COMMENTARY ON GALATIANS
LESSON NUMBER 55
Gal 5:24 "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another." (Gal 5:24-26)
THEY THAT ARE CHRIST'S
INTRODUCTION
Sound doctrine is based upon unchanging and pivotal realities. Examples of this kind of affirmation are found in Paul's statements to the Galatians preceding this text. The Lord Jesus "gave Himself for our sins that He might deliver us from this present evil world" (1:4). ". . . a man is not justified by the works of the law . . ." (2:16a). ". . . by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified" (2:16b). " . . . they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham" (3:7). "So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham" (3:8). "As many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse" (3:9). "The Law is not of faith" (3:12). "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us" (3:13). "Now to Abraham and His Seed were the promises made . . . which Seed is Christ" (3:16). "For if the inheritance be of the Law, it is no more of promise" (3:18). "But after that faith is come, we are no longer under the schoolmaster" (3:25). " . . . the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman" (4:30). "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" (5:9). "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh" (5:25).
Statements like these are to spiritual reasoning what a skeleton is to the body of flesh and blood. At the point they are taken away, the entire fabric of one's theology falls apart and can in no other way be buttressed or supported. Human reasoning may appear to support erroneous theology, but it does not. It proceeds from the flesh and can in no way be mingled with what comes from the Spirit. As with the Galatians, "another Gospel" is one which does not have the support of Divine utterance. It has no solid foundation, nor does it have the supporting framework of holy affirmation. While this may seem to be very apparent, it is scarcely known in modern-day Christendom. Few men are building upon the solid foundation of unalterable affirmations from heaven. The result is unparalleled confusion, misplaced trust, and the outbreak of carnality - all of which violate the Gospel and the liberty that it brings.
AN INEXORABLE MARK
Gal 5:24 "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."
Paul will lay another foundational block upon which he has, and will continue, to build. The acid test of the correctness of teaching is found in its total and unmitigated harmony with these pivotal realities. If it ignores or contradicts any of these sayings, it is, without contradiction, false.
THEY THAT ARE CHRIST'S. Other versions read, "those who belong to Christ," NASB and "they truly that are Christ's." PNT The majority of the versions read "belong to Christ."
Notice, he does not say those who have accepted Christ, or those who have obeyed Christ, or those who are following Christ, or some other expression that places the accent on human response. There are strains of reasoning in which the response of men is accented - like "gladly received the Word," (Acts 2:41), or "believed" (Acts 9:42), or "believed and were baptized" (Acts 18:8). Those records were a report, as compared with reasoning with those people whose present responses were not acceptable.
And, who are those "who belong to Christ," and why are they said to "belong to" Christ? Here we rise to a higher level of reasoning in which ambiguity and doubt are not present.
These are those who have been "given" to Jesus by the Father (John 6:39; 17:7,9,11; Heb 2:13). Jesus referred to them as His "sheep" which know Him, follow Him, and will not listen to a stranger (John 10:14,27). They are those who "were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:13). They are the ones of whom it is said, "The Lord knoweth them that are His" (2 Tim 2:19). They are referred to as "the elect" (Mk 13:22; Col 3:12), the "sons of God" (John 1:12; Rom 8:14; 1 John 3:1-2), those who gave been "delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of God's dear Son"( Col 1:13), and "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation," and "a peculiar people" (1 Pet 2:9). God has sent the Holy Spirit into their hearts (Gal 4:6), and His laws have been written in their hearts and put into their minds (Heb 8:10; 10:16). Jesus is the Author and Finisher of their faith (Heb 12:2), the Captain of their salvation, and is bringing them to glory )Heb 2:10). Their names are written in heaven (Heb 12:23), they do not love the world (1 John 2:15-16). They "all" know the Lord (Heb 8:11). God Himself added them to the church (Acts 2:47), placing them in the body of Christ precisely where He wanted them (1 Cor 12:18).
These are the people who belong to Christ! In heaven, there is no question about their status. They are God's own "workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:10), and He is "not ashamed to be called their God" (Heb 2:11). Because of their status they have access to God with boldness (Eph 3:12), and are urged to come boldly to the throne of all grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need (Heb 4:15;16; 10:22).
If there is not a level where "they that are Christ's" can be clearly and confidently identified, then this word has no practical value. However, all believers must be apprised of the fact that God does not make statements that do not bear directly upon the believer. He never speaks philosophically, or independently of His eternal purpose - never!
HAVE CRUCIFIED THE FLESH. Other versions read, "have crucified the sinful nature," NIV "put to death on the cross the flesh," BBE "put their old nature to death," CJB "crucified their flesh," DOUAY "have crucified self," NJB "have nailed . . . their sinful nature to His cross," NLT "the flesh did crucify," YLT "have nailed their own sinful natures to crosses," IE ""have crucified their lower nature," WEYMOUTH and "have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature)." AMPLIFIED
This is not the statement of a goal, but of something that has been done. It has been done by those who belong to Christ - no one else. If this has not been done, then belonging to Christ is something that cannot be confirmed by men. In such a case, there can be no confidence or assurance, which is requisite for pleasing God and overcoming the devil (Eph 3:12; Heb 3:6,14; 10:35).
