"They only heard the report: 'The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.' And they praised God because of me." (NIV)
Although the Jews/Christians in the churches of Judea did not know who the convert in the reports was, they openly rejoiced and praised God that a former opponent was now a fierce ally. It didn't matter who the convert was; it only mattered that God had turned him onto the right path. And the members of the Judean churches did not merely rejoice that they were safe, but they also thanked and praised God for His awesome works that could not have been done by anything but a miracle.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Galatians 1:21-22
"Later I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ." (NIV)
"Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ." (ESV)
The wording of the ESV here makes this passage more understandable to me. Previously, Paul had been on a mission to eradicate Christians. But the churches in Judea had never personally experienced Saul's persecution, and they didn't know who Paul was—"the man who formerly persecuted us... now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy" (v.23). The story of Paul was kept quiet in Jewish territory, while he moved on to Gentile territory to preach. Again we see how God uses the Gentiles to share the gospel with the Jews (see the reference to Mark 5 in the notes on Galatians 1:20).
"Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ." (ESV)
The wording of the ESV here makes this passage more understandable to me. Previously, Paul had been on a mission to eradicate Christians. But the churches in Judea had never personally experienced Saul's persecution, and they didn't know who Paul was—"the man who formerly persecuted us... now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy" (v.23). The story of Paul was kept quiet in Jewish territory, while he moved on to Gentile territory to preach. Again we see how God uses the Gentiles to share the gospel with the Jews (see the reference to Mark 5 in the notes on Galatians 1:20).
Galatians 1:20
"I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie." (NIV)
While going through Mark at church this semester, an interesting point was brought up on the message in Chapter 5: Jews don't keep pigs because they are considered unclean; so the pigs that Legion (the demon(s)) goes into indicates that Jesus has moved into Gentile territory. Up until this point, Jesus has told everyone not to tell anyone what He had done for them; but when He casts out Legion, He tells the formerly possessed Gentile to go and tell everyone. So the man tells everyone in the Decapolis, the Ten Cities. One man told ten cities about Jesus. So when Paul came back to Gentile territory preaching the name of Jesus, this was not unfamiliar news to them. They had the evidence of the demoniac to support the truth of Paul's gospel, and Paul knew it. Paul's message to the Galatians was true, and they knew they could not argue.
While going through Mark at church this semester, an interesting point was brought up on the message in Chapter 5: Jews don't keep pigs because they are considered unclean; so the pigs that Legion (the demon(s)) goes into indicates that Jesus has moved into Gentile territory. Up until this point, Jesus has told everyone not to tell anyone what He had done for them; but when He casts out Legion, He tells the formerly possessed Gentile to go and tell everyone. So the man tells everyone in the Decapolis, the Ten Cities. One man told ten cities about Jesus. So when Paul came back to Gentile territory preaching the name of Jesus, this was not unfamiliar news to them. They had the evidence of the demoniac to support the truth of Paul's gospel, and Paul knew it. Paul's message to the Galatians was true, and they knew they could not argue.
Galatians 1:19
"I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord's brother." (NIV)
This verse is interesting to me, especially when paired with Galatians 2:11-21. In Chapter 2, Paul tells of his dispute with Peter on the issue of circumcision, and he briefly states that "certain men... from James" had initiated the conflict. But here in Chapter 1, Paul makes no mention of any conflict between James and himself. This makes it sound like the conflict came directly from James' men, not James himself. If the issue had come from James' message, Paul would have mentioned it. But when he says that the only apostles he spoke with were Peter and James, it sounds like James' message matched up pretty well with Peter's and his (Paul's) own. This also clears up the debate about the contradiction between James' letter and those of Paul's: the idea of salvation by faith is not contradicted by James' message of works supporting faith. If their views had clashed, Paul would have said so.
This verse is interesting to me, especially when paired with Galatians 2:11-21. In Chapter 2, Paul tells of his dispute with Peter on the issue of circumcision, and he briefly states that "certain men... from James" had initiated the conflict. But here in Chapter 1, Paul makes no mention of any conflict between James and himself. This makes it sound like the conflict came directly from James' men, not James himself. If the issue had come from James' message, Paul would have mentioned it. But when he says that the only apostles he spoke with were Peter and James, it sounds like James' message matched up pretty well with Peter's and his (Paul's) own. This also clears up the debate about the contradiction between James' letter and those of Paul's: the idea of salvation by faith is not contradicted by James' message of works supporting faith. If their views had clashed, Paul would have said so.
