Galatians, #4 Theological Argument: The Failures of Legalism Galatians 3

Galatians #4 Theological Argument  Again, the premise being debated: Justification is by faith in Jesus Christ rather than by Works of the Law.  Specifically, Gentiles do not have to be circumcised or keep the Old Law in addition to being Christians.

Galatians #4 Theological Argument  Chapter 1: You deserted Christ for a different gospel. My gospel is not according to man.  Chapter 2: Further evidences of the independence of my gospel given.  And now, Chapter 3.

Galatians #4 Theological Argument  As chps. 1 & 2 made the case from a Biographical point of view,  Chapter 3 now turns to Theological reasonings. Meaning, The reasons for the validity of the proposition are not going to be from personal experience as much as from scriptural truth/logic.

Galatians #4 Theological Argument  Verse 1: -“foolish” and “bewitched” Galatians Tone is not contemptuous but reproaching. -“before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?” Difficult to understand? Try this: >Their present contention was that one must keep the Old Law to be justified. >Jesus kept the Law perfectly, 1Pet.2:22. >Did they really want their justification the way He was justified? cf.5:3; Rom.2:25 Didn’t think so!

Galatians #4 Theological Argument  Verse 2: “Did you receive the Spirit” by Law or Faith?  Verse 3: Obviously, the spiritual gifts they enjoyed had not come upon them through the laying on of Moses’ hands while they were still under his Law!  Verse 4: Likewise, are you not suffering as Christians rather than as Jews under Law? cf. 1Pet.4:14-16

Galatians #4 Theological Argument  Verse 5: Does your ability to perform miracles come from Law or by your Faith in Christ?  Verse 6: “But what about Abraham?” Father Abraham was justified by faith not by Law for he lived and died before the Law you now want to return to was given through Moses!  Verse 7: Therefore to truly be Abraham’s Sons one must depend on Faith in Jesus, not Works of Law!

Galatians #4 Theological Argument  Verse 8: To that end, the scripture (O.T.) reminds of the third promise made to Abraham concerning the Gentiles- those not under Law!  Verse 9: So, the blessing of Abraham comes by faith.  Verses 10-14: Therefore the Law (to which you wish to return) provides cursing, not blessing. But, Jesus redeemed us from the Law’s curse giving instead blessing and the promise of the Spirit.

Galatians #4 Theological Argument  Verse 15: Even man’s laws, once ratified, cannot be set aside or added to.  Verse 16: So much more so it is true with God’s promise to Abraham: >not seeds, referring to many; but>seed, referring to Christ. Jesus Christ was the seed to which the third promise to Abraham referred.

Galatians #4 Theological Argument  Verse 17: Point? The Law (given 430 years after Abraham) does not / can not change the promise God made.  Verse 18: If justification is dependent on the Law (as claimed by the Galatians), then it cannot be based upon the promise God made to Abraham. This cannot then be true! So why was the Law even given?

Galatians #4 Theological Argument  Verse 19a: It was added because of transgressions. How so, if the Law made transgressions? If there is no Law, there is no sin! But look closely at these passages: Rom.2:12 > Rom.3:9,19 > 7:7 The Law made sin, sinful. How so? By codifying that which was repulsive to God, man was made aware of his utter sinfulness!

Galatians #4 Theological Argument  Verse 19b: The Law was for a specific amount of time: “until the seed should come”- the Mediator of the New Covenant, Jesus Christ.  Verses 21-23: Is the Law then contrary to the promise of God? No, it was necessary to get us to the promise of God. While it could not impart life (otherwise it would not have been removed), it brought us to the Life!

Galatians #4 Theological Argument  Verse 24: The Law was a tutor. This is the Greek equivalent to our bus driver- responsible to get students from home to the Teacher.  Verse 25: Once delivered to the Teacher, the tutor/driver’s job was done!

Galatians #4 Theological Argument  Verses : -sonship is true faith, not physical blood, v.26 -baptism puts one into Christ, v.27 -in Christ (by baptism), all are acceptable whether Jew or Gentile- it makes no difference, v.28. Therefore, the Law makes no difference! -if in Christ, you are Abraham’s inheritors! v.29