This study was presented in the August 2013 Bible conference in Southern California.Though Corinth was a “problem church” for Paul, how thankful we ought to be for them, for without their problems and questions, we would not have the answers and guidance provided in this wonderful letter. As with all the epistles, the challenge is to lay hold of the character of Christ. We are to be “transformed by the renewing of [our] minds” (Rom 12:2), and to “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phi 2:5).
Key verses for this study:
- “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 1Co 2:2 and
- “Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you are truly unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” 1Co 5:7
Gene Cunningham - June 10, 2003
Galatians 4
Promises to Abraham through his "Seed": (1) depends upon Jesus Christ; (2) In Christ is rich inheritence (Heb 1:1-4). By the scope of Jesus Christ's work in His earthly life, He inherited all things (Heb 1:3-4). We also have an inheritence (Heb 1:14). We have to become one of the "just" to then "live by faith". We don't become an heir until we become a believer. Obedience is the criteria for reward (aka Noah, Heb 11:1, Heb 11:6-16). In scripture, the word "saved" does not always refer to initial justification by faith, but deliverance in time. The purpose of the law is to convince us of our sinfulness and to drive us to Christ not righteousness (Mat 26:39, Gal 3:21-25). "We" refers to Jewish believers in Paul's time (Gal 3:23-25). "You [Gentiles] are sons of God by faith in Christ" and baptized into Christ's death, burial and resurrection (Gal 3:26-27). Union with Him makes our salvation complete (1Co 12:13): (1) Death — penalty of sin is broken, (2) Burial — power of sin is broken, (3) Resurrection — the practice of sin is broken. Roman ceremony of becoming adopted as a full-grown son (i.e., "toga virilus") was in Paul's mind in the "put on Christ" imagery (Gal 2:27). Christ is the Robe of Righteousness believers wear. God has no elite children (Gal 3:28-29). Will there be any stars in your crown? Will you even have a crown? Christ the seed (Gen 3:15, Gen 12-28, Gen 49:10, 2Sa 7:12, Isa 7:14, Mat 1:23). Chapter 4 "Elements of the World" (Gal 4:3): Creation, Conscience, and the Law (Rom 2:14-15). Righteous requirement of the law: apenalty, and a blessing. We are adopted sons (Gal 4:5-6, Rom 8:9-11), and because of that heirs (Gal 4:7). All believers have a base inheritence (Tit 3:7, 1Pe 1:4-5). Above the basic inheritence — "heirs of God", there is opportunity for more — "joint heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:14-17, 2Ti 4:3, 2Ti 2:10).
Scripture References: Galatians 3:23-25, Genesis 49:10, Hebrews 1:1-4, Romans 8:9-11, Galatians 3:21-25, Genesis 3:15-28, Galatians 4:5-6, Matthew 26:39, Genesis 3:15, Romans 2:14-15, Hebrews 11:6-16, Galatians 3:28-29, Galatians 4:3, Hebrews 11:1, Romans 8:14-17, Galatians 2:27, Matthew 1:23, Hebrews 1:14, Titus 3:7, Galatians 3:26-27, Isaiah 7:14, Hebrews 1:3-4, Galatians 4:7
From Series: "Galatians - The Truth and Power of the Gospel - Hot Spring AR - 2009"
This series was given at Grace Bible Church of Hot Springs Arkansas in November 2009.