Galatians 1:18
"Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days." (NIV)
Paul didn't return to discuss the gospel until he had had sufficient time to analyze the scriptures and develop his own theology under God's influence. After he had determined for himself that the message of Christ was true, then he went to the disciples to present his knowledge of the gospel to them and match it up against their message. When he was sure that the gospel he had received was exactly the message God had intended, he immediately began preaching alongside the other apostles (Acts 9:19b-20). Paul realized that fellowship is necessary in order to keep one another in line with the message being preached (shown later in Galatians 2), and he wanted to be positive that the apostles' message was the same God-given news he had received. He spent fifteen days with the apostles, learning their interpretations of the gospel and hearing their eyewitness accounts of Jesus' life.
The proportion of time Paul spent meditating on the scriptures, on his own and with his brothers in Christ, is a good model of what our time with the Lord should be like. Paul spent three years alone with God, then spent fifteen days with the apostles. Similarly, while we spend Sunday (and in my case, Monday and Wednesday) hearing someone else preach, we should spend the rest of our time in the Word on our own. We, like the Bereans, should be so familiar with the scriptures that we can immediately dispute anything that is contrary to the Bible. That way if something comes up in church that does not agree with scriptures, we can dismiss it as faulty human interpretation and not something from God. And in the same way, if a new interpretation comes up that stands the test of the gospel, we can praise God for His consistency and His amazing vastness that allows us to continually learn more about Him without growing bored.
Paul didn't return to discuss the gospel until he had had sufficient time to analyze the scriptures and develop his own theology under God's influence. After he had determined for himself that the message of Christ was true, then he went to the disciples to present his knowledge of the gospel to them and match it up against their message. When he was sure that the gospel he had received was exactly the message God had intended, he immediately began preaching alongside the other apostles (Acts 9:19b-20). Paul realized that fellowship is necessary in order to keep one another in line with the message being preached (shown later in Galatians 2), and he wanted to be positive that the apostles' message was the same God-given news he had received. He spent fifteen days with the apostles, learning their interpretations of the gospel and hearing their eyewitness accounts of Jesus' life.
The proportion of time Paul spent meditating on the scriptures, on his own and with his brothers in Christ, is a good model of what our time with the Lord should be like. Paul spent three years alone with God, then spent fifteen days with the apostles. Similarly, while we spend Sunday (and in my case, Monday and Wednesday) hearing someone else preach, we should spend the rest of our time in the Word on our own. We, like the Bereans, should be so familiar with the scriptures that we can immediately dispute anything that is contrary to the Bible. That way if something comes up in church that does not agree with scriptures, we can dismiss it as faulty human interpretation and not something from God. And in the same way, if a new interpretation comes up that stands the test of the gospel, we can praise God for His consistency and His amazing vastness that allows us to continually learn more about Him without growing bored.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Galatians 1:17
"—nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus." (NIV)
Rather than going to meet the other apostles to have them explain to him what had happened, Paul went out into the desert, just like Jesus did in Mark 1:12-13. Like Jesus did in Mark 1:35, Paul went off on his own, and, using his own knowledge of the Scriptures (with God's guiding wisdom and understanding), he discerned for himself whether or not the message of Christ was true. After he had come to a conclusion, he then returned to Damascus before meeting the other apostles.
Like Paul, the Bereans in Acts 17:10-15 examined the Scriptures closely before making their decision, rather than simply accepting the words of famous men, and they were commended for it. We should do the same, always picking apart the words of the Bible to determine our own God-given understanding of the gospel. We need to own our faith and not just be genetic Christians (Christians by heredity: because our parents are Christians). Paul set a great example for us to follow, and we would do well to follow that example. god clearly knew exactly what He was doing when He chose Paul to preach to the Gentiles.
Rather than going to meet the other apostles to have them explain to him what had happened, Paul went out into the desert, just like Jesus did in Mark 1:12-13. Like Jesus did in Mark 1:35, Paul went off on his own, and, using his own knowledge of the Scriptures (with God's guiding wisdom and understanding), he discerned for himself whether or not the message of Christ was true. After he had come to a conclusion, he then returned to Damascus before meeting the other apostles.
