References:

• Quick Review
  • Gal 4:21-31
    • Lesson from the Torah in allegory
      • Sarah, the mother of the promise, heavenly Jerusalem
      • Hagar, the mother of slavery, Mt Sinai, the Law
    • Being children of the promise, of freedom, of the power of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit
    • Remember the limits of allegory
  • What’s next?
• Gal 5:1-15
  • Vs 1 - for freedom Christ has set us free
    • Freedom from slavery to the law does not mean anything goes. That would be freedom from Christ which is bondage to sin.
    • Freedom in Christ means–because of Christ’s completed work fulfilling the law’s demands–I can be free to be right before God and filled with the Spirit
    • This is a transition point from the clear doctrine of grace to the ethical life in the Spirit
  • Vss 2-4 - thinking that the law can in anyway make us right before God is making Christ and His work of no benefit ὠφελέω (o-fel-eh'-o) profit nothing
  • Vs 5 - the last compact explication of the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in the letter.
    • Notice the “we.” Up till here, Paul was talking to the Galatians with “you.”
    • Eagerly wait - ἀπεκδέχομαι (ap-ek-dekh'-om-ahee) - BLB def - assiduously and patiently waiting for
      • Assiduously (adverb) means doing something with great care, sustained effort, and unwavering attention to detail. It describes working diligently, tirelessly, and with meticulous persistence. dictionary.com
      • This word in the BLB definition shows the actual “work” called forth from us by the Spirit, sanctification, what the Augsburg Confession calls the “New Obedience.”
  • Vss 7-12
    • Running the race - play with the imagery - 2 Tim 2:5
      • Paul often used sports imagery for life in Christ
      • See also 1 Cor 9:24-27; Phil 3:13-14; 2 Tim 4:6-8
      • “Who has held you back…”
    • The little yeast
      • Beware the yeast of the Pharisees - Jesus
      • Recall Jesus’ parable in Mt 13:33
      • The Galatians make a BIG measure of flour into which this little leaven is being sewn 
    • Were “cut off,” ἀποκόπτω (ap-ok-op'-to) - amputated, in this context, castrated
  • Vss 13-15 - freedom to serve
    • The law in “one word,” - Lev 19:18
      • 10 commandments - decalogue deca=10, logue from logos=word thus the “10 words”
    • Recall Jesus’ summary of all the Law
    • δάκνω (dak'-no) a hapax legomenon
      • to bite with the teeth
      • metaph., to wound the soul, cut lacerate, rend with reproaches
    • “Beware of destroying one another.” NLT “consume” in ESV - recall James and John wanting to call down fire from heaven to destroy or consume the Samaritans who would not receive Jesus.
• What’s Next?