WITH THE AFFECTIONS AND LUSTS. The "old man" that is to be "put off" is described as "corrupt according to deceitful lusts," "deceitful desires," NIV or "desires that come from delusion." AMPLIFIED These are desires that result from dwelling upon the temptations, or fiery darts, that are hurled at men by the wicked one. If not quenched by the shield of faith, they cause men to imagine they can yield to temptation, allowing it to bring forth sin, with impunity. In this manner the devil captivates them to do his will, as opposed to the will of God.
However, those who belong to Christ circumvent the devil's attack by hoisting "the shield of faith" (Eph 6:16), and being taught by the grace of God to reject "ungodliness and worldly lusts" (Tit 2:11-12). They commenced newness of life with "the old man" crucified (Rom 6:6), and by God's grace that have kept him on the cross where he will eventually die. This is something those who belong to Christ have done. That is the announcement of this text.
And what shall we say of those who that cannot be described in such as manner? We must acknowledge that their identity with Christ is questionable - both to themselves and to those who see them. We are in no position to pronounce their final status, but at the moment, like the Galatians of the first century, they are "removed from Him who called them into the grace of Christ." (1:6).
AN UNCOMPROMISING MANDATE
5:25 "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
IF. Based upon the affirmation he has just made, Paul now reasons with the Galatians. This is a Kingdom way of urging people to act upon what they have heard. Whether they do act or not will testify to what they really are, for the profession cannot be valid if its attending evidence cannot be found. Other versions read, "Since we live," NIV "Let us therefore live." MRD It is the doctrinal equivalent of saying to a lame man, "Arise, take up thy bed and walk" (Mk 2:9). The various "let us" admonitions are similar, which call upon believers to, using Divinely supplied resources, conduct their lives in keeping with the nature of salvation (Rom 12:6-7; 13:12-13; 14:13,19; 1 Cor 5:8; 2 Cor 7:1; 1 Thess 5:6,8; Heb 4:1,11,14,16; 6:1;l 10:22-23, etc).
The word "if" comes from a word that means more than simply following through with some alterative action. In this text, it denotes something that is expected from believers - something for which full provision has been made. It is like calling the people to enter into a door that God has opened, or to take up the resources He has provided, or to act in conformity with the newness of life they have received in Christ Jesus. There is a serious need for this kind of exhortation in our time, when too much that is being said is vague, with no tone of certainty.
WE LIVE IN THE SPIRIT. Other versions read, "if we live by the Spirit." ASV "are living by the Spirit," BBE "If are living now by the Spirit's power." LIVING This is a statement of Kingdom reality that cannot be contradicted. In Christ, we are made alive by the Holy Spirit. That life commenced when the Spirit washed, sanctified, and justified us (1 Cor 6:11). It began a process of change from one increasing stage of glory to another (2 Cor 3:18). In this regard, the Spirit is "the Spirit of life," who through His own work makes us "free from the law of sin and death" (Rom 8:2). The Scriptures affirm that the "the Spirit IS life" (Rom 8:10), and that He "gives life" (2 Cor 3:6). It is through the Holy Spirit that we "reap life everlasting" (Gal 6:8).
These are the realities on which we are to reckon. Our reasoning is to be shaped by these facts. Living by the Spirit is the acquisition of life that is appropriately described as being "alive unto God" (Rom 6:11). It is being made sensitive to Him, and given the ability to respond obediently to Him. As it is written, "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ . . ." (1 Pet 1:2). That is a kind of breakdown of the initiation of spiritual life.
The statement "If we live in the Spirit" is not a focus on what we are doing - as though Paul had said, "If we are really living in the Spirit." It rather introduces sound spiritual reasoning. The truth of the matter is that spiritual life is strictly owing to the work of the Holy Spirit. Being alive to God is a condition that cannot possibly exist independently of the Holy Spirit . That being true, the following statement is the only valid and logical response available to us.
LET US ALSO WALK IN THE SPIRIT. Other versions read, "let us keep in step with the Spirit," NIV "let us also be guided by the Spirit," NRSV "also it is through the Spirit that we order our lives day by day," CJB "we must also follow the Spirit," CSB "let us press on after the Spirit," MRD "let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives," LIVING and "let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.] AMPLIFIED
There is no way that it makes sense to mind and live after the flesh if it is the Spirit that ministers spiritual life to us. What possible reason can be adduced for ignoring the Divinely appointed means of maintaining spiritual life? It is no wonder that we are warned, "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Eph 4:30). And again, "Quench not the Spirit" (1 Thess 5:19). In other words, the Holy Spirit will not continue His work where it is either ignored or refused. That is characteristic of the Divine nature, whether we are speaking of the Father, the Son, or the Holy spirit.
