COMMENTARY ON GALATIANS
LESSON NUMBER 23
Gal 3:5 "He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham."
(Gal 3:5-7)
THE ABSOLUTE CENTRALITY OF BELIEVING
INTRODUCTION
There is a certain tenaciousness in Paul that is worthy of note. When he confronted a church that was in a state of withdrawal or misdirection, he made a strong appeal to their minds, accenting the realities that would enable them to recover. For example, to the Galatians he places great stress on the validity of the Gospel itself, and upon the necessity and profitability of faith. He will not let these matters go. To preaching, they are like the two pillars of Solomon's Temple, Each pillar was made of solid brass, being twenty-seven feet tall (18 cubits), and 18 feet in circumference (12 cubits). On the top of the pillars were ornate capitals of solid brass 7½ feet high - making each pillar 34½ feet tall. Each one was also decorated ornately by seven interwoven brass chains and two rows of brass pomegranates (1 Kgs 7:15-20; 2 Kgs 25:17). The pillars were named Jachin and Boaz (1 Kgs 7:21). These supported the weight of the Temple. These magnificent pillars are a type of the Gospel and believing, which also are massive in spiritual size, very ornate, and essential for the support of the temple of truth. In his epistles, you will find Paul continually placing the accent upon these two matters - particularly when dealing with spiritual flaw and deficiency. No one can come to Christ, remain in Him, or recover from setbacks, without walking, so to speak, between these two pillars: the Gospel of Christ, and the essentiality and effectiveness of believing. This is why dealing with issues at the problematic level is not effective, for moral and spiritual problems are always the result of neglecting the Gospel and failing to believe. They are always preceded by the entrance of "an evil heart of unbelief" (Heb 3:12). With these things in mind, behold the wisdom and effectiveness of Paul in dealing with the removal of the Galatians from the Lord.
MINISTERING THE SPIRIT AND WORKING MIRACLES
Gal 3:5 "He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth He it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?"
This is an example of spiritual reasoning, based upon spiritual understanding. The closer one is to the world, and the more they are dominated by the flesh, the more foolish this reasoning will appear. This is because, to the natural mind, it are nothing more than "foolishness" (1 Cor 2:14). If anyone knows this, Paul does. Yet, he makes no attempt to descend into the flesh in his reasoning. The obligation is placed upon the readers to come up, not for Paul to come down. Precious few modern teachers have any understanding of this.
HE THAT MINISTERETH TO YOU THE SPIRIT. Other versions read, "He who provides you with the Spirit," NKJV "He who supplies you with the Spirit," NASB "Does God give you His Spirit," NIV "Does God supply you with the Spirit," NRSV and "God (2Co 9:10). He who supplied and supplies to you the Spirit still, to the present time." AMPLIFIED
The "He" of this text refers to the Lord Himself, not to a gifted person among the Galatian churches. He has introduced this thought by referring to the Galatians receiving the Spirit. Now He shines the spotlight of thought upon the One who ministered, or gave, the believers the Holy Spirit. I understand this reference to be to the post-regeneration life, referred to as "newness of life." That is, this has more to do with sanctification than to initial conversion. The word "ministereth" is a present active word - "provides," NKJV "supplies," NASB "gives," BBE "ministers," DARBY "sends," NJB "is supplying." YLT
Albert Barnes writes. "By the word 'he' in this place, Clarke, Doddridge, Bloomfield, Chandler, Locke and many others, suppose that the apostle means himself Bloomfield says, that it is the common opinion of 'all the ancient commentators.' But this seems to me a strange opinion." Adam Clarke writes, "The apostle means himself: he had been the means of conveying the Holy Spirit to them, and by that Spirit he wrought miracles among them; and he did all this, not as a Jew, (for as such he had no power,) but he did all as a believer in Christ." Strange, indeed, but many agree with this line of thinking. It is still incorrect. No mortal "ministers" the Holy Spirit. Even when Peter and John laid hands on the Samaritans (Acts 8:17-19), it was the Lord who gave the Spirit, not Peter and John. Yet, this text speaks of an ongoing ministration, which could not possibly refer to human instrumentality. This has to do with being "filled with the Spirit" (Eph 5:19), Christ dwelling in your heart by faith (Eph 3:16-17), the love of God being shed abroad in your heart (Rom 5:5), bearing fruit (Gal 5:22-23), and being changed into the image of Christ (2 Cor 3:18). This continual ministry of the Spirit requires that the Spirit not be quenched of grieved ()Eph 4:30; 1 Thess 5:19). The Holy Spirit is not given to remain automatically. He is initially received, and continues to be with us through the ministration of God. It is this continual presence and ministry that is the subject Paul is addressing.
