Lesson 17 July 14, 2002
Summary
3:8
1. The means of justification has always been
the same, by faith.
2.
Therefore this justification by faith is available to all, regardless of
one's race, geographic location and has
always been so.
3. Abraham
then was justified by faith many years, 40-50, before he was circumcised Rom.
4:10.
4. The
promise of the blessing than to all mankind, to all nations, would be through
Jesus Christ who would be seed of Abraham.
Gal. 3:16; Mat. 1:1
5. The
blessing to all mankind is from being spiritually identified with Abraham's
faith, not a physical identification with him or with an overt physical
observance like circumcision.
6. This
verse highlights Paul's view that Scripture is linked directly with the communication of God.
7. Need to
remember what Paul is doing with his theological arguments here. He's answering the false conclusions that
the Judaizers had given to the Galatians.
Believe
that the Judaizers might have argued in the following way:
a. We have Abraham as our father, he was chosen
by YHWH as founder of the race.
b. Abraham
received the rite of circumcision as a sign of YHWH's covenant blessing.
c.
Therefore, since all the heathen Gentiles were to be blessed in Abraham,
they would of necessity have to be incorporated into his descendency by the same rite of circumcision.
8. Paul
here in this paragraph is saying very strongly, No, your wrong, you've made the
wrong deduction. It is not the essence
of Abraham's circumcision that makes a Gentile a spiritual son, but it the
essence of His faith.
3:9
His summary conclusion
So
then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.
Summary
3:9
1. This
blessing or provision is made available to all nations, all peoples (unlimited atonement) but only those who exhale faith in Christ
are the recipients of this blessing.
2. This
brings us eternal blessing, (fruit of
justification - heaven) as well as the potential for blessing in time, in our
life.
3. Faith or trust in what God provides is never
misplaced trust!
4. We will be able to share Abraham's company
during the millennium.
3:10-14 Continues with his theological argument by
showing the illogic of reliance on the Law.
What
he is going to do here is to contrast the negative impact of the law
performance living and the positive deliverance through Christ alone.
3:10 The Law brings a curse
For as many as
are of the works of the Law are under a curse;
But what is the real case! are under a curse;
There are two broad and inclusive expressions in this verse: “everyone” and “all things.” Paul wanted the Galatians to realize that when they
subject themselves to the Law, they subject themselves to it in its entirety.
Summary 3:10
1. Paul in Galatians 3 recognizes two classes of people.
#1 those out from the source
of faith vs:7, 9
#2 those out from the source
of works, 10, (2,5 works of law)
2. The first group, of faith group, have discovered that the source
of justification and therefore blessing by God is by faith.
3. While the second group, of works group, are those who are
attempting by their own efforts to obtain blessing from God.
4. What Paul is emphatically
saying here is that for anyone to attempt to obtain a standing before God on
the basis of law keeping not only fails to find the blessing, but in reality is
placing himself under a curse which insures the wrath of God.
5. Paul demonstrates his proposition from the Scriptures. Quotes Dt. 27:26
He gives us four basic facts about
the law that are pertinent.
a. God's law never misses a violator.
b. God's law allows for no
lapses in compliance.
c. God's law requires total obedience.
d. God's law demands actual performance not mere lip service.
6. This verse is a strong statement to those like the Judaizers who
operated on the premise that to submit to the law entitled them or brought them
special blessing.