Living after the Spirit is synonymous with walking after the Spirit. As it is written, "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom 8:4). There is no way to fulfill the righteousness of the Law apart from experiencing the life that is ministered by the Holy Spirit. This involves setting the mind upon things which the Spirit desires, as compared with what the flesh wants: "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit" (Rom 8:5). Rather than condoning the expressions of the flesh, the Holy Spirit will lead us in the holy work of mortifying "deeds of the body." We are apprised that if this is done, "ye shall live" (Rom 8:13).
By giving heed to those who taught them they ought to be circumcised, the Galatians had lapsed back into the flesh, thereby quenching and grieving the Holy Spirit of God. In so doing they were conducting their lives in opposition to the manner of the Kingdom, which is to subdue the flesh in deference to the leading of the Spirit. The situation is appropriately described as being "removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ" (Gal 1:6). They had been "bewitched" (Gal 3:1) into living contrary to the appointed means of sustaining life toward God, all the while imagining they had embraced a higher and more effective way of living.
SOMETHING TO ZEALOUSLY AVOID
5:26"Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another."
Paul now issues an admonition that is in keeping with the manner of Kingdom. It is a word to move away from self-centeredness and ways of living that are at variance with spiritual life. It is a principle of the Kingdom that men must act upon what they are admonished to do, not supposing that it will all take place without their personal involvement.
LET US NOT BE DESIROUS. Other versions read, "Let us not become," NKJV "let us have no," RSV and "Let is not be made desirous." DOUAY The conditions that follow are to be avoided at all cost. We are not to allow them to arise, which begins with a desire. There is a sense in which what we become is the result of what we desired. To view flawed conduct another way, it is the outcome of allowing unacceptable attitudes and ambitions to dominate our persons. Such people are vacillating, being "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine" (Eph 4:14). It is imperative that the people of God come into "the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God" (Eph 4:13), else they will be locked into a childish life which cannot survive the reality of spiritual warfare and fierce competition for the heart and the mind.
When once a person or congregation begins to walk in the flesh, which is the clear result of embracing a doctrine or view that is false, the works of the flesh begin to appear. This is unavoidable, for if the flesh is not crucified, it will express itself. Additionally, a work-centered religion frees the flesh, removing it from the tree of crucifixion.
VAIN GLORY. Other versions read, "conceited," NKJV "boastful," NASB "self-conceit," RSV "vainglorious," ASV "act arrogantly," GWN "look for honors and popularity," LIVING and "ambitious for honors." WILLIAMS
The words "vain glory" mean "glorying without reason . . . eager for empty glory." THAYER This is glorying that, though acceptable to men, is not valid before God. A comparison of the two is found in Paul's statement concerning Abraham: "For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God" (Rom 4:2). There is an approach to religion that leads men into vain glory. It is one that centers in the works of men, so that they boast in what they have done rather than in the Lord. This is the cause of all contentions within the professed church. Men strive for human recognition, and in so doing forfeit Divine approval. Many times men compromise their own convictions in order to please men, or to obtain their approval. They are intimidated by those who represent their approval as essential to the an effective ministry or the approval of their peers. But all such representations are nothing more than delusions. The truth of the matter is this: "for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ" (Gal 1:10). At the very instant a person desires to please men, he no longer is a servant of God, for in His Kingdom the issue is not pleasing men, but pleasing the One who saves and sanctifies. It all may appear quite simple, but it is not. Our adversary the devil leads men to think more of themselves than they ought to think, and to make concessions to men they ought not to make. This had happened in Galatia, and Paul is calling them away from such delusions,
PROVOKING ONE ANOTHER. Other versions read, "challenging one another," NASB "competing against one another," NRSV "making one another angry," BBE "despising one another," MRD and "competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another." AMPLIFIED
This is the opposite of "keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph 4:3). It is the reverse of "the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God" (Eph 4:13). It is the antithesis of edification (Rom 15:2). Earlier Paul wrote, "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another" (Gal 5:15). James traces the same condition to wanting to be friends with the world, and states that such a person is "the enemy of God" (James 4:1-4). The irony of the situation at Galatia is that their condition was caused by the embrace of "another gospel." It was within the context of supposedly serving God.
All spurious gospels tend to set brethren against each other rather than uniting them. This is because those false gospels are originated by the devil and his cohorts. They are designed to disrupt, rob, kill, and destroy. If such gospels are embraced, there is no way to avoid the work that they do. The admonition to the church is to "consider one another to provoke unto love and good works" (Heb 10:24).
ENVYING ONE ANOTHER. Although the determination of God is to conform His people to the image of His Son, Satan moves people to desire to be like their peers. It is legitimate to be followers of those who are following Christ (1 Cor 11:1; Phil 3:17; Heb 6:12). This warning is the opposite of loving the brethren, beholding their identity with Christ, and experiencing profit from their assigned ministry. None of these things are effective under a system of Law, or "another Gospel." They only function when the Gospel of Christ has been embraced, when a person is living by faith, and walking in the Spirit.; Otherwise all efforts are absolutely frustrated.