HE THAT WORKS MIRACLES. Other versions read, "does works of power," BBE "works mighty deeds," NAB "causes the miracles among you," NJB "working mighty acts," YLT "Performs His wonder-works," WILLIAMS and "works powerfully and miraculously among you." AMPLIFIED
Again, this is addressing what the Lord Himself does, not what some members among the Galatian churches did. It is true that the gift of working miracles is discreetly placed within the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:10,28,29). However, that is not the subject here. God is the ultimate Worker, not men. The Lord does not cease to be the worker when He does something through a member of the body of Christ. He is the One who works "both to will and to do" in them.
The word translated "miracles" is duna,meij, which means "strength, power, or ability" to do something that is not possible within the framework of nature. It refers to something that could not be done independently of God Himself. This covers a whole battery of things, ranging from edification and spiritual growth, to healing the sick and raising the dead. It simply refers to things supernatural - both seen and unseen. Paul used this very word when referring to abounding in hope (Rom 15:13), the effective preaching of the cross (1 Cor 1:18; 2:4), the kingdom of God (1 Cor 4:20), having the treasure in an earthen vessel (2 Cor 4:7), bearing up under the weight of a thorn (2 Cor 12:9), living with the Lord (2 Cor 13:4), Christ dwelling in the heart (Eph 3:16-17), and being strengthened with all might (Col 1:11).
DO THEY DO IT BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW, OR THE HEARING OF FAITH? Are such mighty demonstrations of Divine power realized through the keeping of Law, or are they ministered through faith that comes by hearing? Is the CAUSE doing or believing? What is the secret of participating in the Divine nature, and having the Lord work within us? Are such things realized by responding to a commandment, or by believing and embracing the word of the Gospel? In this particular context, what Paul is saying is precisely what Peter said in another way. "According as His divine power hath given unto us all things . . . whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature" (2 Pet 1:3-4). The perception of these things is a milestone in spiritual life.
ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD
3:6 "Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
Paul's reasoning is based solely upon the Scriptures, particularly the Gospel, secondarily the key events and people are recorded there. He does not employ humorous anecdotes, secular stories, or political and social events of the day. There is a holy meticulousness in this matter that is worthy of special notation. The following example is particularly outstanding.
EVEN AS. Other versions read, "just as," NASB "consider," NIV "thus," RSV "it was the same with," CJB "Even as," DARBY "as it is written," DOUAY"Yea rather as," GENEVA "an example," GWN "in like manner," MRD "even so," NAS "in the same way," NLT "according as," YLT and "the same experience." LIVING
The "hearing of faith," as the cause of the blessing of God, is confirmed in the record of Abraham. It ought to be noted that an experience that has no counterpart in Scripture can have no sanctifying power, for the source of it cannot be verified. A personal testimony, however powerful it may appear to be, needs to be augmented by something in the Word of God that verifies its legitimacy. If it is confirmed that this cannot be done, care must be taken in stating that it was of God. I am not prepared to deny the possibility that such a work was, in fact, of God. However, that can be confirmed in the hearts of hearers only if it is buttressed by Scripture. That is precisely what Paul is doing when referring to what was legitimately experienced by the Galatians. Those false teachers who had led them astray could not do this.
ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD. This refers to the account recorded in Genesis 15:6: "And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness." It is also stated in Romans 4:3,9,22; James 2:23). Romans 4:4-25 provides some extensive reasoning on this matter, showing that it directly bears upon the means through which we are saved. Other versions read, "had faith in God," BBE "trusted in God and was faithful to Him," CJB and "believed in and adhered to and trusted in and relied on God." AMPLIFIED Elsewhere Paul describes what was involved in believing: "And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform" (Rom 4:19-21). That is what believing does. It is what is inherent in faith.
The particular thing that Abraham believed related to the offspring he would have. Abraham said to the Lord. "Behold, to me Thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir" (Gen 15:3). God replied, "This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir" (Gen 15:4). The Lord then brought Abraham outside and said to him, "Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be" (Gen 15:5). It is precisely at this point that Abraham "believed in the Lord" - that is, he knew in his heart that God was thoroughly able to do this, and trusted in Him to do so.
When it comes to the promises of salvation, many a soul has never yet arrived at this conclusion. Others, like the Galatians, have turned to other things, forgetting what God has promised to do through Jesus. The texts that state "Abraham believed God" accent that Abraham clung to what God had said. The expression "believed in the Lord" emphasizes that he discerned the nature and power of the One making the promise. Those are two sides of the same coin.
IT WAS ACCOUNTED TO HIM. Other versions read, "reckoned," NKJV "credited," NIV "put to his account," BBE "imputed," GENEVA "regarded by God," GWN "ascribed to him," PNT "declared him," LIVING and "reckoned and placed to his account and credited as." AMPLIFIED
The idea is that Abraham's faith determined how God regarded him. This is how he was logged in the heavenly register because he believed. Those who understate believing, viewing it as one of a number of steps that all have equal value, must reject this statement to entertain their corrupted view. Their arguments to the contrary are all futile, for this is God's own argument, and it cannot be neutralized or banished by the imaginations of mortals.
FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Other versions read, "as righteousness," NKJV "regarded by God to be His approval," GWN "as uprightness,"NJB "to righteousness," YLT "as righteousness (as conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), AMPLIFIED 'fit for heaven," LIVING "a righteous man," IE and "as right standing with God," WILLIAMS
The meaning here is this: the fact that Abraham believed God, as described in Romans 4:19-21), outweighed everything else, including his past, as well as his impotence. In fact, His righteousness was his faith. It was reckoned to him AS righteousness, or in the place of a righteousness which is of the Law, which centered in doing (Rom 10:5). The righteousness which is of faith, or is defined and realized by faith, is not theoretical. That is because faith always works, always obeys, and never balks at the promises or requirements of the Lord. It is the root from which God honoring thoughts, ambitions, and deeds grow.
THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM
3:7 "Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham."
Paul now draws a conclusion that is based upon faith, and is an expression of spiritual understanding. It is a determination that reflects a grasp of the uniqueness and significance of faith. It also confirms the seriousness of the defection that had taken place among the Galatians.
NOW YE THEREFORE. Other versions read, "Therefore, be sure," NKJV "Understand, then," NIV "so, you see," NRSV "Be certain, then," BBE "Be assured," CJB "Realize, then," NAB "You can see from this," LIVING "So, you should know," IE "Notice, therefore," WEYMOUTH and "know and understand." AMPLIFIED
Once again, this is not theoretical writing, nor is it something Paul suggests would be good to know. This is an introduction to something that is intended for the saints to know. What follows is a facet of the knowledge of God. It introduces us to the Divine character, as well as its expression. Knowing God involves more that you being close to Him, it also involves having
THEY WHICH ARE OF FAITH. Other versions read, "those who believe," NIV "who live by trusting and being faithful," BBE "who have faith," CSB "are on the principle of faith," DARBY "people of faith," NJB "who put their faith in God," NLT "those who possess faith," WEYMOUTH and "the people [who live] by faith." AMPLIFIED
The word "faith" occurs 22 times in Galatians (1:23; 2:16,20; 3:2,5,7,8,9,11,12,14,22, 23,24,25,26; 5:5;,6,22; 6:10). In Scripture as a whole, it occurs 247 times, with only two of them in Genesis through Malachi (Deut 32:20; Hab 2:4). The first of those notes those who have "no faith," and the second is largely prophetic. "Faith" is not something you do, it is something you have - and there is only "one faith" (Eph 4:6). Believing is what those who have faith do. It is the expression of faith. Everyone does not have faith, as is affirmed in 2 Thessalonians 3:2. However, the statement that follows is an appropriate description of everyone possessing faith.
THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM. Other versions read, "sons of Abraham," NKJV "descendants of Abraham," NRSV "Abraham's sons," DARBY "the real children of Abraham" NLT "true sons of Abraham." WEYMOUTH
Jesus said that the "children of Abraham" did "the works of Abraham" (John 8:39) - and those works were directly related to his faith in God. If you were asked to enumerate "the works of Abraham," what would you say? There are precious few things that we know about this subject. We do know that when God told him to leave his homeland and all that was associated with it, "he went out, not knowing whether he went" (Heb 11:8). When God told him to offer Isaac to Him as a burnt offering, he set out to do precisely that. Had not the angel of the Lord stopped him, he would have carried out that commission, accounting that Isaac, the child of promise, would be raised from the dead by the God in whom he trusted (Gen 22:1-14). Those who "do the works of Abraham" obey the word of the Lord, shaping their total life around Him and what He says.
God said of Abraham, "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him" (Gen 18:19). The faithfulness of Abraham is seen in the fact that the revelation God gave him when he was seventy-five years old was faithfully passed down to Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and finally Moses. At the time of Israel's deliverance from Egypt, nearly five hundred years had passed since the promise was given to Abraham. The Israelites had been afflicted for four hundred years, and yet insightful ones like Joseph and Moses knew the deliverance was coming. How did they know? The faithfulness of Abraham accounted for the transmission of that knowledge, which was comparatively sparse. That is the way that faith responds to the promises, and it is how the faithful conduct their lives. Abraham had the kind of faith that saves and fortifies the soul.
Now, this is the kind of faith his progeny have, for the promise was to Abraham "and his seed" (Gal 3;16). The ultimate Seed, of course, was the Lord Jesus. However, it does not end there. Paul continues to say, "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal 3:29). In his epistle to the Romans, Paul wrote of "the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all" (Rom 4:16). That is, the kind of faith Abraham possessed, so far as God is concerned, is really the only kind of faith there is. A faith that does not obey God is not faith. A faith that is not faithful is not genuine faith. A faith that allows a person to settle down in this world, is really not faith at all. Abraham is not a mere religious hero. So far as faith is concerned he is the prototype for all believers. Those possessing that kind of faith are justified. No one else is. That is the faith that is counted for righteousness. All other faith is spurious.