COMMENTARY ON GALATIANS
LESSON NUMBER 45
Gal 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(Gal 5:1)
THE REASON FOR AND RESPONSE TO LIBERTY
INTRODUCTION
When a person hears the truth, he must do something with it: believe it, embrace it, and act upon it. Until this is done, truth has no redemptive or remedial power over the individual. Enough is not being said these days about the truth – proclaiming it, believing it, embracing it, and acting upon it. There are too much preaching and teaching about the experiences of people in this world, and not enough about the eternal verities that enable one to live godly. That is one of the essential differences between law and grace. Law brings with it no power, yet majors on things to be done – things that require power. Law does not enable the person to do what is required, but only affirms the absolute necessity of actually doing what has to be done. It does not offer suggestions, but makes demands of the people. Law makes men the key component of the work, hinging everything upon their performance. It makes no allowances for people who are weak. The work still has to be done. Furthermore, since it is God who is making the demands under the Law, no one can say it is unfair, or that it is too much, or that it cannot be done. Even though mankind is in a weakened state – even being dead in trespasses and sins – what the Law demands is not lessened. Grace, on the other hand, first provides a stable foundation that is based upon what Jesus has done. It announces what has been done for the individual, then teaches and strengthens the one receiving it to fulfill what God requires – which is infinitely more than the Law required. It shows that the main thing is not to do righteousness, but to be righteous, and it announces that God through Christ has made an effective way for that to be accomplished. That is why it is so wrong for those in Christ to resort to a system of law, or give heed to false teachers who are determined to lead them under such a system. Remember, we are speaking of a people who have been led to Christ, and by faith have been joined to Him. Yet, they were lured out of the zone of safety and nourishment into the realm of eternal jeopardy. Men tend to speculate about why such a thing happens, but in the end it is because they have been deceived by the Tempter, who works through his ministers who are disguised as ministers of righteousness (2 Cor 11:3-15).
The Objective: STAND FAST THEREFORE
Gal 5:1a “Stand fast therefore . . .” Other versions read, “keep standing firm,” NASB “stand firm,” NIV “keep your free condition,” BBE “be firm,” GWN “stay free,” NLT “keep on standing,” WILLIAMS “hold on,” CEV “take your stand,” MESSAGE and “be standing firm.” INTERLINEAR
SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY. Under the leadership of opportunists and sectarian devotees, the requirement for being responsible believers has all but disappeared. Somehow men have bought into the idea that Jesus keeping his sheep relieves them of all responsibility. Even though men may not say it, the idea of obligation being placed upon those in Christ Jesus is not at all common. Teachings have been tailored that lead the people to believe that Divine longsuffering means God is tolerant of departures, failures, retrogression, and backward motion. He is depicted as being open-minded toward the weak human constitution, and therefore He is understanding of, and sympathetic with, failure in His people.
The fact that Jesus will not break a bruised reed, or quench a smoking flax, does not suggest that men are free to voluntarily subject themselves to bruising influences and the people and circumstances that tend to put out their spiritual fire. As simplistic as that may sound, men have become profoundly deceived on this point/ Think of those who encourage making friends with those who are of the world – even though the body of Christ is commanded to not “be unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Cor 6:14). God never suggests that men are brought to Christ by means of fleshly friendship. This may be the conclusion of men, but it is not a representation of the “mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2:16) or “the mind of the Spirit”(Rom 8:27).
The first and foremost responsibility of every person in Christ is to maintain their association with God through Jesus Christ, and by the Spirit. If this is not done, there is absolutely no value in any work that is purported to be for the Lord or in the interest of others. No real work of the Lord will result in the a decline in spiritual life within those doing it. Thus Paul admonished Timothy, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Tim 4:16). If attempting to save someone else makes you weak, your influence has been neutralized, and no good will come from it. Again we are exhorted, “keep thyself pure” (1 Tim 5:22), and “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Heb 3:12).
Now Paul admonishes the Galatians concerning their responsibility in Christ Jesus. It is to “stand fast,” remaining in a spiritually upright position, and a posture that will not allow one to go backwards. This speaks of spiritual stability, dependability, firmness, and steadiness. It involves durability, reliability, solidity, sturdiness, and spiritual toughness. It is being able to remain firm in the strong gales of temptation, distraction, and adversarial pressure.
Let it be clear that this is a responsibility the Lord has placed upon His people. Thus Paul writes, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor 15:58). Partaking of salvation is linked to this requirement: “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end” (Heb 3:14). The successful resistance of the devil is also associated with spiritual firmness: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Pet 5:8-9),
Rejoicing in hope is directly related to standing: “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom 5:2). The Gospel is the environment in which we “stand” (1 Cor 15:1). Standing is a military posture that posits opposition. Therefore we are admonished, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Cor 16:13). And again, “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph 6:11), and it requires doing “all” (Eph 6:13).