Like Paul, the Bereans in Acts 17:10-15 examined the Scriptures closely before making their decision, rather than simply accepting the words of famous men, and they were commended for it. We should do the same, always picking apart the words of the Bible to determine our own God-given understanding of the gospel. We need to own our faith and not just be genetic Christians (Christians by heredity: because our parents are Christians). Paul set a great example for us to follow, and we would do well to follow that example. god clearly knew exactly what He was doing when He chose Paul to preach to the Gentiles.
Galatians 1:15-16
"But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man—" (NIV)
The Jews believed that they were God's chosen people, "set apart from birth," so when Paul makes the same claim about his apostleship, he is making a bold statement. But he makes sure to give all the glory to God by adding that he was chosen by God's grace, not because of anything he had done (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Then he continues: not only did God choose Paul to be His missionary to the Gentiles, but He was pleased for it to be so. He chose His fiercest persecutor to shine His light through him and to reveal Himself to the Gentiles.
This is a very important point to remember: Paul was a Pharisee (while he was still Saul, prior to his conversion). He believed just as strongly as any Jew that only Jews (and those who converted to Judaism) were God's people. So for Paul to go out preaching to pagans was to go against everything the Pharisees believed. And he wasn't just a missionary who gathered a handful of Gentiles along with his primarily Jewish followers; he was THE apostle to the Gentiles. That was his purpose, his calling: to go against the customs of the Pharisees and share the gospel with the Gentiles. And God was pleased to send this Pharisee of Pharisees out to spread the name of Jesus around the world.
When Paul encountered Christ on the road to Damascus, was blinded by light, and was later given his sight back, he did not go to the Pharisees to discuss what had happened. Doing so would have shown him to still be a selfish man, looking out for what would put him in a better position among the people. We see in verse 17 what he did instead.
The Jews believed that they were God's chosen people, "set apart from birth," so when Paul makes the same claim about his apostleship, he is making a bold statement. But he makes sure to give all the glory to God by adding that he was chosen by God's grace, not because of anything he had done (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Then he continues: not only did God choose Paul to be His missionary to the Gentiles, but He was pleased for it to be so. He chose His fiercest persecutor to shine His light through him and to reveal Himself to the Gentiles.
This is a very important point to remember: Paul was a Pharisee (while he was still Saul, prior to his conversion). He believed just as strongly as any Jew that only Jews (and those who converted to Judaism) were God's people. So for Paul to go out preaching to pagans was to go against everything the Pharisees believed. And he wasn't just a missionary who gathered a handful of Gentiles along with his primarily Jewish followers; he was THE apostle to the Gentiles. That was his purpose, his calling: to go against the customs of the Pharisees and share the gospel with the Gentiles. And God was pleased to send this Pharisee of Pharisees out to spread the name of Jesus around the world.
When Paul encountered Christ on the road to Damascus, was blinded by light, and was later given his sight back, he did not go to the Pharisees to discuss what had happened. Doing so would have shown him to still be a selfish man, looking out for what would put him in a better position among the people. We see in verse 17 what he did instead.
Additional Notes - Galatians 1:1-9
v. 1) John 17:14-18 says that we are to be in the world but not of it. In the same way, when Paul says that he has not been sent from men, he is saying that he has been transformed and is no longer a man of the world but a disciple of God. As Paul says in Philippians 3:20, "[Our] citizenship is in heaven."
v. 2) The fact that "the brothers" trusted Paul enough to follow him despite his life prior to his encounter with Christ proves that there was a miraculous change in his life. "The brothers" would not be with Paul if they expected persecution from him.
v. 3) Paul uses the words "grace" and "peace" here to remind the Galatians of how they should respond to their salvation. Grace is a gift given that is undeserved. Obviously, nobody deserves eternal life because no one is righteous; yet God gave us the free gift of salvation anyway. Paul reminds the Galatians of that fact. Then he assures them that they should have peace: certainty that their salvation is guaranteed. Peace can also take on the connotation of joy in that, if our peace/joy is in Christ, nothing can take it away.
v. 4) Jesus never drew upon His identity as God in the flesh, but He did everything out of pure devotion to God. Philippians 2:6-8 says, "[Jesus], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!"
