Galatians 5:16 But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. NET Read more…
Galatians 5:13 For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out, or you will be consumed by each other. BSB Freedom liberates us to be who God means for us to Read more…
Galatians 5:1 Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. NHEB Paul’s use of “therefore” lets us know that we are in a transition to something new as this verse is the final exclamation point for chapters 3 and 4. Although in his time there was an emperor and the majority of people in Rome were slaves, Paul is Read more…
Galatians 4:8 However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again? 10 You observe days, months, seasons, and years. 11 I am afraid for Read more…
Colossians 3:1 Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things…… 5 Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. 7 Read more…
Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by that which is called “circumcision,” (in the flesh, made by hands); 12 that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made Read more…
There are people who will tell you that the Bible “contradicts” itself. Most of the time if you press them for an example, they will not be able to name one. In other cases, they may throw out Matthew 5:17-20 as an example. Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 18 For I tell you Read more…
Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. BSB As we have discussed, the law is holy, just and good. Read more…
Galatians 3:6 Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, 7 so then, understand that those who believe are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the gospel to Abraham ahead of time, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” 9 So then those who believe are blessed along with Abraham the believer. 10 For all who rely on doing the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not keep on doing everything written in the book of the law.” 11 Now it is clear no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous one will live by faith. 12 But the law is not based on faith, but the one who does the works of the law will live by them. NET (more…)
Galatians 3:6-8 There is an argument that we hear from some that Jesus preached a religion of love and then Paul just messes it up with all of this theology. John Piper addressed this in his article “Did Jesus Preach the Gospel of Evangelism?”. (https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/did-jesus-preach-the-gospel-of-evangelicalism) He uses the story of the prodigal son and of the Pharisee and the publican (translated as “tax-collector” in many versions). Luke 18:9 He spoke also this parable to certain Read more…