Six times the apostolic doctrine speaks of this matter of standing fast: “stand fast in the faith” (1 Cor 16:13), “stand fast therefore in the liberty” (Gal 5:1), “stand fast in one spirit” (Phil 1:27), “stand fast in the Lord” (Phil 4:1; 1 Thess 3:5), and “stand fast and hold” (2 Thess 2:15).Standing fast equates to being “unmoveable” (1 Cor 15:56). Paul wrote, “be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel” (Col 1:23). And again, “no man should be moved by these afflictions” (1 Thess 3:3).
By willingly subjecting themselves to erroneous teaching, the Galatians had lost their stability, or ability to stand. Satan’s design in all of this was to cause their absolute and total fall from grace. Paul’s objective was to get them back on the Foundation, where stability and standing fast can be realized. The truth of the matter is that no person can be stable while resting on an unsure, or even condemned, foundation. Flawed doctrine will both cause and perpetuate instability. In fact, in order to give ear to such doctrines one must move off of the firm foundation and into the flesh, which is the domain of vacillation and ultimate falling.
THE DOMAIN IN WHICH WE ARE TO STAND FAST
5:1b “ . . . . in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free . . .”
Paul now announces that freedom, or liberty, is not a condition to which we attain after we have been placed in the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:18). Rather, it is a state in which newness of life is commences – a situation which begins from the moment we are born again.
IN THE LIBERTY. Other versions read “freedom,” NASB “free condition,” BBE “has freed us,” GWN“in this freedom,” AMPLIFIED and “as free people.” GNB
This was a circumstance imposed upon the devil – he had to let us go! It was also the created environment in which we were placed. It was not a condition that was potential, but one that really did exist. The word of Jesus was fulfilled, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). We were freed from indebtedness to the flesh, a condition mandated because we were “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1). Therefore it is written, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh” (Rom 8:12). Again the situation of those who are crucified with Christ is described in these words, “For he that is dead is freed from sin” (Rom 6:7). And again, “Being then made free from sin” (Rom 6:18,22). Because we are under no obligation to sin, it is written, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom 8:2). Any moral or spiritual duties that are placed upon us are fulfilled by those who are “free” (1 Pet 2:16).
The freedom, or liberty, includes the right to draw near to God (Heb 7:19; James 4:8; Heb 10:22). We are free to resist the devil (James 4:7), put on the whole armor of God (Eph 6:10-18), and bring forth fruit unto God (Rom 7:4). It is further declared, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Cor 3:17). In Christ, the law under which we operate is called “the perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25), which is “the law of the Spirit of life” (Rom 8:2). We have not been made free to sin, do our own will, or wander in forbidden territory. Rather, we are free to say “NO!” to “ungodliness and worldly lusts,” while living “soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world,” all the while “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Tit 2:12). This is the domain in which we are to abide, for Jesus has not freed us for any other purpose.
WHEREWITH CHRIST HATH MADE US FREE. Other versions read, “for freedom Christ set us free,” NASB “Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom,” GWN “Christ set us free so that we should remain free,” NJB “Now make sure that you stay free,” NLT and “Christ has set us free to live a free life.” MESSAGE
This is a continuation of the thought, “So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free” (Gal 4:31). Isaac was not born to be a slave, but to be a freeman, and receive the inheritance. Even though when he was young, he too was “under tutors and governors” (Gal 4:1-3), that was not intended to be his permanent state. He was born to be free! There is often a period of time when “newborn babes” need to be instructed on what they can and cannot do – such as the Gentile churches who were addressed by letters from Jerusalem (Acts 15:23-29). But that is not a condition that is intended to perpetually exist. There comes a time when the believers senses must be exercised to discern both good and evil (Heb 5:14). When that time comes, the person in Christ is free to “follow that which is good” (1 Thess 5:15). Christ has freed us to occupy that kind of freedom.
This is the liberty promised by Isaiah. He said the Messiah would, “proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” (Isa 61:1). Jesus announced in His hometown synagogue, that this promise was realized in Him (Lk 4:18-20).
Those who imagine that this liberty puts one at a disadvantage must learn to reason like Peter. “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God” (1 Pet 2:16). This liberty is as real as the new birth. It is as effective as regeneration. It is further maintained under the administration of the Holy Spirit, for “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Cor 3:17).
The new creation is made to live in this environment of freedom. The very moment new life is birthed, it is placed in this surrounding. However, the born-again person must become acclimated to spiritual freedom, for he has been made for it. This adaptation takes place by means of spiritual growth – a change “from glory to glory” (2 Cor 3:18). Where there is no advancement in the Spirit, there is a retrogression to bondage and servitude. One has to learn to walk in freedom, for it is only within the confines of freedom that growth and maturity are possible. All of the freedom is Godward, and all of the restraint is fleshward.