Jesus did not draw upon His power as God to give Him the willpower to die on the cross. He simply prayed for strength to do so, and God answered His Son's prayer. Jesus was then able to give Himself up on the cross as a Man. He died a real human death. And He was happy to do it for us.
v. 6) [By] the grace of Christ—" Again we see that we have been given a gift we don't deserve. But the Galatians turned down the gift. They deserted (NIV), or turned traitor to (MSG), Christ. They were just as bad as the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), taking the gift, wasting it, and betraying his father. But we often do the same, dragging the cross through the mud. Thank God there's forgiveness and sanctification!
v. 8-9) Mark 9:42 sums this passage up perfectly: "And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck."
v. 2) The fact that "the brothers" trusted Paul enough to follow him despite his life prior to his encounter with Christ proves that there was a miraculous change in his life. "The brothers" would not be with Paul if they expected persecution from him.
v. 3) Paul uses the words "grace" and "peace" here to remind the Galatians of how they should respond to their salvation. Grace is a gift given that is undeserved. Obviously, nobody deserves eternal life because no one is righteous; yet God gave us the free gift of salvation anyway. Paul reminds the Galatians of that fact. Then he assures them that they should have peace: certainty that their salvation is guaranteed. Peace can also take on the connotation of joy in that, if our peace/joy is in Christ, nothing can take it away.
v. 4) Jesus never drew upon His identity as God in the flesh, but He did everything out of pure devotion to God. Philippians 2:6-8 says, "[Jesus], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!"
Jesus did not draw upon His power as God to give Him the willpower to die on the cross. He simply prayed for strength to do so, and God answered His Son's prayer. Jesus was then able to give Himself up on the cross as a Man. He died a real human death. And He was happy to do it for us.
v. 6) [By] the grace of Christ—" Again we see that we have been given a gift we don't deserve. But the Galatians turned down the gift. They deserted (NIV), or turned traitor to (MSG), Christ. They were just as bad as the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), taking the gift, wasting it, and betraying his father. But we often do the same, dragging the cross through the mud. Thank God there's forgiveness and sanctification!
v. 8-9) Mark 9:42 sums this passage up perfectly: "And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck."
Monday, September 27, 2010
Galatians 1:14
"I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers." (NIV)
Here Paul refers back to verse 12. "I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age—" This section has the word 'school' stamped all over it. Paul was "advancing in Judaism"— The wording here makes it sound like Judaism is a class, of which Paul is the Valedictorian. Now look back at verse 12: "—nor was I taught it—" If the gospel could have been taught by mere mortal man, Paul would have been the first to learn it. Yet he was the last of the apostles.
Then Paul says, "[I] was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers." But the Message translation of verse 12 says, "I didn't receive it through the traditions—" Again, Paul is making it perfectly obvious where he didn't get the gospel from.
Here Paul refers back to verse 12. "I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age—" This section has the word 'school' stamped all over it. Paul was "advancing in Judaism"— The wording here makes it sound like Judaism is a class, of which Paul is the Valedictorian. Now look back at verse 12: "—nor was I taught it—" If the gospel could have been taught by mere mortal man, Paul would have been the first to learn it. Yet he was the last of the apostles.
Then Paul says, "[I] was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers." But the Message translation of verse 12 says, "I didn't receive it through the traditions—" Again, Paul is making it perfectly obvious where he didn't get the gospel from.
Galatians 1:13
"For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it." (NIV)
These next five verses refer back to the previous three. Verse 13 refers specifically to verse 10 in saying that Paul's former way of life was a life of pleasing himself as a Pharisee and pleasing the masses. If he had continued to be a slave to his own pleasure, he would have continued in his self-glorifying ways as a Pharisee. But clearly he gave up that life in favor of a more rewarding one in Christ. Thus, we have the Pauline letters that make up half of the New Testament.
In this verse Paul makes sure the Galatians have no doubt whatsoever as to who he was before his encounter with Christ and his introduction to the gospel in order to prove the miraculous nature of his conversion.
These next five verses refer back to the previous three. Verse 13 refers specifically to verse 10 in saying that Paul's former way of life was a life of pleasing himself as a Pharisee and pleasing the masses. If he had continued to be a slave to his own pleasure, he would have continued in his self-glorifying ways as a Pharisee. But clearly he gave up that life in favor of a more rewarding one in Christ. Thus, we have the Pauline letters that make up half of the New Testament.
In this verse Paul makes sure the Galatians have no doubt whatsoever as to who he was before his encounter with Christ and his introduction to the gospel in order to prove the miraculous nature of his conversion.
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