expect to be held accountable. We should hold other believers accountable for their behavior. We are so worried about offending people that we have allowed a mediocre Christian life to become acceptable. It is not acceptable to God.