This whole matter becomes confusing if one is not living by faith and walking in the Spirit. As long as one’s senses are not exercised to discern good from evil, the enjoyment of freedom in Christ will be severely limited. Of course, for those who have experienced the freedom, then moved back to bondage, a transgression of gargantuan proportions has been committed.
The Condition to Avoid: BE NOT ENTANGLED AGAIN
5:1c " . . . and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage . . .” Other versions read, “do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery,” NASB “do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery,” NIV “do not submit again to a yoke of slavery,” NRSV “let no man put a yoke on you again,” BBE “be not held fast again by a yoke of servitude,” YLT and “do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off],” AMPLIFIED
BE NOT ENTANGLED AGAIN. The word “entangled” is translated from a word meaning, “to have within, to hold in. passive to be held, be entangled, be held ensnared,” THAYER and “be subject to, be under the control of.” FRIBERG This speaks of being confined inside – of thinking incorrectly – and thus becoming a slave to sin again, though once liberated from it.
There is a fundamental difference between being taught by Law, and taught by grace – between living by means of commandments and living by faith. This difference is not known by the majority of professed Christians. In fact, those who have been subjected to government by Law find it exceedingly difficult to be freed from that mind-set.
The Difference Between the Two. Law presumes men are fundamentally, or primarily, at a variance with God, while grace proceeds on the fact that men have been reconciled to Him. Law approaches men as having a basic propensity to sin, while grace is for those who have a fundamental inclination toward righteousness. A new breed of preachers and teachers have arisen that have taught the people in such a way that they cannot think in terms of primary, fundamental, essential, focus, and what is to emphasized. They have hidden the “one thing” perspective of living unto the Lord (Psa 27:4; Lk 10:42; Phil 3:13). Life is seen as a blur of mixed things that cannot be intelligently distinguished. Thus words of admonition and exhortation that touch upon friendship with the world, discerning good and evil, abstaining from the appearance of evil, loving the good, and hating the evil, become very confusing.
The people of God are not to be addressed as though the main thing was to subdue their fundamental inclinations, while making an attempt to do what is really secondary in their lives. The cry of the flesh is perceived as louder than the call of the Spirit, and the allurements of the devil as being stronger than the leading of the Spirit.
In the Divine economy the “new" is always superior to the “old.” It is “better,” and is preferred by those who are walking in the newness of life. However, because every child of God still has a connection with Adam – the “old man” – and knows by experience that they are by no means without flaw while they remain in the body, it is easy to lead them to conclude that the “old” is really the dominant or fundamental part of their persons. Therefore, some system or form of law is offered to subdue this recalcitrant part, which, it is alleged, remains uppermost in the experience of the reconciled ones. Thus phrases are thrown about that increase the strength of this kind of teaching. Examples are, “We are sinners like everyone else, just forgiven,” “You know how we are, we just do not do what we are supposed to do.” Sometimes vague insinuations are uttered like, “You know how we are.” These are not intended to remind people of who they are in Christ, but of what they are without Christ.
Teachings like this “entangle” the people who give heed to them. Rules sound more enticing to them than promises, and they begin to view apostolic admonitions and exhortations as suggestions to make some kind of effort to reach the ideal moral and spiritual condition.
THE YOKE OF BONDAGE. Other versions read, “yoke of slavery,” NASB “slavery to the Law,” NLT and “yoke of servitude.” YLT Again, this is an exceedingly difficult concept to be grasped in our day. It is based upon the statement, “the strength of sin is the Law” (1 Cor 15:56). The Law majors on restriction, not freedom of expression. Of the Ten Commandments, only two were, what might be called, positive. “Remember the Sabbath day,” – which was surrounded by what could not be done on that day (Ex 20:8-11), and “Honor thy father and thy mother” (Ex 20:12), The rest addressed the matter of loving God and neighbor by NOT doing this or that: 1 “Thou shalt have no other . . . 2 Thou shalt not . . . 3 Thou shalt not . . . 4 Thou shalt not . . . 5 thou shalt not . . . 6 thou shalt not . . . 7 thou shalt not . . . 8 thou shalt not . . . 9 thou shalt not . . . 10 thou shalt not . . . 11 thou shalt not” (Ex 20:3-17). The full disclosure of the Law (Exodus thru Deuteronomy) contains the expression “thou shalt not” 143 times. Comparatively speaking the phrase “thou shalt not” occurs four times in the epistles. The difference – men are made new creatures in Jesus!
Freedom is not license. Rather, it is liberty that allows the person to do what is right, and to turn away from the allurements of the flesh. Those who promote a religion that is confined to rules and regulations are afraid to permit freedom. They have no understanding of the freedom for which Christ has freed us. They cannot reckon on the reality of the new birth, being made a partaker of Christ, and a partaker of the Divine nature. They insist on teaching that even in Christ Jesus, men are basically sinful, in nature differing nothing, or very little, from those who are not in Christ Jesus. If this false postulate was not permitted in the thinking of believers, many professed Christian ministries would plummet to the ground.